Tag: Adventure

Better than the Aquarium: Tide Pools at Carpinteria State Beach, CA

I have a thing for starfish. I find them beautiful and fascinating, even more so when I can see them in their natural environment. One of the coolest, mind-blowing experiences I’ve had this year was watching sea life in the tide pools at Carpinteria State Beach in Southern California.

Maybe I find these animals so amazing because they are not part of my daily life. As a mountain mom, I grow tired of seeing deer, wild turkeys, blue jays and hummingbirds. They’re always around. But sea stars, anemones, crabs and harbor seals? That’s something to see.

On our visit to Carpinteria State Beach tide pools little g was most excited to find this baby sea star hiding in the sea weed, but my favorite animals were farther out – the harbor seals that rest on the rocks near the shore. Below is a photo, but you have to look closely – their camouflage is pretty good.

Finding different kinds of wildlife gave me a chance to see nature through the eyes of my children. Watching anemones curl into themselves, and explaining the empty crab shells we found on the beach, gave me the chance to explain what a food chain is.
Encouraging little g to touch with care, and look for snails under the shells she found gave me a chance to watch exploration and discovery through her eyes. Having Big E tell ME what camouflage means made me realize that kids pick up a lot without me even really trying.

 

Exploring the tide pools at Carpinteria State Beach was better than any trip to the aquarium. Not only did we get to see unique and interesting wildlife in their natural habitat, but we got to explore and discover new things as a family.
Read about last year’s Carpinteria adventures here and here.

 

Waterfall Week – Battlecreek Falls in Pleasant Grove, Utah with The Kid Project and GoAdventureMom

This last week the tots and I explored three amazing waterfalls, all within a 40 minute drive of our house. The first falls of Waterfall Week was Battlecreek Falls – a favorite of mine that I got to share with some great blogging friends – Alyssa from The Kid Project and Kathy from GoAdventureMom.

The great thing about connecting with other outdoor moms is that they get it. They understand that getting young children out in nature isn’t easy, but like me they believe it’s worth it even through the dirt, tears and mishaps.

And this adventure had several mishaps.

1. My spray sunblock could’ve doubled as mace. The faulty tip made a powerful five foot spray that hit my eyes and that of Alyssa’s son (sorry again), ruined my shirt and overall did little to protect against the sun.

2. Rumbling sounds and dark clouds were not enough to keep us from hiking to the falls, and incidentally the hike ended in pouring rain and crying kids.

3. Little g said “I wanna walk!” but would then stop to examine every pebble and bug, forcing me to strap her screaming into a MobyWrap for the majority of the trip.

4. Nature called for Big E, forcing us to use a trailside toilet AKA a boulder behind some bushes.

5. Little g ate cherries, dug in dirt and played in the blackened remains of a fire pit leaving her looking like this.

Even with the misadventure parts of this adventure, watching my son run with delight through the trees, or proudly show off a bug he found reminded me of why I bother. It’s this. Being outdoors with my kids brings me joy, and sharing that joy with other moms makes it all the more joyful. Thanks Kid Project and GoAdventureMom for a great outdoor adventure!

Battlecreek Falls
Getting there: In Pleasant Grove follow 200 South toward the mountains. The road becomes Battlecreek Drive and dead ends at the trail head.
Length: 1 mile out and back
Difficulty: Moderate. The rocky trail follows a stream for much of the way but there are some steep sections that are tough with kids.
Tips: Bring other kids along to help entertain and encourage yours!

Birdsong Trail – Hiking with Kids, Ogden, Utah

I’m always on the lookout for new excursions with the tots. On a recent trip to visit Grandma and Grandpa we went on an outing to the Birdsong Trail at the mouth of Ogden Canyon in Utah.

This one mile out and back trail was great for hiking. Little g, who decided the only way she’d be going would be by stroller, was not a great hiker, but I was surprised with how sturdy my cheap umbrella stroller proved to be. For most of this dirt and rock path I was able to manhandle it into cooperating, which was way better than manhandling my daughter into cooperating.

The trail is great for mountain biking too. In the parking lot I heard two bikers exclaim “Wow, I could do the Birdsong Trail and Rainbow Loop five more times. It was so fun.”

Our family went with cousins to explore the trail, which vacillated from amazing views of the valley to lush jungle mode. I had no idea Ogden, Utah could be so lush. And there were definately birds tweeting from the trees, I was not surprised by the name of this trail. All in all the mile long out and back hike was a great one with young kids, fairly level, with running water and animal sounds. It was a great time had by all.

Birdsong Trail Hike:
Getting there: The south trail head is located at Fillmore Ave and 20th Street. The north trail head is in the northwest corner of the Rainbow Gardens parking lot at the mouth of Ogden Canyon.
Distance: 1 mile out and back
Difficulty: Easy
Tips: Take a camera, there are some great views from up there!

Uranium Arch, Sevenmile Rim 4×4 trail, Moab, Utah

Sandstone arches are not that rare of a sight in Moab, Utah with Arches National Park just up the road, but I still feel like I’ve found some great outdoor secret when I get to explore one. On this trail to Uranium Arch, located outside Arches National Park, we combined off road adventure with a little sightseeing with great results.

My heart was pounding on some of the steep and rocky sections of 7-mile Rim trail (that’s a cliff behind us after all), but thanks to Mountain Dad’s ability to exude an aura of expertise, I felt completely safe. Maybe because I see him researching trails, tips and UTV guides for hours at home, I trust that he knows what he’s doing. If I didn’t, I would’ve been stranded on the trail, because parts of this trail are gnarly.

Seven mile Rim is a specific trail maintained by the Bureau of Land Management. However several 4×4 trails intersect around here and as much as I appreciated Charles A. Wells’ book Guide to Moab, UT Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails I think the map on the BLM website was essential to finding this arch.

The kids loved exploring and climbing under the rock, as well as having a sandy picnic at its base. I loved being away from the rocky ledge it took to get there. 

Uranium Arch, Seven Mile Rim Trail Info:
Getting there: Head north from Moab on Highway 191 for 12 miles. Soon after Highway 313, park in a wide gravel area on the left. Head north on Cotter Mine Road for about a mile then follow the road left and climb a steep hill. Watch for a heavy metal sign for 7-Mile Rim.

Difficulty: Difficult, especially the rocky sections and those near the ledges.

Time: Variable but plan at least three hours.

Tips: Print out the BLM map of this area before you go. Many trails cross over each other and they get confusing. Also, you can combine this trip with one to Tusher Tunnel for a full day adventure.