One recent Saturday, quite a few road blocks stood in our way to ultimately feeling like our time in the outdoors hiking was really worth our great effort of driving 3.5 hours both ways for just a day trip. [Read more…]
Savoring the Season with an End-of- Summer Bucket List
We still have several weeks before our little guy embarks on the brand-new adventure of life as a preschooler. I know the summer isn’t really over, not until September 22, and the fun at home doesn’t stop just because someone is in school for a couple of mornings a week.
However, I still feel like it’s necessary for me to make sure that we’re getting the most out of the summer season. After all, as much as we really don’t mind it so much, Western Washington isn’t exactly known for it’s spectacular fall, winter & spring weather.
To accomplish this savoring, I just took a few moments to jot down a quick list. I even consulted Slaed (husband) and Bergen (now 3-years old), so this list reflects all of our contributions. Also, to help with some inspiration, I referenced the The Kid’s Outdoor Adventure Book to make sure that were weren’t missing out on any quintessential summer activities.
When it was all said and done, I came up with 11 items. I made the list last week, and what do you know, we’ve already accomplished several! To see some of those in action, visit our instagram feed. I may have had a certain trip to the coast in mind when brainstorming… Just because we did something once though, doesn’t mean we have to check it off the list and move on, and yes, just because the calendar says it’s “fall” doesn’t mean the “summer” fun stops!
Exploring Golden, Colorado: 8 Family Favorites
More than ever we strive to be intentional in our travel. We want to experience all that a locale has to offer, but also make smart choices with our time. One way we achieve this is through less driving. No, not always what realistically happens (recent WA adventure), but always something we consider and work on.
Take our trip to Golden, Colorado last month. We’re proud to say that we visited Golden, not the “Denver area”. We rented a house steps from downtown Golden, and planned ahead to ensure we would spend the majority of our time in the little mining town.
Why so vigilant?
When visiting one of our old stomping grounds (this one being where Slaed grew up), activities, meet-ups, visits, and even sightseeing can get out of hand. So we made some deliberate choices to combat our prior tendency of spending so much time in the car driving all over the area.
In exchange, I really got a feel for Golden and it’s charm, without the rush, and can share a whole list of our favorite Golden to-do’s:
1. Explore Downtown.
Adding More Adventure to 2014: A Growing {Wild Tales of…} Family
Our wild little family is growing and things around here are about to get even more adventurous! Yes! We are expecting our second baby in December, and we couldn’t be more excited (and maybe a little terrified).
Orcas Island’s Turtleback Mountain: Thankful for the Second Chance
When planning a return trip to Orcas Island (one of Washington State’s San Juan Islands north of Seattle), Slaed and I both made short lists. Short lists of places on the island we didn’t want to miss. Restaurants, hikes, shops, and other destinations that we loved so much the first time or didn’t get to visit because time or closure.
Neither of those lists included a visit back to the Turtleback Mountain Preserve, located west of the main town of East Sound. All Slaed could remember was the long uneventful climb along a gravel trail. Yes, if we veered off, there were a few spectacular views of the water and surrounding islands, but there were other hikes, other parks that we thought were better worth our time. We were content just visiting once.
Then I heard from one of the best local hiking experts in the state, Craig Romano. His latest book, Day Hikes in the San Juan and Gulf Islands was just released, and he was interested in having some Pacific Northwest area bloggers review it. Unfortunately the book wouldn’t arrive before we hit the road for Orcas, but I jumped at the chance to consult with him on his favorite picks, especially with a little hiker in tow.
His top recommendation and in his opinion the very best hike on the island? The Turtleback Mountain Preserve hike.
With a little more research I realized that yes, the first bit of the hike was a boring uphill climb, there was just no way around that, but if we remained patient and put in the work, we’d be rewarded.
Potty Training for Active Families: Resources to Prepare, Survive and Reinforce+Giveaway!
{Fifth and final post in a series on potty training for active families}
We’re active. Even when we’re not traveling somewhere, we’re off exploring our local area whether that’s just getting exercise through walking, hiking, and biking, getting things done around town, rooting for our favorite home teams, or participating in community events. We like to get out.
