Rustic Retreats
Considering the benefits of getting out, without needing to use a tent.
http://www.seattleschild.com/article/rustic-retreats
Back to High Camp, and fun in the snow with toddlers and kids
The annual trip to Scottish Lakes in the North Cascades was a huge success this year. Our group took over most of High Camp with families and one cabin with singles or those without kids for the weekend, and let the festivities begin.
Our little guy who had loved the snow machine ride at age 1 didn’t like it at all this year on the way up, so I mashed his squirming body between mine and the driver’s and we made the four miles with no problem. (on the way down, he was excited and kept saying “vroom, vroom!”- all about continuing the exposure to new things, and trying, and trying again!) Then there was the snow. We don’t live in it day to day, and he wasn’t sure what to think. Now he was almost two, and things had changed. He didn’t even want to walk on it! We had brought our backpack for snowshoes, but the snow was crunchy and he weights 37 pounds in just a diaper. Didn’t sound fun. He didn’t want to sit still either. With all we were hoping for, time outside, snow, sun, fresh air, were we doomed for the lodge?
Despite remembering that success is getting packed and on the way to the destination- new definitions- I was a little bit worried. Sister-in-law to the rescue! Having done all of this with twins who are almost 8, she knew the answers, and swooped in with kitchen implements, two yogurt containers and a few large kitchen spoons. She and Sam sat on the snow and started to dig, just like at the beach, and soon he couldn’t get enough.
The other kids, aged almost 2 through 8, sledded to their hearts content, with and without parents, skied and snowshoed, and we all reveled in letting the kids run free, not something easy to do in the city (or even possible.) After reading an article in Boston Magazine about overparenting, it was nice to be able to let go. Our nephew spent his first night winter camping, sleeping in a tent with his dad one night!
One family with two kids spent the first night with one girl throwing up- no fun. They headed down the next morning. But we all agreed success was just getting there, and knowing when to call it quits. They’ll be there next year. The key: show up, and if it doesn’t work, show up again!
Sam decked out for cabin sleeping
Sleeping- always a challenge. We brought a pack n play, and the first night was horrible (it had worked so well at 8-weeks old and one year!) We brought a sleeping bag in addition to his sleep sack, and hat and mittens and fleece for slewing, and P got up to keep the fire going all night. Still, we ended up just pulling Sam into our bed where we all were able to sleep, thankfully. Remember- a weekend away, changing things up is just fine. You just do what works! (thanks again to my sister-in-law for reminding me of this)
In the lodge, great meals and caroling, and a couple of forward thinking parents bringing play-doh for the kids providing hours of entertainment. And of course story books and a few other toys to chase around so the parents could enjoy Manny’s and good wine and a few minutes of adult conversation.
our family group on skis and boots
Another memorable year, another wonderful time with family and friends in the outdoors.
Glacier travel with little ones
You might have heard of this couple already- they’ve written a book about travel to Alaska before baby, and were featured in the NYT about living in a yurt on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska…now they are traveling with not one (which they did across Canada) but TWO kids in tow, including glaciers!
If you need a little motivation, read this article and see how another family makes it work.
http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/tackling-alaskas-malaspina-glacier-2-babies-tow
Getting the gear
As everyone who goes outside knows, the gear makes a big difference, and it isn’t any different for your wee one- arguably it’s even more important. Little bodies don’t regulate heat and cold as well, so paying attention to what you use to dress them in is critical.
We have loved the Patagonia Baby Capilene 
Feet are as important as ever. There are some great options, including Kamik Snowbug 2 Cold Weather Boot (Toddler)
and we love the SmartWool Baby Sock Sampler 
For rain there are a number of options, including Tuffo Muddy Buddy Overalls
Whatever you choose, remember to avoid cotton, like you would for yourselves, unless it’s for sleeping. Synthetics breathe and allow moisture to escape, critical for maintaining warmth and comfort. Always remember to dress your child a layer warmer than you dress yourselves, and if carrying them in a sled or pack, check their temperatures often- while you are working harder, they don’t have the benefit of activity-induced warmth!
Snacks on the trails
One thing our little guy does not have a problem doing is eating. Even so, convenience is important for snacks, but I wonder just how many Annie’s Homegrown Whole Wheat Bunnies Baked Snack Crackers
We’ve been impacted by all the talk lately about sugar, too, and try to reduce sugar and processed foods for all of us, kids included. With this in mind, what to do?
Older kids are a little bit easier since they have all their molars, and packing carrot sticks and a small container of hummus or apple slices is a great start to accompany the inevitable gorp. Bananas are good all around, though be careful how you pack it…and then you have the skin. There are times though, that fruit and veggies aren’t enough.
