let's get off this tired trail.

I took river on a hike to a new trail. We went about 100 yards, spent 20 minutes looking at some flowers, bugs, and the city down below. She said, "Daddy, let's get off this tired trail." I laughed. "If you put it like that. Okay", I said.

I have learned that it does not help to push too hard, especially when it is not critical. I like to give River a lot of the decision making power. I feel like it empowers her. If she wants to go off the trail I follow her. I always tell her she gets to choose the path, even if there isn't one. Sometimes it is nice to be the boss, even if you are only three.

look, touch, feel

Since we started the garden in the backyard River has found a love of "rolly-polly's". She has found some huge ones. I love the dirt under her finger nails. I have to admit I got a little squeamish when she was holding 14 of them in her hands. What are your kids favorite bugs?

I'm not a Hiker, Biker, Climber chick...

not a hiker, biker, climber 

My wife said when we started dating. I think this was on the fourth or fifth time snowshoeing.  By that time I was already invested, thought she was cute, and felt like I could convince her otherwise.

I bought Kathryn a nice sleeping bag, a nice jacket, nice pants, nice mittens, and some cute thermals. Since then people would think we were bohemian. She even asked to stop at REI the other day, without me even prompting her. What a woman.

hiker, biker, climber

my best recipe everyone has already made

I should be in Martha Stewart for my gourmet S'mores

Which do you like?

infant camping

This is Sloane Byrd's first camping trip at 3 months. We waited a little longer for Sloane than River because the cold Utah spring weather this year. We did a little bit of four-wheeling down in the four corners region. Haunting country.

The night got down to about 40 degrees Fahrenheit. It can make camping with a baby a little challenging. I would love to make an infant sleeping bag when I get time, because all of the products out there are more for backyard sleeping, but this is what we did in the mean time.

I brought a Crazy Creek Chair to lay underneath her. Kathryn does not think it is comfortable enough, but baby's don't seem to care. Any pad will work though. Most of your body heat is sucked out of you through the ground, if you are cold at night, get a better sleeping pad with a higher R value. Next we put Sloane in her one-piece fleece pajamas, wrapped her in a fleece blanket, and stuffed her into a modified adult sleeping bag. Make sure they can breathe. The nice thing about this arrangement is they can't turn over very easily, reducing SIDS.

all smiles on daddy's sleeping bag

I have found that my kids sleep better in a tent than at home. They love to get up in the morning to beautiful scenery, rocks, sticks, and sand.

If you have never tried infant camping, start easy, go car-camping. If things get awful, jump in the car and come home, and if you get really desperate you could even go to a ... gasp... hotel.

About 8 feet

just what we needed

Essential pieces of gear

An indelible moment

My sister's family and I are going to the Uintah National Forest today.  It is an area that leaves a lasting impression. I remember fishing from a particular rock over 25 years ago as a child (I think I could still find it). Moments in nature are indelible. They make a mark, do not ignore the importance of it.

"What should I bring", my sister asked.

We are innately aware the wild can be dangerous. More than one eyebrow has been raised in my direction when I have told them about upcoming family trips. I care about my kids. I care about their safety. Safety = knowledge + gear. I try to come prepared. We get hurt from exposure, dehydration, and accidents. Knowing this, here is a very short list to keep outdoor kids safe and comfortable.

Essential Gear.
1. Rain Gear/Outer Layer
2. Warm Clothing
3. Water Containers

How to convince your Wife...

River's First River Trip 1-yr old

I love the river. It brings peace, focus, and clarity. Kass relented to go for 6 days on the San Juan River (Sand Island to Clay Hills) with our first daughter River at the age of "1".  River is now "3" and has since logged over 30 days on the river and has never died, not even once.

Sloane Byrd was born in February this year. Since then I have tried to get Kass to break her "line in the sand" of  one-year-old for taking kids down the river. She thinks it is dangerous.

My sister Meg is in town from Hawaii and wanted to go on a river trip. We planned to run the Moab daily the day after my youngest sister "Ali" was married. My whole family was set to go. Somebody would stay at camp and play on the beach with Sloane while everybody else went on the river.

Kathryn broke her foot 2 1/2 months ago. She has been non-weight-bearing all summer and has missed out on everything fun. We had an x-ray appointment the morning of the trip. At the doctor's office we found the bone was starting to heal. She could finally start putting weight on the foot, she even got a stylish new "post-op" shoe. She was ecstatic, the situation was perfect.

Conversation to Moab:
Me: Last night at work I was talking to my co-workers about going on river trips with kids, they think I am crazy.
Kass: Most people do.
Me: I told them that you had a one year rule for our kids to go on the river.
Kass: Sloane can't go on the river.
Me: I was just thinking though, just hear me out, no pressure, just a thought, just listen for a second.
Me:  The difference between a 6-month old and a 1-year-old on the river is nothing. Both of them are in danger, it is not like a 1-year-old can fight the current or swim any better than a 6-month-old. Sloane is bigger than river was at 6-months and already fits her life-jacket. A 6-month old would probably be safer because she wouldn't fight so much and would let the life jacket do its job. If sloane went you wouldn't have to sit at the hot beach in 110 degree heat, that would be boring. Your foot is getting better. You have not been able to do anything for months, it will be fun...

 Sloane's First River Trip 6-months-old

Am I crazy?

I'm thinking of an animal

I took River, our three year old, on a campout with the eleven year old scouts. One scout came with a bottle and a sleeping bag. Another one came with a sleeping bag and pan. The last one came with a sleeping bag and his iphone. I feel like there should be a punch line. There isn't. Sorry.

River told me she was afraid of the forest. She asked about what animals could eat her. She told me she could see their eyes.
River: "Are there any tigers in the forest?"
Me: "No"
River: "Are there any lions in the forest?"
Me: "No"
River: "Are there any cheetahs in the forest?"
Me: "No"
Me: "There are bears, and wolves, and cougars that can eat you in this forest"
River: .......(silence).......
Me: ......(thinking)....
Me: "They all went to bed though."