Because of this lively lifestyle that we love, visions of serious potty training terrified us. Yes, we wanted so badly to be rid of the diapers. However, the thought of being homebound for a even a few days or a weekend was paralyzing. We dreaded it. Those 3-day potty boot camps (as much as we wanted to be over with quick) just wouldn’t work for us.
So we took our time and figured out an approach that worked for us and allowed us to continue our adventurous lifestyle with just a few changes.
For this last post in the series, I’m sharing resources galore, plus I’m giving away one of these great resources, so look for that at the end of the post! From books, to games, to informative posts from my fellow outdoor and traveling bloggers, I hope to equip families with plenty information prepare, survive, and reinforce their potty training efforts.
Holiday Reset: Golden, CO’s Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Holidays are filled with fun and excitement. They can also be overwhelming. At least for me. Even the ones that are all about celebrating–no crazy obligations, no gifts to buy, no ceremonies to attend, just a lot of gathering with family and friends. It was a 4th of July frenzy for me this year. By late morning on the the 5th of July, I was cooked, and wait, we were actually on vacation! Yes as the cliche goes, I needed a vacation from my vacation.
Lucky for me, a quick respite in the mountains was just a short drive away. I located a state park, and we were off headed for not only a quiet hike (yes, you can have those with a toddler), but a peaceful mini road trip through a canyon inviting us to take in some of the Colorado culture as we passed ranches, trailheads, and distant peaks.
Unfortunately when we arrived at Golden Gate Canyon Park (about 30 minutes from downtown Golden), we knew we didn’t have a whole lot of time. It was already later in the morning, and we needed to get back for Bergen’s nap, and more fun that evening. We asked the ranger at the window for a short, but sweet hike recommendation, and she was more than happy to steer us in the right direction.
Potty Training for Active Families: What to Pack for Travel
{Fourth post in a series on potty training for active families}
We’re active. Even when we’re not traveling somewhere, we’re off exploring our local area whether that’s just getting exercise through walking, hiking, and biking, getting things done around town, rooting for our favorite home teams, or participating in community events. We like to get out.
Because of this lively lifestyle that we love, visions of serious potty training terrified us. Yes, we wanted so badly to be rid of the diapers. However, the thought of being homebound for a even a few days or a weekend was paralyzing. We dreaded it. Those 3-day potty boot camps (as much as we wanted to be over with quick) just wouldn’t work for us.
So we took our time and figured out an approach that worked for us and allowed us to continue our adventurous lifestyle with just a few changes.
For this fourth post in the series, I’m sharing what we pack when we truly hit the road, and travel away from home overnight, plus just a few quick tips and insights to keep in mind when at the airport and on the plane. Since our potty training journey began almost 3 months ago, we’ve logged 2 road trips to destinations about 3 hours away from home, and one plane trip of about 2 1/2 hours in duration. We are off to enjoy a weekend at the lake (6 hours on the road) in just a couple days, so I’ve got packing on the brain!
Potty Training for Active Families: 11 Quick Tips
{Third post in a series on potty training for active families}
We’re active. Even when we’re not traveling somewhere, we’re off exploring our local area whether that’s just getting exercise through walking, hiking, and biking, getting things done around town, rooting for our favorite home teams, or participating in community events. We like to get out.
Because of this lively lifestyle that we love, visions of serious potty training terrified us. Yes, we wanted so badly to be rid of the diapers. However, the thought of being homebound for a even a few days or a weekend was paralyzing. We dreaded it. Those 3-day potty boot camps (as much as we wanted to be over with quick) just wouldn’t work for us.
So we took our time and figured out an approach that worked for us and allowed us to continue our adventurous lifestyle with just a few changes.
For this third post in the series, I’m sharing 11 quick tips for those families who may be taking the potty training plunge soon. Now that Bergen (2.5 years old) is without diapers during the day, we took some time to reflect on what worked and what may have made a difference in his success (and what didn’t) in order to gain some perspective, and pass along a few good tidbits of help.
To learn more about the potty training necessities we bring along in our backpack when leaving the house for training on-the-go, check out the first post of the series. To learn more about the basic potty training steps we took, check out the second post in the series!
