Photo Friday: Backpacking with the kids

All this packing and sorting has me feeling sort of nostalgic, so I thought I'd take a deep dive into the photos for some of our earlier backpacking adventures with our boys. These are from the summer of 2005, when they were 6 & 7 years old.

We did several shorter trips in Colorado that summer, before we headed to Wyoming for our longer (I think 6 days, 5 nights) trip. The boys were small, so Mom and Dad were definitely packhorses--and we didn't know as much about lightweight gear then, either. Glad to put those days behind us, but it was fun to hike with our boys.

Did a quick overnight into the back side of the Maroon Bells Wilderness. Not the popular part, but rugged and scenic.

Kid-sized packs--you have to match the pack to the size of the kid, even if it can't hold much. Note the all-important stuffies poking their heads out to watch where we were going.

I think it was pretty early, given the amount of snow around!

A room with a view.

 Take kids outdoors and they will find their own fun! A bit of a drop-off on a snowbank, and they had an adventurous slide.

Note the judicious use of reasonably water-proof pants, though the sneakers just got wet.

The Rockies are noted for the wildflowers, and even that early in the season, we saw some. These sky pilots are a favorite--they only grow in the alpine, a dash of color in the most unlikely places.

A closer look.

In early August, we headed to Montana, to the Wind River Mountains.

With the little ones, it took a couple of days to get up here, but it was worth the wait.

Pop up a couple of tents, and we're all right at home.
 
We went even higher, until there was no shelter but the rocks.

I love camping in spots like this, but the kids always felt a little uncomfortable above tree line. We compromised and never spent too long in the alpine.

Sometimes we move camp late in the day, after exploring. The late afternoon light is the best!

Writing and drawing in camp started early for this one--he still does it, and inspires me to try to write some stories while we are out.

And, finally, a shot I really love!

You tell me what the caption should be!

If you like this, and you want more--or you want to inspire your own kids and take them hiking, consider ordering A is for Alpine--my picture book for little hikers!

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And don't forget that we are all heroes--and there are still a few days left in my Hero Month promotion for Halitor the Hero!

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©Rebecca M. Douglass, 2018
As always, please ask permission to use any photos or text. Link-backs appreciated!