Contribute to a great new Book! Your family adventure could be in print!

Jennifer Bové is a writer and an active outdoor parent who we met along the way. She is working on a new anthology called Wild with Child: Adventures of Families in the Field. Of course we had much in common with her as we are huge proponents of adventures with your family. We encourage you to submit a story to Jennifer for inclusion in this much awaited book. You can find out more information at http://www.bovesboots.blogspot.com/

Gear Review: Deuter Kid Comfort II

Price: $179.99

Upside: This pack is very easy to adjust from Dad to Mom. The Vari Quick system allows you to change the torso length in a flash. Loading your child is by far the easiest in the Kid Comfort II because the side opens as apposed to most of the other carriers where you need to top load the child.

Downside: You must remember to push out the back of the frame before you put the pack down with the child. This is a mistake I made on the first stop. I was attentive to the carrier and my little one did not fall over but it was very tippy without the frame fully extended. This is not uncommon in many packs.

Over All Impression: I have to say, I was surprised how comfortable the pack was. I was also very pleased with the way it handled my 30 lb. 3 year old. She tends to reach for branches and leaves and this did not compromise my hiking at all. It was so comfortable it felt very similar to my regular backpack fully loaded. We took the Kid Comfort II on a pretty technical rocky trail with some twists and turns and it managed the load very well. Leave it to Deuter to engineer a superb pack.

Cool features: Hydration compatible; put in a bladder and you and your child have access to hydration during the hike. Mesh pockets on the sides that the child can reach while in the carrier for snacks or the cute little teddy bear that comes with the pack.

Parents Under The Stars

Spend a romantic evening under the stars –
Just you and your partner…

AND the kids!

OK. When was the last time you and your honey spent some quality time together? If you’re like most families with children, time alone is rare.
Picture it. You’re in the mountains with your family. It’s getting dark and the kids are settling in for a deep sleep. Why not use this time to reconnect with your partner? Cozy up under the stars. Stare out into space and catch up. Every day stressors become more trivial when surrounded by the open sky, sounds of the night animals and wind in the trees. (oh yeah, and maybe the occasional “Mommy, I have to go poo poo,” or “Can you lay with me?” that we often hear just when we think we’re alone!)

Heat some water on your stove or campfire and toss in a packet of hot cocoa; Ghiradelli Dark Chocolate is indulgent. For those of you who enjoy grape juice, we’ve discovered a perfect wine for our packs. French Rabbit’s resistant and easy-to-carry 1 Liter boxes are lightweight and protect your wine from UV rays. The screw cap is easy to open and reseal. They carry Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Chardonnay and retail for about $10.
Finished? Pack it out and recycle it!

Salute to you and your families!