Misadventures
Mind in motion — family, trails, and everything that went sideways.
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Surviving Family Chaos
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If I had a nickel for every time I’ve said, “Close the door!” “Go get dressed!” or “We don’t eat in our underwear!” I’d probably own a private island by now.
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Things Nobody Told Me About Becoming a Volleyball Mom
It all started with a $50 tryout: six hours of volleyball over three days. As both my boys played, I thought, this was the perfect and affordable childcare for my younger one while his big brother tried out for real.
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Family Backpacking Weekend on Mount San Jacinto
We drove east on Interstate 10 through that wide valley where thousands of enormous white turbines stand spinning across the desert, and we did what everyone does the first time, we admired them.
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What Could Possibly Go Wrong? Backpacking Catalina Island With Teens
We boarded the morning ferry full of optimism, excitement, and far more confidence than our training hikes this year justified. The morning boat ride took us to Avalon, where we stocked up on trail snacks — the same snacks we get tired of every trip, and yet somehow bring every single time.
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Surviving Teen 2.0: The Sequel No One Warned Me About
I thought I knew what to expect. I’d already survived the first round of adolescent metamorphosis with my oldest. Let’s call him Teen-One, aka pantry-raiding raccoon. I thought I had the roadmap: the screen-timer, the candy under lock and key. I believed I was prepared.
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Grand Canyon Rim - River-Rim: A Family Adventure
Because nothing says “Happy Anniversary” like hiking 17 miles with your teenagers We had it all planned out for our 20-year anniversary trip: hike down the South Kaibab Trail, spend two glorious nights at Phantom Ranch (with real beds and lemonade on tap), then hike out via Bright Angel Trail with a night at Havasupai Garden Campground.
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24 Miles of Steep Trails, Sky, and Sea
Four Days. One Island. A Family’s Journey Across the Trans-Catalina Trail. Every mile had a view, and every view had a price. From Avalon to Two Harbors, we hiked 24 miles of steep ridges, ocean views, and rolling hills.
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Doing the Splits Between Worlds
Caught Between Cultures and Generations and Always Out of Sync We land in Switzerland. Our bodies step off the plane, but our brains are still somewhere over the Atlantic, wondering what day it is. But the first test comes immediately: greetings. In the U.S., it’s hugs. In Switzerland?
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When Menopause and Puberty Collide: The Ultimate Hormonal Showdown
If you ever find yourself in a house where puberty and menopause are happening at the same time, good luck! Buckle up! It’s a wild ride.
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When My Husband Cooks: A Love Story in Smoke, Flour, and Cheese
At the beginning of our relationship, my husband told me, “You only eat out of necessity. You don’t know how to enjoy food.” I laughed it off at the time because, well… food is fuel, right? I still stand by the idea that food is for nourishment.
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Orienteering in the Anza Borrego Desert: The Ultimate Navigation Challenge
Orienteering is always an adventure, but when you take it to the vast, open landscapes of the Anza Borrego Desert, it becomes something entirely different: a test of strategy, endurance, and navigation where both your brain and legs get a serious workout.
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Junior Lifeguards: Sun, Surf, and Ocean Skills
Despite the sunny California beach and sparkling waves under a flawless blue sky, there’s a special kind of panic that comes from watching your kids swim toward a buoy that looks like it’s in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
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Neighborhood Tales with Tails
There's something uniquely wonderful about the dog-walking community in any neighborhood. We may not always know each other's names, but we definitely know each other's dogs.
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The Reality of a Family Ski Trip
Every winter, we pack up our lives for a week and embark on a journey that defies all logic, especially to a Swiss mind.
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Swiss Alps Adventure: Four Nations and a Hut at the Top
The Swiss Alps are stunning, but let’s be honest, dragging kids up a 3,280-foot elevation gain over three miles? That’s an uphill battle of its own. So, as all clever parents do, we got creative.
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Through Red Rocks and Turquoise Waters: Our Family’s Havasupai Adventure
With turquoise waters, hidden waterfalls, and epic family adventures, Havasupai has it all. If you’re looking for breathtaking beauty, a little challenge, and the kind of memories that stick, this is the place.
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Overnight Backpacking Adventures: Surviving the Trail with Family Fun
Tips, humor, and stories from the trail that will make you want to pack your bags The Journey Begins We decided to do an overnight backpacking trip on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). It’s like a day hike but with more gear, more effort, and way more opportunities to laugh at ourselves.
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Into the Wild(ish): Our Family’s Attempt at Survival Skills
Learning ancient survival skills… and why we’re glad we don’t actually live in the Stone Age. The alarm went off at 6 a.m., and we groggily rolled out of bed.
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The Chaos Before the Calm: Getting Ready for a Family Hike
Before the Trail: The Art of Family Hiking Prep The Hardest Part: Just Getting Out The Door They say the hardest part of any adventure is just getting out the door. I don’t know who they are, but after years of family hiking trips, I think they might have been watching my house.
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Hiking Adventures of a White Dog: A Comedy in Dirt and Drama
What you need to know about hiking and backpacking with a dog, a white dog! Meet my golden doodle, who, despite her name, is more doodle than golden. In fact, she’s white. At least she starts out white. Let’s just say by the end of any backpacking trip, she’s the furthest thing from white.
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Life with family is rarely picture-perfect. It's messy, unpredictable, and often hilarious. Here I share the beauty in imperfect moments, and writing about it keeps me sane while raising tiny humans into (hopefully) responsible adults.
- Outdoor adventures — Stories from the trails, camping trips, and nature's surprises.
- Parenting humor — The highs, lows, and hilarious moments of raising kids.
- Relatable stories — Moments that remind us we're all in this beautifully messy journey together.
- Pet fiascos — Featuring our golden doodle, whose expertise lies in finding mud and creating chaos.