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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Today you are one. Nothing marks the passing of time like a growing child. This year was fierce and fast, sweet and slow. Shiloh, you are (most likely) our last baby and that makes my heart sting. I love being a Mother. I love birthing and breastfeeding, I love soft snuggles, peach-smelling skin, tiny toes, round bellies, sweet cheeks, and dimples. I love watching babies observe their world and I love being reminded that they are wiser than we think. While this year was precious it was also challenging. Thankfully the painful sleep deprivation and relentless illness of the past 5 months were eased by the beautifully simple, magical moments that made it all worth it. The more babies I have the more I want and the more I realize how exquisite this time is. Each year and stage brings new blessings, but there is no blessing quite like time with a baby. Shiloh, If you end up being our last baby, I take comfort knowing that I slowed down and enjoyed you. I kissed you a gazillion times, took deep grateful breaths while you nursed, got to know the meanings of every cry, celebrated you, and relished in how lucky l am to be your mother. I can’t imagine life without you Shy Shy. I love you. We all do.Look no further for your homeschooling inspiration cause we’re nailing it.You guys, this is how my husband does the school commute. We weren’t joking when we said we moved to Oregon to get out of the damn car! #biketoschool #3kidsintow #dadbeastBreaking 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!
Category Archives: hiking
Sage summits South Sister
As we drove through town, Sage looked out the window and pointed to a peak in the distance, “Mama, what’s the name of that big mountain?” I told her it was called South Sister. “Is it hard to get to the top?” I said, “yes, it’s a very hard hike to the top.” In typical Sage fashion she replied…”Ok then, I want to do it.”
Posted in hiking, Uncategorized
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Cactus To Clouds
Last weekend, we checked an item off our adventure bucket list when we completed Cactus to Clouds (C2C) as a family. My first attempt in 2011 was thwarted by a cold I caught at 9 weeks pregnant. Peter ended up doing it anyway with his friend Gabe and I met them at the tram and hiked to the summit with our friends Greg and Cathleen.
Since then, the full C2C adventure never lined up well with our weekend travel schedules and despite how much we love adventure, taking Sage on the hike always felt a little daunting. Ultimately though, our curiosity about whether we could do it with a 2 year old won over and we decided to go for it. I mean, really…who doesn’t love a good sufferfest?
Travel: A Canyon Fit for a King!
Just east of Fresno, CA, in an area geographically similar to Yosemite, lies Kings Canyon National Park. After hearing about the canyon’s reputation for unrivaled beauty, we decided to meet some friends and check it out. We pulled into the entrance and I felt like I missed something.
Posted in Camping/Outdoors, hiking, Sierra Mountains, US travel
Tagged biking, camping, cedar grove, hiking, Kings Canyon, Kings Canyon National Park, muir rock, Sequoia
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Utah: Zion. Angel’s Landing
The hike to Angel’s landing is another ass kicker. The hike is straight up and carved into the side of sheer rock, the trail is an aggressive approach to a flat and gorgeous look out above.
That peak above Peter’s head is Angel’s Landing, where we are headed.
Posted in hiking, Roadtrips, US travel, Utah
Tagged Angel's Landing, hiking, road trip, road trips with babies, zion
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Utah: Zion National Park
Zion From Bryce we drove down the gorgeous highway 89 and into the northern entrance of Zion. Having never visited Zion national park before I really had no idea what to expect.
Posted in Camping/Outdoors, hiking, Roadtrips, US travel, Utah
Tagged camping, hiking, road trip, road trips with babies, springdale, zion
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Utah: Bryce Canyon
On the long deserted stretch toward Bryce we were surprised when three Pronghorns bolted across the road in front of us. Peter swerved left, the confused Pronghorn ran right and slammed into the side of our car. I screamed the foulest of foul words and it’s nothing short of a miracle that Sage has not started running around dropping F bombs whenever she sees a animal. Somehow the word didn’t stick and fortunately we slowed down enough that both the Pronghorn and the car were ok. Well I think the Pronghorn is ok. It sauntered of into the wilderness and was only a short distance behind its friends. At the time we had no idea what the animal was and were both in shock. We found the closest pullout and drove in to catch our breath. The shock turned into tears of laughter (me) when this sign was staring at us from the side of the road.
Cactus to Clouds-Pregnant
Cactus to Clouds. It’s a 26 mile hike with a 12,000 foot elevation gain… pretty much one of the toughest day-hikes in the United States.
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We weren’t telling people about the pregnancy yet so I am trying to hide the mini belly with my down jacket![/caption]
Posted in hiking, US travel
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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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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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