We're Unplugged!

We're busy celebrating Screen Free Week with lots of outdoor and family time!  We encourage you to unplug and simplify this week (but check back Monday, May 7th when we hit the ground running again!)

**Just to make sure all winners from our "Gear Up Families for Screen Free" event properly receive their new gear, I WILL be checking my email daily VERY briefly (5 minutes tops) if you need to get a hold of me!**

Sign Off + *Guest Blogger* Screen Free Thoughts

Thank you so much to everyone that participated this week.  We'll be back on the blog posting May 7th with another jam-packed week!  

Watch for a guest post from Teresa of Mountain Mama: Expecting Adventure (including a giveaway of their "No Touch" kids shirt), a special Mother's Day event, and, of course, gear reviews and inspiration! *Hint, if you own a Piggyback Rider (or won one!) make sure to take pictures using it throughout Screen Free Week (we'll be doing another photo contest!)*

On a personal note, we will also be busy moving our family (and this operation ;)) to Yellowstone! (nothing like filling the schedule!) 

Until then, Happy Adventuring (and make sure to check out this cool reflection below!) 
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A dear friend of mine sent this to me, and I thought it was a perfect little snippet of some more inspiration before Screen Free Week starts.  Please feel free to add your thoughts at the end (and check out her bio too, of course!)


Screen Free.  


Almost sounds like a joke. Seriously, our culture relies upon these tools for everything. In the workplace, at school, and now screen time takes up precious time we should be spending together with our children and families. 


I am grateful to have a response that is shocked by the need for a screen free movement! Sure, we allow our kids to play on the iPad or watch a "little show" now and again. Kids need to play, and play hard! And the funny thing about turning on a show in our house is that no one ends up watching it anyway. Perhaps this quality I cherish relates to our children being young, I don't know, but I am happy that they'd rather find their thirsty giraffe some water or play with blocks than sit in front of a screen.

Most mornings when my children are up (and my oldest turned 3 two weeks ago, followed by a 21-month old and a 4 month old) they wait by the front door so we can eat breakfast on the front steps and ride scooters, bust out a little chalk art, or just wave hello to the passing children, birds, and cars as they go by. 


They love being outside. 

Get Outside and PLAY! + Gear up Day 5!

Welcome to Day 5 of "Gearing Up Families to go Screen Free"!  If this is your first time hearing about the event, please check out our updated tab here.  Make sure you check out the giveaways at the end of this post (they are ONLY open for 24 hours- midnight to midnight EST!) 

The importance of PLAY for all ages
There is no replacement for the outdoors as THE playground for kids and adults alike.  Gross motor skills are developed through running, jumping, climbing and exploring.  Motor manipulation skills are improved while passing a ball or pushing a friend on the swing.  Fresh air alleviates stress and brings peace.  The ever-changing environment outdoors challenges on a mental level too while discovering insects, birds, the movement of dirt and the speed and direction of winds (which we know about all-to-well around here!)

If you are new here, you may not know how strongly we promote a "15 minute" rule.  We are outside EVERY day for AT LEAST 15 minutes (though usually much, much longer.)  There are a few exceptions, of course, but we know how related our outdoor time is to the happiness of our family.

We believe recess is crucial (even for home-schooled kids, kids not yet in school AND adults) and love what Keen is doing through their RECESS promotion (check it out if you haven't seen it yet!) is changing workplaces.

Move Your Body + Gear Up Day 4!

Welcome to Day 4 of "Gearing Up Families to go Screen Free"!  If this is your first time hearing about the event, please check out our updated tab here.  Make sure you check out the giveaways at the end of this post (they are ONLY open for 24 hours- midnight to midnight EST!)


The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has standards for what adults (aged 18-64) and children (aged 6-17) need to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

For Children:
- 60 minutes a day of activity (most of this should be moderate to vigorous intensity)
- Include strength-building activities 3 days a week (push-ups, gymnastics, climbing, etc.)
- Include bone-strengthening activities 3 days a week (jumping rope, running, etc.)

For Adults:
- 2.5 hours of moderate activity every week OR 1.25 hours of vigorous activity every week
- AND muscle-strengthening on 2+ days a week that include all major muscle groups.

In my humble opinion, these minimum standards they are just that - minimums.  As a family, we work hard to get our hearts pumping hard daily (and hope to encourage others to do that too through this blog.)  We find it crucial for our health AND our peace of mind and good attitude.

