Mommy Hiker: sequoia

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The Top 10 Most Memorable Mommy Hiker Moments of 2013 - A Year in Review!

Starting this blog has inspired me in so many ways, it's virtually impossible to put into words, but given that this is a written medium, I'll give it my best shot!

It's hard to believe that it's only been a year! It blows my mind and sends chills down my spine to look back at all of amazing experiences we've had, new friends we've made and all of the incredible stories that have been told here. Our love for hiking, camping, traveling and adventuring out to discover this bright, big world is our passion.

This passion has blossomed into a thriving community of families and collaborators whose sole wish is to get outside, get dirty, explore and discover the pure magnificence of Mother Nature in all of her glory. I have learned so many invaluable lessons of life, creativity, serenity and love and for that, even a thousand thank yous seem inadequate. And yet, I'm left with that. It's been an honor to share a bit of our life with you and I want to thank you for sharing a bit of yours with us! Thank you! Thank you for reading. Thank you for sharing. Thank you for inspiring me. And thank you for, in turn, inspiring others!

And now.....on to our Year In Review! Here are my Top Ten Most Memorable Moments of 2013!

#10 | The Reality of Hiking With Toddlers

Wait for it... Wait for it...

#9 | Family Volunteering with TreePeople!

Learning how to carefully plant seedlings in the scenic Cienega Sin Nombre valley of Calabasas was a great outdoor activity to teach V the value and importance of restoring habitats that have been destroyed by urban sprawl in invasive non-native plants.

#8 | Finding Beach Bliss in Oxnard!

I love discovering a new favorite place and the beaches of Oxnard are certainly a new fav! The peaceful and quiet pace you'll experience there is a refreshing contrast to the throngs of transients and tourists you'll find at most of the local Los Angeles beaches.

#7 | Hiking Malibu Creek!

Malibu Creek State Park is a whole day excursion, loaded with a wide array of nooks and crannies just waiting to be explored! Hike, swim, picnic, climb, caves, it seriously is all that and a backpack!

#6 | thinAddictives' Mommy Hiker Spotlight!

It was a huge honor to have been recognized and placed into the company of such accomplished and victorious women. Definitely a proud moment of 2013.

#5 | Star-Gazing and Sharing Secrets!

Life is made up of little, shining moments, overflowing with the pitter patter of little heartbeats and the warmth of a breath on a cheek as little mouths tell made up stories, full of wonder and amusement. Star gazing was full of these perfect, still moments.

#4 | Learning Life Lessons from the Alpacas!

Doesn't get much better than watching life come into the world. Witnessing a mother nuzzle her baby for the very first time, observing the trust and tenderness between them and sharing it with my daughter was, indeed a beautiful life lesson.

#3 | Setting Sail on a Channel Island's Wildlife Cruise!

This was literally one of my favorite days of 2013! This trip was chocked full of first time experiences for our entire family. We learned so many amazing things, saw wildlife basking in their gorgeous habitat and we are headed back in 2014 for sure, to explore the island's terrain and trails even more by foot.

#2 | Exploring Big Sur! The Land of Supreme Beauty!

We spent four nights under the lush green canopy of Big Sur. Hiked its trails, sat next to its creeks, sketched its every detail and came home with memories to last a lifetime!

#1 | Hiking & Hijinks in the Majestic High Sierras!

This was hands down the best camping trip with our toddler to date! It has been thrilling to watch V transform from one trip to the next (this being her fourth camping trip). She really came into her own during our week-long stay in Sequoia and as camping parents, so did we!

What I'm most looking forward to in the coming year is camping, watching her grow and bloom, surrounded by the safe and loving hands of Mother Nature. I can't wait to see what treasures and travels await us in 2014 and I can't wait to share them with you!

Hiking & Hijinks in the Majestic High Sierras - Family Camping in Sequoia National Park

We're baaaaaack! Fully recharged, feeling rejuvenated and reconnected to this beautiful world we are blessed to call home. There's something about being 6,700 feet up in the High Sierras that lifts my soul up, reminding me of just how grateful I am to have what I have and to do what I do and to be who I am, evolving and growing and mastering my awareness that I am always changing.

Hiking the Kaweah River Falls trail with toddler

Basking in the beauty of the Kaweah River Falls!

As is necessary when camping in Sequoia National Park during the summer months, we made our Lodgepole Campground reservations back in mid January and eagerly counted down the days. All One Hundred & Eighty of them! Fortunately, we had also planned a late spring camping trip to Big Sur as well, so we were able to bridge the seemingly infinite gap between trips.

This marked our third trip to the high Sierras and we enjoy it a little more each time! Within minutes of entering the park's main entrance, we were greeted by 3 deer crossing the canyon floor. Early the next morning we were treated to another deer having breakfast 10 feet from our campsite!

