Exploring a Rainbow of Sea Creature Colors at Leo Carrillo State Beach

Just an hour's drive north of Los Angeles, on the famous Pacific Coast Highway, sits Leo Carrillo State Park, boasting almost 2 miles of beach, perfect for ocean sports of every kind, sun bathing and hidden in its tide pools, we discovered the most incredible array of sea creatures Mother Nature has ever thought to create. 

Living in Harmony

We have had the pleasure of visiting this state park many times. We've camped at their campground which is walking distance to the beach, we have explored its many coastal caves, climbed its crags and lounged on its shores. Depending on the time of year, it can be quite crowded, but we've been lucky to have avoided hoards of beach-combers on our visits.

Sweeping Vistas

V was almost overwhelmed by all there was to explore. Barefoot, she darted in and out of the pools, navigating the jagged rocks like a pro. Picking up every single piece of seaweed she spotted, she tried her best to associate it to the seaweed mommy puts in her salad, then tried to eat it, then became fascinated by its many different textures; so many things to discover and feel and smell and see (and taste!).

Rock Hopper

When she wasn't bouncing from rock to rock, she was standing as still as a statue reveling in the ebb and flow of the sea anemone's tentacles as it drifted lazily in the ocean currents. We spotted what we thought was a sea hare and were bestowed the honor of watching it release its deep purple ink. We were both completely enthralled as we watched the vibrant ink mix and swirl and spread in the little pool of water it called its home.

Tide Pools

It was hard to keep her from trying to pry off every starfish she saw, but it was also a great conservation conversation starter. As we walked along the soft sand, we discussed the importance of tide pools and the role they play in our environment. She understood, as much as an almost 3 year old can, then she was off and running again towards the coastal caves for a game of hide and seek.

Cave Dweller

So fun, so much to explore and so many opportunities to learn! I feel so lucky and blessed to live in such close proximity to such wonders that I can share with my toddler!

[Guest Blogger Series] The Transition to Walking - Transforming a Toddler into an Independent Hiker by Erin McKittrick

If I had to pick one shining example of a role model for anyone itching to get into the Great Outdoors more, Erin McKittrick would be the one. A molecular scientist, she grew up in Seattle and is now raising her family in Seldovia, Alaska. She and her partner Hig (and more recently, their two young children) have logged over 8,000 miles of wilderness travel. She is a steward of the earth, an incredible storyteller and I am so honored to have her here to share her story with you!

We all crow over a baby's first steps. We celebrate our new walkers with video, with baby books, and with calls to the grandparents. Walking is a milestone in every parenting book.

But for an outdoor parent--a hiking parent, a snowshoeing parent, even a walking-to-the-grocery-store parent, those teetering steps on chubby bowed legs aren't the important ones. The real transition to walking comes much later.

Last week, it came on a sunny November day in Eugene, Oregon, far from our usual Alaska haunts. I stepped aside, and stepped aside, and stepped aside again, as a steady stream of hikers zoomed past in both directions.

They paused, glancing at the tiny figure in turquoise--thigh-high to my own short frame.

 "Wow, that's a big hike!"

Near the steep upper end of the trail, passing hiking groups started teasing eachother as they climbed: "Look at that little kid!  If she can do it, you can definitely do it."

The little kid was my daughter--not quite three years old--holding my hand as she balanced on the wooden beams that lined the edge of the trail. The hike was Spencer's Butte, a busy trail that climbed 700 feet to a scenic rocky knob, 3.5 miles along the path we followed.

The pace was crawling.

The rest of our hiking group quickly left us behind.  My nearly-5 year old zoomed ahead with his dad and aunt. The other parents hurried to the top with their own young children in a backpack, shortcutting their way to the playing and rock-climbing that could happen at the top.

I understand. The temptation to carry her is overwhelming. It would be so much simpler, so much easier, so much faster. And of course, when she was little, I did just that.

But now she's almost three. And it's time to transition to walking. 

I jog ahead a few paces, hiding behind a tree trunk on the side of the trail. She runs a few paces herself, then slows, peeks, laughs uproariously each time she finds me. Repeat, repeat, until hide-and-seek is replaced by sticks, then sound games, and exclamations over every passing dog...

