Travel Tips - Pitstops for Kids

On being a skiing family: From the first green run to a family ski vacation

January 12, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

Recently, I read a Facebook update from a friend and fellow travel writer that declared something along the lines of, “Third time’s a charm! On our third ski vacation, we finally fell in love with skiing.”

This happy statement made me reflect on my own family’s ski ‘journey’, which started perhaps a bit differently than most. Unlike many parents, we considered ourselves a ‘skiing family’ even before our kids could ski. My husband and I had both grown up with the sport in the Tahoe area, myself racing slalom at the state level through high school. There was nothing I loved more than skiing, and we couldn’t wait to share this winter pastime with our boys.

We started each son on skis at age three, which turned out to be a worthwhile yet exhausting endeavor. By the time our third son was born, we were a full-fledged preschool-and-toddler ski family, with tiny Rossis, boots, snowsuits, goggles, mittens, and other paraphanilia littering the back of our car. We hauled all our gear up to our local ski lodge at Mt. Ashland, Oregon, in a huge duffel bag, with stumbling children (usually with runny noses and lost gloves) trailing in our wake. We set up a port-a-crib in the lodge for our baby, and my husband and I took turns taking laps.

Those early years were fun, but rough. My mom, the boys’ grandma, was actually in the trenches the most, as the most patient ski instructor of our group. Without her, I’m not sure my kids would have mastered the ‘pizza wedge’. As they grew, we continued to teach them on our own during the preschool years, and they followed us like ducklings around our local mountain. We signed the boys up for weekly lessons with our local ski racing club when they hit the required age, and the consistent, dedicated instruction took them from competent intermediate skiers to experts.

Perhaps because we’ve been on the mountain almost every weekend of every winter of our boys’ young lives, we never had that ‘aha moment’. We never experienced that single day in which we said, ‘This is it! We get it now.’ Instead, it just seemed to happen without our noticing, until one season, we were all skiing blacks together and I realized I wasn’t wiping anyone’s nose or helping anyone take off their snowsuit to go potty or sweating in my jacket as I knocked the snow off someone’s little boot and guided it into their binding. After years in the trenches, we could all, as a family, ski any run of any resort…together.

Sometimes, I’m asked whether it was ‘worth it’ to teach my kids to ski so young, when the process was still more like hefting sacks of potatoes than a rewarding day in the outdoors. My answer: absolutely. By declaring ourselves ‘a skiing family’ before we actually were one, I fulfilled the prophecy. And there’s always more to learn. Now, we take family lessons at major resorts from Tahoe to Colorado to learn more skills, my 5th grader is trying to perfect his 360, and my teen skiers are considering backcountry skiing and avalanche courses. I imagine when they have kids, they’ll start as ‘skiing families’ too.

Is your family still working up to that first blue run? Read this account of a family finding that ‘aha moment’ during a private lesson at Vail.

Squaw Valley CA with school-aged kids and teens: where to stay, dine, and ski

January 5, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

A ski vacation is the perfect socially-distanced getaway, in the outdoors! Every ski resort experience is different this season, so visit Squaw Alpine’s website for the latest COVID updates and regulations..Squaw Valley CA has long enjoyed a reputation for challenging ski terrain for advanced and expert skiers. In the last several years–most recently after their merge with neighbor Alpine Meadows ski resort–Squaw has also been working hard to earn the reputation of family ski destination. While the resort has made great strides toward this goal during their 5 Year $70 Million Plan (partway through in 2013), for us, it remains the go-to Tahoe ski resort location for steep, varied, and challenging mountain terrain. Does this mean it’s not a family resort? Not at all: it’s an ideal ski resort for families of advanced to expert skiers.

Skiing Squaw with advanced skiers and snowboarding kids:

While Squaw has a great beginner’s area at mid-mountain (which makes for more interesting skiing for newbies than being delegated to slopes adjacent to the parking lot), the ski boundary boasts so much great bowl, tree, and cornice skiing that it would be a shame to waste. Put another way: beginners will find what they need here, but they won’t get to experience the best of the mountain.

So what is the best of Squaw Valley with school-aged kids and teens? The varied, multiple ways to get your black diamond skiing and snowboarding on. From the village base, skiers and riders can head straight up KT-22 chair, made famous in the 1960 Olympics, and spend the day exploring all the nooks and crannies around its bowls and ridges. Just as satisfying is the Granite Chief region at the other end of the resort, where powder and trees reign. Headwall chair takes skiers to the top and great moguls, whereas Siberia offers steep groomers and access to the terrain park and half pipe. If the phase ‘something for everyone’ has crossed your mind, you’d be right.

