Normally, we don’t have a lot of trouble getting-in our family outdoor time, here in northern California. As I write this, however, the second of multiple rain storms is moving through the area and the overnight temperatures are heading into the mid-30’s over the next few days. Maintaining at least some outdoor time for your family can be challenging in the winter, but it’s during these dark and cold days that getting outside is the most important. Continue reading →

I am not a photographer. I am reminded of this fact every time I download my camera, after a weekend of camping. If I’m lucky, there might be twenty pictures that are really good, out of the 150-plus pictures that I take. Yes, brute force can be a strategy for those of us who have come to grips with our photographic limitations! Here are a few tips that will help you make the most of your photographic opportunities. Continue reading →

There is nothing worse than arriving at your campsite on a Friday evening, only to discover that you are stuck with a group of wild partiers next door, all weekend long. Fortunately, most campgrounds are very family-friendly places, but to minimize your chance of ending-up at a stinker, here are some things to watch for…and watch out for. Continue reading →

Over the Fourth of July Holiday, one of our stops included Lassen Volcanic National Park. The theme of our two-week adventure was “hidden gems” and while most people have heard of Lassen, only about 370,000 people visit it, each year. By comparison, about 3.5 million people visit Yosemite National Park, every year. That’s a shame, because Lassen is one of the most unique and interesting places in North America and if you have future plans to visit some of the great western parks, be sure to set aside three days for Lassen. Continue reading →

Your family can get a lot more out of the camping experience than just campfires and marshmallows. Spending time outdoors with your kids is the best way to experience nature in real-time, without the electronic distractions of our everyday lives. Here are five reasons that family camping is fantastic. Do you have some others? I would love to hear them! Continue reading →