Then: "I'm tired." So I suggest a break, dropping into the dirt to sit beside her until she says she's ready to go on. Later: "I want to go home." So I point out that we're in a forest--what a wonderful place to spend ten minutes playing airplane ride on fallen logs. More: "I'm tired." I dole out dried apples for energy and a psychological boost, one slice for every twenty feet of progress.

There are more of these rough patches. Slowly, we move through every one of them, always returning to fun and games, or just to two people walking down the trail, hand-in-hand at toddler pace.

I coax, I play, I feed, I chat. I hold hands. I exercise every bit of patience I can muster, cheerfully and calmly enjoying the woods I'm snail-walking through. What I never do is doubt.

Kids can smell doubt. They can smell lack of parental resolve, and lack of parental confidence. Optimistically and stubbornly believing that a kid can do what seems unlikely is the biggest trick in my book.

So we did it. The whole hike, under her own power. My daughter didn't notice. She spent the day walking and playing in the woods, happily indifferent to the view from the top, or the pride I felt about my not-quite-three-year-old hiking three and a half miles.

I joke with friends that I'm training her like I trained her big brother, and that I'll cut her off from being carried once she hits three years old. But I'm really training myself. To keep getting out into the woods together, we all need to learn to walk. And all she needs to learn it is my patience, time, and as much confidence as I can project on her.

My kids both took their first steps a long time ago. But it's these ones I'll remember.

___________________________________________

About the Author

Erin McKittrick is an writer, adventurer, mother, and scientist, who spends much of her time taking her two kids out into the wilds of Alaska. She is the author of Small Feet, Big Land: Adventure, Home and Family on the Edge of Alaska  and A Long Trek Home: 4,000 Miles by Boot Raft and Ski. You can find her blogging at Ground Truth Trekking.org

5 Healthy and Hearty Trail Meals For Toddlers Guest Post for Go Explore Nature

Two things I'm most passionate about in my life are introducing my daughter to nutritious and delicious foods and allowing her to explore, discover and learn from the wonders that Mother Nature has to offer, so when Debi invited me to do a Guest Post on hiking meals for kids I was honored and excited!

Packing lunches on-the-go are pretty commonplace in our household and I have gotten fairly good at keeping the fridge stocked with quick and healthy choices. When doing my weekly shopping I focus on buying a rainbow of fruits and vegetables to ensure our diet is full of vitamin and mineral goodness!

Another trick I learned and implemented early on in motherhood is to intentionally cook extra at dinner time, so there is a nutritious and filling meal already made for lunch the next day! I cook a LOT as it is and doing this saves me time and pot-washing. Win-Win-Win!

One more simple idea I call upon quite frequently are make-ahead meals and am constantly adding new make-ahead meals to my cooking arsenal, Make a bunch ahead and enjoy throughout the week without having to lift a finger! It doesn't get much sweeter.

Here are some of my favorite go-to trail meals! I hope you enjoy!

[Wheat Berry Salad]

I used to be terrified of a wheat berry! Weren't they weird and unusual and hard to cook? As a matter of fact, that couldn't be farther from the truth! 

Just soak 2 cups of wheat berries in water overnight in the fridge, then boil them in 4 cups of your favorite stock, 4 cups of cold water and 2 bay leaves for about an hour. That's it! Rinse and drain them and add whatever tickles your fancy, instant Wheat Berry Salad. I love to add cucumbers, berries and garbanzo beans with a splash of olive oil and lemon.

Want to find out what the other 4 healthy toddler trail meals are? Read the full article at Go Explore Nature!

7 Simple Tips To Get Your Kids Excited About Hiking! PLUS Nonni's Mommy Hiker Spotlight!

Ok, first things first, I've been keeping a secret from you. It has been so hard not to spill the beans, but today I can finally share the news! A few months ago I was contacted by Nonni's THINaddictives who somehow (??) discovered this little blog and wanted to showcase me and our Mommy Hike LA group for their Get Addicted to Hiking Spotlight Series!

For the better part of 6 months, the Nonni's THINaddictive Team has proudly featured scores of active, inspiring women in their communities with the hopes of encouraging others to get moving, get fit and get happy! It was a match made in heaven and I couldn't be more honored to be a part of it!