There’s plenty of blue square intermediate runs in-between, and the aforementioned beginner areas, but after spending four ski days at Squaw in the 2013 season, its steeps and deeps impressed us more than anything else…unless you count the views, which are some of the best in the Sierras.

Squaw Valley lodging:

Squaw Valley Village Lodging is ideal for families wanting to hit the slopes early and hard. In Village 1, we were steps from the Funitel Gondola and even closer to dining, tickets, and the Olympic House base lodge. After working hard on the slopes, it’s very welcome to skip a car or shuttle ride and deposit skis and boards directly into in-house ski lockers before hitting the hot tub. Village housing includes 1-3 bedroom units, all of which include a fireplace, full kitchen, and tubs as well as showers. Hot tubs are in Buildings 2-5, so if you opt for Building 1, you’ll be closer to the lifts and enjoy arguably better views, but will have to walk outside and back in to access the hot tub and fitness center.

Squaw Village dining:

We only stay in ski lodging with kitchens, so we can make some meals in-room to save money. Plus, we’re often just too tired in the evenings to go out! If you do venture out, you won’t need a car: the Village offers everything from burgers to bistro fare to sushi. We had a great meal at MamaSake sushi and a al fresco lunch at KT Base Bar. A small grocery will have whatever you forgot at home to make meals in, though you’ll want to do the bulk of your grocery shopping in Truckee or Reno before arriving.

Lunch is available at mid-mountain at the Arc and at High Camp (more on this destination below), or at the base cafeteria-style, deli-style, or sit-down service style at Olympic House. Another perk of village lodging: we ate several lunches in the comfort of our condo, where we made sandwiches, put our feet up, and hung out on the balcony overlooking the village. Plan on a 15 minute ski down to the base from mid-mountain, and longer to get back up via lifts or gondola after eating.

Village and High Camp activities:

If you have energy left after skiing Squaw’s expert terrain (or more likely, if the kids still have energy), the village offers a fun SkyJump (bungee trampoline) for $12 for 5 minutes that’s worth doing once, as well as an indoor climbing wall. If you have lift tickets, they’ll also get you up the Tram to High Camp, where you can ice skate while watching skiers on the slopes, or in spring and summer, swim in the High Camp pool and hot tub. (In summer, the ice skating rink converts to roller skating.) You’ll find a small Olympic museum at High Camp which is worth a short visit (it could use work, but is free and paints a general picture of the 1960 games), and the trip is worth it for the views alone.

If you have beginners or very young kids:

Squaw Kids features group and private ski lessons, though we have not experienced them firsthand. By High Camp are no fewer than three lifts dedicated to beginners, and even our advanced and expert kids really enjoyed the small/medium terrain park located off Belmont Chair in the beginner area. By the end of our visit, they had graduated to the large terrain park off Gold Coast Chair (which also offers lots of nice intermediate groomers).

As I disclose whenever applicable, we experienced Squaw Valley as guests of the resort, for the purpose of review. All opinions are my own.

10 easy ways to decorate your hotel room for the holidays

December 4, 2020 By Amy Hagstrom

The Pit Stops for Kids crew will be spending the holidays in a Tahoe vacation home this year, so I’m making plans now to make our stay as festive as we’d enjoy at home. If you, too, will be spending your winter holidays away from home, we have 10 easy ways to decorate your hotel room for the holidays…or any condo or vacation home!

Decorate condo or hotel room windows or porch with a string of battery-operated Christmas lights. Find these at your local dollar store! Tip: you can wrap them around the handle of strollers or even around ski helmets to be festive on-the-go!
Buy a local wreath or garland. Once you’ve arrived at your destination, explore your immediate area by looking up a farmer’s market or holiday bazaar, where you can buy a locally-sourced wreath for your condo or vacation home door.
Check condo and vacation home storage closets for decorations. Most will have a stash of holiday decorations stored in a utility closet or pantry. Ask the home owner or lodging association if it’s ok to put these up (and take them down). I’ve never been told no!
Bring a holiday-themed tablecloth and candles for the table. It’s a small touch, but it goes a long way!
Buy a permit and cut down your own tree upon arrival. Going somewhere rural? Look up where to buy a Christmas tree permit before you leave home, and stop by for it en route to your condo or vacation home. Your first vacation activity can be a hike through the snowy woods for your own tree!
Decorate your cruise ship cabin door. Buy or make your own holiday magnets for cruise ship cabin doors, which are magnetic. The practice can get quite competitive, so bring your A game!
Play holiday tunes. Don’t underestimate the power of music to set a holiday mood. Bring a portable speaker and sync it with your smart phone or an iPod set on a holiday radio station.
Have a small tree delivered. Don’t have time or space for a regular-sized tree? Buy a small, live potted tree to use as a table-top centerpiece. Purchase at a local nursery, and decorate with a select few of your favorite ornaments from home, or order one.
Bring holiday bedding. Kids love curling up in their very own holiday-themed sheets and blankets, and these decorate the room, too. Bring your own bedding from home, or make a gift of new holiday bedding, which is easy to bring to a condo or vacation home.
Decorate yourselves! Buy the family holiday-themed pajamas to wear, or a matching set of Santa hats. When you’re all dressed up for the holidays, the feeling of celebration will live in your vacation home, hotel room, or condo with or without the decorations.

