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That Red Dirt Road
Moab, Utah.
Such a great place for the outdoor adventurer. This was our first stop on our road trip. We camped, hiked, basked in the nature that calls to your soul and restores, and brings balance back to busyness of the day to day. Because of covid, I waited to book our trip until the last minute because as we know, things in 2020 change day to day. Many places were closed but found this great spot that gives you a feel of really camping in southern Utah as it should be. Surrounded by gorgeous rocks, sunsets that kiss you goodnight, and crystal clear stars that keep watch over you at night, as the moon guides the night. I became aware of http://www.hipcamp.com and how you can have some pretty amazing camping experiences on private property. I found Needles Campsite, which is next to the Needles entrance of Canyonlands.
Canyonlands
The Needles
We did a few hikes with the kids. Tip: Have each kid have a water pack . Not only did they love having their own, but they could stay easily hydrate and could carry the pack themselves. We also packed some snacks in their packs they could get as needed which helped us off load some supplies. Cave Springs Trail where we saw some petroglyphs and an old western camp. Then we hiked Slick Rock Trail which had some great views. Also found out to bring some sort of vaseline and gauze because 2 kids got bloody noses because it was hot and dry.
Then we drove to the other entrance, Island in the sky and got there in the late afternoon.. Which took about and 1.5 hours with traffic. The kids were tired from hiking earlier so we just stuck to the the viewpoints and short hikes from the road.
We ended up eating dinner in Moab because it was getting late and cooking dinner after a long just didn’t sound that fun. So we found a little mom and pop type restaurant and stuffed our faces. Moab has many restaurants to offer on the main strip but plan on around dinner to be waiting for a table unless you make a reservation. Not sure if all restaurants take reservations or not though.
The next day we hit up Arches National Park. We got there about 9am and this time we packed lunch and dinner in the camp just in case it was going to be a late night again. We did a lllooottt of hiking here…almost 9 miles with the kids and they did fabulous! Some of the point we hit: Balanced Rock, The Windows, Double Arch, Delicate Arch, Sand Dune Arch ( our kids’ favorite) and Landscape Arch. Tip: Hit the visitor center and get the inside scoop of hiking with kids and plus a map! And fill up your water packs for the hot day a head.
We ended before dinner this time and took advantage of going into Moab and down the main street to do a little shopping… gotta find a snow globe for one the kids’ collection!
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Not Just a Mom
I want people to feel more authentic, free & alive.
Have you ever had times in your life when you haven’t felt that?
I felt that when I became a mom. I knew things wouldn’t be the same but not realizing what that looked like was so unknown to me. From not being my typical size, not having the freedom to go do whatever, from being tired & just learning this new role. It was a BIG adjustment and honestly no one talks about it & a part of me felt that this new role as mom sort of made me give up any other identity I might have had. Then after kiddo #3, I decided to live life more authentically, which meant letting those areas of my life that I was deeply missing come back to life.
Even though I loved being a mom, somewhere along the way, the wife, athlete, traveler, adventure, creative self of me was gone. God created so many unique things that make us a whole person to shine for his glory, but sometimes the lies we allow ourselves to hear create lost souls with missing pieces. We walk around half full, unfulfilled, comparing our half lived life to the best part of other people’s lives. No wonder why I felt so incongruent with mine. When I made a choice to abide in things I was created for, I really felt alive. Not necessarily in material things, because those will never be enough, but in God and the things he has designed for me. I felt more authentic. I chose to seek out friendships that challenged me to grow as a individual, traveled more, joined a running group, even counseling!Now, my kids not only get a mom that gets to share things that she loves & is good at with her kids, but they get a whole mom without missing pieces of herself. And the best part about this journey is that I have chosen to invite my kids to be a part of the adventure, creating more memories. Over the years I have seen that there are so many other women that feel the same. The biggest reason why I still surround myself with the dreamers of Isagenix. Sometimes you just need a little encouragement & a vehicle to allow you to learn how to love all the things about yourself & help others do the same. The world needs more love. People loving themselves enough to use their God given gifts to love others.
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What’s all the HUB about?
Hopworks Urban Brewery , that is. Where craft beer, meets crafty style of beer snob parents that dine while children enjoy the play area and the yummy kids menu. This is a great local restaurant that takes pride in sustainable business practices as well and being a part of their community.
And if you are not a beer drinker, well you must not be a Portland native, but don’t worry they other options such as cider and kombucha. And a house made lemonade that will turn in you into a lemonade snob who will only enjoy cool glass of it if it’s freshly squeezed.
My kids loved the little play area, and repeatedly told me that this place had the best food ever, and can we come back again. Which of course, we will.
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Up, Up and Away!
We hit the road again and this time we ended up in Albuquerque, New Mexico. My husband, Joel, grew up there and it was time to take the kids back to his roots. We made sure we timed our trip to coincide with the Balloon Fiesta. Where hundreds of hot air balloons take to the sky. And I have to say, it was incredible and definitely something to add to your bucket list!