We love granola bars (watching all the sugar there of course) and so I figured there must be a way to make these and avoid the packaging and HFCS and whatever other long-worded ingredients there are in things you buy. I found a great recipe at Epicuriousand used some of the alterations recommended in the reviews (the keys to success with this site). It’s fabulous, even cutting the sugar and butter down significantly. And while they didn’t stay together well, it was good granola, too! (A second attempt did work out better, though I added a little extra honey)
Granola Bars
Another friend recommended a cookie recipe where she cuts the sugar to taste (easy to do!). Another likes to make these zucchini muffins in mini-muffin tins and freeze them to pull out over the month (she says it’s the only way she can get her little guy to eat vegetables!). For any baking, no one will notice the difference if you use half white-whole wheat flour. Another friend recommended this recipe for bars, though the marshmallows have a lot of sugar. Homemade still beats processed foods!
For packaged foods there are good options too. Larabar Bars
Should be a good start for the trail. And of course it accompanies good old fashioned GORP. Here’s our family recipe for that:
roasted peanuts
raisins
chocolate chips
m n ms
lemon drops
Mix in whatever amount you desire and pack away!
Triple Lakes Trail, Denali National Park
Sam under the rain cover in Denali
Date: Aug 22
Weather: temperature in the 50s, breezy, overcast, occasional showers
Location: Triple Lakes Trail, Denali National Park, Alaska
Baby Gear: Kelty Backcountry Kid Carrier
Baby Clothes: cotton onesie and pants, Smartwool socks, fleece pants, fleece jacket, heavy wool hooded zip sweater, hat and mittens in reserve
It was the weekend, and time to get outside! We bought a used Kelty Backcountry pack from another family in the area, and headed to the Triple Lakes trail, newly connected with the Denali Park visitor center. End to end, it’s an eight mile trek (we found out later it’s quite a bit longer with the new trail…closer to twelve miles! At least that explains why it took us so long…). We left a bike locked at the Visitor Center, and drove to the trailhead just past McKinley Village and the Grizzly Bear Campground on the Nenana River.
Peter got the pack adjusted to fit him mostly comfortably, although he felt like Sam was back a little bit far. We fiddled with the pack and couldn’t figure out a way to pull him closer to Peter’s back in the few minutes we had, so headed out. The first part of the hike is uphill through taiga forest, crossing the train tracks, and then continuing around the hill away from the road. From that point on is pure bliss, not a sound other than the breeze, the trees, a squirrel here and there and ourselves. The low hills of the Alaska range rolled away from us, aspen glowing in patches among the spruce with the ignition of fall.
Sam explores the tundra
We passed the three lakes, and headed up the new section of trail. It took us around the back of a hill and then up on the ridge where we could see in all directions from among low spruce up to the canyon, east up the Yannert River Valley, south toward the cabin and Broad Pass. We took rest stops as Sam tired of his ride for bottles new diapers and granola bars (for us!) At one stop Sam just seemed to need time to play a little bit- and who can blame him! There were mushrooms to play with and leaves to taste!
When we had been on the trail for several hours (we are reluctantly learning to calculate much longer times for these trips) the edge of a shower started a drizzle, and then rain. We popped the rain cover on which is, as an equipment review, orders of magnitude more effective than the Sherpani rain cover- and continued on. One section of trail is still in the process of being cleared, and we waded through willows; one snapped back and whipped Sam’s cheek, close to his eye. Sam was understandably beside himself; we stopped to reassure him and review our progress. I carried Sam in my arms through the next hundred yards of the willow-crossed trail, and then we put him back in the pack.
Our trip took six hours- much longer than we would have expected with just the two of us- but all the more enjoyable for there being three and having time to stop and appreciate the colors blazing up the hillsides, surrounding us with their warmth, hearing the river below, and looking at our northern word from new perspectives; from the ridge top looking down, and as parents always in awe of this little person who has come to live with us.
Lessons:
- Have extra food with you, just in case. We were glad to have brought extra bottles, as our trip took longer than we expected.
- Following number 1: plan for your trip to take longer than you expect!
- Try out your pack at home the night before and make the necessary adjustments.
- Remember as you go through brush or trees not only to consider the hiker behind you, but the little one on your back- and understand that he or she is liable to be leaning out one side or the other.
- Have fun!
first published on www.aborderlife.com
Back in the Park
Playing on the tundra
We arrived in Denali mid-August, just in time to get the last blueberries. P is working, and Sam and I were getting cabin fever after about a day. I was getting irritable and Sam was getting frustrated. The next day we headed out with an empty yogurt container down the bluff trail to find berries. This trail isn’t known for blueberries, but there was one good patch, about a quart’s worth after 45 minutes. Sam pulled on grass and berries and twigs with a focused intent, babbling to himself and occasionally looking up and grinning at me. I picked happily, moving from one bush to the next, and when Sam got tired of this new activity we had enough for 4 blueberry pancake breakfasts, not bad for the end of the season!