Spring has sprung (mostly...) and it is a great time to get outdoors for exercise.  The fresh air has incredible benefits to add to the perks of exercise (including just happier people in general!)

*Guest Blogger* Taking Young Kids into the Wilderness + Gear Up Day 3

Welcome to Day 3 of "Gearing Up Families to go Screen Free"!  If this is your first time hearing about the event, please check out our updated tab here.  Make sure you check out the giveaways at the end of this post (they are ONLY open for 24 hours - midnight to midnight EST!)


I am so honored to be a part of Michael Lanza's blog tour introducing his new book: "Before They're Gone." I have admired his writing and lifestyle for a while now and his stories are some of my favorites.  


"Before They're Gone" is a gripping book that will inspire you to get out with your own family just a little bit more.  Even this mama (who can hardly stay awake at night to read ANY books) couldn't put it down.  Lanza will make you think a little more about our National Parks, the future of our children and why the little things just don't matter.


He agreed to join us in this Screen Free event so today we celebrate him, his book AND gearing up families!  As usual when we have guests, check out his bio at the end of his post and feel free to leave him some love.  Also, please note that we are giving away a copy of "Before They're Gone" today too (among a pile of other great gear to help you get outside and hiking with your family)!

I paused and stared at the trail ahead of us. Barely more than a foot wide and plastered in hard-packed snow and ice, it clung to the face of a cliff with a sheer drop-off to one side of hundreds of feet.

Then I looked down at my seven-year-old daughter, Alex, four feet tall and 50 pounds and exuding an innocent faith that her dad, holding her hand tightly, would guide her safely across that scary traverse—and the next, and the next, and so on for more than a mile and nearly a thousand vertical feet on our descent of the Grandview Trail, which zigzags across wildly exposed ledges on its steep drop into the Grand Canyon.

That was in the last week of March 2010, a bit premature for backpacking into the world’s most famous canyon precisely because of the likelihood of encountering ice on trails at the rim. But it was also our kids’ spring break from school, and we didn’t want to wait until they were out of school, in June, when the inner canyon would be too broiling hot for this 29-mile, four-day trek from Grandview Point to the South Kaibab Trailhead. 

Despite our concerns—heightened after a ranger at the park’s backcountry desk told us that the Grandview Trail was “treacherous” with ice and snow—my wife, Penny, and I decided we could do this hike safely with our kids. I had microspikes—mini-crampons with small metal points that slip over backpacking boots—for myself, Penny, and our nine-year-old son, Nate (whom I nonetheless guided across every narrow, icy section). But I didn’t have spikes small enough for Alex’s boots. 

Hydration & Nourishment on the Trail + Gear up Day 2

Welcome to Day 2 of "Gearing Up Families to go Screen Free"!  If this is your first time hearing about the event, please check out our updated tab here.  Make sure you check out the giveaways at the end of this post (they are ONLY open for 24 hours- midnight to midnight EST!)

Photo courtesy of Jenny

Proper hydration and nourishment are crucial all the time, but especially while you are outside being active.  Sun, wind, sweat-loss, energy-used and altitude all contribute to the importance of keeping your body running smoothly. by being properly fed and hydrated.  While the subject is vast, I want to address at least parts of it in the light of a full week of lots of active time outside (right?!?! :)) next week.

**Hydrate Up!**
Water accounts for nearly 60% of our total body mass.  Therefore, it obviously plays a huge role in how our body runs and performs.  Way too many people just don't get enough water, plain and simple.  Unfortunately, the long-term effects of severe dehydration are pretty serious and could eventually lead to death in extreme cases.  On the upside, a well-hydrated adult/child feels the benefits of:
- Better blood flow
- Higher energy levels
- Decreased muscle soreness after exercise
- More attentiveness and an easier time concentrating
- Healthy kidneys
- Body temperature regulation (which is HUGE as we head into the summer months.)

Signs of Mild Dehydration (don't let it go further than this!):

- Dry mouth

- Fatigue

- Head rush

- Dark/yellow urine (you should "pee clear"!)

- Chills

- Dry Skin

- Thirst (Do you know when you feel thirsty you are actually already too dehydrated?!?!)

