Being native Minnesotans it’s almost embarrassing to admit that neither Bobby or myself had ever been to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) before this year. A couple of my sisters had gone on trips up there when they were younger and I had some friends that frequented the area. Bobby’s Dad has been visiting the BWCA for over 20 years, first with members of the Boy Scout Troop he was an adult leader for. Then, after their boys were grown, a group of Scout Dads continued to venture up to the wilderness area annually. After moving back to Minnesota, blogging about…
What’s in Our Day Pack For Hikes With Babies and Toddlers?
We are often asked the question of, “What do you pack in your day pack when out hiking with your son?” This is a complex question since, as your child ages and develops the contents change. So, here’s a break down of what lies within our daypacks when out on wilderness excursions with our kiddos along from birth to toddlerhood! Download our printable day hike checklist Our 12 Essentials for Hiking Regardless of Age Water – Hydration Bladders or water bottles, just be sure to have plenty for everybody regardless of age. If you’re on a trail which has access to…
What Not to Do in The BWCA: A Toddler’s Tale of Woe
Any time you take the leap and bring a toddler along on an adventure it’s a toss-up as to whether or not it will go well. Sometimes, like our first trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) with 23-month-old Jack, the trip is a resounding success and you come home feeling energized and encouraged (and let’s be honest, pretty sleepy too!). Other times, the journey isn’t successful. When this happens we always go through a period of reflection. We ask ourselves, what went wrong? Why did it go wrong? What could we have done better? What can we take away…
True North Basecamp
Finding family-friendly vacation spots that offer a touch of adventure isn’t always easy. That’s why we jumped at the chance to stay in one of the brand new cabins and explore the newly opened True North Basecamp. The camp opened just last December in Crosby, MN, about 20 minutes northeast of Brainerd. The camp offers 33 tent campsites and 6 cabins for visitors to chose from. The tent campsites range in price from $19-$29 a night while the cabins are pricier at $69-$125 per night (prices are higher on weekends). The campground is comprised of three separate sections. The first offers several sites…