Getting Outside : National Park Programs

August 20, 2018August 19, 2018 by Katie | Leave a comment

This is an ongoing series where we share ideas, big and small, for getting outside. Did you read our first post about getting outside? Are you ready to step it up a notch?

This post’s suggestion is simple : take advantage of park programs! Most state and national parks offer educational programs for kids and adults of all ages and abilities.

The programs are customized to the features of each park and to the seasons and natural phenomena. For example, many parks, especially those in dark regions, hosted Perseid viewing parties last weekend. Assateague Island National Seashore is located along a popular bird migratory pathway and visitors can take advantage of this location by going on the weekly bird-watching walk with a ranger. At Rocky Mountain National Park, you can attend a talk about bighorn sheep, a year-round resident within the park. And that’s just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.

Many parks list their program schedule online, but each park’s NPS.gov website is slightly different and navigation isn’t the most intuitive. Don’t be deterred, you can call the park office or stop in when you arrive.

While there are programs for all ages, we particularly love the Junior Ranger programs offered throughout the national park system and geared towards elementary to middle-school aged kids. In addition to describing the program, this link provides a few junior ranger badges that you can earn at home and lists the junior ranger programs at all of the national parks.

No matter your age or interests, there’s bound to be a program that interests you. I’ve learned about the pharmaceutical benefits from ocean-dwelling animals, I’ve taken a guided tour through the cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde, and I’ve enjoyed the luxury of sitting around a bonfire without having to actually collect the wood or light the fire!

Have you attended any programs? Are there ones that you love and would recommend to others? We’d love to hear about it in the comments!

Treat yourself to a park visit and take a moment to learn more about the natural and cultural resources that make these places so special.

Getting Outside : Where to start?

August 13, 2018August 12, 2018 by Katie | Leave a comment

We are huge proponents of getting outside and enjoying the benefits of nature. In addition to mental and physical benefits, we also believe that time in nature strengthens our connection to the natural world. If you want to learn more about the importance of nature, check out these two book recommendations (one and two) from Sarah.

Going one step further, we strongly believe that learning about the natural world is critical to wanting to protect and preserve these ecosystems that are then crucial to our survival and well-being.

Having grown up in a household with these values, these ideas and actions come easily to us, but I could understand that if you don’t have the same inclination to get outside, then it can be hard to know where to start.

Take it easy

You don’t need an epic adventure to reap the benefits of nature.

Step out into your backyard or onto your front stoop. You’re outside! You don’t have to do anything else. You can watch the clouds float by, listen to the birds, and even catch a butterfly flutter along.

Get to know your local parks. If they have trails, take some water and go for a hike. If they’re small and urban, take a picnic and relax.

Step it up

But a day-trip can be fun…

Take a friend and visit your closest state or national park. If you’ve never been, stop in at the visitor’s center and ask the naturalists to recommend a trail that meets your energy level and time limitations.

Join a hiking meet-up group. The group organizers will handle all of the details, you just have to show up! There are groups for different fitness/adventure levels, and even within a group, you’ll often find a variety of events. Choose something that matches your comfort level, wear the appropriate clothing, and take the right snacks. Join the event knowing that others in the group are looking to meet people, share their love of outdoors, and want to help you have a great time.

Get adventurous

Maybe something epic is enticing…

Plan a vacation centered around outdoor adventure. If you aren’t the camping type, stay at a lodge or resort that focuses on outdoor adventures. This may be a lodge in the mountains of Colorado or an eco-resort in the rain forests of Costa Rica. The lodge can help you plan every aspect of your adventure and they will often have guides and gear available for your use.

If you want a more private vacation, go to a state or national park. You won’t need camping gear if you reserve a park yurt or cabin.

The Don’ts

Don’t think that being outside isn’t for you. You just have to experiment and find your comfort zone. Maybe you’ll discover that you’re a lot more adventurous than you thought.
Don’t think that you need the right gear. Start with the comfortable clothes and shoes that you already own. Add sunscreen, snacks, and water. You’re an instant outdoor warrior.
Don’t be afraid to ask for suggestions and help. Park naturalists love to make suggestions and help you find the right trail. Social media is a great resource. Find those meet-up groups, ask friends about their recent adventures, shoot us an email! Seriously.

