Editor's note: The Sages- Clark, Kelly, Clark (8), Sophie (5) - are a homeschooling family who believes in "learning by living" with nature as their classroom. This month's "My Outdoor Family" column features Kelly's perspectives on a variety of outdoor-related topics, and readers can learn more about the entire Sage family on Kelly's blog, SageTribe: Adventures from our … [Read more...]
The Rubber Handcuffs: Your Fitness Tracker is Not Making You Crazy, You?re Nuts Already and The Tracker is Simply Confronting You About it
by Elizabeth Small In order to understand the competitive nature of my family, you need to know one thing: As a kid, the popular game ?Pictionary? had to be unceremoniously removed from our family home because it ended one too many times with tears, accusations of shortcomings in moral character, and veiled threats of retribution. There are families that play games together, … [Read more...]
Great Gear: New guidebook helps first-time visitors to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
Guidebook review -- Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park; first-time trip guide for families by Erin Kirkland It's never too late to begin planning next summer's family vacation, and in the case of national parks like Yellowstone and Grand Teton, a year may be considered prudent. In 2016, the National Park Service celebrates 100 years of enhancing visitor experiences … [Read more...]
How To Connect With Nature By Disconnecting in the Great Outdoors
by Bailey Gaddis - Collectively, much of humanity has developed a habit of dissolving into the vortex of technology; we log in to invisible connections and tune out physical surroundings. While technological capacities at our disposal can be fabulous when harmonized with the act of turning it all off to connect with nature and joy in time spent with family that … [Read more...]
The Great Outdoor Clean Up: Getting community involved and connected
by Jennifer Fontaine - From the bustling cobblestone streets of old-town Brussels to the seafood-filled air of the Louisiana bayou villages, the world's communities are constantly shaping and changing, welcoming and growing. With this growth comes great opportunity and responsibility for residents of our shared space to assume ownership and clean up of the important swath of … [Read more...]
Finding Our Way “Down Under”
by Sarah Richardson ?Mom? What are those pink things underneath that cow?s tail?? my daughter asked a few weeks ago as we sat watching a herd of bulls in the field across the street. Drawing from a legion of parental advice columns, I answered only the question I was asked, hoping that was the end of it. I was NOT ready for the inevitable, ?What do they do?? Turns out it was … [Read more...]
Exploring Colorado’s Western Side: Family adventure awaits
by Melissa Edge - With mounting excitement, my family and I hopped aboard a gondola to glide 2,200 feet across the Royal Gorge area of Western Colorado. As we smoothly traveled 1,200 feet above the Arkansas River with amazing views of deep canyon walls, my son had a smile that stretched from ear to ear. We had arrived at the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park in Canon City on day four … [Read more...]
Family Summertime Adventure in Vail, Colo.
by Heather Mundt Llamas Pacheco and Durango stood stoic, hitched in the bed of the Paragon Guides truck parked at the West Grouse Creek Trail trailhead southwest of Vail, Colo. Our guide Donny Shefchik would soon unhitch them, the beasts of burden who would also serve as the day?s hiking companions. But first he had some serious business to discuss with the boys. ?OK, … [Read more...]
“Earthcaching” Indiana’s Hemlock Cliffs
by Duane Bolin - If someone were to ask, where is the perfect playground for a family who loves the outdoors? I'm guessing Hemlock Cliffs Indiana might not be your first answer. The Colorado mountains, perhaps. Or maybe the California coast. But, the rolling hills of Southern Indiana? Not so much. While images of the Rocky Mountains and Yosemite National Park routinely find … [Read more...]
