Mountain Mom and Tots

A Week of Gratitude

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This Thursday is Thanksgiving, one of my favorite holidays. I like that the roots of this holiday are about being grateful, not wearing scary costumes, lighting fireworks or buying lots of gifts. Thanksgiving is about remembering what is most important in life and taking a moment to be grateful.

So this week I want to focus on things that I’m grateful for. I encourage you all to do the same, either by leaving a comment or reposting these posts. Being thankful for the blessings in life is a message that can’t be over done.

The biggest thing I’m grateful for is family. I grew up the middle child of nine and love my huge, loud family. My parents lives revolved around rearing healthy, happy kids and their sacrifice is one worth emulating. Through their example and those of my siblings I learned how to love, share, pitch in and work. Now we are a clan of close to fifty with all the grand-kids and in-laws and get-togethers are always crazy fun.

Although my family of origin is wonderful and taught me many important life lessons, I’m even more grateful for the family I’ve made. Mountain Dad is my partner in life. If I could express how much I love him without sounding cheesy I would. Suffice it to say he’s the best. With him by my side we’ve had two great kids with a third on the way.

Big E is in kindergarten, a good reader, energetic and full of life. When he learns something new I can almost see his brain make those connections that he will use through out his life. He’s my buddy with outdoor adventures always willing to put a little make believe into whatever hike we’re on.

Little g isn’t really that little anymore. At three years old, she’s making her own decisions about what she wears, what she plays and what she says. She’s learning how to get along with her brother and play make believe. When I look at her smiling face it makes me glad to be a mother.

Being part of a family is the best part of my life. I’m grateful for them every day, but especially around Thanksgiving.

Great Giftable Gear from 2014

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This year we’ve tried out some great new gear. If you’re looking for an outdoor gift for someone on your list here’re some of my favorites from 2014.

At Outdoor Retailers this summer I was given some water bottles to review. The Cambelback Kids aluminum bottle is cute and portable but it has one major design flaw. The handle is positioned to get in the way when drinking, especially for little faces. Another water bottle that has now become my favorite is the Avex Sport. I’m a big fan of the pourable spout especially as a mom. Then I can refill my kids’ bottles without sharing our germs. AGS Carabiner Travel mug is a good design, but cheaply made and although I thought I would use its convenient carabiner handle I haven’t as much as I expected.

This year we purchased a Goal Zero Lighthouse Lantern with electronic charging capabilities. You can plug-in charge it, connect it to a solar panel or even use the hand crank top if needed. It’s so much more compact because you don’t need a propane bottle, plus it functions as a cell phone or tablet charger when you’re out at camp. My kids like the “party lights” feature where the red lights circle on top and the lights put out good light and function in cold conditions. Note: Goal Zero has come out with a newer model since this review – the Lighthouse 250 Lantern retailing at 79.99.

Pakems Trail boots. Another Outdoor Retailers review item, the Pakems boots are meant as after adventure footwear. Waterproof, lightweight, easy to squish into small spaces, these second shoes are good for relaxing after a paddle, hike, ski or swim. They came in handy for my son too, who soaked his only sneakers on our last frigid camping adventure and although the shoes were adult size, they were the perfect option to keep him from complaining about cold feet. Prices range from $45 – $80.

After waking up in 2 inches of water our 15 year old dome tent was retired and Mountain Dad chose the Marmot Halo 4 person tent for our replacement. We’ve taken it to the beach, to Alaska and the high altitude mountains of Utah and have enjoyed the spacious set up, click in poles and double entrances. I have not liked the added steps of staking out the rain fly separate from the tent. I know it keeps things dry (although frost still got on the inside of the fly on our last trip, which then melted onto our bedding) but my kids end up stepping on the door with their limited zipping abilities. The Marmot Halo 4 is also the most expensive gear purchase we made this year retailing at $429.00. With that said, it’s been surprisingly easy and spacious and the tots LOVE to play in the tent while we’re camping.

Want more great suggestions? Check out these other Outdoor Family Bloggers for their annual Gift Guide lists:
More great Outdoor Gift Guides!