Check out our Get Addicted to Hiking Spotlight Video below and check out all of the other vivacious and victorious women they have spotlighted on their THINaddictives' Facebook Page!

                   

Now, on to getting those little tykes of yours excited about hiking! Here are seven simple tips that have worked for me to keep those little feet moving on the trail!

Be Engaged!

It has been my experience that any time I have set out on a hike with my toddler (which is, at a minimum, once a week) with the mindset that it will be a great workout for me, it almost always ends in frustration; me wanting to strengthen those glutes and her wanting to sit in the middle of the dirt looking for ants. Nowadays, I know the moment I step on to the trail with my 2 1/2 year old, it's all about her discovery and exploration.

There have been days when it takes us 30 minutes just to walk from the parking area to the trailhead, little hands already full with rocks and sticks and that is OK! Be engaged in what piques their interest and go from there!

Combine Your Hike with Mealtime!

If you know my daughter, you know that any time is meal time! Ha! The promise of a picnic when we've reached our turnaround point is most definitely a motivator for my kid.

Make it fun, bring some of their favorite snacks or a special treat to enjoy while basking in the satisfaction of having made it half way! This also gives kids some downtime, just sitting and relaxing to the sounds of Mother Nature.

Invite Other Friends!

This was actually the root of the idea that gave the Mommy Hike LA group its wings! As a new mommy, I started taking V on solo hikes the moment I was up and able to move again. Then, I invited a few of my friends to go hiking with us. Those friends just so happened to be mommies and they brought their kids and next thing you know...

a group was born! An amazing group of friends who share the same passions and are there for each other when you need them; and in turn a beautiful group of kids are emerging, growing up together with shared experiences and discoveries.

Create a Hiking Scavenger Hunt!

This one, I'm giving full credit over to fellow Outdoor Blogger Debi Huang Klump! On her blog, Go Explore Nature she has created a great Scavenger Hunt Series and recently we were lucky enough to get her to do an Exclusive Mommy Hiker Hiking Scavenger Hunt! V and I actually did the hiking scavenger hunt this week and you'll get to see that adventure in its entirety, next week!

Download our Scavenger Hunt List, check out Debi's lists, scour the interwebs or write your own Scavenger Hunt tailored to your kid's favorite things! Use the discovery of a smooth, hot rock as a launching pad to discuss what made the rock hot to begin with, what lives underneath it or how it came to sit on this particular spot of earth in the first place. Just beware you don't fall into the role of the task-masker, barking orders and insisting on finding the next item on the list. Make it fun! Looking for a lizard? Call out for him! "Oh, Mister Liiiiiiiizaaaaaaard! Where are youuuuuuuu?"

Hike Trails That Have Water Features!

One of the best motivators I've found yet to keep a toddler moving on the trail is to entice them with a waterfall! We are lucky in Los Angeles, to have our pick of numerous day hikes which follow streams and many that end in gorgeous dramatic waterfalls.

Combining a hike with rock-hopping across stream crossings, mid-sentence splashes and frolicking in waist-deep, sparkling pools is a sure-fire way to get even the most reluctant kids to get in to Nature! Water also adds an additional vast ecosytem of plants, animals and insets to explore. Just make sure you bring additional clothing, because you can rest assured that no kid will finish their hike dry!

Give Them the Map!

This is one of my favorite things to do. I love giving V the control and sense of ownership of her own experience. Letting kids lead the way is an incredible confidence builder and helps to shape their decision-making skills!

Let them navigate. Allow them to make mistakes, get (moderately) lost, then let them try to figure out how to get back on track. Or, let them discover a new route! You will never know where it may lead you!

Know When to Call it a Day!

As parents, we all have a pretty good radar for "Imminent Meltdown" or the dreaded "Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day Syndrome." Everyone is allowed to have an off day, so know when it's time to cut your losses and head home!

There are definitely times when all I want to do is sit down with a cup of tea, on the sofa and read a book, so be understanding. If hiking becomes a battle, the chances are their affinity for the activity will diminish, so know when to say when and keep on trying!!

What are some of YOUR best tricks and tips for keeping those kiddos excited about hiking?