Remember: in addition to decorating your temporary living space, you’ll want to safeguard your actual home while you’re away. During our absences, we ask a friend to check on our house regularly, leave porch and holidays lights lit, lower heat and unplug appliances, and let ask multiple neighbors to watch our home.

Backcountry skiing basics: How to get into the sport

December 2, 2020 By Amy Hagstrom

It’s never been a better time to get into the backcountry and leave the crowds behind! Here’s how to get into the sport during the COVID season!

An avid downhill skier and snowshoer, I’ve been noting the small but growing trend toward backcountry skiing for some time now. This sport, which combines a love of nordic exploration and downhill excitement, attracts men and women (and yes, some kids) who want to carve their own line down mountain terrain and explore the wilderness at the same time.

I got my first pair of backcountry skis in 2012, which were basically fat nordic skis with a three-pin binding. I found I could navigate single-track nordic trails with steep inclines much better than my nordic skier counterparts, and I was hooked. Today, all-terrain (or AT) ski gear is much more involved, but AT skiing is still a fairly diverse term. Just like the sport itself, it can mean something different to every enthusiast, from short hikes up to freshies from lift-accessed runs to full-day expeditions with beacons and probes.

In January, I was lucky enough to experience the sport in more depth, this time trying out top-of-the-line AT skis, boots, and bindings on a half-day, strenuous backcountry ski day in Utah’s Cottonwood Canyon near Solitude Mountain Resort.

I headed out with Utah Mountain Adventures after getting outfitted with Voile skis with Dynafit bindings and Scarpa AT boots. I carried a backpack with plenty of water, plus a shovel and avalanche probe. I strapped an avalanche beacon, provided by Utah Mountain Adventures, to my body.

The only way to get fresh powder runs was to climb uphill, so my first lesson was in putting on skins. Turns out, this is easy. The hard part is to climb upslope. We climbed for over two hours, stopping for a few breaks, skinning up a mountainside in the Wasatch Mountains. I’d like to say I enjoyed the whole experience, but in truth, by hour two, I was sweating enough to shed a layer and starting to feel hot spots (which turned into blisters) where my socks rubbed in my boots. I was told to loosen my AT boots for the uphill climb (there’s a walk mode and ski mode), and while I’m sure this is sound advice, it didn’t help on the blister front.

The whole uphill experience reminded me of hiking: there were periods of enjoyment while I took in breathtaking views and reveled in being in the wilderness in winter, but also periods during which I had to set tiny goals–get to the next tree, get to the next open slope–in order to carry on. In other words, it’s crucial to love the outdoors and the uphill ‘hiking’ process, or the joys of backcountry skiing may be lost on you.

Climbing in AT skis is not very difficult–it’s much like cross-country skiing–but there are moments when kick turns may be necessary to zig-zag along steep grades. Yes, there’s a learning curve to this, but here’s what I was told (and it helped): use as much of the flat plane of your ski base as possible. Staying on your edges, where you don’t have skins, won’t help you keep traction.

Once we’d summited a peak in Cottonwood Canyon, the fun began. We took off our skins, stowed them in our packs, and switched our boots and bindings to downhill mode. (Dynafit bindings are unique in that they transition from climbing mode, with the heel untethered, to downhill mode, with the heel locked down just like alpine skiing, with one twist of the back binding. They also feature ‘risers’ that can be raised while in climbing mode, which assist on steep ascents, much like going a gear lower on a bike. Yes, they’re nifty.)

We picked our line for the descent, and carved down the beautiful, light powder. Thanks to the efforts of our uphill hike, the terrain wasn’t skied out like it quickly becomes on lift-accessed terrain. I happily followed the lead of our guide, who knew the area and how to traverse through the glades and open slopes and still find our starting point back at base. Without him, I would have needed a GPS in unfamiliar territory.

Raised in the deep powder of Tahoe, skiing off-piste before I knew what that meant, I loved every second of the descent. Yes, it was challenging, but also very satisfying, knowing I’d earned my turns. I never needed my beacon, but was glad for the security it offered. Back at the base of the mountain, I switched my skis back to climb mode, and ‘cross-country skied’ my way back to the car on flat terrain. The sun was setting by the time we returned, and trust me, I’d earned my pizza and beer.