Trying New Things: Stand-up Paddleboarding in San Juan, Puerto Rico
Watching friends and those I admire for years now try this new(ish) way of enjoying the outdoors got me super curious. Okay. And maybe a little jealous.
When see others gliding along the water on stand-up paddleboards, the best word that I can think of is cool. The sport just seemed like such a neat way to explore a natural area, have downtime, and get a little exercise all at the same time.
Potty Training for Active Families: Our Basic Steps
{Second post in a series on potty training for active families}
We’re active. Even when we’re not traveling somewhere, we’re off exploring our local area whether that’s just getting exercise through walking, hiking, and biking, getting things done around town, rooting for our favorite home teams, or participating in community events. We like to get out.
Because of this lively lifestyle that we love, visions of serious potty training terrified us. Yes, we wanted so badly to be rid of the diapers. However, the thought of being homebound for a even a few days or a weekend was paralyzing. We dreaded it. Those 3-day potty boot camps (as much as we wanted to be over with quick) just wouldn’t work for us.
So we took our time and figured out an approach that worked for us and allowed us to continue our adventurous lifestyle with just a few changes.
For this second post in the series, I’m sharing the basic steps we took toward getting our son Bergen (2.5 years old) potty trained during the day. To learn more about the potty training necessities we bring along in our backpack when leaving the house for training on-the-go, check out the first post of the series. Also stay tuned for tips and helpful practices that have come in handy for us along the way.
Potty Training for Active Families: 6 Necessities for Training On-the-Go
{First post in a series on potty training for active families}
We’re active. Even when we’re not traveling somewhere, we’re off exploring our local area whether that’s just getting exercise through walking, hiking, and biking, getting things done around town, rooting for our favorite home teams, or participating in community events. We like to get out.
Because of this lively lifestyle that we love, visions of serious potty training terrified us. Yes, we wanted so badly to be rid of the diapers. However, the thought of being homebound for a even a few days or a weekend was paralyzing. We dreaded it. Those 3-day potty boot camps (as much as we wanted to be over with quick) just wouldn’t work for us.
So we took our time and figured out an approach that worked for us and allowed us to continue our adventurous lifestyle with just a few changes.
To start, I’m sharing what we needed to bring along with us in order for our little guy (2.5 years old) to be successful and for us to be prepared for both the accomplishments and the inevitable accidents. Stay tuned for more on our process, plus tips that may be helpful if you are thinking of going for it, and losing the diapers.
Summer Camp Dreams at Orcas Island, WA’s Camp Orkila
Are your kids going to camp this summer? Our little guy (2.5 years old) is a bit too young for such fun at this point, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t already giving it some thought.
Dreaming, really, and honestly, wishing we were the ones getting to enjoy the outdoor time, arts and crafts, sports, and learning without all the everyday interruptions of regular life.
Travel and Adventure Inspiration: Just Get Out There and GO!
Being Brave: Crossing the Alexandra Bridge Near Hope, BC
This year over our Memorial Day weekend, we were spontaneous and took a chance. With just a couple of days notice, we planned a quick one-night getaway up to British Columbia to a small mountain town known for Rambo, chainsaw carvings, and countless outdoor adventure opportunities. Hope, BC, just under 100 miles (150 km) east of Vancouver is situated along the Fraser River between the Coast Mountain range and the Cascade Mountain range.
6 Lessons Learned from Travel without Kids
Leading up to our trip to Puerto Rico back in April our family shared a whole host of emotions.
This was new for us. Both Slaed (husband) and I have traveled without Bergen, but not together. One of us had always stayed back with the little guy.
I had the typical anxiety of getting across the country in a plane (2 flights) with a 2.5 year old without my partner in crime since Slaed would be traveling straight to San Juan while Bergen and I would stop in Charlotte to get him settled in with my mom.
I agonized over packing. Not such a big deal in the grand scheme of things, but I was essentially packing for two trips (and two people): A visit with family in the Carolinas and a beach vacation + wedding. I was overwhelmed and kept thinking I would forget something, not to mention the issue keeping the weight of my bag under 50 pounds to avoid an extra fee.
