All tagged Snowshoeing

Out and About with Kids: Never give up!

Out and About with Kids: Never give up!

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Seattle, Hiking

After a tough day of snowshoeing with Jasper a couple weeks ago we both felt like throwing in the towel on future trips this Winter. However, later that week we were able to take him and have such a fun time. At the spot where we took our break Jasper insisted on me lifting him high in the sky over and over again. All while telling Cameron "one more cheese" meaning take another photo please. There are so many highs and lows when it comes to parenting, a happy day on the trail is such a high for me! One of my New Year's Resolutions is to get out from behind the camera more often and these photos of Jasper and I are such treasures to me. 

Out and About with Kids: Snowshoeing at Snoqualmie Pass

Out and About with Kids: Snowshoeing at Snoqualmie Pass

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Parenting, Seattle

The one question I get asked the most often is "how do you keep a toddler happy while you are hiking/snowshoeing?" Aside from my amazing husband who willingly carries our little heavy weight around the answer is pretty simple, sometimes we do and other times we don't. Early on we decided we did not want to stop doing the things we love because we had children. That being said we have had to curtail the length and frequency of our hikes in addition to having our moments where we question why we brought him along in the first place.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Outdoor adventures

Today, we are slowly getting back into the swing of things after a nice, long sunny holiday in San Francisco. We lucked out with a streak of warm weather and sunshine while we were there which resulted in entire days spent outside, zipping around the city by foot, bus, street car or trolley. Eating almost every meal outside and basking in every possible ray of sunlight. It was so nice to get a break from the cold and the rain. When we arrived home to a dusting of snow and then spent the following day in the mountains I was reminded real life isn't so bad either. 

A snowshoe date

A snowshoe date

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Outdoor adventures

I don't talk about it much, but I am a big fan of the idea of dating your spouse. Although we have been married for over ten and a half years I still get excited at the prospect of getting dressed up, making reservations, buying tickets and have a concrete plan for an evening. However, lately I have equally enjoyed the "day date" which consists of anything we do minus our son. A couple weeks ago, we extended our staycation by heading directly to the mountains after checking out of our hotel. As much as I love bringing our son along for our adventures there was something very nostalgic and romantic about it just being the two of us together in the outdoors. While we were snowshoeing it brought back a flood of memories of our past adventures and made me happy how much we took advantage of our time together before children. 

A mountain getaway with Glampinghub.com

A mountain getaway with Glampinghub.com

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Travel, Weekend, Outdoor adventures

Awhile back I mentioned we were partnering with Glamping Hub for a little family adventure. We finally went on our adventure and stayed in a modern cabin in the woods. We enjoyed the solitude and location of our cabin, but most importantly the time we spent together as a family. Our time there reminded us how we feel most alive surrounded by trees and breathing in the fresh mountain air, but also how we hope to one day have a cabin of our own nestled in the woods.

Snowshoeing at Cypress Mountain

Snowshoeing at Cypress Mountain

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Travel, Outdoor adventures

One of our primary reasons for visiting Vancouver was to go snowshoeing. There isn't one, but three fantastic places to go snowshoeing all within twenty minutes from the city.  However, between getting late starts each day and the extra holiday traffic we were only able to visit Cypress Mountain this time. On the day we were up there the glorious sunshine and blue skies combined with a fresh dumping of snow made for one heavenly day. The snow shoe route we took was one of those straight up the entire way. When we are out snowshoeing I am always thoroughly impressed with Cameron's ability to carry our heavy son on his back. He never complains and makes it look so easy. I am reminded time and time again how much fresh mountain air and family time is good for the soul. I am continually grateful for these two adventurous dudes and how much they make every single day special.

Wandering through the snow

Wandering through the snow

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Weekend, Parenting, Outdoor adventures

During the Winter I am constantly checking the weather report up in the mountains. If we receive substantial snowfall during the week then we make it a point to head up to the mountains on Saturday. Saturdays have traditionally been our day set aside for being together as a family and having fun. I am not a fan of chores, errands or work on Saturdays and I avoid it at all costs. I once read an article which stated from the time your child is born until the time they turn eighteen you have 940 Saturdays. Particularly now that we have Jasper I want to make the most of these days and give him memories of hikes, camping trips, catching snowflakes on our tongues and enjoying picnics by the water. During the week in between work, laundry, and to do lists I try my best to squeeze in the chores and errands. 

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Outdoor adventures, Parenting

A big storm rolled into the mountains this weekend which meant lots and lots of new fluffy white snow. We decide to head up Saturday afternoon to check it out and get our first real taste of snow for the season. We were also interested to see how Jasper was going to react to it all. It was cold, blowing at times and the snow was coming down pretty hard, but as always Jasper was a trooper. We kept him bundled up pretty well, and overall he was delightful, but it came as no surprise he was not a fan of snow blowing directly into his face. Like each new experience we have with him, it is a learning process. We are constantly figuring out ways to adapt, be better prepared and make certain it is a fun experience for us all.  

Seeing your surroundings through new eyes

Seeing your surroundings through new eyes

Lisette Wolter-McKinley

One of the biggest perks of becoming a parent is the opportunity to see the world through new eyes. Life is just more fun with everything is approached with an enthusiastic smile or wide eyes. For those of us who are not currently housing an adorable baby or toddler what other ways can this child like wonder and curiosity be infused in our own lives? 

Invite someone along to do something you frequently do.

Snowshoeing to Dog Lake

Snowshoeing to Dog Lake

Lisette Wolter-McKinley

Christmas Day was blue skies and sunshine.  Since we had already celebrated Christmas a few days prior we spent Christmas morning snowshoeing up to Dog Lake. In Washington, our mountain passes have received virtually no snow this season, so we were delighted to find snow, Icicles, and snowshoeing trails galore. As we started out on the trail Cameron was asked to be interviewed by a local news station. Not one to be camera shy, he eagerly talked about our preparations and plans for avoiding the dangers of avalanches. Later that evening, much to his delight he had made it on the local news. 

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