What you’ll need to get started in AT skiing:

AT or telemark skis (these are the skis I tried)
AT or telemark boots (the most comfortable seem to be Dynafit)
any ski poles
backpack
shovel, probe, and beacon
breathable outerwear
plenty of layers (wool is best)

Tips for beginners (like me):

I recommend going with a guide, like I did, your first time out (or any time out in an unfamiliar area). Most guide services can also rent AT skis and boots, which are expensive to buy yourself at first. More importantly, guides know where to go and are trained in avalanche safety (check to make sure!).

Any time out in the backcountry, everyone in your party should carry a beacon and shovel, at very least. I fell once during my trip, and lost one ski. It was deeply buried almost instantly, and had it been me, I would have been glad for my beacon, guiding others to me. Luckily, I found the ski without needing my shovel. If you go out without a guide, you should have completed an avalanche safety course. They are offered almost everywhere now, from gear stores to ski resorts.

If you haven’t explored winter terrain at all yet, start by snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Hit trails you’re familiar with in the summer months; they’ll have a different feel in winter! Alternatively, try backcountry skiing from lift-accessed terrain. At any ski resort, look at a terrain map to see where off-piste (or non-groomed) terrain is located. Make sure it’s open the morning of your ski, and then climb only from the top of a lift (shortening your ‘hike’). Yes, others will have the same idea, so make this one of your first few runs of the day. Afterward, relax with some cruisers. Some resorts, such as Keystone Mountain in Colorado, even offer cat rides to off-piste terrain, allowing skiers to find fresh powder without AT gear.

Can kids AT ski? Sure, though it’s currently hard to find skis and boots to fit kids under age 12 or so. There’s a reason for this: AT skiing is a lot of work. My recommendation (that I’m following with my own kids): introduce the idea of backcountry exploration when kids are small, with snowshoe treks. Then, graduate to AT skiing when kids are teens. Make sure they’re expert skiers on groomed terrain, too.

Can snowboarders AT ‘ski’? Yes, Voile and other makers are now creating split snowboards, which split into two short ‘skis’ for the uphill climb, then come together to create a board for the downhill. It’s the coolest transformer yet!

I’ve heard the argument that AT skiing is popular because skiers can avoid the high cost of lift tickets. While this is true, and while I do think most lift ticket prices have gotten out-of-hand, I don’t think true AT ski lovers climb miles of terrain for this savings. It’s simply too much work to do it for any reason but a love of the outdoors and the sense of freedom. It’s a way to challenge oneself outside of the ski resorts, and well worth the effort of learning a new discipline within alpine skiing.

I toured the Wasatch with Utah Mountain Adventures at no cost, for the purpose of testing AT ski gear.

Best family vacations during a time of social distancing

November 12, 2020 By Amy Hagstrom

If you’re an adventurous family, you’re probably itching to travel again. Travel is coming back, but it will look different than in the past. We took an amazing rafting trip–and felt completely safe–in the midst of CV-19, for instance. Then, we ‘glamped’ in a rural location. The key: focus on outdoor-centric vacations that naturally promote social distancing.

Outdoor vacation ideas for families needing to social distance.

Note: Be careful if you’re doing activities requiring a release of liability waiver, and make sure that you’re thinking ahead to any safety concerns that might be specific to your destination.

Once you’ve considered safety, the following are some tips and ideas to plan an adventure-friendly family vacation.

Rafting in the Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is a beautiful bucket list-type trip. Rafting can be one of the best ways for your family to explore the area.

There are options such as what’s offered by the Grand Canyon Expeditions Company that will take you along 277 miles of rafting for eight days. Alternatively, any rafting company, like OARS, can take you out into the wilderness for a rafting, kayaking, and camping adventure.

You can camp at night, and the trips are well-planned in terms of adventure but also safety. This trip is recommended for kids eight and older.

South African Safari

International travel is limited right now with the ongoing COVID-19 situation, but when it resumes, consider a trip to South Africa.

Many companies offer kid-friendly safari adventures so you can see giraffes, lions, and leopards in their natural habitat.

Some of the high-end lodges in South Africa offer things like fine dining and pre-planned kids activities, so everyone in the family is happy.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park (or any national park!)

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, located in Tennessee and North Carolina, is the country’s most visited park. It is a domestic and socially-distanced destination as well if you’re looking for a trip you can do now.

The Smoky Mountains feature hikes, such as the 80-foot Laurel Falls hike. You can walk or drive Cades Cove, and there are also more tourist attractions like the Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge.

