hiking – Page 13 – Mommy Hiker

Operation: Camping Checklist! Check!

Posted on June 24, 2013March 24, 2016 by Jennifer Fontaine

In a constantly evolving effort to be more efficient when on family camping trips, I decided that it was time to sit down and take inventory of what is actually in those disastrous camping bins of ours! First, I reorganized them, then I made an inventory list. I’m not a list-maker by nature (or even a frequent user of the word “inventory” for that matter), or at least I wasn’t before I became a mother (haha), but when you’re out in the middle of nowhere with a toddler, it never hurts to be extra prepared!

Exploring the Limekiln River in Big Sur, California

So, in anticipation of our Sequoia camping trip next month, I sat down and created a packing list for our camping bins! We have been using the bin system for a few years now. It definitely cuts down on our packing time and we are less prone to forget the little things! Most of the items in our bins are permanent bin fixtures. When we get home, they get cleaned and put back into the bin, so they are ready to go for the next trip!

Psst, want to know another way to make camping even easier?! Rent camping and backpacking gear, delivered to your door. Free shipping and returns. Full Kelty camping kits from GetOutfitted.com start at $18 per day. Doesn’t get easier than that!

Side Note: This bin list is catered to car camping where you have easy access from your tent and campsite to your car.

Camping Bin #1

This is what I lovingly refer to as the kitchen sink. It contains all of the necessities to prepare and cook our meals and a few other essentials.

Camping Bin #2

This holds all of the necessary tools for seeing, burning and cleaning.

6 propane tanks
2 lighters
2 lanterns
2 flashlights
3 headlamps
various extra batteries
(2) single burner stoves for boiling water, etc
Biodegradable dishwashing soap & scouring pad
dust pan & small broom
mallet
tarp

The Kid Bin

A must have for any camping family because even though you are out in nature with so much to discover and explore, kids still get bored. I have also found it to be comforting for our two year old to bring a few of her favorite toys along.

Bubbles!

Sand Toys (Buckets, Shovels, Trucks, etc)

Make Ahead Camping Meals

I also plan our meal menu ahead. I have found this to be the most economical and efficient way to do things. We used to just go the the store on our way out of town and we would end up spending TOO much and usually only use HALF of what we bought. Planning and prepping everything before we leave means, saving money, less work at the campground and more time relaxing and exploring!

A little down time…

I buy a box of the gallon Ziploc freezer bags and use them for all kinds of prep like marinating the meats, filling them with pre-chopped veggies to roast over the fire or make-ahead salads that only needs to be dressed when it’s time to eat. I also love to make easy-to-grab, finger food lunches like quiche and zucchini fritters, perfect to throw in the backpack and eat on the trail!

Leeks in Olive Oil (Pirasa
Zucchini Fritters (Mucver)
Green Beans in Olive Oil (Zeytinagli Fasulye)
Roasted Broccoli and Pancetta Quiche
Roasted Beet Salad with Walnuts and Gorgonzola
Chicken Salad with Avocado and Cilantro
Oatmeal Banana Bread

What are your camping bin essentials? Your must-have make-ahead meals?

[Guest Blogger Series] Hiking with Grandkids and a bit of Luck by Ernie Allison

Posted on June 3, 2013February 24, 2016 by Jennifer Fontaine

Hi Gang! Please welcome Ernie Allison to the Mommy Hiker Blog! Ernie is a grandfather of two, a Nature Enthusiast and a self-proclaimed Bird Nerd!

I consider myself to be a pretty lucky person. I’ve lived a great life full of wonderful children who have blessed me with even more wonderful grandchildren. I’m to the age now where I can pretty much do whatever I please, and boy do I enjoy it!

Being outdoors and bird watching have been a passion of mine for a very long time and I spend every moment possible doing so. The only thing in the world I would rather be doing is spending time with my grandkids. Now here’s where I consider myself to be an exceptionally lucky person—my grandkids enjoy being outdoors and bird watching too!! That’s right, I get to have my cake and eat it too! (Yes, I realize that was corny but I’m old so please forgive me.)

Now that it’s starting to warm up outside, I have been able to take my grandkids on quite a few nature hikes. Being that I’m a giant bird nerd, we always make a point of keeping our eyes peeled for any birds that might happen to be flying overhead, or resting on a branch. Considering how much of a ruckus 3 young boys can make, I’m pretty surprised that we see as many as we do.