As you spend more time outside, any initial discomforts you experienced will slip away. You’ll get better at knowing what to pack. You’ll feel confident while walking along a trail. You’ll notice other positive changes; screen and social media time will be replaced by daydreaming and creative thoughts.

So go. Take a hike! xo

Camp Kitchen Snafu

July 5, 2018July 4, 2018 by Katie | Leave a comment

Sarah recently shared detailed lists for setting up your camp kitchen and your backpacking kitchen. I think we can all agree that one of the most essential items on those lists is the stove. It’s essential for hot coffee in the morning, teas at night, eggs for breakfast, ramen for dinner. Should I go on?

We spent many years backpacking with our homemade beer can stoves (thanks, pop!). When we started car camping more regularly, the mini burner on a gas canister was a great option. Sarah’s a recent convert to the Jetboil system. The nice thing about each of these stoves is that they’re relatively small! They can easily fit in your camp box/bag, ensuring that you never leave home without them (bit of foreshadowing there).

Now that we’re a family of four, we’ve made the leap to a Coleman camp stove. It’s definitely not an option for a backpacking trip, but it’s perfect for car camping, especially with a group. You can use larger pots and pans, have multiple items cooking at once, and you don’t have to worry about balancing a tippy pot, which is clutch with a couple of crazy kids.

Unfortunately, we FORGOT THE STOVE on our last trip. I can’t remember when we realized our mistake. Maybe on the drive? Maybe when setting up the van that first night? Either way, with little hesitation we knew we could rise to the occasion and camp without the stove.

Whenever we’ve mentioned this blunder to people, they’ve all asked or assumed that we would run out and buy another stove. Admittedly it crossed our minds, and that’s because it’s so hard to imagine a weekend without a stove.

But really, it’s not that bad, and here’s how we handled it. The first step was to decide what we could live without and then find alternatives to the items that were absolutely necessary.

The Essentials:

coffee : we can’t live without it. Sure, there’s the ritual of a warm cup of coffee in the mornings. That’s nice, but for us, caffeine was our main concern. We bought a bottle of free-dried coffee crystals and made Nescafe Frappes all weekend. Knowing this recipe is up there with knowing how to escape a grizzly bear attack or how to cut off your arm in an avalanche. Life or death.

hot breakfasts : again, nice, but there are options. We bought a variety of yogurts and called it a day. This was particularly a hit with the kids because the sweetened yogurts are an indulgence that they rarely get at home.

dinners : this is where we had to do a bit more thinking, but were still able to make it work. Almost all campsites that we visit have a removable grill that fits over the fire ring. We grilled hotdogs one night and chicken thighs another. With the chicken we heated up a can of baked beans, and together that was one of those dinners that tastes gourmet because you’re eating it in the woods have a long day outside. Other nights we made tasty picnic platters with hummus, salami, cheese, etc.

We often pack no-cook lunch options, so that was always an easy meal. The boys didn’t get their regular hot chocolates for breakfast, but they were just as happy with cold chocolate milks.

At the end of the trip, it was fun to have this little ~~snafu~~ success under our belt. On a personal note, it was nice to work through this situation in front of the boys, giving us a real-life “problem” to solve together.

And now we’ll always travel with a jar of instant coffee in our camp bag.

Welcome July

July 4, 2018September 16, 2018 by Katie | Leave a comment

Near the beginning of each month we like to pause and take a look at what’s going on in the world around us, with a particular focus on animal activity, farmers’ fields, and environmental holidays*.

*This month I’m hijacking the welcome! How about a bucket list of everything that makes mid-summer wonderful?

July! I want to pinch your cheeks. I’m so happy you’re here!

I want to watch the fireflies at dusk.

I want to ride roller coasters with my hands in the air.

I can’t wait for your booming thunderstorms.

Let’s light up a box of sparklers!

I want to ride bikes (without helmets!) to the popsicle shop.

I want to dive into the salty waves. And then warm my goosebumps on your warm sand.

I want to eat sweet watermelons. Drink cold beers. Crack crabs on the porch.

Let’s start with a game of pinochle.