Costa Rica

There’s no one specific way to enjoy adventurous travels in Costa Rica. The whole country is known for outdoor adventure.

Some families opt for multisport trips that might include rafting, jungle hikes, and surfing. You can do ziplines in the cloud forest canopy, learn more about the rainforests’ wildlife, or visit the Arenal Volcano.

The White Mountains New Hampshire

New Hampshire is an underrated travel destination.

There are rustic lodges and huts that you can visit while you’re in the White Mountains. For example, there’s Lonesome Lake Hut, which is inexpensive, and you can access it via hiking.

There’s also Cardigan Lodge, which is just two hours from Boston and accessible by car.

Jackson Hole

Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is a good adventure destination in the summer and the winter. You can stay at a working ranch and visit nearby Grand Teton National Park. If you stay at a ranch, there are activities like guided fishing tours, floating trips on the Snake River, horseback riding, and nightly cookouts.

During the winter, Jackson Hole is known for skiing.

If you’re not a skier, you can take a winter tour of Grand Teton or Yellowstone National Park from a snow coach. You can take a dog sledding tour, go snowshoeing, or take a sleigh ride through the National Elk Refuge.

The Swiss Alps

The Swiss Alps might be among the most breath-taking scenery you’ll find anywhere in the world.

You can plan a family trip to hike and explore the alps organized by a company, or you can plan it on your own.

The Alps, along with hiking, are known for river rafting, dog-sledding, and bike riding. You can visit restaurants perched on mountain tops and enjoy local cheese. There are beautiful chalet hotels and even the train rides are stunning.

Scuba Diving in the Keys

Finally, the Florida Keys aren’t known for their beaches, but they are known for their snorkeling.

If your kids are old enough, you can make your way through the keys by boat and snorkel the best spots.

A lot of the resorts will offer scuba diving options. For example, Hawks Cay, located in Duck Key, can arrange scuba diving.

If you want something longer or further offshore, many companies will arrange that as well.

If you really wanted to be adventurous you could rent a catamaran and stay there as you wander through the Keys. There are scuba and snorkeling options for families with kids of all ages.

Top spots include John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo, Sombrero Reef, and Looe Key.

What to expect from a ski vacation during COVID

November 9, 2020 By Amy Hagstrom

Skiing and snowboarding families should expect some differences at ski resorts this year. Ready to try a ski vacation during COVID? Read on!

Ski vacation during COVID: what to expect!

The good news: ski vacations are inherently safe, since they’re outdoors with plenty of fresh air and exercise. Families can pod together easily at ski resorts, and many resorts are expects a La Nina year! Here’s what to expect from a ski vacation during COVID:

Masks in lift lines and in lodges:

This is easy…you and your family are probably already wearing Buffs or other face coverings. If not, outfit your family with any type of balaclava, buff, bandana, or ski mask. If it’s a warm day, simply wear your face covering around your neck when you’re on the slopes. And be sure to check out ski and snowboard in Idaho for fantastic vacation ideas.

Chair lift rides with your crew only:

Again, no big deal, since most chairs seat 4-6 people, and you probably ride up the slopes with your family anyway. Could this mean longer than usual lift lines, as lifties are required to load some chairs with fewer people on them? Yes, so be prepared to rest your legs a bit longer than you might like.

Some lodges closed for the season:

This one can be seen as a bummer, or as an opportunity: some ski resorts will be limiting lodge services. For instance, Mt. Ashland Ski Area‘s historic lodge will be closed for warming, lift ticket purchases, and food services, and will only be open for families to pick up rentals or meet for lessons.

This means that skiing and snowboarding may remind parents of the slopes of their childhoods, when a ski day did not include a $15 burger or ramen bar at lunch. Families will need to tailgate, bring packed sandwiches to eat on the chair, or plan more half-day experiences.

Walk-up ticket sales will be limited:

Most resorts, such as Squaw Valley, will limit walk-up tickets, in order to better control how many guests are on the slopes any given day. Day tickets will still be available, but they will need to be purchased in advance on the website. If day-of tickets are still available online, they may still be purchased.

fOther resorts, such as most Vail Resorts, plan to use a reservation system directly limiting the number of guests per day. This reservation system may be lifted later in the season. At Northstar California, for example, day passes won’t be sold at all until after a soft start for season passholders from opening day until mid-December.

This is the year to splurge on that annual pass:

Because of reservation systems and limits on walk-up sales, the best way to ensure your ski vacation during COVID–and the best way to plan in advance–is to purchase annual passes at your favorite resort. Annual passholders will be granted the most access and receive the most perks this ski season.

Are you ready for the 2020-21 ski season? Prep now by waxing and tuning your own skis with our DIY guide!