- Constipation

Our "No Cotton" Philosophy + Gear-Up Day 1

We are so thrilled to welcome you to the first day of "Gearing Up Families to go Screen Free"!  If this is your first time hearing about the event, please check out our updated tab here.  Make sure you check out the giveaways at the end of this post (they are ONLY open for 24 hours (midnight to midnight EST!)

P post-ski stripped back down to his Icebreaker base layers (Merino Wool)

If you have spent much time outdoors or around "outdoorsy" people, you will hear a lot about the fact that cotton is really the worst thing you could wear.  But, naturally, people question the reasoning behind that (because MOST of us have wardrobes comprised of mostly cotton.)

Because today's focus is a lot about what to wear outdoors, I wanted to highlight a bunch of those reasons behind the "No Cotton" philosophy...even for family outings!

First of all, cotton is fine when in dry, hot weather.  It does a great job at keeping us cool and can easily be saturated with water and then worn to fight off hot temperatures.  The trouble starts when the temperatures start dropping (which can happen with just the sun going down or clouds rolling in.)

FREE Hydration Systems from Geigerrig? Yes, Please!

I am taking a break from our normal "This Moment..." post today to bring you some really exciting news that I thought was good enough to share right.now.

Let me introduce you to Geigerrig Hydration Systems.  

Relatively new to the market and taking it by storm, I am pretty excited to get my hands on one of these systems and review it for you (coming soon!)  In the meantime, check out what is happening (and make sure you read all the way to the bottom of this post!)

What's Different about Geigerrig:
- Pressurized (through a had-bulb) system allows for spraying (and therefore no sharing of germs, etc. from the sucking action that is required by all other hydration systems.)  If you have kids, this means NO FLOATERS in your water!  Whoop!  This also means the ability to use the water to cool down or clean up on the trail.
- Easy to clean (bladder can go in the top rack of your dishwasher)
- You can purchase a filter that attaches to the tube which means unlimited drinking water usage even in the backcountry (without having to carry an additional filter).
- Bladders are seemingly (see contained bomb video below...) indestructible

Get Ready! #screenfree

Next week we are gearing up for the biggest event we have ever hosted to date here at Tales of a Mountain Mama.  We are thrilled to see the hours of hard work finally coming together in what we are sure will be an informative (and lucky!) week for you, as readers.  We hope you will join us in what we are calling "Gearing up Families to go Screen Free" for inspiration, tips, introductions to some incredible writers and outdoor enthusiasts, and plenty of opportunities to win free gear.

WHY is this SUCH a big deal?

Kids these days are absolutely bombarded by screens, technology and the lure of sedentary activities.  Obesity rates are up, ADD is more of a “common” issue than ever before, and kids simply aren’t spending time outdoors and moving. 

Thankfully, the awareness on the issue is spreading like wildfire and people (and companies) across the country are fighting against what Richard Louv has dubbed, “Nature-Deficit Disorder.”  Our blog, Tales of a Mountain Mama, was started in an attempt to inspire families with young children (who are more apt to stay inside because of convenience) to get out there and make outdoor adventures a normal part of their lives while their family is still young.  

The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood has put together a yearly event encouraging children, families, schools and communities to go Screen Free and make changes towards a more active and outdoor lifestyle.  This year the event will happen from April 30 – May 6^th. 

Over at Tales of a Mountain Mama we are working hard to help spread the word about such a worthwhile cause.  While we certainly believe technology is a wonderful and valuable resource, we also believe in turning off and letting nature be our greatest teacher. 

Because the blog obviously uses computers (and therefore screens) as the way to get the word out there, we decided to do our big event the week BEFORE (because we are turning off too** and want to do everything we can to encourage others to follow that lead!)  

Earlier this week, I posted an article over at Seattle Backpackers Magazine (GREAT publication if you haven't checked it out before!) with a little more information about the event and, more importantly, some ideas on how Screen Free can be adapted for your own family needs.

We know that it can be impossible to turn off for an entire week (and I mean more than just a battle of self-control!)  We just want the word to be out there and people to be thinking!

What this event Means for YOU:

- Daily inspiration and tips on how to get outside with your family safely throughout Screen Free Week.

- Link-ups to a number of hand-picked incredible bloggers who are also on-board and are sharing their own insights.

