It may be the most wonderful time of the year, but it is definitely the hardest time of the year to get outside for my family. Children eager to hike in other seasons turn into curmudgeons at the very mention of going outside, even if the sun is shining. Whining commences and no one moves no matter how enthusiastic I force myself to sound. I weigh how much energy it will take to rally against r...
A few weeks ago my husband, Daniel, came home and told me we could borrow a friend's T@B trailer to go camping. I jumped at the chance, as I had been googling places to rent a cabin in Wisconsin that past week. I started looking up campsites within an hour of the house that were open in winter. Daniel pointed out Mauthe Lake and it was decided–we would head out that weekend.
Winter camping is ...
RyAnn Peverley talks about her journey of finding a community that shares her enthusiasm for the outdoors after her family moved to a new city.
A year ago, I found myself sitting on the couch while my toddler napped, in a new home, in a new city. My older children were all at school and my partner was off at work. I had already picked up around the house, the laundry was done, and I was bored...
Getting outside for winter hikes is tough. It's cold, it's wet, and you are busy with the holidays and all the things that you were supposed to do but couldn't. Or didn't.
You want to get outdoors, but it's so much work to get outside. And So. Many. Layers. Preparing to get yourself and your children on a hike is no easy task. Here are a few hike suggestions to get you excited to get outside.
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“There’s no bad weather as long as you’ve got the right gear.”
For the most part, this is true. But with snow flying in much of the northern U.S., what is the “right” gear? Even for some of the most seasoned outdoor people, getting outside in the winter with your babies and toddlers can present a challenge.
Some of the age old advice ring true. Wear layers. Avoid cotton as a base layer. But t...
In this interview series, I'm going to introduce you to park rangers across the United States. Today's post features DeAnn Casimiro, or "Ranger Dee," a seasonal park ranger at Death Valley National Park.
What is your name and job title?
My name is DeAnn Casimiro and I'm a seasonal park ranger, so my job title changes depending on my current job. Currently, I’m working at Death Valley National ...
Ah, the holiday season … lights, presents, carols, treats, parties, family, goodwill and - for some of us - loads of stress! Do you ever feel like you’re running a sprint between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day? If you usually feel like crawling under the covers by January instead of boldly facing the new year, maybe it’s time to add a little self-care to your holiday routine.
"Self-care" mean...
Oh, the infamous long car ride with kids. Whether you're traveling for the holidays, on your way to the mountains for a family hike, or sitting in the pickup lane at school - there's only so many times you can listen to Frozen's "Let It Go," Lion King's "Hakuna Matata" or Moana's "You're Welcome." An alternative to Disney classics on repeat? Podcasts for kids - have you tried it? With the holid...
I had just started a new medication which had the lovely side effect of increasing the flow rate of my menstruation. My kids were bouncing off the walls. I was cranky and irritable. I finally announced, "That's it! We're going hiking!"
I tossed our hiking bag together, threw in what I hoped was enough snacks and drove to the Loew Lake Segment of the Ice Age Trail. It's my "go to" trail. Thirty...
Bike trailers for kids are gaining in popularity for those who like to fit more into their daily routine. What we love about them is they allow you to go out with the kiddos for outdoor time while still allowing you to have room for light shopping on the way home. Many of them are also easily adaptable from a bike trailer to a stroller - and some of them come with additional hiking or cross cou...