Camping recipe ideas and tips for fall

November 5, 2020 By Amy Hagstrom

We enjoyed one of our last summer weekends on the Oregon Coast at Eel Creek Campground. It was cool and foggy, which meant fall camping conditions for us! We came to this part of the Oregon dunes to go sand boarding with a big group of tweens and teens, so we needed to really think through our meal lists. For all your year-round camping adventures, here are a few camping recipe ideas and tips from one camping family to another:

Camping meal tips:

Pack separate coolers: You don’t want your main meal ingredients, like frozen meat, sliced veggies, and staples like milk or eggs to get warm, so place these items in a separate cooler from the one you use for ice and drinks. That way, it’s not opened and closed continuously throughout the day.
Freeze plastic milk jugs instead of bringing blocks of ice: This way, as the ice melts, you have potable drinking water to use, instead of a soggy, leaking cooler. Bonus tip: wrap your headlamp around the milk jug (inwardly) in the evenings for a lantern that will glow brightly!
Pre-sliced or cut meat into the portions needed for your recipes before you leave home, then freeze them in zip-lock bags. Your meat will gradually thaw, and you’ll save a lot of time and energy once at camp if you don’t have to portion the servings. Choose meats that can pull double duty: for example Johnsonville fully-cooked sausage patties can be used at breakfast, then again in dinner tin foil packets or soups.
Bring milk that doesn’t need refrigeration: Consider using powered milk or boxes of milk that don’t require staying cold, like almond milk.
Place all your cooking items into one plastic storage bin: mark it as your ‘kitchen’ bin and keep everything together. For organization at camp, use a hanging shoe organizer to stow spices, utensils, and knives you need to keep out of kids’ reach.
Be sure to safely store food at camp: Use a bear locker or bin if provided by the campground, or hang food from a tree in a sleeping bag stuff sack if you’re in bear country. If not, store food in a locked car at night to prevent smaller critters from snacking.
Have a separate lunch bag that kids can dig into on their own. Keeping lunch and snack items apart from your dinner ingredients ensures foods don’t get eaten up early when they’re supposed to be part of recipes! Consider bulk foods for snacks to cut down on packaging and trash, such as trail mix, dried fruit, and nuts from bulk bins.

Fall camping recipe ideas:

Autumn is a great time to camp…the crowds have left your favorite campgrounds, and the weather stays nice in most areas long after Labor Day. Fall is the time for savory, warm camping meals between traditional BBQing sessions. Here are a few fall camping recipe ideas:

Egg scramble: Start with a layer of hash browns on your griddle (bring frozen hash brown patties for ease), then scramble with eggs, sausage, cheese, and any fresh veggies you’ve brought along. Serve on tortillas for breakfast burritos that reduce the need for plates…and dish duty.
Dinner tin foil packets: Anything goes in these fun dinner packets! Start with a square of tin foil for each person. Create a buffet of chopped veggies and sliced meats (pre-cooked is best for fast cook times), plus diced potato and any spices you want to add. Each person creates a customized packet, then places it over the grill (allow coals to get hot first…not over a new fire). Cook until potatoes are soft…this may require some checking by parents.
Potato soup or chili: Use the burner on your camp stove to make a big batch of easy-to-make potato soup or chili (or one of each!). We like to use soup starters that come in powder mixes when we camp, then we add cooked meat or veggies to the mix ourselves. Sausage, diced chicken, fresh corn, or red bell pepper work great in the soup, and any meat or beans can be added to chili mixes. When the weather is turning cool, it’s great to have soup on the camp stove! Bring a pan of cornbread from home to serve alongside!
Hot dogs over the fire…with extras: Have kids gather sticks and roast hot dogs over the fire, then add some extras. Remember that chili you served the night before? Reserve some for your hot dog night! Add diced onion (get it pre-packaged, or dice at home), avocado, shredded cheese, or roasted veggies to the mix.

Do you have a top fall camping recipe idea? A family favorite? Share in the comments! Note: comments submitted may be displayed on other websites owned by the sponsoring brand.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Johnsonville. The opinions and text are all mine.

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Renting vs buying an RV: Which is right for you?

November 1, 2020 By Amy Hagstrom

So many people are taking to the roadways to travel right now. With COVID cases rising not just in the U.S. but throughout the world, many people don’t want to hop on planes like they once did. Thinking of buying an RV? Read this first!

The safety of a long car drive is probably pretty compelling if you don’t want to be in crowded places with other people, and particularly on a plane or even in a hotel. You might then think you’re going to drive anyway; why not do so in an RV?

Traveling in an RV is the perfect socially distancing means of traveling with your family.