Make sure you get there early and watch the dawn patrol take off and watch the magical glow of the balloons of balloons taking off. Then Mass Ascension follows where hundreds of balloons of all shapes and colors take to the skies. But dress warmly. The desert mornings may fool you, so come prepared with layers for a variety of temps.
And to get there, I would recommend a park ride shuttle. Can avoid the traffic to the parking lots and get dropped off right at the front gate.
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Happy Hour… With the Kids?
This year I have implemented happy hour after school. The start of school is so busy for us between getting in a new routine and soccer season that has begun. And this year I have all 3 in soccer so Monday- Thursday afternoons are filled with practices, which does not leave much time for, well, anything. We have between 1 and 1.5 hours after school before we have to get going to the next activity. And to avoid, missing out on family dinner time, thanks to good old practice, insert happy hour. The kids are usually staving after school and plus they need some nutrition before their practices. It’s been a great way to sit down with them, talk about their day and share some food together. And now they really look forward to happy hour. And sometimes you even get fun cups out to make it legit.
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Road Trippin’
Nothing draws a family closer than being in confined spaces on a road trip! We tested our family strength recently with a road trip to a few National Parks. If you have a 4th grade child, take advantage of the free national park pass. This pass allows free admission to national parks! On the list for this trip was Crater Lake and Yosemite National Park.
We drove from Portland, Oregon and surprisingly the kids did great! And also surprisingly, they did not sleep. Not one bit! But that was ok, we were prepared for that. On all of our trips, I usually hit the dollar store for new coloring books, journals, crayons, pencils, crossword puzzles and the like and create a little pack for each of them. Each of them fills up a back pack with other items they would like to bring like favorite toys, stuffed animals, books or whatever but it all has to fit in their backpack. That keeps things down to the minimum. We also had movies and video games that we rotated between each of the 3 kids. And of course we played the license plate game because you just can’t do a road trip without! And last but not least, we let them be bored. Gasp! And it was fine. I feel like it’s good for the kids to be bored sometimes and let them figure out how to pass the time. And guess what?! they survived!
Our first stop was Crater Lake. The deepest lake in the US that was once a volcano. Also known for its beauty and magnificent blue waters. We stayed in some cabins here just for one night. There was actually quite a bit of snow on the ground for June so many of the hiking trails were closed to that hindered our plans just a little but didn’t hinder the beautiful scenery!
Then we made the long drive to Yosemite from there. I had a reservation just outside the park at Yosemite Lakes Campground and it worked out pretty nice. It was just a short drive into the park. But you definitely wanted to get there early so you didn’t have to deal with the traffic in the park. The best way to get around is just to park at your first destination and take the free shuttle around the park. Now, if you want to stay inside the park for your accommodations you definitely need to make reservations about a year in advance. We spent a couple days in the park sightseeing and hiking. There is definitely stuff to do for everyone. But just taking in the beautiful scenery was something else. So peaceful and serene. Lots of wildlife to see, and we even saw a bear!
From Yosemite we drove to the Redwoods and just spent a couple hours there and then headed to the Oregon Caves. Here you can take guided tour and the kids have an opportunity to become junior rangers which we took full advantage of.
Then it was back to Portland! And if you are ever traveling down I-5 in Southern Oregon, you have to stop at Rice Hill for ice cream. Joel and I had fond memories of stopping there in college with our trips to Lake Shasta every year. But note to self, do not let your kids get double scoops before you have to contained them in a 4 hour car ride home. Holy sugar high batman!
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Getting Summer Ready
Summer is approaching quickly and we LOVE to be in the water. With my boys having different abilities of swimming I usually start them back in swim lesson in the beginning of spring. We have been all over town for swim lessons, because quite frankly, if I can get them all swimming at the same time or at least back to back it’s worth it. But for the last year I have focused more on survival/water safety type swimming for my youngest. Jackson has always been trying to keep up with his older brothers and with us around water a lot in the summer, I wanted him to get some basic skills around the water. And we love Children of the Sea swim school near Washington Square and their 91 degree pool. It’s a bit of a drive for us, but so worth it! As a four year old he is confidently jumping into the water and flipping over to his back and they practice kicking to the wall, or floatie, or whatever they fell off of. Which is perfect for those situations that quickly happen to young kids and this way he is comfortable ‘falling’ into the water and kicking to safety. I wish we had done this sooner with our other kids! They have summer swim camps and summer lesson available to register now. They also give referral credit which is a great reward for sharing your love of their swim lessons!
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A Trip to the Northern Neighbor
Vancouver, BC Canada
Living in the PNW, there are many drive-able destinations and for this spring break we took a quick trip up to Vancouver, BC, Canada. It’s about a 7 hour car ride from Portland, (Thanks Seattle traffic!) but totally manageable. We headed out early in the morning and planned for a pit stop in Seattle for lunch. We stopped at Pike’s place area and grabbed lunch and walked around and enjoyed some beautiful weather.
