We're in a brand new town, discovering new mountains around us and spending a lot of time tromping (or riding) through the ground to get a feel for the area. We truly believe the best way to get to know a new place is by experiencing it. That means leaving the house every day by foot, bike or carrier/stroller (if walking isn't your forte yet....) It means talking to every local you can find (and weeding through a lot of tourists to get to them), dodging Bison dung (and keeping an inquisitive almost-toddler with an oral fixation from tasting it), braving the rain and snow and just getting out there.
Both Mtn Papa and I have lived a lot of places where you really have to work to get to know the community. It requires engaging in whatever happenings are out there, being ok with the fact that you may have to (gasp!) make your own fun, and just being ok with where you are at. I find it a great tragedy to run into people who HATE the small town they are in, and yet choose to not go out and discover, explore and BE a part of the community.
As a family, we have a variety of ways to cart around our kids. We justify the strollers, kid carrier backpacks, wagons, bikes, trailers, and soft structured baby carriers by the fact that they are helping us move as a family and enjoy the great outdoors.
Previously on the blog, I reviewed our Chariot, Osprey Poco Plus, Kelty Pathfinder, Deuter Kid Carrier III, Boba 3G and today I am happy to introduce you to the Onya Baby carrier and Tula Toddler Carrier. Both are unique in their own respects and have opened up new elements of freedom for us. Don't get me wrong - I don't think every family needs 100 baby carriers, every framed kid carrier backpack and a variety of bike trailers. You do what works for your family. I just take it as my "job" to help you know what is out there!
