Run Wild My Child

One thing I’ve learned over the years is that you don’t have to do every part of family adventure travel “the hard way” to still be outdoorsy, capable, or adventurous.

Yes, we can plan our own fishing trips. We can research lakes, study maps, tie rigs, figure out patterns, scout locations, and spend hours trying to crack the code in a new place. And sometimes we do.

But when we’re traveling as a family, especially somewhere new, hiring a fishing guide IS SO MUCH EASIER and has become one of our favorite ways to experience a destination together.

Some of our kids’ best vacation memories have happened in boats, on rivers, or standing next to a guide teaching them how to cast, net a fish, or identify wildlife. It lets us do something we love and gives us a chance to connect with local people who genuinely love the place they call home.

We almost always leave with fish stories, new knowledge, funny moments, and a much deeper appreciation for the area we’re visiting.

It’s also really nice to NOT have to bait every hook for once.

I think a lot of families assume guides are only for experts or “serious” fishermen, but I honestly think they can make fishing MORE approachable, less stressful, and way more enjoyable for families and beginners, too.

Have you ever hired a fishing guide on vacation? Or is this something you’d consider doing with your family? 🎣

Tagging a few of our favorite guides:

Let me introduce you to the coolest event of the summer..the Go Pro Mountain Games in Vail!

A whole mountain town filled with outdoor adventure, muddy kids, climbing walls, bike races, dogs flying through the air (literally), whitewater events, live music, athletes doing absolutely wild things, and families everywhere outside together?

Sign me up.

And what I love most is that this isn’t just an event where kids stand on the sidelines watching. There are SO many opportunities for them to participate too. Mud runs. Kids races. Climbing. Biking. Adventure events.

It’s the kind of weekend that inspires kids to try hard things, get dirty, cheer loudly, and completely forget their screens exist for a while.

Most of the spectator events are FREE, so families can spend the weekend wandering around Vail watching kayaking, rafting, dock dogs, slacklining, speed climbing, biking, and more.

And I’m extra excited because RWMC will be there this year too!

Our Creative Team member Crystal .st.clair and her family will be on-site covering the event for us, sharing behind-the-scenes, favorite events, family tips, and answering your questions along the way.

If your family loves being outside, adventure, mountain towns, active kids, or unique summer experiences…this one deserves a spot on your bucket list.

Tell me, would your kids be more excited about the mud run, climbing wall, dock dogs, or bike races?

Tis the season of field trips, end-of-year concerts, last-minute dress-up spirit days, forgotten permission slips, snack sign-ups, graduations, spring sports, and somehow still needing to function like a normal adult with a job and a calendar.

And don’t even get me started on trying to cook dinner, keep kids alive, AND plan a “relaxing” summer. 😂

Swipe through for all the reasons we love May anyway (but do we?), and then tell me:

What’s got you running on fumes this month?

To the moms who choose outside.

Who say yes to puddles.
Who let them climb.
Who sit on the sidelines.
Who pack the snacks and the sunscreen.
Who show up tired and try anyway.

Happy Mother’s Day.

The work you’re doing will echo longer than you know.

You don’t have to look like the internet’s version of “outdoorsy.”

You don’t have to homeschool.
You don’t have to camp.
You don’t have to live near mountains.
You don’t have to own expensive gear.

You can work full time.
You can love sports.
You can live in the suburbs.
You can hate bugs.

If you’re getting your kids outside in a way that works for your real life, you’re doing it right.

The outdoors is not exclusive.

It’s available.

Share this with an “outdoor mom” who needs to hear this and let her know she’s crushing it!!

Most nights I fall into bed completely spent...

Overstimulated.
Touched out.
Behind on laundry.
Sunburnt with bug bites.

I am tired.

But it’s the kind of tired that comes from full days.
From kids who ran hard.
From fresh air and late sunsets.
From trying.

And then I remember; there was a version of me who wanted this life so badly.

The kids.
The noise.
The chaos.
The responsibility.

What a privilege to be tired from the very life I once prayed for.

If you’re exhausted tonight, you’re not failing.

You’re living.

📸 credit: .st.clair

Your April doesn’t need to be jam-packed. It just needs a little planning and thoughtful intention.

Every spring I see moms try to “do it all.” The festivals. The sports. The Pinterest crafts. The garden. The big trips.

Ideas are great, but what you really need is a plan to do just a few things and commit.

A few water days.
One memory-maker.
Short easy resets.
Age-appropriate adventures.

That’s how spring starts to feel meaningful instead of chaotic.

If this kind of seasonal planning helps you, this is exactly how we approach every issue of the magazine — realistic rhythms, not overwhelm.

The Spring issue leans hard into that and is filled with “close-to-home” adventures and how to root your kids in nature.

But for now, let’s start with one thing this week…

What’s going on your April calendar first? 🌷