Holiday Gift Guide for Outdoor Kids – Crag Mama
Holiday Gift Guide and 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways – Go Adventure Mom
25 Great Holiday Gift Ideas for Outdoor Kids + A giveaway – Rain or Shine Mamma
Gift Guide for Outdoor-Loving Moms: Under $50 + a giveaway – Mommy Loves Trees
Wishlist for the Backpacking Lovers and their Little Adventurers – Rockies Chick
7 (More) Gift Ideas for Outdoorsy and Adventurous Parents – Adventures in Parenthood Project
2014 Holiday Gift Guide for Ski Moms and their Skiing Families (with giveaways) – Brave Ski Mom
15 outdoor gifts You Didn’t Know Existed and Will Love – Garage Grown Gear
10 Easy Gifts for Outdoor Adventurers – Skedaddle
10 Holiday Gift Ideas for Adventurous Kids – Adventurous Moms
Top Ten Christmas Gifts for Snowy Winter Fun (with Giveaways!) – Family Adventures in the Canadian Rockies
Experiences vs. Things: The secret to holiday gifts that can actually buy happiness – Bring the Kids
Give the Gift of Stewardship this Christmas – AK on the Go
Great Giftable Gear from 2014 – Mountain Mom and Tots
Holiday Gift Guide for Adventure Tykes – Adventure Tykes

Outlaw ATV Trail, Ashley National Forest, Utah

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On our recent campout in Ashley National Forest we brought our Polaris RZR to explore the surrounding area. When we started out on our weekend getaway we weren’t sure where we were going to camp, what trails were nearby or what exactly we were going to do all day. We just knew we were headed to the Vernal, Utah area and that there’s a lot of off roading nearby.

We lucked out with our choice of camping in Ashley National Forest. Not only were there many off road trails, the area was secluded and beautiful. The most well known off-road trail is the 38 mile Outlaw ATV trail which traverses through forest, past lakes and over streams.

Unfortunately, because of the spontaneity of the trip, we did not have an accurate map of the off road trails in the area (Click here for a map of the Outlaw Trail). Instead we attempted to explore off road trails using signs and an outdated Utah map we found under the seat of our truck. Now, I know. A little planning could’ve prevented a lot of hassle.

The Outlaw ATV Trail is known as a difficult ride through tree fall, over rocks and bumps. The trail is meant for vehicles 50 inches wide or less, not for wider off road options like our Polaris RZR. We made it through several mud puddles, around boulders and tree stumps and along the dirt trail until we reached this pinch point. At a previous dead fall area we were able to clear a tree trunk from the path, but here the thirty foot long trunk wouldn’t budge.

Since Mountain Dad and I had already endured complaints from kids, mud splatters, bumpy trails and slow going, we called it a good attempt and turned back. Luckily we were able to do a fun ride near Dyers park just down the road from our East Park Campground later.

So if you’re planning an off road trip to the Flaming Gorge/Vernal Utah area may I suggest one important tip: Have a map.

East Lake Park Campground, Ashley National Forest, Utah

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Great things happened this month. Little g turned 3, Mountain Dad turned 42 and I went on my first camping trip since learning I was pregnant.

In general, being pregnant is a whole lot of discomfort. It’s harder to walk, eat, sleep, even get comfortable. When I first found out I was expecting I would’ve never willingly slept in a tent on a pad two inches thick, but a lot can happen between the first trimester and the second. When Mountain Dad suggested we get away to celebrate his birthday I weighed the possible discomforts of camping against the benefits of a few days of outdoor experience.

The outdoors won, which is what brought the Mountain Fam out to East Lake Park in Ashley National Forest. This mountain lake campground is located at 9,000 feet and closes for reservations on October 1st. For us that meant no running water (we just brought our own) and complete solitude. My research beforehand didn’t say we couldn’t stay there, nor were signs posted saying to vacate the premises so we took our chances and were glad it worked out.

East Lake Park is a high mountain lake with boat ramp. Fishing is big there, although without a boat or fishing poles we abstained. Instead we enjoyed the nearby off roading trail, including part of the famous Outlaw ATV trail that runs along the shores of the lake.

One major drawback of camping at 9,000 feet in late October is the cold. I’m grateful for previous camping experience that taught me to always have a winter coat, hat and gloves as well as warm sleeping gear. Since we came prepared we all stayed toasty warm and spent a little more time next to the campfire than we would’ve otherwise.

The trip was great fun and enjoying the outdoors with my growing family was worth the inconveniences.

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