If you’ve never traveled by RV before, should you rent or should you buy? Even if you have traveled by RV before, but you think you might like to do it again more in the future, is renting or buying better?

Rent First If You’ve Never Traveled by RV

If you’ve never been in an RV, the best advice is to rent one first.

Traveling by RV can be something that people love. Once they do it, they’re hooked, and they don’t envision every doing it differently.

At the same time, there are people who romanticize the idea of RV travel, and then when they do it, it doesn’t mean their expectations.

You certainly don’t want to have started the process of buying an RV just to discover you don’t like it.

There’s a lot of work that goes into traveling by RV, which many people underestimate.

If you haven’t traveled by an RV before, luckily, there are rental sites that operate similarly to Airbnb that make it easy to try it out. Go for a short trip initially, because again, there are likely to be many unexpected things that come up that you may or may not like.

Along with generally getting a feel for it, specific benefits of renting an RV before buying include:

You can figure out the configuration you like best. For example, some people like having a kitchen that faces the door, while other people want their sofa facing the door.
You get to drive an RV and understand more about how they handle.
You can start to get a hands-on understanding of how RVs work.

How Much Does it Cost to Rent an RV?

Of course renting is not an investment the way buying an RV is, but if you already know that you like traveling this way and you’re regularly renting, the costs can add up quickly.

An RV rental price can depend on a lot of factors but is usually on par with staying in a moderately-priced hotel.

For example, it can be $100 up to several hundred dollars a night.

There might also be a lot of extras added on, depending on where you rent from. Extra costs may include extra mile surcharges, and of course you have to pay for gas.

Maintenance

If you buy an RV, you have to think about the initial costs of making any big purchase.

Then, you need to factor in everything else that goes with ownership, such as maintenance costs.

If You Buy, You Can Rent It Out

In contrast to some of the downsides of buying an RV, there are pros. If you buy an RV, it might be a lucrative investment. Just like you could be considering renting, many other people are as well. When you’re not using your RV, you can rent it out and make some money that will help cover the costs of ownership.

What to Know About Renting an RV

If you do decide to rent an RV, what should you know in general?

First, renting an RV can be a bit intimidating for a first-timer, so take as many of the unknowns out of it as you can.

For example, plan your route, budget, and activities you’re interested in along the way.

Make sure you’re familiar with the types of available RVs so that you pick one that’s going to suit your needs. You need to think about space, and just because you see an RV listing that says it will sleep six, for example, it doesn’t mean this will be comfortable.

You also need to learn more about the types of campgrounds available and what hookups and amenities they have.

Overall, if you have no or very limited RV experience, the best recommendation is probably to give yourself at least a few chances to get to know what it’s like with a rental.

Achieve your RV-ownership dreams with information from The Home Loan Expert
Questions to ask before buying travel insurance
How to finance an RV

Pit Stops for Kids’ Pre-Road Trip Checklist

October 12, 2020 By Amy Hagstrom

My Busy Kit is a must in the ‘carry-on’ bag!

As my family and I gear up (literally speaking!) for our upcoming 22-day road trip throughout the western states, piles of equipment, duffel bags, coolers, and the like are starting to dot the landscape of our family room. As I always wonder before an extended trip, I’ve been asking myself: is this all really going to fit into our minivan?

Somehow, it always does. The key to this magic trick? Organization, organization, and more organization. In case you, too, have a trip to pack for, here’s how we divide up all that stuff that accompanies a single family on a road trip:

One ‘checked’ bag per person.

No, we’re not flying on this trip, but the same rule applies (and if it’s over 50 lbs, I pocket the penalty cash…just kidding). Each person in our family is allotted one checked bag, and they all go in our car top duffel so that they’re out of the way until we stop for the night.

Our Family Car Organizer all stuffed and ready to go!

Two family ‘carry-on’ bags.

I know that many families opt to have each child carry his or her own stuff in individual bags, but we’ve found that causes too much clutter with three kids, especially since they bring so many like items.

Our first carry-on (usually our large Tuffo Family Car Organizer) is filled with activities for the car.* These include everyone’s books, travel journals, small toys, My Busy Kits, coloring books, auto Bingo checklists and other car games, and non-perishable snacks like jelly-bellies, goldfish crackers, and the like.

Our second carry-on is filled with electronics. For this, I use my trusted Timbuk2 laptop messenger bag. In it are more than enough compartments to fit (and keep organized) my laptop, the kids’ Nintendo DS units, everyone’s camera (yes, everyone has one…you can buy used digital cameras for a steal on Ebay these days!), iPods, our portable DVD player and portable TV (which we use for a second screen), DVDs and Nintendo games, and all the various chargers and cords. (Don’t forget headphones and a duel headphone adapter!) Within the main bag, we use gallon-sized zip-lock bags to keep the components of each type of electronic item separate.