- Gear Giveaways daily (please bare with me on this one - there will be LOTS in an attempt to really gear up a BUNCH of different people!)  They will last ONLY 24 hours so check-in daily!
- Exclusive #extragear giveaways only offered on Facebook and Twitter (so be sure to follow!)

- A chance to gear up and be involved in a really great cause!

Want to Help??

- PLEASE feel free to jump in!  I will happily tweet/Facebook out links to your own blog posts about Screen Free (and ideas on what to do with all that extra time.)  This is a collaboration!

- If you DO tweet, please use hash tag #screenfree 

- If you are a company wanting to join in with hooking up some people with gear or you just have some more questions, email me at mountainmamatales(at)gmail(dot)com

- Spread the word!
Thank you!

Screen Free For a Week?!?!  We DARE you!

**We will be turning off screens completely except for a very short window (like 5-10 minutes) every day to check and respond to emails just so we don't leave anyone hanging.  So, if you need me, know that I WILL see your emails and will get back to you as soon as I can.**

*Guest Post* Take your Kids Rock Climbing!

One of my favorite parts of having guests here on the blog is covering parts of outdoor family life that we aren't as familiar with.  Rock climbing is definitely one of those areas (though we are starting to think we should check it out!)  Please welcome Justin of Backcountry Treks.  His motto is "Live Your Adventure Outside" - one we can definitely identify with!  As always, be sure to check out his bio at the end of this post (with links to his blog, etc. too!)

I was introduced to the sport of rock climbing in high school, and quickly realized that, if done correctly, it's one of the safest outdoor sports around. Many years later, my young kids started becoming not so young any more and began yearning to take adventures with my wife, Christine, and I.

I had been climbing for 16 years by that time so I was plenty confident in my abilities and knew what my kids could handle. It was a typical early June day with temperatures in the 70s. Christine and I loaded up our three girls (3, 4, and 6 years old) and drove 30 minutes to an easy crag, high in the mountains of Colorado.

The first key to introducing any child to climbing is to use proper equipment. Regular tennis shoes are normally fine, so the only piece of gear you need is a full body harness for the young ones. It not only protects them in an upside down fall, it also gives them piece of mind; a feeling of being wrapped up and safe.
 
We choose a low angle slab to play on, this one rated around 5.2. Starting out on easy climbing quickly builds trust.

The Shoulder Season + *Polarn O. Pyret Gear Review*

There is seldom a part of the summer that we don't end up wearing a jacket at least part of the day.  It is one thing I love about living at 7000 feet - nights are cool (and perfect for sleeping!)

We call this time of the year the "Shoulder Season" because we are stuck in somewhere in the middle of winter and summer (depending on the day...)  Snow AND 70+ degree (F) days are definitely possible and should be expected.

In an attempt to find some great kid jackets to replace their (very) warm Patagonia winter ones, I ran across another great company I have been itching to share:  Polarn O. Pyret.  A Swedish company devoted to letting kids get outside and play thanks to well-thought-out clothing.  They work hard to make sure their clothing can be passed on from sibling to sibling, to cousin, to friend....

In short:  I am impressed.

PO. P very generously sent us jackets for both of the boys.  It is obvious in the photos they are both a little big for them yet, but I have no problem sizing up for kids (all the more to grow into!)

Best Basic Shell Jacket $119

This jacket is perfect for our colder springs and falls.  Since it has the capability to connect to a wind fleece, it could certainly be used throughout the winter also.  It has withstood some tough playing, jumping and mudding!

Outdoor Loving...

This week Mtn Papa and I celebrate 4 years of marriage.  

Yes, I know, maybe that sounds like we are still in the "baby stages" of marriage to some of you, but we're pretty proud of it (and looking forward to many more years together!)

I was thinking lately how much our time in the outdoors strengthens our communication and relationship in general.  So far, our kids usually fall asleep during some point of our adventure (hiking or skiing) and we finally (finally!) get a chance to talk uninterrupted (by children, work, or jobs around the home.)

These Moments (AKA 7 Super Shots)

Melissa over at Adventure Tykes tagged me in Hostelbooker’s 7 Super Shots game.  It certainly made me think!


1. A photo that takes my breath away....Swiss Alps.  Yes, please.

2. A photo that makes me laugh or smile

*Guest Post* You Don’t Need Mountains to Get Outside and Play!

