If you’ve done any research into hiking or camping, most likely you’ve come across 843,000,000 articles about what you should and shouldn’t use on a hike. If you’re like me, you’ve watched about half of them.
While great information is found in these archives, the hiking parent knows they won’t get by with an ultralight setup. So I’ll document in the near future what Erin and I carry on trail, but what I want to discuss first are a few vehicle-related suggestions to make your progeny’s journey a bit more comfortable.
So we’ll answer “What’s in your bag(s)” in a future post, for right now we’ll discuss “What’s in the Van?”
I give all the creative credit in the world to my wife. Without her constant concern for our children’s comfort, they’d be lead on very spartan hiking trips by moi. Hopefully, they’ll make your afternoon a bit smoother.
- My Rule – Gas up. Don’t be needing gas out in the woods. During a pandemic? No sir. Gas your vehicle up so you can get from your house to the park and back. No exceptions. Get snacks while you’re getting gas.
- Erin’s Brilliant Portable Sink – See the picture above. Erin decided she was going to repurpose an empty detergent container as a make-shift handwashing station. This is such a nice luxury at the end of a long, muddy, rocky, snakey hike. Rinse the container a few times in the sink, fill with water, and stick it in the van. We’ll get off trail, slip out of our boots, put on our flops, and use this little portable sink to wash our hands, face, and whatever needs cleaning.
- Cooler – Get some goodies, and some ice-packs and have a nice cool surprise once back in the car. We typically have some fresh fruit, a jug of Gatorade, cheese sticks, sparkling water, soda-pop, juice boxes, fruit blend pouches.. Not all at once, but those are the ones in heavy rotation.
- Chill Music – It doesn’t always have to be chill I guess. The kids slept to David Bowie’s Greatest Hits last weekend all the way home from Blowing Rock (2hrs). I guess you’d have pretty good dreams falling asleep to tales of Ziggy Stardust and Major Tom, with alpine views still fresh on the mind. Sweet dreams.
- Road Atlas – Thank you, Shelly. Weird birthday present for Erin, or a thoughtful gift from one nature-loving mama to another? Your phone isn’t going to work if you’re heading to the wilds. Downloading directions is always an option but you should err on the side of caution and purchase an atlas, or detailed local map, to help guide you through pockets of low connectivity.
- Flops – I mentioned this earlier, but it deserves detail. Really just a change of clothes for the kids. Extra t-shirts and shorts for all, stuffed in a bag. Another bag holds flip flops for each of them. You too. Who doesn’t love to kick off the boots after 5 miles and put on some comfy sanuks? Plus you minimize the mess, dirty boots are all in the boot.
- Check-in / Check-out – This goes two ways. First: Let someone know your plans, contact them when you leave and when you return. People get seriously lost on day hikes, and it’s these scenarios when you are most vulnerable. You’re not prepared to filter water, you don’t have shelter, you may not have anything to make fire with. My folks always know where we are and our general schedule (things change, kids) I text or call when headed to the trail and again on our return. Adventure safely. Second: Get your mind right. Check-in to the experience, observe, proper planning allows you to relax so you can Check-out.
It goes without mention that there are probably 20 things I left off this list, but you know the basics already. This is just what has really elevated the experience for us in an easy and cost-effective way. Our kids really love being out in nature with us and we are thankful for that reciprocity – and so we nurture it.