A plastic grocery bag.

Actually, let’s make that several plastic grocery bags. What are they for? I bet you can guess! But besides car sickness and other unforeseen emergencies, they’re great to slip around a car hook as a garbage bag and as a temporary home for wet shoes, swimsuits, soiled clothes, and the like.

A cooler with ice.

We pack lunches, snacks, and drinks whenever possible. Not only does it save money on the road, but eating pre-packed food ensures that we’ll stop at more scenic locations for our breaks, like roadside viewpoints or parks, rather than fast food joints. Besides, traveling with kids is nearly as hard as running a marathon…best if everyone fuels up with healthy options! And when you simply can’t find a decent place to stop, or one person declares he will simply die of hunger if he doesn’t eat right now (is that just my kids?)…you have assess to your food right in the car!

Add pillows (if there’s room), a diaper bag (if you have a little one) and there you have it…everything we take with us in the car. After all, when your square footage is lacking, less is definitely more!

Quick and easy guide to kids’ road trip snacks

October 5, 2020 By Amy Hagstrom

There’s a lot that goes into making a road trip happen. Your level of organization probably lands somewhere in between winging it and micromanaging every detail, and with kids, you always have to leave room for the unexpected. If there’s one thing you should get right, though, it’s snacks for the road.

Guide to road trip snacks:

A sick kid is the surest way to derail your plans, and packing some reliable grub can help you avoid this fate. There are plenty of recipes for crafting easy-to-eat fare from scratch, but if you’re looking for something simple and quick, choose carefully at the grocery store. Pay attention to ingredients, avoid foods with inflammatory additives, and look for fare that is natural or organic. Excessively sugary or processed foods take enough of a toll on kids’ bodies on a normal day, but when you’re on the road, the results can be even worse. With these tips, you can pull off the road trip of a lifetime and keep your kids well while doing so.

Keep it Light

If junk food is a road trip tradition, here’s to breaking tradition and living better! It’s been estimated that kids get up to 40 percent of their calories from foods such as pizza, cookies and soda. When you’re driving for extended period of time, kids are trapped in the backseat with no way to mitigate all those calories. In addition to its obvious unhealthiness, this combination of extra calories and lack of exercise can lead to sickness. If you don’t want to land yourself nursing a sick kid on the side of the road, uphold a no junk food rule.

Opt for Nutritious Options

Processed foods are to blame for a host of health problems affecting kids. As a parent, you’re probably well aware of the ways in which additives and GMOs can irritate young digestive systems and cause problems such as inflammation. Recent innovations by some companies have replaced these ingredients with plant-based ones. Hamptoncreek, for example, utilizes sorghum and pea protein in lieu of materials that are harmful to consumers and the environment. As you prepare for your road trip, find snacks that follow this principle and provide real nutrition for kids.

Make a Plan and Stick to It

Even if you aren’t up for handcrafting enough snacks to last the duration of your trip, you can make the experience easier by making a plan and sticking to it. Pack a cooler with sandwiches, wholesome juice and other easy eats. A sandwich with egg-free mayo and lunch meat can save you from succumbing to the beckoning of fast food. You will likely want to eat out and experience local cuisine during your traverse, so you need only prepare snacks that will fill the gaps. By simply doing this, though, you maintain control of meals and ensure everybody eats well.

Skip Greasy Temptations

The aforementioned temptation of fast food has been the downfall of many. Remember that there’s often a price to pay when kids don’t eat well, and keep snacks such as fruit, sandwiches and hamptoncreek cookies for occasional treats. So long as you can avoid greasy fare and stay focused on the road, you’re sure to have a trip to remember. When it comes to memories, keep those of sick kids at bay and make ones with happy, healthy kids instead. The food you choose will make all the difference.

Keep the Whole Family in Mind

Though keeping the kids well is your top concern, you should also consider what you plan to eat. Don’t neglect to pack some grub for yourself and any other adults along for the ride. One of the best parts of bringing along healthy snacks is their appropriateness for every member of the group. When you’re making plans, consider favorite foods and eating habits of the whole family. It’ll make for a better experience, and with access to nutritious snacks, everybody will have the energy to grab the road trip by its horns. Whether they’re at school, at home, or in the backseat, your kids deserve the advantage of healthy and nutritious meals. By cutting out additives, GMOs, and other harmful ingredients, you are taking important steps towards investing in their long-term health. Don’t let a road trip be a lapse in this commitment when instead, you can plan for it by keeping a supply of healthy and natural snacks on hand for the whole family.

And now that you’re snack-ready, how about some tried-and-true road trip games?!