But seriously, how did you do ________? When someone tells me they took a group trip to the Bahamas, they went to Vegas for a weekend getaway without their kids, or they took the family on a backpacking trip, of course I want to hear stories about how awesome the experience was but more importantly though….. logistics, logistics, logistics!  As in logistically, HOW did you do that? Tell me:

• Where’d you find the best place to stay?
• What website had the cheapest flights?
• Who booked your travel?
• Did one person book everything and people paid them back, or was it done individually?
• Who watched your kids for a full 3 days?
• Did your kids carry their own backpacks?
• What gear did you bring?
• How much did everything cost?
• Did you save up before you took the trip or did you just go for it?
• How heavy were your backpacks?
• Did you carry your kiddos or did they walk on their own?

My list goes on and on.

I ask these questions even though I know I could google it or figure it out on my own. I ask because isn’t it sooooo much better to ask someone you know, trust, and who has already done it? In my opinion, yes. Odds are your friend will love sharing with you the intimate details of their trip because they either had a great time and want you to experience the same thing, OR they had a horrible time and want to help you avoid their mistakes. It’s a win-win for the curious adventurer.

A close friend of mine asked me the other day, “So, when you guys go climbing with Blayke… do you wear her on your back while you climb up the wall?” Her question was asked out of innocence on a topic she had no knowledge about. Those who rock climb would know the answer. Those who don’t, would be curious. That’s when it hit me. As logistically minded as I am, I don’t think I’ve ever shared exactly HOW we make a climbing trip after work but before bedtime, a spontaneous camping trip, or a weeknight creek session happen.

Before Blayke, it was no big deal for us to decide on a whim we wanted to do something and then 30 minutes later be on our way. Example: Christmas Day. 2016. Tacoma, WA. It was Christmas morning around 10am. Brice and I, pregnant with Blayke at the time, were sitting in our living room, sipping coffee after opening a few presents. The inevitable, and sometimes argument spurring question came up, “Well, what do you want to do today?” “I don’t know, you?” “I don’t know. Whatever you want”…. and anyone who’s been in a relationship knows how the rest of this conversation goes. After about 5 minutes of back and forth “I don’t care, whatever you want” conversation, Brice says “Wanna go to Canada?” Me – “OK!”

Brice grabbed the laptop, found what time the next ferry to Victory B.C. left, and 45 minutes later we were out the door with a tiny overnight bag that I packed while he found a dog friendly hotel so Sharma could join in our adventure.

Now with Blayke, we have a few more things to think about and it doesn’t always run as smooth but the concept is the same:
1. Identify what you want to do
2. Figure out what you need to make that happen – lists are helpful if it’s something new
3. Either divide and conquer the tasks that need to be done or rock it solo
4. Go!

 

Here’s our logistics breakdown:

When we go rock climbing, or do any other activity, right after work, here’s what it takes to make it happen (During the week – I work 8-5pm, Brice works an hour away from 7-4pm meaning he leaves the house at 6am and gets home around 5:30ish, and Blayke rocks daycare from 7:40-5:20ish):

1. Brice calls me or texts around 4:00pm, ‘Wanna go INSERT ACTIVITY HERE after work?’ Me: 99% of the time – “YES!”

HERE’S THE SPLIT (if we’re meeting at home and riding together):
2/3a. Beka on the way home from work – pick up Blayke from daycare and stop at Wendy’s to get food to eat once we get out to the trail (usually chicken nuggets and French fries for the girl and chicken sandwich for myself).

When I get home – I change Blayke’s diaper and clothes and shoes, if needed, to something that doesn’t matter if it gets dirty because believe you me, it will. Next, change my own clothes & use the bathroom (DON’T forget this step).

Finally, grab a diaper pad, wipes, diapers, BUG SPRAY, water cup for Blayke, pacifier & mimi (a white cloth she holds when she’s tired), drinks for Brice & I, and road snack for Blayke to eat on the way because she gets hangry and we save our dinner for when we get to our destination. No need for toys – nature is full of them!

