Category: Miscellaneous

Steamboat Springs: Top 5

by Molly O'Rourke, posted in Miscellaneous

Are you in Colorado and looking for a winter get-away? Why not Steamboat?

To really appreciate the culture, consider staying downtown rather than on the mountain. You won’t regret it.

Here are 5 things to check out in Steamboat Springs:

5. Fish Creek Falls.

A short hike with rewarding views. Five dollars to park but avoid parking by walking from any where in town. Snow shoes or Yak tracks may help if slippery. Keep an eye out for ice climbers. Warm up afterwards with a drink at the Old Town Pub.

4. Rabbit Ears Pass.

Snowshoeing options are endless on Rabbit Ears pass. Skis and skins are a great option too. West Summit Loop is popular but there are tons of other options. You will likely see and hear snowmobiles. There are snowmobile rental options if that is more your speed.

3. Winter Carnival.

If you are interested in amateur ski jumping or skijouring and don’t mind crowds, this is the carnival for you. Don’t plan on driving down main street during this event as it will be closed and snow covered. Luckily, you can get everywhere you need to go by foot.

2. Howelsen Hill.

Billed as North America’s oldest operating ski area, Howelsen Hill is not to be missed. It sits unassumingly in town and has a long history of training Olympic athletes. While ski jump may be its most unique feature, I recommend skate skiing. Throw on some skate skis and hit the trail during a full moon.

1. Strawberry Park Hot Springs.

Of all the hot springs, this one is still my favorite. I have been there with my grandma in the afternoon and with my friends during a drum circle at night. The road is muddy and parking is limited. You may consider planning ahead and booking a cabin (or a caboose if you want to be more “Aspen Extreme”). While the lodging is convenient and fun, please realize that the cabins aren’t exactly like a five star hotel. Whether day or night, Strawberry Park Hot Springs is the right balance of accessible, clean, and downright beautiful hot springs.

Please follow our blog for other adventures!

https://ramblingfootsteps.travel.blog/2020/04/21/throwback-blog-series-a-tour-of-utah/ https://ramblingfootsteps.travel.blog/2020/01/31/colorado-winter-hut-trip-101/

Are you looking for gift ideas for friends in Oregon? Here is an idea.

by Molly O'Rourke, posted in Miscellaneous, Recreational equipment reviews

It rains in the Willamette Valley. It rains most days in the winter. It is not the same as rain in the mid-west. The weather is benign and devoid of sharp edges. The rain comes in slowly and continues. Eventually, it leaves slowly.

In four years, I have yet to see a storm roll in and out of the Willamette. Sometimes it rains harder and then lighter. I hear people talk about storm clouds but when I look at the sky, I don’t see them.

The number one piece of equipment that I love during winter in Western Oregon is not really a piece of equipment at all. It is more of an accessory.

It was packed away in our things for the first year we were here. When CD found it and brought it out, it was as if everything was going to be okay again. At least everything would be less wet again.

It is a luxury but I use it nearly every day between November and June.

The DryGuy Boot Dryer.

Seriously, this was a game changer! I received this as a gift when we lived in the Colorado high country. I never expected it to change my life! Try it. You won’t regret it!

I haven’t used it in the Sprinter but am putting this on our to-do list for sure!

Christmas Break Finale.

by Molly O'Rourke, posted in Miscellaneous, Traveling as a family

The past three days have been a blur. The neighborhood kids descended on the street and yards. They played outside together through lunch and well past sunset. Some of us finally got in on the action with dinner and Euchre last night.

In a last ditch effort to have a productive Christmas break, I tore apart our master bathroom. The wall paper is mostly down and our tooth brushes are on my night stand.

Despite this, we hopped in the Sprinter for “Sunday Fun-Day”. We headed to the only hike we could think of that was on the way to Home Depot but far enough to justify driving the Sprinter and close enough that we usually don’t go there.

Jackson Frazier Wetlands. Sprinter DIY

I hadn’t been there in three years. It had changed. Much of it looked more like a farmer’s field than a wetland. There were signs explaining that a “emergency restoration” was in progress. Apparently this includes removing invasive species and modifying water drainage.

It was a nice day in Oregon for a hike on a boardwalk. We found two geo-caches, got plenty of mud on our boots, and had snacks in our van.

While I am on the topic of invasive species, I will pause to mention my current least favorite invasive species.

