Wool is a fabric many people either love or hate, depending upon their experience wearing it. For those who spent childhoods clad in itchy, bulky sweaters knitted by indulgent grandmothers, or mittens that stunk to high heaven after a few handfuls of snow, wool doesn't always appear a first choice for base layer attire. But times have changed, and outdoor enthusiasts now have … [Read more...]
OFM OR Gear Guide 2015 February
Kids? gear can be a bit confusing as parents wade through a seemingly endless list of ?must have? items for outdoor enjoyment. What is practical? Essential? Or, in the case of many youngsters, fashionable? For adults who must conduct the cost-benefit analysis of all this stuff, function remains a driving force behind much of the gear found at outdoor stores and on websites. … [Read more...]
My Outdoor Family: “Just Like Daddy”
by Andy Hawbaker Outdoor adventures have always been an important part of my life. Childhood memories are full of car camping, family bike rides, and annual road trips to the mountains. During young adulthood, I assumed having kids would put a damper on all that fun. How wrong I was. Adventures during my wife?s pregnancies were definitely shorter and less intense, but … [Read more...]
Sweetheart Caramels a Treat for Those You Love
?Yes, it?s true that Outdoor Families Magazine created a ?Nourish? section with every intention of publishing healthy recipes for the entire family in this era of processed, color-coded food. However, when writer Jessica Averett sent over a recipe for homemade caramels with a sticky-sweet goodness that reminded us of childhood holidays, we melted. Literally. With Valentine?s … [Read more...]
Love in the Outdoors: Encouraging reluctant partners to embrace outside activities
by Mae Kiggins My husband Ryan doesn't like the outdoors. Of all the men to fall in love with, it had to be one who doesn't do outside stuff, but what can I say? I couldn't resist his charm. In his defense, he does suffer from allergies, and insects seem naturally attracted to him, so maybe it's more of a survival thing. My husband is willing to head outdoors with me … [Read more...]
Nature Stewards: Four Fun Ways to Let Kids Participate
by Matthew Treadwell Fracking. Climate change. Mountaintop removal, overfishing, shark finning, oil spills, poaching, poisoned water, toxic air, deforestation, extinction. We're constantly bombarded with bad environmental news, and it's easy to become despondent, to feel helpless, hopeless. What do we do? What should we do? Besides living an environmentally conscious … [Read more...]
Agriturismo in Tuscany: A quaint farm-to-table family adventure
by Jennifer Fontaine - Driving south from Milan's Malpensa Airport, husband at the helm, our little rental car wound through the lush green of Italy's interior, allowing us an unobstructed view of every quaint hamlet, ancient mountain tunnel, and roadside espresso stand. This first leg of our inaugural Italian family road trip, around 250 miles, would eventually deposit us at … [Read more...]
Finding Nature in Urban Spaces
by Shanti Hodges I still remember the ?Oh, no? look in my husband?s eyes when the doctor confirmed a June due date for our son?s delivery. I knew Mark?s mind immediately skipped from ?We?re having a baby!? to ?We?re going to miss out on a whole summer of mountain biking and rafting.? And so there it was, the reality of a summer spent within concrete confines of Portland, … [Read more...]