2/3b. Brice on the way home from work – grab something to eat during hour+ commute. When he gets home – Changes clothes, grabs baby backpack, checks & grabs climbing gear bag (we try to keep all of our climbing gear i.e. rope, shoes, harnesses, chalk bag, protection, helmets, chairs, slings, etc. in one giant bag for organization and for quick access), makes sure there’s water in the truck, and grabs car seat from my car while I’m getting ready.

*Full disclosure on this point – 2/3 doesn’t always go as smooth as it sounds above. Sometimes one of us doesn’t move as fast as the other would like. Sometimes we argue and ride silently out to the wall. Sometimes one of us decides to stay home. Each time, we try to learn from our frustration, adjust, and make the next trip out better and smoother than the last.

4. Get in the truck & go! It’s about a 15 minute drive. When we get to the trailhead to hike to the climbing wall, I carry Blayke, dinner, and Blayke’s stuff. Brice carries the massive climbing bag and drinks. Thankfully, it’s a short hike to our climbing destination.

We typically stay out until it gets dark around 8:30ish. Since Blayke’s bedtime is 8:00, she will start to get a little cranky at times. INSERT COMFORT ITEM. We give her the pacifier & mimi for comfort until we’re ready to pack up and leave. When we get home, it’s “baby wipe bath time” (unless she’s really dirty and necessitates a quick bathtub bath) then straight to bed for little miss. Sometimes she falls asleep in the car on the way back so the last step is done with a little fussing which just motivates us to move faster 😉 Getting outside is totally worth a little fussing every once in a while.

We have yet to go climbing with just Brice, Blayke, and myself. When you’re climbing, one person is climbing up the rock wall (jargon: on the wall) and the other is belaying them (jargon: giving them a catch) which requires full attention to make sure the climber is safe. While we climb, Blayke eats, plays with dirt and gear, and explores.

Thankfully, we have friends who, while awaiting their turn to climb, will keep an eye on Blayke while both of us are on the wall or giving a catch. The more we go out, the more comfortable Blayke gets with chilling, eating her food, and watching us climb but we think she’s still a little young to not have an adult eye on her. Once a route is setup, usually we take turns playing with Blayke while the other one climbs/belay’s friends.

Each time we go, she learns more about the dos and don’ts of climbing* such as:

• DON’T stand on the climbing rope or touch the rope when someone is climbing
• DO play with extra slings and helmets from the gear bag
• DON’T go up to the wall and stand beneath a climber to watch them
• DO watch from behind the belayer & cheer for whoever is on the wall climbing
• DON’T hug or touch people when they are belaying
• DO high five people when they come back down & are finished climbing
• DON’T run into the woods alone or go towards steep edges
• DO explore everything within eye distance
• DON’T litter and let trash blow away
• DO keep our trails and wall clean by utilizing the trash bag

*All good things for adults to know too

It’s been awesome to see the difference in her from the first time we went climbing and she had to be meticulously watched every second, to now she’s comfortable when we get to the wall and knows what she should and shouldn’t do. I think my favorite part is hearing her say either ‘I climb?’ or ‘Go mommy!’.

There’s something incredible about seeing your little ones grow in the outdoors. Plus, teaching Blayke the ways of adventuring helps keep us adventuring instead of feeling like we have to give it up just because we have a kid. A special thanks to friends new and old who help us make these things happen! An adventuring community is the best community.

All it takes is the desire to make something happen, and you can make it happen. The bonus for those of you who read our blog is that – WE’RE HERE TO HELP! If you are curious about doing something outdoorsy but need help or have questions about the logistics we’re here for you 🙂 Just email bekaburton@gmail.com or if you have our number, text us. Also, don’t be afraid to ask your friends the logistics of how they made something happen so you can make it happen for yourself as well. That’s what friends are for!

Let’s adventure together!

-B

*Side Note: We follow those same steps for each thing we do. We don’t typically write out a list because what we need is etched in our brains, but sometimes I make a note in my phone of things we’re going to need as I think of them before I get home. With kids, think relatively minimal/the basics – food, drink, diapers & wipes. It makes it a whole lot easier to go if you aren’t grabbing 30,000 things. BUUT, you know your kid best and if there’s 1 thing that gives them comfort and will make the experience more enjoyable for all – bring it!! (Blayke’s comfort item is her pacifier & mimi for when she starts to get tired and cranky)*

Here’s a few of our latest pics!