Hiking with Your Toddler

 Hiking with a toddler has a few obvious obstacles. They are not quite sure-footed enough to take to the trails themselves just yet and you have to take a few extra precautions to keep them safe. But getting out into nature can still be done with young ones in tow with a little planning ahead of time. Today, I want to share some of the things that have worked for us. Please feel free to share your ideas too!

1. Invest in a good carrier.  This is the top of my must-have’s for hiking with a little one. A good carrier is one that is comfortable for everyone, kid and parent included and can hold up to lots of movement. Depending on the type of trail you might feel comfortable with a ringsling or wrap if it is a mostly flat terrain.

I’ve seen some folks use structured carriers like Ergos too but personally the Deuter is the only carrier I will swear by for long strenuous hikes. It has several straps to keep the child secure while it sits high so they can get a clear view of the world around them. It also has a very decent sized compartment under the seat, perfect for storing supplies (we usually carry a gallon jug of water in ours) and you can invest a little extra to get a canopy.  But above all, it is extremely comfortable and I found that it distributes the weight very well.

2. Dress your little one accordingly. This may be a no-brainer but it is important to dress your little one according to the weather and remember that they can get colder in the carrier since they won’t be moving like you to warm up their little bodies.

3. Pack some healthy snacks. I shared this awesome granola bar recipe awhile back that you can make from scratch. Bananas are good for boost of energy too. Of course, don’t forget to bring plenty of water too. I like kleen canteens best but all that matters really is that you and the little one stay hydrated!

4. Take rest stops at least every hour. It’s recommended to take rest stops every hour, letting your toddler stretch their legs and get their diaper changed, reapply sunblock, have a little snack, ect. But if it’s their first time in the carrier they might need more frequent breaks.

5. Other items worth mentioning: Sunscreen, hats, 

wet bags, and a basic first aid. It’s always good to be prepared, regardless of whether you have a toddler on the trail or not, but these are a few things I really think are important to have with you. The wet bag is something I find particularly useful versus just bringing a plastic bag for soiled diapers. 

6. Lastly, plan accordingly and have fun. If it’s your first time out on the trails with your toddler there might be an adjustment period for both of you. Give them some time to get used to being in the carrier but don’t overdo it and pick an easy short path to start with. Involve your little one too! Talk to them about the different wildlife you come across. I’m a bit of a nerd for flora and fauna (Stephen thinks I was destined to be a park ranger haha) and personally enjoy collecting guides for areas so I can tell Rosie little details about the things that we find on our hikes.

Enjoy!

  

Enchanted Rock: Rock Climbing Adventures

We went back to Enchanted Rock the other weekend but this time to do a little rock climbing. It was my first climb and I think it is safe to say I'm totally hooked. It was such a rush and I can't believe it took me so long to give it a try. There's really no excuse! The view was so awesome too. Hopefully next time I can get some cool action shots of me beasting it. ;P

 

 

As you can see Rosie had a lot of fun too. She was happy just to play in the dirt and eat her snacks. I think getting out into nature does such wonders for all of us but particularly little Rosie. She has so much fun exploring and seeing new things. I can't wait for cooler weather so we can spend more time outside!

Hiking in Enchanted Rock

Over the weekend we took an extraordinary trip to Enchanted Rock, a place that really lives up to it's magical name.  The view at the top was absolutely breathtaking and the trail up was easy for even a novice hiker. We had been wanting to come out here for awhile and I'm glad we finally did! Stephen showed us some of the spots he had climbed, including a formation that looked like a frog. 

There were creeks running across the formations that I guess fill up big time when it rains. I thought it was so fascinating how in these small grooves in the stone grew vibrant patches of wildlife. It is mind-boggling to see flowers and trees growing and thriving on a giant rock.

Rosie, the future rock climber? 

Hiking Through Hill Country

Hello friends. It certainly has been a blur for us lately. Stephen’s parents came down last week for a couple days and it was such a joy. We spent a lot of time down at the riverwalk and ate incredibly well at the Brazilian steakhouse Fogo de Chao.   

Also did I mention I wrote a piece that was featured on OffbeatFamilies? Be sure to check it out, some of the conversations that followed in the comment section were very insightful and worth a read too.

 In other news we enjoyed our first family trek—a five mile hike through Hill Country that took us to some really amazing views. It was tiring, especially with a 38 lb pack (Rosie’s weight, the carrier frame & water add up!) but the experience was so worth it. Hiking with a carrier gave us a whole sense of freedom that you just don’t get with a jogging stroller.

Rosie was very interested in all the sights and sounds, sitting snuggly close to us she hardly ever fussed. She would put her little hand gently on my shoulder and lean a closer to see what I see. It was really adorable. We saw a lot of Texas alligator lizards on our hike, they would be perching on rocks and then suddenly darting across the trail.

Sharing her granola bar with papa...and then trying to take it back. When we made it to the first spur of the hike we took a rest, ate some snacks and enjoyed the view. It was a great way to spend our Sunday and I can't wait for our future hikes together (only next time Sommer will be with us! She was gone this weekend on a school trip and was definitely missed.) Have I mentioned lately how much I love these people?