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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Approaching a pregnant run with a beginners mind means I often wonder... Will my left butt cheek cramp up and cause me to limp back to the car? Will my tight sports bra cause boob rash? Will my right hip flexor give out? Will I need a full meal? (Better to pack one just in case). Will I be warm enough? Will my maternity leggings slide down? How many times in an hour will I have to squat in the woods so I don’t pee in my pants? Might I just pee in my pants? Where are the most densely forested areas so I get some peeing privacy? All real possibilities, mostly centered around my bladder. (Mamas, I know you feel me) I’m not giving up what keeps me sane SO I do my wondering. Then I say, “Come what may, I’m running anyway.” Every run brings a new surprise 🙏🏼 @__magneticnorth__ for teaching me about a beginners mind and how important it is for my endurance practice. Stay curious. Keep moving.Maybe a third kid will help us figure out this parenting gig. Third time’s a charm right? #saycheese #marchbaby #boyorgirl #itsasurpriseThe Alpaca and I are the only ones cooperating for this picture. #thanksalpaca #bestsockseverI love when people share the real moments behind their social media pictures so here is our real moment. 30 mins prior to this picture Sage was sprayed with poop. Cedar had a sudden, leaky, diarrhea incident covering his legs, onesie, and shorts. Peter got C’s clothes off and was holding him naked, I was holding the solar shower up high, and Sage was hosing him off. While Sage was hosing, the incredible force of Cedar’s bowels shot round two poop all over Sage’s dress and fleece. Her response was, “ I WAS HIT!” I took this picture post-poop with Cedar recovering on my lap, Sage recovering with hot chocolate, and Peter packing up our entire campsite so we could canoe back to our car. We were bummed to leave our secluded lakefront campsite but in the packing process there was beautiful light to capture the resilience of our daughter who can really handle just about anything. 💩Just add water.South Sister Summit. Powered by a steady stream of M&Ms and her own two legs. Today Sage’s inability to sit still, her fiery will, and puppy-like energy manifested into something profound and powerful. I was so proud of her I think I cried three different times on the way up. Sage you are my Queen ❤️ As long as my legs will carry me I will follow you up mountains. A Blog post with more details about our South Sister Summit can be found at backroadfamily.com link in bio.
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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