My youngest grandson, Matt, has an uncanny ability to remember the names of birds. He’s always the first one to shout out a name when we spot a bird. Sometimes he even throws the Latin name out there which I would say is pretty impressive for a 7 year old. This is lucky for me because I’m rarely put on the spot anymore when it comes to identifying birds.

On our most recent hike we went to a place in the Owyhee Mountains called Jump Creek Canyon. It’s only a short drive from where we live so it is the perfect place for us to go for a nice day hike. Just as the name suggests, the trail follows a creek through the canyon to a waterfall that is deep enough to jump off of.

It’s still a bit chilly to go swimming but of course that didn’t stop my grandsons and neither did I. Watching each of my grandsons leap off a ledge and into a pool of water is always a treat for me. Their faces light up as they whoop and holler and even when they are shivering cold in the canyon breeze, their smiles never leave their faces.

As you can imagine, they begged and pleaded for me to jump with them. One of the perks of being a grandparent is that you rarely ever have to tell your grandkids “no” (that’s their parent’s job) but this was an exception for me. As it turned out, my luck kicked in again and I was able to use the excuse of being the ‘official cameraman’. I’m dreading the day when they figure out that they camera can be removed from around my neck. I may be old but I’m not crazy enough yet to face that cold water!

I’m excited for the summer ahead because of the time it means I get to spend with my grandkids. While I’m lucky enough to be able to see them all year-round, summers are the opportune time because they aren’t as busy with schoolwork and afterschool activities. I plan to take them to Jump Creek Canyon many more times through the course of summer as well as to some new locations.

I feel like this is the point where I should be wrapping up my hiking and bird watching plans with my grandkids but it’s something that I never get tired of talking about. Lucky for me, I never have to stop.

___________________________________________

About the Author

Ernie Allison is a self-proclaimed bird nerd who never tires of testing his luck. His family will tell you that he always has something to say which is perhaps why he enjoys writing for Bird Feeders, the supplier of squirrel proof bird feeders.

Ernest E. Debs Regional Park – A Complete Outdoor Kid Experience!

Posted on May 20, 2013February 24, 2016 by Jennifer Fontaine

Ernest E. Debs Regional Park is the fourth largest park in the city of Los Angeles, one of our favorites, and truly a hidden gem just north of downtown Los Angeles! Set on 300 acres, this park has a wide variety of terrain to explore with the kids. All of the trails are well maintained and for the most part, even stroller friendly, which makes it the perfect place to hike with little ones!

Debs Pond

When our Mommy Hike LA group hikes here, we usually meet at the Audubon Nature Center off of Griffin Avenue. You’ll find the trail head easily by walking down from the Nature Center parking lot. The trails aren’t marked, so I would suggest grabbing a map from one of the Nature Center’s friendly staff members! While you’re at it, take advantage of what I lovingly refer to as their hiking concierge service, complete with All-Terrain strollers, backpacks and even binoculars for bird watching! Just leave your keys or ID and they are free to borrow during your hike!

A Wee Hiker

Heading up the fire road, stay to the right at the first fork and continue up several easy switchbacks. The next marker you’ll see is a short green staircase, stay to the right again (once you are finally able to goad your toddler down from the stairs, of course!)

Mini Explorer

Here the incline gets a little steeper and soon you’ll come to a wash with a very steep grade, this is the most difficult part of the hike, sure to get your blood flowing! To the left of the wash is a flat area with benches where we usually stop for a quick kid snack break. After you make it up the wash, it’s a very relaxing walk through rolling hills and pine trees. Once the trail connects to another fire road, hitch a right and the pond will be a very short walk down a wide path.

Toddler Reflections

There are boulders and benches, ducks and fish and even tales of the pond having its very own mystery monster!

Once back down from the trail, don’t skip the Nature Center which has a beautiful coy fish pond, water play area, a short Butterfly Trail for toddler exploration and a gorgeous massive live oak for the kids to climb on!

Have water, will play!

As if that wasn’t enough, simply ask one of the Center staff members and they will supply you and your babe with art supplies, so they can draw a picture of all the wondrous things they discovered!