Then, we all watched in amazement as a gorgeous brown bear made it's way across the rocky creek bed a mere 100 yards from our tents! We were all so caught up in the awe of the moment that none of even thought to grab our cameras, but when the momma bear showed up later to fish in the creek with her cubs, thank goodness Uncle Joey snapped some pictures!

Mama Bear with her Cub (Can you spot her cub?)

We walked the land that John Muir fought so passionately to preserve so that we could all drink the deep breath of its wild air. "Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine into trees. The wind will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves," he said and we did.

Hiking Tokopah Falls Trail with a toddler

Snack Break on the Tokopah Falls Trail

The more we camp with our toddler (this is her 4th camping trip), the more experience we gain, the more organized and prepared we become, the more we realize that we can do this....MORE! Thanks to our much smaller and more useful tent, our meticulously packed camping bins and tons of food prepared ahead of time, we were able to spend much of our days playing, exploring, discovering and taking lots of pictures!

Frolicking through fields of wildflowers

Discovering hidden creek-side beaches

Sketching the sweeping Sierra vistas

Learning how to skateboard with Uncle Joey

Swimming with the Trout

On our last night, my hubby and I sat curled up next to a crackling fire, V tucked snugly into her sleeping bag, and we were already discussing how we are going to squeeze in another camping trip before the end of the summer! We can't wait!

Operation: Camping Checklist! Check!

In a constantly evolving effort to be more efficient when on family camping trips, I decided that it was time to sit down and take inventory of what is actually in those disastrous camping bins of ours! First, I reorganized them, then I made an inventory list. I'm not a list-maker by nature (or even a frequent user of the word "inventory" for that matter), or at least I wasn't before I became a mother (haha), but when you're out in the middle of nowhere with a toddler, it never hurts to be extra prepared!

Exploring the Limekiln River in Big Sur, California

So, in anticipation of our Sequoia camping trip next month, I sat down and created a packing list for our camping bins! We have been using the bin system for a few years now. It definitely cuts down on our packing time and we are less prone to forget the little things! Most of the items in our bins are permanent bin fixtures. When we get home, they get cleaned and put back into the bin, so they are ready to go for the next trip!

Side Note: This bin list is catered to car camping where you have easy access from your tent and campsite to your car.

Camping Bin #1

This is what I lovingly refer to as the kitchen sink. It contains all of the necessities to prepare and cook our meals and a few other essentials.

Camping Bin #2

This holds all of the necessary tools for seeing, burning and cleaning.

6 propane tanks
2 lighters
2 lanterns
2 flashlights
3 headlamps
various extra batteries
(2) single burner stoves for boiling water, etc
Biodegradable dishwashing soap & scouring pad
dust pan & small broom
mallet
tarp

The Kid Bin

A must have for any camping family because even though you are out in nature with so much to discover and explore, kids still get bored. I have also found it to be comforting for our two year old to bring a few of her favorite toys along.

Bubbles!

Sand Toys (Buckets, Shovels, Trucks, etc)

Make Ahead Camping Meals

I also plan our meal menu ahead. I have found this to be the most economical and efficient way to do things. We used to just go the the store on our way out of town and we would end up spending TOO much and usually only use HALF of what we bought. Planning and prepping everything before we leave means, saving money, less work at the campground and more time relaxing and exploring!

A little down time...

I buy a box of the gallon Ziploc freezer bags and use them for all kinds of prep like marinating the meats, filling them with pre-chopped veggies to roast over the fire or make-ahead salads that only needs to be dressed when it's time to eat. I also love to make easy-to-grab, finger food lunches like quiche and zucchini fritters, perfect to throw in the backpack and eat on the trail!

Leeks in Olive Oil (Pirasa
Zucchini Fritters (Mucver)
Green Beans in Olive Oil (Zeytinagli Fasulye)
Roasted Broccoli and Pancetta Quiche
Roasted Beet Salad with Walnuts and Gorgonzola
Chicken Salad with Avocado and Cilantro
Oatmeal Banana Bread

What are your camping bin essentials? Your must-have make-ahead meals?

West Coast Campground Review - Sweet Summer Spots to Relax & Recharge!

We are so lucky to live in a place that is surrounded by so many wildly different geological marvels. Get in the car and go two hours in any direction away from Los Angeles and you can wind up in the wild, sand-swept desert, the exalted redwoods, rolling prairies full of wild flowers, a pristine island beach off the coast of the Pacific Ocean or the foothills of majestic mountains.

I've lived here for almost 20 years and I still feel as though I've only scratched the surface of what California has to offer. I'm looking forward to the next 20, the discoveries and the old favorites, and I look forward to sharing them with you! Here are a few of our recent discoveries and a few old favs!