Both Slaed and I worried about Bergen. Every little behavior quirk that came up during the weeks before the trip caused us to fret. We felt guilty about possibly burdening another person with his “antics”.
We even felt badly about leaving him (in the highly capable loving hands of my amazing mother)! Why would we travel to a fun, exciting, family friendly spot and keep him behind? I would only be without him for about 4 days, but since Slaed didn’t travel to the Carolinas with us, he would be away from Bergen for 10 days. That was hard on him.
I bet you can guess what I’m going to say though. Yup, it was all worth it! And it all turned out okay. It all turned out beautifully, in fact, and we have 6 lessons to share.
Wear Sunscreen: Exploring San Juan Puerto Rico’s Spanish Forts
If there’s one thing I remember to do religiously, it’s to WEAR SUNSCREEN. Even here in Seattle where it’s gray and gloomy more often than not, I apply at least 15 SPF via my everyday face lotion. So when it’s actually sunny here or in one of the locales of our travels, I indeed slather the good stuff (usually SPF 30) all over my exposed parts to protect my white, freckly Irish fair skin.
Recently though on one of our carefree (kidless) days in San Juan, Puerto Rico, I made a silly mistake. No, I didn’t forget to apply. In fact, I made quite a production out of getting every square inch of skin covered. I forgot to think ahead. For some reason it didn’t occur to me at the time that Puerto Rico is hot and muggy, oh, and sunny, and we’d be doing a ton of walking. What does that equation amount to? Sweat. No matter how much you try to avoid it. There goes that layer of protection.
Viewing the first of two main forts in San Juan, we were okay having been fresh from our morning application. It’s a big space though with so many nooks and crannies to explore, our tour took longer than expected. Plus, I think I lingered more than usual because I was basking in the glory of being on my own (along with my husband Slaed, of course). No one needed me to carry them (or chase them), provide them with snacks, or answer question after question.
Camping Made Easy: 8 Reasons to Love Staying in a Yurt
Our family stayed in a yurt once before when we camped at Cape Disappointment State Park two years ago, but I don’t think I quite realized and appreciated their magnificence until our most recent trip to the Oregon coast.
For this trip it was just Bergen (2.5 years old) and me. Sure my brother and his family were just a couple campsites down the road, but all the usual parent responsibilities were on me, and I was admittedly nervous. What a relief to arrive at Nehalem Bay State Park, grab our key from the ranger, and almost immediately get down to the business of enjoying ourselves.
It was pretty much love at first sight and by the end of our 2 night stay, where it poured rain for the majority of our time, I wanted to wrap my arms around our lovely temporary home in admiration. Here’s the breakdown of why I adore yurts as an option for lodging:
8 Reasons to Love Staying in a Yurt
Tale of the Traveling Sandals: Acorn Vista Wedge Review+A Chance to Win!
Shoes. Always a worry, a question, and a debate in our household when packing for a trip. No matter the distance or destination! How many pairs do we want to bring verses How many pairs do we need to bring? What’s necessary and what’s just overkill? And thinking practically, what’s going to fit in our luggage?
Thanks to the folks at Acorn, who you may recognize as that company that makes incredibly cozy slippers, packing shoes (at least for warm weather travel) just got a lot easier for me.
I was asked to give the sandals a test drive, and the opportunity couldn’t have come up at a better time. The Acorn Vista Wedge (T-Strap) Sandals arrived just before for my 10-day adventure to the Carolinas and Puerto Rico where, along with a few other wearings here and there, I tried them out on Easter Sunday (church and brunch) and for my friends’ wedding rehearsal and dinner in Old San Juan.
About the Acorn Vista Wedge Sandals
The vista wedge sandals are a new line from acorn featuring a 2.5 inch heel made of EVA, leather straps, and a cozy footbed. The sandals come in both a variety of colors from neutral (black or pewter) to a little more exciting (navy/sea or fawn/crimson), and a variety of styles including the T-Strap (my choice), ankle, and 3-strap. The EVA material makes for a lightweight product without compromising stability and the footbed is layered with a leather lining (wicks moisture) and contoured arch support.