Interested in creating your own Summer To Do List? Click the link below for a printable list that you can customize yourself.

live seasoned summer to do list

Backcountry Backpacking Kitchen

July 3, 2018July 1, 2018 by Sarah | Leave a comment

Earlier today we shared Car Camping Kitchen Essentials and now we’re back with backpacking must haves. When it comes to backpacking you basically want to get away with as little gear as possible. Below is what I take on any standard backpacking adventure.

Backcountry / Backpacking Kitchen Essentials

Jetboil Stove
Windscreen
Fuel + Extra Fuel
Cookset (The Jetboil comes with a cooking cup)
Pot grabber (The Jetboil comes with a sleeve)
Bear-proof Food-storage canister
Water purification system
Water bottle or bladder
Bowl + Mug
Spoon + pocket knife
Matches/lighter
Biodegradable soap
Tiny sponge

Notes about gear options

The Stove – this is a very personal decision. How many are you cooking for? Are you crafty? My pop has used this DIY stove for over a decade and loves it. I bought this lil’ guy when I was backpacking solo a lot. Recently I’ve used the Jetboil a lot and I really like it so that’s what I linked to here.

Bear Proofing Measures – will depend on your location. In most National Parks out west, bear canisters are required and available to rent for super cheap. I have researched bear canisters for hours and still haven’t come to a conclusive decision so I haven’t purchased one yet. Now that I’m typing this, I bet there are some used ones floating around out there that I could buy. I’ve already invested in this bear bag so you could see why I’m not jumping into another investment.

Water Purification System – there are several options and I really don’t know what’s best for you. I rely on the tablets. I don’t mind that they take thirty minutes to dissolve. I have owned a SteriPen in the past, but it failed on me. I’m still upset about it.

Setting Up A Camp Kitchen

July 3, 2018July 1, 2018 by Sarah | Leave a comment

When I was little I would marvel at my parents’ ability to pack a few rubbermaid containers and a camping stove only to have it unpacked to reveal a full camping kitchen. I couldn’t understand how they had managed to pack every utensil, gadget, and piece of gear necessary to feed a family of six outdoors for an entire week. I always wondered how they managed to think of everything.

I remember when Katie published her van camping post detailing her canvas bag of cooking gear and again I thought, that’s it? That’s all you need? After a lifetime of car camping and four years packing the camping kitchen myself, I can confirm that yes, that’s it. Creating a starter kitchen for a camping trip is pretty darn easy. It’s a shame it seems so intimidating.

Camp Kitchen Supplies:

Cooler
Stove + all necessary accessories
Fuel
Rubbermaid container, basket, or canvas bag – something to store it all in
Aeropress
Frying pan
Medium sized pot (I actually leave this at home a lot)
Dishcloth or oven mitt
Water jug
Plates, bowls
Mugs/cups
Utensils
Paring knife + Chefs knife
Big tongs
Spatula
Can + Bottle opener
Matches/lighter
Trash bag or two
Ziplock or two
Roll of paper towels
Little cutting board
Tin foil
Dish soap, sponge, and one hand towel for drying

That is it! That is all that’s in the box. If I have that list, I know that I can cook basically anything I pick up at the grocery store. Overtime, your car camping kitchen will shift to fit your needs, maybe you use exclusively bowls instead of bothering to bring plates along. Or maybe you drink wine not coffee so you lose the Aeropress, but add silicone tumblers. Maybe you add a table to your kit. Whatever you add or subtract, let me know in the comments.

Backpacking on the Hoh River Trail to Blue Glacier

July 2, 2018July 1, 2018 by Sarah | Leave a comment

Hiking the Hoh River Trail to Blue Glacier is an epic weekend adventure and one I haven’t stopped thinking about for a full year. The route is an out and back trail and comes to 37 miles round trip with about 3,700 feet of elevation gain. The highest point on the trail is at 4,300 feet where you’ll stop to eat lunch and gaze at the big Blue Glacier. The Hoh River Trail starts in a temperate rainforest, progresses to an alpine meadow, and then arrives at a dramatic Blue Glacier.

There are plenty of websites that will give you the ~~play by play~~ step by step of this hike, I won’t do that, but I will tell you why you should absolutely schedule this into your summer, give you a packing list, and menu, and any other helpful bits.

