This is great.
I do this too but on a smaller scale. Usually a single or couple. Doing this with a toddler or pet would be a real challenge.
I usually do a few aspirations while there. I think it's a great start for many aspirations. Great tip to set everything up before you go also. You can build on the fly at the National Forest Park... but I sometimes have glitches when dropping a build from the gallery opposed to just going into build and doing it myself.
I often set out all collectibles I want my sims to bring home.. on the lot (either rented or National Forest) if their inventories are too full. I kind of keep stock that way also and figure out what I can sell off or make potions with. It looks messy but if you forget to pick them up when your sims go back home it will end up in your household inventory.
This is basically the only place I can find grow plant (for sale) now also. Easy enough to cheat it or download it from the gallery but it's really nice to have it in game. Having JA hasn't diminished my love for this pack at all.