This past summer we tried our hand at canoe camping and we were absolutely hooked after our first trip! Taking young children out on the water always intimidated me, but we wanted to have a wilderness experience with our son. Being pregnant with our second baby all summer, backpacking was not an option for us. So, we took the plunge and headed north to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA). After that initial trip we knew we would be planning a lifetime of trips together as a family. During the two trips we made to the BWCA this summer we borrowed Bobby’s…
Why Do We Live in Minnesota?
In 2012 we moved to Seattle, WA when Bobby was offered a job at Amazon. It was an offer we couldn’t refuse and we packed up ourselves and our Golden Retriever, Latigo, and drove the 1,600 miles to the Pacific Northwest. At the time we were childless and relatively care-free. While living in Washington we completely immersed ourselves into the outdoor recreation scene that flourishes so vibrantly in the Pacific Northwest. With a plethora of ecosystems, a variety of recreational opportunities, and an ever-growing group of remarkable like-minded friends we adored living there. Our weeks were spent in the heart…
Minneopa and Minnemishinona Falls
Last week, we compiled a list of the 7 Best Frozen Waterfalls within 90 minutes of the Twin Cities. We have only been to one so far, but all 7 are on our bucket list for this winter. This weekend we checked off two more from the list. The weather was looking somewhat warm this past Sunday so we decided to drive the hour and fifteen minutes south to Mankato, MN where Minnemishinona and Minneopa Falls are located. We visited Minnemishinona Falls first. At 42 feet this waterfall is an impressive sight, especially in winter time. However, the site itself is tiny and…
7 best frozen waterfalls within 90 minutes of the Twin Cities
When we think of waterfalls in Minnesota we usually think of the North Shore in the summer and all of the beautiful falls along Hwy 61 like High Falls in Tettegouche State Park. But, there is beauty to be found in the cold of winter right here in town. So grab some snacks, throw on your winter coats, and jump in your car to check out local gorgeous and natural “ice sculptures”! Note: waterfalls are listed in proximity to Minneapolis, MN. 1. Minnehaha Falls The Mouth of the Beast #minnehahafalls #frozen #onlyinmn #exploremn #winter #park #travel #minneapolis #ice #cityofminneapolis #kare11 #captureminnesota #startribune #waterfall A photo posted by…
Big Woods State Park – Hidden Falls
On October 25th we welcomed our daughter, Rowan Margaret, into our family. We could not have been more excited to have her join our family. Unfortunately, my postpartum recovery took much longer then anticipated. Physically I was fine within a couple of weeks, mentally was a whole other issue. I was struggling in every respect. I was convinced that it was simply my hormones trying to balance out after having given birth. Bobby was convinced something else was going on, and held my hand while taking me to see my midwife and discuss the possibility of Postpartum Depression and Anxiety.…
Save the Boundary Waters for Them
When I entered Wilderness for the first time as a confused and lost 19 year old girl I had no idea the path life would take me on. Now, 11 years later I’m a wife, a mother to a son and am expecting a daughter next month. Wilderness for me used to be my sanctuary. After meeting my husband, Bobby, wilderness was a setting of bonding and discovery. As we were starting our lives together we entered wilderness together and did extraordinary things. We learned about each other, we learned the importance of communication, we learned to care for one another,…
Bending Branches Canoe Paddles
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…