Adventures in Alaska: Hike It Baby

Ever since having kids I've struggled with not having time for my own hobbies anymore. I don't like getting interrupted when I start a project, so I just don't start them. But I feel like I've just found something that I am motivated to do and can complete WITH my kids.

I came across a group on Facebook called Hike It Baby. It's a group dedicated to getting families outside and moving. They have "chapters" in various cities all across the country. People can lead hikes/bike rides/outdoor outings/etc., post where and when they will occur, and any info that would be helpful to parents (how many miles, stroller friendly or not, if there are bathrooms/changing tables, difficulty level). The Anchorage chapter is amazing and there are about 10 different events to choose from almost every day.

I was a little intimidated at first because I didn't know how the kids would do and I would be meeting up with complete strangers. But it was great, the kids survived (even though they complained a lot), and I felt like I accomplished something hard. It's a motivating feeling. We've been 3 times so far and have made new friends along the way. I think we will be incorporating at least one hike per week into our schedule.

One of the "hikes" we went on was actually a 4 mile bike ride along a coastal trail in Anchorage (Tony Knowles). The kids rode bikes and the moms pushed strollers or wore their babies. We stopped at 3 playgrounds along the path.

Isaac got into a brawl with one of the kids and punched him in the eye. Of course it had to be the kid who was supposed to be "leading" the bike ride. And had hearing aids. Isaac was on time-out in this picture. Luckily the mom was cool with it.

We even made it to Costco afterwards. And I did absolutely nothing productive for the 3 days afterward because I was so exhausted. Sage's first time in the cart!

Outdoor fun success!

This was a 3 mile hike up a mountain (South Fork Trail) - not super steep but there were switch backs that the kids whined about. At one point I was pushing Isaac in the stroller while carry Sage on me. There is something empowering about making it to the top. Even if I do have to bribe them with candy :)

This was a themed hike - Pirates and Princesses; the boy princess happens to be the kid Isaac punched in the face, but apparently they were friends on this hike.

Funny story - Isaac gets super whiny when he has to do anything hard. So I attached his blankie to a lanyard so he could walk while sucking his thumb and not drop it in the dirt 100 times. But then I had to keep taking it away because he'd walk so so so slow. The things we do for/to our kids...

We ran into a moose on the trail - pictured in the center

Hike It Baby is also a great resource to just get ideas for places to explore with your own family. Here's some pictures from adventures with just our family. It's really just an attempt to show you that my children dress themselves and never take off their dorky sun hats. ;)