I have the word "real" in quotations because aside from sleeping in my backyard a few weekends ago, Friday night was the first overnight hike of the season. The overnight low hovered around 5°C. My daughter and I have camped in November but this past weekend has been our earliest. I was just itching to … Continue reading Our First “Real” Overnight of the Season
Bear Hug woke me up just before ten on Saturday morning to let me know he had made coffee. I felt a combination of rested yet still not feeling well. Our original plan for the weekend was to hike and camp as a family on Epinette Trail in Spruce Woods Provincial Park but my body … Continue reading Exploring Nature’s Jungle Gym
I surrounded myself with nature this morning. Red, oranges, and yellows mixed in with browns and greens greeted me along every step of the way at Spruce Woods Provincial Park. The sun was shining bright and it was a gorgeous fall day. My family and I ventured out for a hike through Spirit Sands and … Continue reading Family Hiking in the Sunshine
I hiked and camped at Riding Mountain National Park a few weeks ago with a group. Like all trips to the park for me, Whitehouse bakery was our first stop and group meeting spot. The maple cinnamon buns and cream cheese cinnamon buns were just as I expected. Warm, gooey, and the perfect late morning … Continue reading Long weekend at Riding Mountain
A new trail name has been bestowed upon me and I accept it with pride. Going forward, while I still feel like Wonder Woman, I shall be known as Dandelion. I am sure I am reading far more into the symbolizm of a dandelion than the thought that went into the name choice from my … Continue reading Dandelion, Bear Hug, and Blue Jay hike on Mantario
"Mommy, why are you laying down to put on your pants?" I look at my daughter and respond that I am in a tent and that it is the only way to get dressed. Then I remember that we are in our family tent and my 6' tall husband can easily stand up in it. … Continue reading Family Fun Weekend
I relish experiences where my daughter is encouraged to move out of her comfort zone. It is character building and a confidence booster. I like to think I walk a good balance between creating a safe environment in the outdoors and allowing space for natural consequences that create learning opportunities. There are some aspects of … Continue reading Hiking and Camping with Kids: Safety
I strive to offer my daughter a balance between the technology that rules our lives in 2018 and the natural world. I want to nurture every ounce of her enthusiasm for the outdoors for as long as possible and I also want to give her time for other interests like video games. It is my … Continue reading Hiking and Camping with Kids: Getting Kids who are Reluctant into the Outdoors
I took my family out for lunch to Pine Point Rapids in the Whiteshell area of Manitoba today. My task today aside from quality family time was to have a training hike with a fully loaded pack in preparation for Appalachian Trail. Let's start right at the beginning, even before arriving at the trail head. … Continue reading The training moves to outside now
The outdoors is an amazing place to come to relax, challenge myself, teach and learn, and build a life around. The outdoors and nature is my passion. I take a lot of pride in passing my fondness of the outdoors on to C, my daughter, especially in the age of digital technology and people being outside … Continue reading Empowering My Daughter Through the Outdoors
Wild Woman Wisdom 