The Astoria Column: A Serendipitous Encounter on our Adventure in Oregon
After a hearty lunch at one of my favorite Oregon breweries, Bergen and I (solo mother and son travelers) were looking to explore the town just a bit more before getting back on the road to drive to our ultimate destination of Nehalem Bay State Park on the coast. I was thinking we would just wind up and down the historic streets, giving me a chance to marvel over the many Victorian homes with the hope that my little passenger might nod off, and as well as give me a bit of a break. But then, signs began to appear pointing us toward Coxcomb Hill. I was intrigued. I figured, given the fact that we were winding our way up the steep streets of Astoria, that Coxcomb Hill must be the highest point in town. [Read more…]
Keeping Toddlers Safe around Campfires: 4 Helpful Tips
Our toddler (now 2.5 years old) is curious. He also likes to push the limits constantly checking to see where his boundaries lie. In other words, he keeps us on our toes, and in our adventures and travels we must constantly be aware of potential dangers or accidents lurking around the corner.
Enjoying the outdoors with him obviously has so many benefits, but like everything in life there are always things to watch out for. Thinking of our most recent camping trip to the Oregon coast, along with getting enough sleep, planning out meals, and staying dry and warm from the elements, keeping Bergen safe and unharmed from our campfires was at the top of the list.
Like many toddlers, he’s a mini-scientist. He wants to know how things work, but we’re not about to let him test out how a fire might feel and risk potential burns and a visit to the emergency room (especially while on the road). Instead, we’ve done our best to prevent any mishaps.
4 Tips for Keeping Toddlers Safe around Campfires
Wild Fun at the Phoenix Zoo: 5 Highlights for Families
Deciding to visit zoos in the towns and cities that we travel to is a no-brainer. First off, with our membership to our zoo here in Seattle (Woodland Park Zoo), our entry to other zoos is often free or discounted. Secondly, it’s one of those win-win places for kids and adults. Plenty for grown-ups to enjoy without feeling like they are missing out and sitting at the kiddie table all day, but also so engaging for children with exhibits designed just for them. It would be hard to find a kid who wasn’t interested in animals, right?
Hiking Lake Pleasant Regional Park: Typical Arizona with a Few Surprises
We packed a whole lot of Arizona into one excursion during our visit to the state a couple of weeks ago.
A whole lot of typical Arizona was involved. You know…
- Saguaro cactus (among other varieties) towering over us, waving
Investigate and Appreciate Nature with S is for Salmon: A Pacific Northwest Alphabet
How does your child typically interact with a picture book during a read aloud?
The process of our nightly reading sessions can be fairly predictable. Things usually go the same way: One parent selects books (from the shelf or library bag) along with the help of 2.5 year old Bergen, we read the pages, Bergen remarks here and there, and we move on to brushing teeth and getting into bed. An extremely important routine, yes, but not necessarily anything remarkable or amazing happening in the day to day.
When I cracked open the new book by Hannah Viano, S is for Salmon: A Pacific Northwest Alphabet, Bergen’s reaction to the illustrations and interaction with the pages was slightly different though. It made me stop to observe.
Western Washington Respites: Padilla Bay’s Breazeale Interpretive Center
I hate to say this after two back to back gloriously sunny spring days, but here in the Pacific Northwest, the weather isn’t always on our side. Sure, we don’t often have to endure the cold-hard bone chilling days like our neighbors to the north, but it rains here. A LOT. And it’s grey and dark.
Even when it’s not raining heavily, it’s misty and damp. Moisture is everywhere and we get wet. I’ll be the first to say none of that matters if we have the proper gear and clothing layers. At times though, we just need a break.
Places like the Padilla Bay’s Breazeale Interpretive Center, located in the tiny town of Bayview, Washington, are perfect for when we want to explore in nature, but need a little respite from the elements.
5 Tips for a Great Visit to Padilla Bay’s Breazeale Interpretive Center:
1. Explore and Take a Hike.
The trails were the first thing we discovered and explored upon arriving at the Interpretive Center. Since our dog, Norman was along for the ride, we wanted to give him a chance to sniff around and get some exercise before had to leave him to go inside the center. Unlike the indoors portion, the trails (as well as the parking lot) are always open to the public.
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