LifeStraw
Teva helps our feet feel more comfortable when we are out playing in nature.
Teva
Teva helps our feet feel more comfortable when we are out playing in nature.
The Landmark Project
Ombraz Sunglasses rethink the functionality of sunglasses by removing the arms and hinges.
Ombraz Sunglasses
Ombraz Sunglasses rethink the functionality of sunglasses by removing the arms and hinges.
Mountain House
Fueling our bodies is something to think about when heading to parks and public lands. Mountain House helps us think about that by providing nutritious options in an easy to cook pouch. When I first started exploring parks, I thought these prepared foods were for the hardcore outdoors person. Someone who was packing light and headed to [...]
KeeKee Plush
If you have followed us for long, you will have seen KeeKee and Flat KeeKee in photos. KeeKee is a character in Shannon Jones' "KeeKee's Big Adventures" book series. KeeKee's Big Adventures is also a great resource for family travel adventures. The plush is new in 2024 and a great gift to bring to life the stories of KeeKee [...]
Solo Stove
Campfires spark joy and nostalgia for me. With Solo Stoves tabletop stove you can quickly roast s'mores, warm your hands, and create a cozy ambiance. I also pack my stove to go camping and hiking. It allows me to have a small fire and cup of warm tea during a winter hike. My thoughts: Compact and easy to [...]
Gift Guide 2024
HAPPY HOLIDAYS! As you prepare for all of the festive gift giving or are stocking up on gear during holiday sales, I've put together a guide of some of my favorite gear. You can also find other products on the gear page. Happy shopping! Please know that some of these brands are [...]
Poop bags
Picking up after your pet is very important. You don't want your pet taking anything into the park that one of the native animals picks up. It's one of the rules of the Bark Ranger program. Be kind and follow those rules. I also like poop bags as a trash bag for my own trash. They are a [...]
Dog Bowl
Having a good, sturdy dog bowl is important when you are out on the road. I like a metal bowl when possible - I've read that they are cleaner for the dog and I think they keep the water cooler on hot days. My thoughts: I like how sturdy they are. I can toss mine in a [...]
Long Leash
Having a long lead is valuable to allow your dog some freedom. I like to have the ability to loop it around a tree, a picnic bench, or just to hold it. This leash is one that I keep in my car most of the time. My thoughts: I like that it's light weight and still very [...]
Brands I Like
Finding good, quality, outdoor brands is overwhelming. I've put together a list of brands that I like. Some of the links to products on my site are affiliate links. Making purchases with these links doesn’t change the price for you but does help out the work that we are doing. [...]
Gift Guide: Father’s Day
Need some gift ideas for your dad this holiday? Check out some of my favorite gear. 1 ENO DoubleNest Hammock A hammock will give dad a get opportunity to kick back and relax in the backyard, a campground, a park, and more. 2 [...]
Rumpl Blanket
I bought my first Rumpl blanket mid-way through the trip. I'm a sucker for something lightweight and warm. It only took a few really cold nights before I caved and purchased the blanket. In addition to a great layer for camp sleeping and around the campfire, my blanket gets used a lot in the car, at soccer games, and [...]
Hiking Boots
Finding the right shoes is a game changer for your hikes. It takes time to try on a lot of shoes until you find that perfect one...and you'll know immediately. I selected Oboz hiking boots after going into an REI looking for a specific style and brand. The staff member encouraged me to try a few. [...]
String Lights
I love these lights! They are easy to use, easy to hang and create a festive atmosphere wherever you use them. When the sun sets, it's really nice to have an entire space lit up versus using a flashlight. I would hang them in my tent and it mad it easy to read after dark. It was also fantastic [...]
Helinox High-Back Seat Warmer
Have you ever been sitting in one of those outdoor chairs when a breeze comes through? Your back is so cold, and it's the price you pay to have a lightweight collapsable chair. Helinox has your solution. They have quilted covers for their chairs. It hooks onto the chair and then wraps you in warmth. Since my trip, they [...]
REI Kingdom 4 Footprint
What's the point of a footprint? Keeps all the cold and moisture from the ground outside of your tent. It's amazing how damp the floor of a tent can be, even if it doesn't rain. REI's footprint is created to be the right size for this tent. You want it slightly smaller so that when it does rain, and [...]