Then from there we headed to the border. We stayed right in the heart of the city at Pinnacle Hotel and had a great view of the water. The city is very walk-able with many restaurants and things to do in walking distance. Stanley park is right around the corner too. The hotel offered bikes to rent to ride and most people use to head to Stanley Park.
We actually didn’t plan too many things and sort of winged it for our 4 day trip. Joel and I had been to the city many times before but this was a first for the kids.
Our list of things to do:
Capilano Suspension Bridge. The name came from the Squamish Nation meaning beautiful river. Capilano originally was spelled
Kia’palano . The bridge originally was constructed in 1889 made of hemp rope and cedar planks and evolved overtime as well as the park. Along with the suspension bridge over the river, there is a cliff walk with some beautiful views, tree top adventures that also include a fun scavenger hunt for the kids and provide some views from up top.Hockey Game. Canadias do it right. This was actually our first NHL game and why not see it here! The team is the Vacouver Canucks. And we saw a great game that went into overtime and ended up in a few shootouts with the Canucks taking a win. And what was fun is that they had happy hour at the arena so you didn’t have to pay an arm and a leg for some snacks!
Tim Hortons. Founded by the Canadian hockey player, specializes in coffee and donuts. Sort of reminded me of Dunkin Donuts on the east coast because this is where everyone goes and it’s on every corner! LOL! I enjoyed a latte and of course a donut!
Stanley Park. This is 1001 acre park right in Vancouver with so many things to do! Bike riding, hiking trails, swimming, parks, restaurants and Vancouver Aquarium. There is really something for everyone and a great escape from city life. It also boasts great view of the city skyline, mountains, and the water.
Vancouver Lookout. This offers 360° view of the city from 553.16 feet above. The great thing about this lookout compared to others is that your ticket is good all day. Go see the city during the day and then swing back by in the evening to catch the sunset.
City Walk. There is nothing better than exploring a city by foot. I feel that you really get to experience the city, the culture, the people at a whole new level. And the kids were pretty good sports about walking. And besides, it good for them!
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Spring in the PNW
The smell of spring is definitely in the air and the last couple of days here in Portland have felt more like late spring, instead of winter ending. Each year around this time I totally overbook myself with kids activities, my activities, etc and it usually just ends up a blur and finally come up for air in June. Not this year. We are creating a Spring Bucket List. We have enjoyed doing this with other seasons like , summer, fall and Christmas but usually forget about March-June. I have enjoyed the intentionally with the bucket list and also the creativity and just getting out of the house to do something together. So here are a few of our bucket list items for Spring… in no particular order.
Portland Dining Month in March. This is where some of the finest chefs in Portland create a 3 course dining experience for $33. It’s a great way to check out the foodie scene, especially newer restaurants. With over 80 restaurants participating, it won’t be hard to find a new favorite place, or 2!
The Tulip Festival. I have pretty much lived in Oregon my whole life, except for a stint in Arizona for college and have never been to the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival. Which is crazy, because I love tulips. So this is definitely on the bucket list this year
Cherry Blossoms! We have so many Cherry Blossom trees around the area. The light pink flowers, ooze the new found spring and just makes those gray rainy days we see in spring so much brighter.
Ski! Even though most people have put their skis away, we have year round skiing on Mt Hood. With the kids really enjoying learning how to ski/board, spring conditions are a fun way to continue that experience!
Bike Ride. Family bike rides are the best and we definitely are not short on trails. So many places to ride or ride to in the area. Check out a few here. Bonus if you ride to a place to get a bite or a drink!
Go out for ice cream! I think this is on every bucket list we have created. And why not?! There are so many scoop shops in the area it’s hard to choose just one… But our go tos are Salt and Straw, Ruby Jewels, and good Ol’ fashion DQ for some blizzards
Go for a hike! We have some smaller hiking places near us that are perfect for tiny feet and legs that can’t hike long distance. Plus after being cooped up all winter, being outdoors is so refreshing!
Whale Watching. I have never done this either, and we may not get to it this year, but I’ll put in the list as an alternate. Whales head back up to Alaska and pass though Oregon in the spring. Spring Whale Week is March 23-31 so it would be perfect time for kids out on spring break to see some whales passing through
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The real pot of Gold
This year we kicked off St Patty’s Day with a little 5k run for the family. The Shamrock Run is one of the biggest races in Portland and we had gorgeous weather and a great turn out. My husband Joel, and my middle son Damon, enjoyed their first ever race. And well I kind of bribed them because this year, all event finishers received medals so it was just enough to get a yes from them. As far as Ezra and I, this was our 5th event together and it’s been fun to see his progress every year. One of my goals as a parent is to be healthy and lead not only by example, but to get my kids involved too. And this was a perfect one to get started. They also have a leprechaun lap, 8k, 10k, and half marathon to choose from, so there really is something for everyone. The more things we get to do together as a family, the better relationships we build with each other and the better we function together as a family… especially with sibling interaction. And that is definitely a win any day. But for today, these boys were the surprise at the end of the rainbow and it was well worth the run.