You Should Definitely Hike The Hoh River Trail Because…

It isn’t crowded. Walk fives mile in and the crowd diminishes. You will see a few dozen people past the ten mile mark, but they’re all as committed and awesome as you are.
The variety of landscapes are outstanding. Temperate rainforest. Subalpine meadow. Subalpine meadow basin. Montane forest. Mothafckin’ Blue Glacier.
It’s an epic two-nighter and an even more enjoyable three-nighter.
You can climb around on enormous trees, take a cool dip in the Hoh River, and then hike through snow on your way to the glacier.
It’s the perfect summer hike – not too hot and definitely not cold.
Water is plentiful and honestly you don’t even have to poop outside – there are several outhouses on the trail.
You’re hiking up close and personal to a glacier, but it isn’t a technical hike. The hardest part is probably taking it slow down the ladder (shown in the photo below).
The trail is extremely easy to follow.
There is opportunity to see wildlife, haaaay, mountain goat!

If You’re Doing it in Two Nights – Do This:

Hike as far as you can on day one. We started quite late and ended up hiking in the dark for a few hours, but we made it all the way to Lewis Meadow. You could even hike further than that to really set you up for success on the Glacier day. On day two, we left everything we had at the campsite except for water, warmth, and lunch. You could take your things with you, drop them at a campsite further down the trail and then continue on to the glacier, but we really liked our initial campsite and we wanted a shorter day (11 miles!) on day three. Day two was loooong, but the benefit of an in and out trail is knowing exactly what you’ll have to hike once you turn around and head back, so there were no surprises. Also, since you hike up, up, up to the Blue Glacier, the second half of day two is all downhill until dinner time.

Packing List

Backpack
Tent
Sleeping Bag
Sleeping Pad
Compass
Map
Fire Starter
Permits
Sunglasses
Hat
Bandana
Quick Dry Towel
Beanie
Underwear x2
Socks x2 (Wool/Synthetic)
Long Sleeve
Short Sleeve/Tank Top
Pants
Shorts
Swimsuit
Rain Jacket
Fleece
Puffy
Thermal Underwear
Gloves
Hiking Boots
Chacos
Toilet Paper + trowel
Contacts/Glasses
Hand Sanitizer
Toothbrush/Paste
Jet Boil
Fuel
Bowl
Cup
Spoon/Fork
Pocketknife / Multitool
Sawvivor
Water Bottle/Camel Bak
Water Filtration System
Bear Canister
Lantern
Headlamp
Trekking Poles
Bug Spray
Nylon rope
Sunscreen

Grand Tetons & String Lake Loop

June 28, 2018March 15, 2020 by Katie | Leave a comment

This June we’re all about camping! We’ve talked about scoring free campsites on BLM land, 24 hours in Canyonlands NP, camping in Tofino, BC, and what to pack for some good camp meals.

In my opinion, there’s nothing like this view of the Grand Tetons.

I camped here for one chilly night about a decade ago, and that view of the mountains rising out of the water stuck with me ever since. Fortunately, these mountains and their reflection are just as majestic as I had remembered. Come along for our quick trip back to the park. Continue reading …

Go To Grocerys for Camping

June 26, 2018May 28, 2021 by Sarah | Leave a comment

Interested in car camping? Here’s a great van camping packing list created by Katie.

Hey, happy campers! Last week, a friend asked me what my favorite camping meals were. Like always, I came to Live Seasoned and searched ‘camping meals’ and was so surprised to see I hadn’t created a post with that information yet. What the heck? What am I doing with my time? Probably camping and eating honestly.

What makes a meal a camping meal? A few things. Meals meant for camp should have one, or better yet most of these attributes: few ingredients, easy to store, mostly nonperishable, easy to prepare, very little cleanup, and very little waste whether in the form of trash or compost. Continue reading …

Camping at Green Point Campground, Tofino, British Columbia

June 25, 2018June 25, 2018 by Sarah | Leave a comment

About a month ago, I went camping in Canada. I stayed at the Green Point Campground on Long Beach in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. When I was researching various campgrounds near Tofino, it was really hard for me to get a sense of the best campground. I was torn between Green Point, Surf Junction, and Bella Pacifica. It definitely took me a couple hours of browsing and debating (and list making) to settle on Green Point and I’ll happily tell you why.

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