Limekiln State Park & Campground

View from our tent in Limekiln's Upper Creek

I know! You're all probably tired of hearing about Limekiln State Park and Campground, but it really is one of our favorite places in the world, so I would be remiss not to add it to the top of the list! This campground is intimate, with only 24 sites and is broken up into 3 parts, the Ocean Sites, the Lower Creek and the Upper Creek. Beware that beach camping sounds great, in theory, but those sites offer little shade and tons of onshore wind! Also, keep in mind that because of the thick canopy of redwoods lining the creek, both the upper and lower creek sites are pretty much in full shade most of the day and at night it gets downright chilly! More reason to get the fire going early! Limekiln is a very family friendly campground, not many partyers, and the constant white noise from the creek drowns out almost all unwanted noise from neighbors.

Warning: Watch out for the poison oak within the upper creek sites and on the trails!

Site fees are pretty lofty (about $35/night) comparatively, but just look at the stunning walk to the bathroom! Totally worth every dime!

Not a bad view on a trip to the bathroom!

There are 3 hiking trails with in the park, The Hare Creek Trail, The Falls Trail and The Limkiln Trail. All are easy and breathtaking!

mommy hiker with toddler limekiln big sur

A banana break on The Falls Trail

Kirk Creek Campground

When Limekiln is full, we head to Kirk Creek Campground! It's just down the road a bit and its scenery differs drastically from Limekiln. Situated right on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, most of the sites here offer breathtaking coastal views and not much shade, so bringing a canopy of some sort is recommended!

mommy hiker with toddler big sur california

Camping with a view at Kirk Creek Campground

Site fees are more than reasonable at $22/night complete with a complimentary daily view of the gorgeous sunset! Also, while you're there, take advantage of the quick and easy hike down to the rocky beach below the bluff.

The beach at Kirk Creek

Side Note: There are a TON of raccoon at this campground, but in all of the years we've been staying here, none have ever been aggressive or even tried to steal a bite of our tasty treats and they are a hoot to watch at night!

McGrath State Beach & Campground

We discovered this campground when looking for a quickie weekend getaway with one of our favorite camping families! McGrath State Beach and Campground in Oxnard is about an hour drive north of Los Angeles and getting a spot last minute was easy peasy!

mcgrath state beach, california campground

McGrath State Beach, Oxnard, California

There are 174 developed campsites here and although it's pretty cookie-cutter, it has all of the amenities; shade, toilets and fire ring. Site fees are $35/night and with the amount of sites on hand, walkins aren't hard to come by. The beach is quite a hike from most of the sites, but it is gorgeous, so well worth it!

Leo Carrillo State Park & Campground

Leo Carrillo State Beach

This is another campground that is a quick jaunt north from Los Angeles! Head 30 minutes north, up the 101 freeway in to Malibu and you're there, Leo Carrillo State Park and Campground! For its relative proximity to L.A., this campground offers more than you would expect; a gorgeous beach, tide pools, reefs, caves and even back-country hiking! Most of the 130 sites are nestled under giant sycamores and the facilities are well maintained, not bad for $45/night!

Sequoia National Park / Lodgepole Campground

Come this July, we will be heading to Lodgepole Campground in Sequoia National Park for our third visit! This park truly is stunning and a great place to witness all that Mother Nature has to offer. You can explore the Crystal Caves, go canoeing on Hume Lake, hike Moro Rock and see the great Continental Divide or you can simply sit on a rock next to the river and recharge!

The perfect spot for my morning coffee!

Here, the wildlife is all around you. On prior visits we awoke to deer grazing 100 yards from our tent,

Deer grazing in Sequoia

we spied on a brown bear as he caught his lunch in the Kaweah River which runs through the campground,

A brown bear looking for his lunch in Sequoia

and we watched an orchestra of spiders creating a massive sunset web among towering sequoias just to mention a few! It is one of our favorite places and only a 5 hour drive from Los Angeles!

Lodgepole Campground at Sequoia

This is one of those campground that fills up the day sites are released for reservation, 6 months in advance, so planning is imperative! Site fees are cheap at $20/night and the amenities here are stellar!

Side Note: If you are not familiar with camping in bear country, please do your research and be prepared, be smart and be respectful!

Yosemite National Park / Wawona Campground

Yosemite National Park was definitely on our bucket list and it should be on yours too and I feel so blessed to be able to say: Check!

The view from our camp site at Wawona in Yosemite!

We decided to stay just outside of Yosemite Valley, at Wawona Campground, away from the crazy crowds and where it's a little cooler. Situated right on the Merced River our site view was breathtaking! For $20/night you get a shady and spacious site, situated right on the Merced River with breathtaking views! You can't ask for anything better!