Category: Hike

Motherhood Moments: Great Expectations

I’m not used to taking things easy.
When I first had Big E my whole world changed, including what was possible in the outdoors. All day hikes to the top of mountains were fun with just adults in tow, but once a baby was involved diaper changes and feedings changed what I did in the outdoors. Maybe an all day hike up a mountain was out, but I could still put the baby in the pack and get out for a hike.

Then Big E grew. Suddenly he wanted to toddle everywhere without being strapped into a pack. So we adapted, changed our expectations and went on short adventures or stroller accessible activities.
Then little g was born. We had to adapt again. Learn how to have two kids and balance their needs and mine was another learning curve that affected what we did in the outdoors. But Big E was bigger and could actually walk on his own now. We could still get outdoors, just at a toddler’s level.
Now there’s another one. Baby L is still in the floppy stage, unable to even sit up on her own. While adorable and lovable in every way, her lack of motor skills requires another redefinition of acceptable outdoor activity. And it’s tough.
With this hot weather I long to go kayaking with my family. We live near a great tubing river, but having a completely dependent child makes that activity too dangerous to contemplate.
Biking would be another fun alternative, but my bike trailer requires an infant insert and says it’s only suitable for children over six months. Summer will be over by the time Baby L is six months.
Another family favorite is off-roading. Mountain Dad loves driving the RZR but laws (and common sense) require all children to wear helmets and Baby L has just barely figured out how to hold up her head. I can’t imagine what it would be like wearing a heavy helmet, not to mention I don’t think her car seat would work in an off road vehicle.
I thought I had figured out that having kids requires adaptation to my life. I have learned to walk at a slower pace, to plan ahead, to change the activities from white water rafting to short hikes near to home. We’ve bought special gear, taken more time, given up when appropriate. But I still have to lower my expectations.
I’m not asking for much. It’s not like I’m an extreme athlete running Iron man triathlons every weekend. And I know all too well that babies grow and this will be temporary. That doesn’t change the chasm between what I WANT to do outdoors and what I’m ABLE to do outdoors.
Getting outdoors with young kids is tough, but I know I will keep trying, changing and adapting, because it is also important.

Three Ways to Get Outdoors This Summer

Can you feel it? The weather’s warm and school’s almost out. It’s time to get ready for SUMMER! If you’re looking for ways to get outdoors with the tots here are my top suggestions.

Join an outdoors play group. The new site Forest School For All is a resource for anyone looking for an outdoors play group. If there’s not a group in your area consider starting one – details are on the Forest School For All website. You can also find groups for all of your interests at Meetup or just get some friends together and start your own adventures.

Visit a National Park. There are so many amazing places in the United States and Canada. Why not plan a family vacation to experience them? Our favorites include Yellowstone, Denali and Arches National Parks. But if those are too far away why not try your State Parks? Several have great day trip locations including lakes, forests and wild spaces.

Commit to Life on the Outside. A friend of mine introduced me to Waldkindergarten, a movement common in Germany where preschool is held outside no matter the weather. Meals, lessons, play all happen outdoors no matter if it’s raining or snowing or hot. This has led me to ask myself if four year olds can do it, why not me? What daily activities could I accomplish outside? Summer’s a great time to find out.

What are your summertime plans? How will your kids be entertained and involved?

Autumn at Sundance Resort: Bearclaw Supper Club, Harvest Market and Halloween Lift Rides

Autumn is a great time to be in the mountains. Our family lives near Sundance Resort in Utah and love to celebrate autumn with the great events hosted there. These are three of our favorites.

Bearclaw Supper Club

In September Mountain Dad and I enjoyed Sundance Resort’s newest fine dining experience – dinner al fresco on the patio of Bearclaw Cabin. On select nights in the summer and fall, guests can enjoy a lift ride to the top of Ray’s and Arrowhead lifts, a five course dinner, and live music from the highest point at the resort. The views are amazing.

Sundance Harvest Market

Every year Sundance Resort hosts a Harvest Market to beat all others. On the last Saturday of September artisans bring their crafts and wares to share in the beauty of the mountains. Although this year rain moved the event indoors, it did not disappoint.
What I love about the Harvest Market is experiencing the homemade. Whether it’s jewelry, artwork, home décor, furniture or food, the Sundance Harvest Market offers items you won’t find in any department store. I loved wandering the stalls, admiring handmade soaps, sampling Heber Valley Artisan Cheeses and listening to the talents of a local bluegrass band. My kids loved the owls from The Great Basin Wildlife Rescue. 

Halloween Lift Rides

I’m not a fan of haunted houses, I like my horror in more family friendly doses. That’s why I like Sundance Resort’s Halloween Lift ride. Riding Ray’s Lift on a crisp autumn night with scenes of ghosts, cemeteries, and skeletons below puts me in the Halloween mood. This year spooky lift rides will be offered nightly from October 23-November 1st (closed Sundays), 7:00-10:00pm weekdays, 7:00-11:00pm weekends. Don’t miss it.

Disclosure: Sundance Resort did not ask me to write this post, but I do blog for them at www.sundanceresortblog.com.

Horseshoe Lake Hike, Denali National Park, Alaska

The Horseshoe Lake/Nenana River hike was my favorite in Denali National Park, even though part of the trail was under renovation. The dirt and rock path wound through spruce and willow trees down to the banks of a pristine Alaskan lake, then further to the Nenana River.

The beginning of the trail crosses the railroad tracks so be aware especially if kids are in tow. But that also means that if you time your hike right, you could catch a glimpse of the train chugging above the horseshoe lake on its way to Fairbanks.

The long descent to the lake was scenic and beautiful and once we arrived, Mountain Dad and I spied a beaver dam, with signs of recent habitation. The occupants were not out and about but it was fun to see their construction projects at their best.

Further along the Horseshoe Lake trail we found the mighty Nenana River. This river, like all of them in that area, is fed by snow runoff and glacial melt which means they are cold and silty. I didn’t dare put my feet in the 35 degree water. We learned that because of the glacial silt, there are not fish in the rivers here.

What I liked about this trail was the variety of things to see – trains, valleys, lakes, forest, beaver dam, river, sandy beach. What I didn’t like was hiking back up to the trailhead, the elevation gain was not fun.

INFORMATION
Getting there: Take the Denali Park Road to Mile 5ish. Park in the small area just past where the railroad tracks cross the road.
Length: 1.5 miles
Elevation Gain: Approximately 500 feet all at the beginning (and end)
Time: 2 hours round trip
Tips: Watch for trains!