Sleeping Pad – REI Dream Sleeper
Sleep is the most important part of my day. I could write an entire post on my sleep routine and how it is non-negotiable for me. So when it came time for this trip, and hearing horror stories about sleep while camping (or lack thereof), this mattress is top of my list when it comes to your investment. The [...]
Camp Table – Helinox One
I didn't start my trip with a side table. I thought it was silly, completely unnecessary. Why do you need a small table when you have a big picnic table at nearly all campgrounds? It didn't take long for me to change my tune. I wanted something to sit beside me while I was around the campfire. Most of [...]
Plates, Bowls & Utensils
You can find sets of plates, bowls, utensils from many companies. I liked the GSI Cascadian collection (also available in a 4 person set). I finally decided on this set because they were durable, I liked the size, and I loved all of the colors. When it comes to size I was looking for a few [...]
Yeti Rambler
I'm a Yeti fan. I like that it keeps my drinks cold or hot for a very long time. I like that they are durable. I like that they have a variety of sizes and lids to meet my needs. My favorite, a 30oz tumbler, is with me all of the time. It's a great road trip cup. [...]
ENO DoubleNest Hammock
I love a hammock. Always have. I was an early adopter of the ENO hammock. I've had one for years. I'd hang it on my screened porch, take it to a park, or string it in the backyard. It is my favorite place to take a nap or read a book. So when it came to packing and [...]
Helinox Rocking Feet
When people struggle to wrap their heads around camping for a year, I remind them that I'm camping...not roughing it. The rocking feet to my chair is one example of how enjoyable I've made my adventure. I love my Helinox chair. It's cozy and comfortable for evenings by the campfire or those days I decide to read at [...]
Thermacell Rechargeable Mosquito Repeller
If a mosquito is anywhere in a 100-mile radius, it will find me. And after it feasts, the bite will be joined by a welt. They are painful and really annoying. I have spent most of my life trying bands and oils and sprays and not going outside. Nothing worked. When I was in Bend, OR, after [...]
Goal Zero Crush Light Lanterns
A lot of lighting options are available for camping, hiking, and other outdoor fun. I'm quite fond of the collapsibility and solar components of the Goal Zero Crush Light Lanterns. They come in white and chroma. The white allows for three levels of brightness. The chroma allows you to cycle through 8 color modes. You can [...]
REI Kingdom Mud Room
If you are asking yourself "why does a solo traveler need additional space when they have a 4-man tent?", I did too. After reading reviews most people suggested I invest in the Kingdom Mud Room. Having lived in this space for nearly a year, I get it. The Mud Room is the additional vestibule area off of the [...]
Helinox Savanna Chair
Finding the perfect camp chair is challenging. It requires a lot of sitting and testing. I started out with a more traditional chair, but after a few stops, I realized the seat was too low and it was challenging to get out of the chair. I needed to find a chair that would cradle me when I sat [...]
Eureka Ignite 2-Burner Camp Stove
A camp stove makes mealtime much easier. I went with the Eureka Ignite 2-Burner stove. I like that it's easy to light, very lightweight, and has the 2-burner option. I didn't use both very often, but it was nice to know I could. The camp stove industry seems to change constantly. I highly recommend talking to someone at [...]
IceMule Classic Cooler
I bought an Ice Mule while visiting the REI Flagship store in Seattle. I had purchased several smaller coolers throughout the trip thinking it would be nice to have an easy cooler to have on the front seat for lunch, store drinks for travel days, and store vegetables that didn't need refrigerated but I didn't want them cooking in [...]
Yeti Tundra 45 Cooler
Determining food storage was really challenging for me. I watched a million videos. Some people went with coolers, others with plug-in refrigeration coolers. The price tag of the plug-in coolers was too shocking for me. I knew I needed to invest in something that would keep the cooler cold for multiple days. After reading countless reviews and talking to [...]
REI Kingdom 4 Tent
I started the trip with a classic dome tent. It was only a few weeks before I decided I wanted a tent with more space. Most importantly, one I could stand up in. I opted for REI's Kingdom 4. My thoughts: Size - The footprint has fit into every campsite. The height allows me to stand [...]