Have you heard of Phragmites? Have you seen the videos on our media page? Of all the invasive species that I have battled, these are by far the most impressive. Here is a quick video from Lake Huron. This was part of the lake but now it is a field of Phragmite.

Child Carrier For Hiking: Our Recommendation

by Molly O'Rourke, posted in hiking, Miscellaneous, Products we love., Recreational equipment reviews, Traveling as a family

We have tried nearly every backpack child carrier on the market. Each one has pros and cons but mostly cons. My shoulders and back ache. Each one is bulky, awkward, and inconvenient to wear when the kids want to walk.

Then, one day we saw the <a href="http:// “>Piggyback Rider standing child carrier. In that moment our kid’s carrier hiking problems were solved!

Standing Child Carrier

Check it out!

Pros:

1. Kids like the Piggyback Rider Standing Child Carrier!

They feel engaged. We can talk to each other easily. They can see things, answer questions, ask questions, and feel more like a kid than a baby.

2. The Piggyback Rider Child Carrier is relaxing.

All of us can relax! My back and neck feel great. When they are young, there is a safety strap that prevents falling and when they are older, then can just hold onto the straps.

3. It packs small.

The Piggyback Rider stores either on a peg board in our garage or in our car. The size is minimal. It is light to carry and even the kids will carry it when we are not using it.

Piggyback Rider

4. The Piggyback Rider Child Carrier is easy to use.

Take it out of the carrying case and put it on. It is that simple. The safety strap is also easy to attach. Our kids hop on and off often in a single hike; the transition is quick and painless. Nobody cries.

Cons:

1. Price.

While just over $100, the price is in line with other similar hiking products.

2. The Piggyback Rider packs small.

It packs small enough that we have occasionally forgotten where we put it. This is really the our fault more than that of the carrier. I assure you that this never happens with a backpack carrier.

3. I sometimes get mud from shoes on my jacket.

This happens with every carrier and it is just part of going outside with kids I guess!

4. It doesn’t have the storage of backpack kids carriers.

I will gladly pack light, carry a shoulder bag, or do just about anything to avoid carrying a heavy backpack carrier, so this doesn’t bother me!

The Piggyback Rider Standing Child Carrier saved our hike many times. I envy their view from up there!

don’t forget your child carrier!

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Happy New Year!

by Molly O'Rourke, posted in Miscellaneous, Traveling as a family

On the eve of 2020, I think back to New Year’s Eve 2000. A few of us headed out on the second annual trip to Tom’s Lake Cabin.

Our destination was North of Manistique and South of Munising at a forest service cabin in Hiawatha National Forest. The road to the cabin was not plowed but we could get fairly close by truck, if I remember correctly.

We came prepared with nordic skis, snow shoes, a camping stove, headlamps, propane lamps, food for days, and plenty to drink.

Occasionally we would hear a snowmobile buzz by but otherwise the woods were quiet. The nights were dark. We didn’t have running water but I couldn’t tell you how far it was to the outhouse. I assume it wasn’t far. I think there was a moon some nights but can’t remember for sure.

We wore our nordic ski boots to the local snowmobile restaurant and bar. We didn’t exactly fit in but everyone was nice and it seems like the chili was especially good.

Most of our time was spent mulling around in the snow, drinking blackberry brandy, and stoking the fire. By this time, I don’t remember thinking much about Y2K.

We stopped by a bar in Munising on New Year’s Eve. While I had spent a fair amount of time exploring small town bars around the country, this was the first time I walked in to a pot luck. Even without a dish to pass, they welcomed us. They gave us homemade food, party blowers, hats, and champagne. We joined in the singing and hugging at midnight.

The next morning, back at Tom’s cabin, we still didn’t have indoor plumbing, electricity, or gas. We stoked the fire. As we packed up to leave, I wondered if any computers out there had been devastated by Y2K. We hadn’t noticed any problems.

That was the last time our group went to Tom’s Lake Cabin. I hadn’t thought much about it until right now.

A favorite quote hangs in the spare bedroom of some of our kindest Colorado friends. It reads:

“Travel light in life

Take only what you need:

A loving family, good friends, simple pleasures, someone to love and someone to love you, something to eat, enough to wear, and a little more than enough to drink for thirst is a dangerous thing.”

On the eve of a new decade, I wish everyone simplicity and peace.

Happy New Year and all the best adventures in 2020.