This last weekend we embarked on a mission. To hike Mount Raymond with the kids. Our trusty adventure pals joined us, bringing the kid total to 5, all between the ages of 4 and 8 years old. For most the adults, this was not the first time to have summited Raymond. [ I had done…

Today’s trip report is courtesy of Kristen Bonkoski, a local Utahn and owner of Rascal Rides, an online bike retailer. She is passionate about getting families out on the trail and opening up opportunities for that to happen! ————————————————————————————————————————- Finding family-friendly mountain bike trails can be a challenge. You want a trail that isn’t too technical,…

We have received a ton of interest and inquiry over our recent trip down to Goblin Valley and the popular Little Wild Horse and Bell Canyons in Utah. We have been looking forward to the trip for months and it did not disappoint! Due to recent tragedy, we are reiterating the danger of slot canyons…

This summer began with what was, in my mind, an outrageous endeavor: to hike Grandeur Peak in the Wasatch Range of Utah with our three kids ages 4,6 and 7. After a successful summit and a summer full of hiking and backpacking, it seems that Grandeur was only the beginning. I read once that kids…

Dare I say I’ve lived in Utah for almost 4 years and never visited Goblin Valley? Until last weekend this was true! Goblin Valley, a secluded valley in central Utah, is filled with hundreds of unique sandstone formations known as Hoodoos. These Hoodoos take many forms, most looking like overgrown mushrooms, nobs and spires. The most…

I’ve never regretted taking our kids into the backcountry. We’ve taken small steps in that direction, biting off only what we are comfortable with. But after a few summers of backpacking with the kids, the only thing I’ve regretted was not doing it sooner! I’d like to call the Uintas, “the land of lakes.” It…

So last week I signed up for my first Olympic length triathlon. Then I looked at past race reports and freaked! Hills, a trail run, and a large number of elite athletes while I am just aiming to finish! So last weekend I took my fears head on, went up to the venue and did…

Hiking in the Wasatch Range is… unique. It didn’t take me long after moving from Colorado to realize there aren’t many ‘easy kid hikes’ here. In fact, many of the lesser peaks have more technical trails and more elevation gain than some of Colorado’s 14er’s. It was Kai’s (our Golden Doodle) birthday and so the…

We’ve all heard people say, “Things just ain’t like they used to be.” Well, after two separate camping road trips in the last year, I feel I can wholeheartedly say that the “great american sleep over” known as camping does still exist, just like it used to. Kid’s playing outdoor games and sing-a-longs. (Even if…

While in Monterey for the Big Sur Marathon, we were looking for some inexpensive (or free?) destinations where the kids could play, run, and experience a bit of the California ocean.  Oh, and if the moms could get an open water swim in (triathlon season is near), that would be a major bonus. My friend…

What is your, “Why Not?” What would you do if you were fearless? Maybe reckless, or financially unwise, or risky? What stops you? Kids, money, a career? Well, today we are interviewing mom, Nancy Sathre-Vogel from Family On Bikes, about a time her husband and her decided to step out of their lives and into their…

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…

Canyons Resort, Utah is Vail Corporation’s newest ski area and one of the nation’s five largest ski areas with a total of nine peaks and 4,000 skiable acres. As a parent, I am often scared off by the large resort thing.  I want 1) simple, 2) straight forward, and 3) relaxed. Cause chances are my…

I have a problem. A “feeling trapped” problem. Feeling trapped leads to me to all sorts of emotional and erratic behavior. Now, all sorts of things can make me feel trapped… but a new one occurred this last week. An inversion. The Salt Lake Valley is known for inversions during the cold winter months, usually…

A little something about me: as a kid I hated hiking. I hated skiing. All I wanted was to stay home and [for once] watch Saturday morning cartoons. Somehow that all changed. It has some to do with finding friends that would do these outdoor things with me. But a large part of it was…

“I was really nervous about this trip,” my mother confessed. So was I. But she went on, “sometimes you wonder if you can even do it, but then you’ll never know unless you do. You just need to step up. Commit.” I felt the same way. And I chuckled to myself. My mom, an empty-nester,…

Honestly, trip reports really don’t interest a wide audience. But I do them anyways, why? Because I really wish that I could go to a site and see a list of hikes/climbs/etc with all the beta from a PARENT’S perspective. So, we are trying to build that database here at The Kid Project. Awesome family…

I have that song, “You don’t always get what you want…” stuck in my head. Probably cause I chant it to my kids often. But this time, it is echoing around the inside of my head, strumming to the beat of the flu. Yesterday we survived an epic adventure. Yesterday, we came head to head…

If you are not familiar with Wall Street / Potash Rd in Moab, UT just know that you cannot find routes with a shorter approach. You drive up, you toss out your gear, you jump on the rock. Easy. Today I want to highlight one area for kids – The Schoolroom Slabs Directions: Take Potash Road…

This has got to be up there on my list of favorite places to camp. OK, after sitting here for a moment , I can actually think of no other place I like camping more. Now maybe I just haven’t experienced enough all-America-camping. But that has got to count for something, right? Directions: Sand Flats is…