Last night was the first frost. The lingonberries, or low bush cranberries, aren’t all ready yet, but those that have been in the sun are perfect. Sam and I headed outside again, he again busy with the flora surrounding him, and we easily netted a quart in a half hour. It was good to be outside, to feel the wind in our faces, to feel the prickles and scratches of moss and lichen in the tundra, smelling the fall, noticing the leaves, more golden each day. It is good to be home.
first published on www.aborderlife.com
Learning humility from a simple walk
Tired hikers
Date: June 22
Weather: mid 60s, light breeze
Location: Tiger Mountain, Washington
Baby gear: Sherpani ultralight pack
Baby clothes: cotton onesie, shirt and pants
It should have been an easy walk. We left later than expected this morning for Tiger Mountain, just a half hour outside of Seattle. I needed to be back to conduct an interview at noon.
We’ve hiked with the pack before- you saw the pictures! Sam slept in it, he looked around in it- he certainly hung out comfortably for a while. This morning, though, he wasn’t having anything to do with it.
His friend Toby who is sometimes more particular, rested comfortably in his Ergo. I put Sam in the Sherpani, and initially he was leaning forward too much. A few yards down the trail, I tightened the harness straps, which helped set him a little further back so he didn’t slump over me.
We stopped for a morning snack for the two boys. They both seemed happy enough. But soon after veering off the main trail, Sam began to whimper, and then cry. I reinserted the pacifier- he had slept on the beach hike a couple of weeks ago while riding in the pack. I hoped he might sleep again… it was nap time. That it was nap time turned out to be a strategic error. A more experienced mom would have known this!
We made it another fifteen minutes up the trail with attempts at singing, cajoling, talking and distracting before realizing that today wasn’t our day. I pulled Sam out of the pack and carried him back down the trail, empty Sherpani flapping on my back. In my arms- and then in the car seat- he settled into a sleep.
Our hiking group of two (2 big, 2 small) has redefined success: getting to the trailhead. What is important, after all? It brings new meaning to the idea that success is the journey, not the destination. That it is something to cheer about that we got out of the house, and off the paved road, breathing fresh air, feeling the sweet forest air around us. Even if it wasn’t Sam’s happiest day, it is another trip for him out of the city, feeling what it is to have wilderness around him. I’m pretty sure this accumulates into an appreciation for the peace that a wind outdoors can bring. I hope that eventually, we will have given him this gift.
Learning points:
- take your baby’s schedule into account when planning trips. Do your best to hike during awake time.
- Be willing to reconsider your definition of success!
- Remember that getting out at all is good for you, and for your baby.
first published on www.aborderlife.com
First Day Hike with Baby, Cascades, Washington
First day hike in the Cascades with baby
Temperature: 45 degrees, breezy
Gear: Fleece jacket with hood, Baby Bjorn, hiking boots, small backpack with diaper essentials
Baby clothes: onesie, light cotton hat
In the spirit of finding other like minded parents, I joined a Linkup group in the area called Northwest Mountain Mamas. We were scheduled to leave town a week after I joined and the instructions said I’d be dropped from the group if I didn’t get on a hike in the first week so I put my name on the lit for the first one, a manageable four mile round trip hike up Rattlesnake Ledge.
Jess, a woman from my PEPS group and I went together with her daughter Ada and, of course, Sam, and joined ten other women in the parking lot before heading out onto the trail.
The hike started late- and hiking with twelve people is inherently slow- twelve people with babies of various ages is even slower! I felt a bit humbled- I think of myself as pretty outdoorsy but didn’t feel adequately prepared and was even worried that Sam was warm enough. Though we have started carrying him facing out in the Bjorn, I carried him facing in for warmth.
Sam mostly slept but got a little fussy when we stopped, so I tried to keep moving. The Rattlesnake Ledge hike is mostly protected in forest, so the breeze that concerned me at the beginning of the hike turned out to not be a factor, and Sam and I were both warm- just in case, when I pulled off my fleece as my temperature rose on the uphill, I bundled it around him in the Bjorn.
All of us fed our kids at the top. The breeze had lessened and the sun came out. Sam had a nice lunch and then proceeded to spit up all over me, and I didn’t have a burp rag. Rats. Another nice lady handed me a paper napkin she had brought with her. Another mom handed me an extra granola bar she had. Hiking with a group of moms is pretty nice- the others made up for my lack of preparation, and motivated me to get my act together for the next one…burp rags, power bars!
Moms take a break at rattlesnake ledge with their little ones
Repositioning Sam in the Bjorn I got his leg stuck and he howled- another woman without kids on another hiking group gave me the evil eye like I was the worst mom in the world (ok, maybe I imagined that- I FELT like the worst mom in the world, second only to when Sam rolled off the couch…sigh).
We headed down. Hiking with 12 (really 24) people, half of whom are little people, is not a way to enjoy the peaceful outdoors. But the fresh air and good company of others getting out and doing things with wee ones made for an inspiring day. Try it- you’ll like it!
Lessons learned:
- Carry the Ten Essentials, even for an easy hike! Minimally have water and a few power bars.
- Budget extra time for even an easy hike with a lot of people, or with a baby!
- Carry burp cloths even in an abbreviated diaper bag.
first published on www.aborderlife.com
A few thoughts from readers