Errin joins us on the blog today with a perspective of a gal transplanted from the mountains she loves to the city to be with the family she loves even more.  She is full of great ideas on how to just get outside, no matter what (something we REALLY appreciate here!)  As always, make sure to check out her bio at the end of the post and leave her some love in the comments!

I’m forever a mountain girl at heart. I have loved them my entire life, since I was a little girl living in the foothills of Colorado and as a young twenty-something living in the San Juan Mountains of the breathtaking Southwest corner of Colorado. I feel different when I’m there – their sheer magnitude and beauty forbids me to sweat the small stuff. On any bad day or off day, all I had to do was head up one of the many trails with my dog and breathe in that crisp, clean mountain air and I was cured. There was never an excuse for not going out and playing outside – whether there was 3 feet of snow on the ground or a mid-summer afternoon rainstorm.

Little Errin :)

Durango, CO

My life eventually brought me back home to my family and my future husband, Dave, in the suburbs of Chicago. My heart would break from time to time when I thought about that magical, mountainous place I loved so much. And poor Dave has to listen to my incessant “the best place on Earth” blabbing. He says I should be a spokesperson for Durango. Or Colorado. Or just mountainous towns in general. I agree, mostly because then I’d have to live there, right?

Simplifying Adventures + Camelbak Kicker Gear Review

It's easy to get caught up in the notion that hikes as a family have to be BIG events.  We are (finally) entering into that time of the year when the days are longer, evenings are warmer and getting kids to come  back inside is a little more difficult.  It is the perfect time of the year to squeeze in a mini hike after work (or everyone's home from school, etc.) or even at lunch time (if you are really brave...lunch time/right-before-nap-time is pretty crazy at our house.)

But a hike is a hike.  And a "walk" can certainly be a "hike" too!  Either way, it is an absolutely ideal opportunity to instill a love for hiking with kids without a big commitment that meaning traveling with children can be (because we find that if we are driving 5 minutes or 3 hours, the gear necessary is astounding.)

Looking at deer

This Moment...

*No words necessary, just a precious moment from our life!*

*Gear Review* Chariot CTS

I can honestly say that our Chariot was some of the very best money we invested in our children as far as being able to get outside and be active with them.  We recommend them to everyone with children.

We bought our Chariot (thanks to help from some awesome baby shower money) back in 2009.  I will say right up front that they are certainly not cheap.  Currently, the Cougar 2 base chassis runs for $685 at REI.  And then you have to purchase at least one attachment to make it work.  We get the most use out of the Bike Trailer Kit ($75) , the XC Ski Kit ($275) , and the Jogging Kit ($100) , though there certainly are other attachments out there (like strolling wheels and a hiking kit)

Before you faint from sticker shock, please note that this could easily be the only stroller you need.  It works as a jogger (BOB strollers run from $400-$600 by themselves), bike trailer AND a solution for skiing.

*Guest Post* Petroglyphs

Nature for Kids was one of the very first blogs I ran across when I was first starting Tales of a Mountain Mama.  I continue to be impressed by the informative posts and the photos that Shawna takes.  I am so honored now to have her guest post here on our blog.  She shares some adventures that are unique to our part of the country. These petroglyphs are such a beautiful example of time standing still through the stories on the rocks.  Please feel free to leave comments for Shawna (and check out her bio at the end of this post too!) 

When we lived in southern Utah we spent many weekends during the springtime going for drives in the desert in search of petroglyphs.

A lesson from Katmai (and Other Beloved Dogs)

We are proud dog-owners.

 Katmai (named after my very favorite National Park in Alaska) is a yellow lab, 7 years old, and full of "loyal lab traits".  He will do anything to chase a ball, hates being left at home, happily bikes with us, is best-behaved on the trail, loves the boys (usually) and has a tendency to drive me crazy with his neediness for the outdoors and activity with us.

I was thinking this weekend that we would all be a lot better off if we could follow a lead like Katmai's.  We would always feel like a long run, would just be happy with the simple things like playing and eating, and would know how to love with no limitations.

As humans, we have a innate tendency to be lazy to an extent (at least if we are well-formed by our American society.)  We will do anything we can to get what we want, and get it now (with the least amount of effort possible.)  And yet, we (meaning Americans, in the most general of terms) are suffering immensely from that instant-gratification motivation.