Hi! Welcome! We are a family of four with a deep love of travel, the outdoors, staying active, and new adventures of any kind. We are passionate about sharing our experiences adventuring with our little ones. We hope that other families can get inspiration, tips, and tools they need to embark on adventures of their own. Questions? Email us!
Back Road Family
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Breaking news!!!!! The sun came out today!!!! It has been a long time. Or maybe I haven’t noticed because I’ve been inside for 4 weeks with sick kids 🤷🏼♀️ Regardless, the sun came out and we got out. 🙌🏼 and Shiloh’s wearing wool overalls so there’s that too.On our family hike I got reeeeeeeaaaaally serious about making a few resolutions. In no particular order... I resolve to participate in a January detox that includes mostly bacon, cheese, and sourdough bread. I resolve to figure out how many grams of sugar we consumed in the month of December and next December we will double it! I resolve to brush my teeth twice a day. I resolve to keep Shiloh 9 months old forever. I resolve to create an exact replica of the garlic sauce at Kebaba. I resolve to befriend someone with a sheep farm. Free wool? I resolve to air fry edamame. I resolve to discover where the car smell is coming from. I resolve to take a picture of the kids drinking hot chocolate when they get their little behinds up this mountain. Whoohoo, one resolution completed! Here are some pics from our hot chocolate hike including my favorite view of the rocks and the river (the light is so good!) while trying to coordinate a family pic in the foreground 🙄 Happy 2020All 3 kids got on the mountain today for a full day of⛷ awesomeness. Can you find Shiloh? I do love growin’ the babies but since I’m not 🤰🏼, I’m skiing and I really love that too! Woot woot!The tug-o-war between adventure and simplicity. This has been the theme lately. Should we? Should we not? Can we pull it off? If we can, does that mean we should? Last week we drove over 28 hours as a family in 7 days. Part of me looks back and thinks, “what were we thinking?!?!?!?!” At the time, I was sure my good attitude was enough ensure success! And glory! Turns out though, sometimes there is success (and glory!) in holding back, in saying “no,” being ok cancelling (despite what others will think of you), and deciding to keep things simple. The trip was way too much for this new family of 5 and we are still recovering (almost a week later). I wish had approached life with an 8 month old the way I approached life with a 1 month old. Slow and steady. Just because he’s bigger and easy doesn’t mean we need to do all the things. We’re feeling a little broken and still trying to put the pieces back together again. Friends, this is a big season… there is no shame in slowing down, staying in your pjs, snuggling by your fire and keeping things simple. These choices can be beautiful adventures too. I am reminding myself that life is long- the bigger adventures will return. Here are some of the big wins of our big adventure. An afternoon climbing and hiking in Malibu Creek State Park, and some chilly fun in Manhattan Beach. ❤️Off to find ALL the Almond Joys. #hookmommyupFall snuggles 🍁🍂
Author Archives: elizabethbauer
Boulder, CO
The last leg of our honeymoon was spent in lovely Boulder Colorado with our friends James and Rebecca. If there were an award for the “awesomest outdoor couple” these two would win.
Crossing the river to Sherwood Forest[/caption]
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Posted in Colorado, hiking, Rock climbing, Running/hiking, US travel
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Wisconsin- Go BIG or Go Home!
Brian won’t make you rich, but he will make you fat, tan, and happy!
Off On Safari
At 8am, in front of our hotel, we were met by our guide, Humphrey, and personal chef, Severini. After a quick stop at the Bushmen office, we were off to Arusha. Arusha is a very big city, one which serves as a jumping off point for the big Safari parks in Tanzania. It was the first large city we’ve spent any time in since arriving in Africa.
6 days on Kilimanjaro
June 16th – Day 1
Liz: Watched by curious monkeys, we commenced our hike in the thick, lush, rainforest. Being from southern California, the depth of green in places like this never ceases to amaze me.
Africa: Rwanda Gorillas
Today was a once-in-lifetime kind of day. One of those days that make you stop, take a deep breath, and say “take this in, you are not going to experience something like this ever, ever again.”
Africa: Rwanda Genocide Museum
After a restful day in Moshi, we hopped on a plane early this morning for Rwanda. The air travel here is a bit like riding a bus. On the way to your destination, the plane stops, and you wait while … Continue reading
Arrived in Moshi
After 25 actual hours on airplanes and 42 total hours of travel time, we have made it to Moshi the town that sits at the base of Mt.Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. We are both deeply exhausted but happy to finally be here.
Posted in Africa, Camping/Outdoors, Running/hiking, Tanzania
Tagged Africa, Kilimanjaro, Moshi, Tanzania
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San Gorgonio Mountain
During our 16 miles and 6,000 vertical feet together, Gorgonio threw some good punches. First it tried to get me with an achy left hip flexor followed by my own tears as I pondered whether or not this was a result of my age. My present for my 31 ½ birthday is achy hips?
Posted in hiking, Southern California, US travel
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Pre Gorgonio Mountain Hike
It’s 4:30am and I know I need to kick my own ass again before we attempt Kilimanjaro
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Maui Engagement photos
We are in fervent anticipation for our wedding pictures so to stop our nail biting, Mike our photographer sent over the pictures we took the Friday before we were married.
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Joshua Tree
After a long week, knowing I am heading into nature always rejuvenates me. It’s like an instant second wind.
Posted in Camping/Outdoors, Joshua Tree, Roadtrips, Rock climbing, US travel
Tagged camping, Joshua Tree, Rock climbing
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Santiago Peak 1 point. Liz 0.
Peter and I, both sick with colds, decided this morning at 6:00am that we were still going to attempt getting to the top of Santiago Peak. Standing at 5,689 feet, Santiago Peak is the highest peak in the Santa Ana … Continue reading
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San Clemente-Temecula Bike Tour
I have been mourning our wedding week and its absolute perfection for almost a week now. It was our dream come true and then…with some hugs and tears… it ended.
But, as with all big events in life, I learned something about myself.
Posted in bike touring, Biking, Southern California, US travel
Tagged bike touring, oceanside, Temecula, wine tasting
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Laguna Beach Bachelorette weekend
After this weekend, I have caught myself in daydreams, reflecting on family, reflecting on friends and more keenly, on friendship.
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Thailand: Chili-squid flavored Lays
Every good gas station has a horned bull, and every good 711 has chili-squid flavored Lays potato chips.
Posted in Asia, diving, Rock climbing, Thailand, Tropics
Tagged boats, diving, Ko tao, monsoon, Phi Phi, stomach poisoning, Thailand
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Thailand: Kittens, spice, and diving
We have been in this tiny area of East Railay for over a week now and are getting very comfortable. The biggest surprise is … kittens! There are kittens everywhere. All different colors, some with tails, some without.
Posted in Asia, diving, Rock climbing, Thailand, Tropics
Tagged diving, Railay, Rock climbing, Thailand
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Thailand: Bangkok
We started our trip with an adventurous day in Bangkok. I say adventurous because it was adventure figuring out whether or not I was going to pass out or throw up at any given point in the day.
Posted in Asia, Rock climbing, Thailand, Tropics
Tagged Railay, Rock climbing, Thailand
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Thailand: Made it Railay
Hi! We are in Railay in the south of Thailand. I have so much good stuff for my next unofficial blog post but it will take some time for me to put it all together. Nothing like an “off the … Continue reading
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Thailand: The Sun Rises In Bangkok
We’ve arrived. At 6:00am I jumped out of bed and was ready to bust a big Bangkok day. Peter informed me that he would be ready to bust his big Bangkok in approx. two more hours of uninterrupted sleep.
