We head up to Snowbasin Resort. The sun shines (a little too hotly for January) and the car is a roar of excitement. Today a few friends are coming up to ski with us, and my son and his friend have a morning lesson with the Grizzly Cubs. They have a fantastic morning but later…

Four years ago my “New Year’s resolutions” forever changed. I was challenged by a yoga instructor to choose one word for my year. Not a list of “to dos” and grand dreams. But an intention. Oddly, these intentions have guided the last few years of my life in profound ways. 2013 was the year of…

One last look at a year full of a LOT of first for us as a family. First snowshoe trips. First time on cross-country skis. First half and full marathons. First triathlons. First all-family backpacking trips. Even the first time trying Kipper Snacks (basically sardines….) And a ton of beautiful moments in-between. Here is a…

Tested in: Wasatch Range, UT; Fall and early Winter conditions Cost: $100 Best Use: Casual Outdoor Wear in Fall/Spring or locations with semi-mild Winters. Significant Specs: Rated from temperate to 14°F/-10°C Crafted from super-soft, 100% waterproof fabric with plush Vegan friendly lining for extra warmth. The Summit features 2mm of Neo-TechTM insulation, a dual-density, contoured…

We’ve teamed up with Snowbasin Ski Resort as a part of their Powderoy Blogger Team for the 2013-2014 season. But before the chance of working together with Snowbasin was an option, we’d already decided to spend the bulk of our time there this season. Here are the reasons why Snowbasin is great for our family:…

In case you are not well acquainted with the term “dirt bagger” or “dirt bag climber,” here it is: 1. Dirtbag Climber A glorified bum, who spends all of his/her time begging for food, drinking PBR, and climbing. They live the traveling life, taking to the road year-round in pursuit of adventure. Often in a van….

Recently I had the opportunity to try out Chrome Industries’ Cobra Hoodie. The Cobra Hoodie is a 100% merino wool hoodie that is designed for an urban cyclist to be worn all day. First off, I have to be honest. I was biased before I even got to try the product. I love hoodies. I…

Bring a can of food and get a free tram ride at Snowbird Resort? I am so in. Not to mention the blizzard of snow the Wasatch is getting right now. Can I say we are ready for ski season? This was the kid’s first time on the tram and it did not disappoint. I…

The dust swirls around our Xterra as we negotiate the last few miles of dirt road. Hwy 191 is up ahead, marking our last leg back into Moab. The kids sit sleepily in the back, giving Chris and I time to talk: She was bored. Bored! She told me she wanted to climb and not…

It is still and dark. The clock ticks 5 a.m. and I cannot sleep. I pull out the coffee. Moving slowly, not wanting to wake my exhausted crew still breathing deeply in their beds. Even the dog is curled tightly on the pile of dirty laundry we’ve discarded in the middle of the floor. I…

Not all outdoor sports require a ton of skill and gear in order to get out and do them! And that is what keeps us from pursuing certain activities as parents, isn’t it? Cost. Time. Cost. Danger. Cost. But certain outdoor sports are not only easy to get “into” but flow with their natural inclinations….

There are some people out there who can do what they’re “supposed to” without much tangible motivation. They are patient with their kids because they are naturally patient, rather than because they see a greater purpose in being patient. They work out “just to take care of themselves”. They are the model of faithfulness. I…

It was mile 75. Dark had settled into the woods and there would be no strong moon to fight it back tonight. Chuck’s hands were numb, hardly working. Things like peeling a banana, tying shoes, removing or adding layers of clothing were increasingly difficult. Chris handed him a hand warmer. Chuck dropped it. Chris picked…

This is likely to be an “alpine start” I am never going to forget. For those new to outdoorsie lingo, here is a brief definition: alpine start- 1. To make an efficient start on a long climb by packing all your gear the previous evening and starting early in the morning, usually well before sunrise. My…

The sunlight turned orange this morning, behind hazy mountains, and navy blue clouds. The sky was a swirl of indecision. Lightening. The smell of rain. An unsteady breeze. The colors outside were alive. Somehow, the world I see everyday looked new again. The same black topped streets, the cracked sidewalks, cookie cutter houses all displayed…

This last weekend my daughter ran her first 5K. She is seven. And it is funny…while brainstorming tips for helping your kid “Run Their First 5K” I came up with a whole bunch of warnings. If, like us, you are building a lifestyle of running, your kids will notice certain things, certain habits and will…

In our household summer is waving a frenzied goodbye and fall is just around the corner. Everyone seems to have received the memo except the weather… It is still hot around here! But school is starting. Fall football teams are packing the otherwise abandoned pristine green fields and the sounds of neighborhood kids playing late…

Today, I want to introduce you to Dave from 14ers4kids. In case you don’t know, a 14ers is commonly know amongst mountaineers as a peak topping out at 14,000 feet above sea level. And Dave’s story inspired me because he took something he loves, summiting mountains, and is using it to help orphaned children. Last…

I promise I’ll never give you fake. Consider it a personal goal I have never to be fake. But sometimes it happens on accident, doesn’t it? Especially with bloggers. See, everything is going along fine and then wham! You get hit by something. And if you are like me, that something takes me out of…

It’s that damn pricker again. You know, the one that has left the faintest sliver of a thorn lodged somewhere in the threads of your sock. You stop. You remove your shoe and feel around on the outside of the sock.  Nothing. You take the sock off. Wipe free your foot. Put it back on….