20 Things I Love and Hate About Back-to-School Time

Posted on August 28, 2010 by Eric

Back to school1. I LOVE being back to our normal day-to-day routine

2. I HATE the fact that summer vacations are no longer an option

3. I LOVE knowing leaves will soon change color

4. I HATE back-to-school shopping

5. I LOVE back-to-school shopping when my wife does it (which is always)

6. I LOVE going for hikes without sweating my a$$ off

7. I HATE shorter days

8. I LOVE the fact that the Amazing Race will soon be on

9. I LOVE the return of football season (Go Bears!)

10. I HATE the anticipation of raking up about 1 gazillion leaves

11. I HATE that after I rake said leaves I’ll soon be shoveling

12. I LOVE meeting my son’s teacher, who I better like

13. I LOVE watching my son get on the bus the first day

14. I LOVE planning new fall outdoorsy stuff aka apple picking

15. I HATE wondering where the year has gone

16. I HATE school fundraisers (especially when I’m running them)

17.  I HATE the added commuter traffic

18.  I LOVE knowing my son is going to learn new things

19. I LOVE that my wife won’t be ripping her hair out (well, as much)

20. I LOVE/HATE watching my boys grow up

Posted in Favorite Posts, Mindless Rambling | 11 Comments

“Ten Essentials” for Family Travel, a True Story

Posted on August 20, 2010 by Eric

Hello everybody – Here’s a guest post from Erin from AKontheGO.com, who offers a unique view from a family who lives in Alaska.  Enjoy!

This list originally kept up residence in the glove box of my car. Hauled out upon epiphany during our family’s treks within Alaska, the hastily scribbled roster of important items became known as our own version of the “Ten Essentials”, and has proven its worth over and over. May my screw ups not be yours, fellow travelers.

1. Pack appropriately. Bring those clothing items that can be layered and/or coordinated with others. Fleece and Smartwool are my two favorites. Cotton is a bummer.

2. Bring a journal or diary for every child over the age of two, preferably a spiral notebook with inset pocket folders. Collect leaves, draw pictures, find interesting stamps. Don’t forget the pencil and/or crayons.

3. Give the kids their own camera. Motivation is much higher to reach a rocky summit when they can record their own personal journey.

4. Bring your own familiar food and water, everyday and everywhere. My youngest is uber-picky so we always bring emergency peanut butter. Moreover, services are few and far between on many Alaskan roads; we travel with a small cooler of food and water.

5. Do your homework. Gather consensus from family members for activities, and do not be afraid to divide and conquer. Ask, ask, ask questions of a business to ensure their comfort level with children. Remind guides of kids’ ages and abilities, and don’t be afraid to ask for a refund should the trip not meet your expectations.

6. Listen to the locals. Want to know the best hangouts for kids? Ask the lady in front of you at the grocery store. Wish to remain bug-bite-free? Pay attention when the local yokel says to take the bug spray on a fishing trip. This is their turf 24/7, managed nicely because they know the rules.

7. Take a “down day”. Find a local park or library, take a walk, sit in the sun, and ditch the agenda.

8. Become familiar with road conditions and directions. In Alaska, we have two seasons; Winter and Construction. Winter is dangerous due to temperatures, all other seasons can be dangerous because detours send drivers through very remote sections of the state where services are non-existent and so are road signs. Check the local DOT web site for updates.

9. Dig around a city’s visitor center for lodging information. We like to rent small cabins with kitchenettes, often cheaper and more “Alaskan” than the big hotels. In some areas, it’s the only option. We travel with a sleeping bag for those one-bed motels. Be flexible.

10.  Wildlife? Respect animals’ behavior, mannerisms, and space. Your kids are watching to see how you respond to that moose grazing near the highway.

Erin Kirkland is the publisher of AKontheGO.com, a family travel web site dedicated to promoting and encouraging kid-friendly travel within Alaska. She lives in Anchorage.

Posted in Guest Posts, Tips, Travel | 12 Comments

Choosing the Right Hiking Trail for Kids

Posted on August 18, 2010 by Eric

Here’s a guest post from Debi who blogs at Go Explore Nature. I hope you enjoy it!

Hiking with my family is one of my favorite ways to connect with nature. The secret to success is making sure the kids enjoy their surroundings and the hiking experience.

To do that, we make sure we choose the right trails before we head out. Here are some guidelines we’ve taken to following.

Know your limits.

Be realistic about your situation. Will you be carrying a little one on your back, hiking with toddlers or enjoying time with older kids with more trail experience? Is your group comfortable on rugged terrain or would a wide, paved route be better received? Consider the weather, too, since rain or extreme heat or cold will definitely play a role in kids’ enthusiasm levels.

Choose the right distance.

Kids will be more enthusiastic about future hikes if they succeed early on. Choose a trail that’s the right length for your least enthusiastic hiker (or the youngest) and gradually add on more distance with each progressive hike.  What’s appropriate? My toddler is good for about a mile before begging to be carried; my 5-½ year-old can easily take on 3.5 to 4 miles.  Older kids and those with more experience will likely be up for even longer distances.

Pick a great destination.

While adults may be content to hike just for the sake of hiking, kids may need a little more encouragement. Choose a hike with a destination your kids will enjoy. Some ideas: We’ve hiked to see a tree with a tunnel running through it, a waterfall gushing with water and a bridge with the view of the city.

Pay attention to a trail’s difficulty level.

With two little guys under the age of 6, I opt for hikes rated “easy,” unless I’m familiar enough with a trail to know my kids can handle it. If you’re hiking with young kids, opt for hikes with a fairly flat trail or a slow, steady incline.

Consider the view along the way.

Hiking with kids is all about the journey. Look for trails with interesting things to see en route to your destination. Think rocks to scramble on, wildflowers to gawk at, lakes to explore and the like. These diversions help break up what might seem like a long hike into a series of short walks from one fun spot to another.

Debi Huang is a Los Angeles-based wife, mom and adventure guide for two young boys. Her blog at Go Explore Nature is all about getting kids and families outdoors and connected to nature.

Posted in Guest Posts, Tips | Tagged , , , | 17 Comments