Hello Hiking!

Today kicks off National Park Week; time to lace up those boots, head outside, and reintroduce yourself to fresh air and sunshine. Hiking is also a great way to work off some of those unwanted pounds you may have packed on during your winter hibernation. What’s more, you can do so without breaking the bank as National Park Week yields free admission to more than 100 parks which typically change a fee to get in. If you are looking for the perfect spot to get your springtime hike on, consider the following: The Appalachian Trail: Known as the granddaddy of … Continue reading

More Tips for Hiking with a Baby

Now that you know how critical it is to plan ahead before embarking on a trip to the wilderness with your baby it’s time to discuss other tips to make your trek memorable. First of all, if you are planning to hike in any one of our country’s awe-inspiring National Parks you should know that there are rules that prohibit the disposal of human waste within 100 feet of a water source or camp site, or within sight of a trail. The National Park Service has also adopted principles from the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, which recommend … Continue reading

Tips for Hiking with a Baby

Going on a hike with a 7-year-old is far different than loading up a 7-month-old and hitting the trails. Still, what some would consider a daunting task (and others would call crazy) should not deter you from enjoying the great outdoors with your bundle of joy. The key is preparation. With a little planning and a lot of thought your day in the woods can become a cherished memory. Be Prepared You don’t have to be a Boy Scout to know how vital it is to plan ahead and expect the unexpected. When packing for your trip include the must-haves … Continue reading

How to Lose Weight on Vacation

How many times have you gone on vacation and returned home toting more than just your bags? For many Americans, it is a rite of passage to pack on a few pounds during a fun-filled trip. However, it doesn’t have to be that way. There’s a new trend in travel that turns the table on seasonal getaways and weight gain. Exer-cations are a hot ticket for people looking to stay fit or even shed a few pounds while they are away from home. Fortunately, you don’t have to travel too far to take advantage of these package deals. For example, … Continue reading

Park It

Spring is the perfect time to become one with nature. After a long winter battling cabin fever, now is your chance to bond with family and friends in the great outdoors. The United States is teeming with picturesque parks that make for amazing vacation destinations, including: Shenandoah National Park Located in Virginia, Shenandoah National Park features uncompromising beauty that will take your breath away. Set within one of the country’s most famous natural playgrounds, the Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah National Park offers a plethora of family-friendly activities, including hiking, biking, fishing and camping. The park is especially noted for its … Continue reading

Outdoor Spring Adventures

Contrary to popular belief, the beach and the slopes are not the only places that attract spring breakers. If you are looking for a peaceful retreat that allows you to soak up all the splendors of the great outdoors, then consider taking part in a spring adventure that you won’t soon forget: hiking. The United States is home to thousands of miles of pristine hiking trails, including: YOSEMITE More than 3.5 million people from around the world travel to Yosemite National Park each year. The national treasure is home to some of the planet’s most stunning waterfalls, all accessible by … Continue reading

Updating Your Exercise Routine

You’d never know it by looking out my living room window, but according to the calendar, spring is on its way. For may fitness buffs, this means switching up the ol’ exercise routine and adding more outdoor calorie-burning activities. When the weather warms up I surf the Internet and plan hiking adventures. Backpacker magazine has an extremely user-friendly Find-A-Hike option that provides incredibly detailed maps. If you are looking for cool places to explore nature with your entire family, you’ll find this tool indispensable. The Find-A-Hike electronic helper allows you to simply scroll across any U.S. state and find detailed … Continue reading

My Personal Space – Houston, I Think I Found a Problem

Today I was supposed to show you my scrap room, and I actually could. I worked really hard to get things sorted, picked up and put away organized instead of just in a huge pile, or shoved in various drawers and other spots. The whole area is cleaner, brighter and definitely less cluttered. It actually looks great. Except for one problem. Those pesky wood mounted rubber stamps I bought at a local sale. I already had a huge stash that literally claim an entire Iris cart, and while someday I plan to unmount them because storage is just simpler that … Continue reading

Frugal Summer Exercise

Now that the weather is nice, you can take advantage of a lot of opportunities to get fit the frugal way. I like to follow the Fitness Blog here at Families.com. It is great to get some knowledge, tips and the inspiration to keep fit. Of course, it is also great to be frugal. Sometimes being fit seems to be very expensive. Commercial gyms and even the YMCA can cost quite a bit to join. And of course there is all of that expensive equipment you can buy. Here are some great ways to get some summer exercise the frugal … Continue reading

Family Fun Week in Review 2/25-3/2

The calendar has been flipped, the snow is melting and drastic changes are slowly underway outside. The temperature is rising, trees are coming to life, ice cream shops are opening their doors and flowers are getting ready to show us their true colors – Spring is almost here! The past week in the Family Fun section has been as colorful as ever. We have learned how to have fun hiking with kids, how to trap a Leprechaun and how to throw an awesome birthday party in honor of Dr. Seuss. We were provided with a great idea for documenting our … Continue reading