Our journey with the REI Westward 6 Person Tent began when we realized it was finally time to update our family car camping setup. Our trusty tent we received as a wedding gift 11 years ago finally called it quits, and with four growing kids ages 4 to 9, we needed a roomy basecamp that … Read more
For all the planning, prep, and experience of adventurous families, sometimes things just go completely awry and turn our best laid plans into misadventures. We can have a great meal plan, but forget all the food. We may have taken the family skiing hundreds of times, and still choose to drag sick kids out despite … Read more
It’s time to start gearing up for back to school season! The best school gear does double duty, keeping kids comfortable in the classroom while holding up during recess, after school activities, and weekend adventures. Our team of mamas has rounded up our favorite high-quality back to school gear for outdoorsy kids that is perfect … Read more
There are so many aspects of preparing for a long-distance thru hike with your family! Backpacks, sleep setups, food systems, and certainly not least, the clothing you will wear and bring. When my family, two adults and seven children, undertook to hike the Appalachian Trail, the right apparel was definitely on our minds. Choosing clothes … Read more
According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, an estimated 1% of the population globally has Celiac disease, an autoimmune disease that requires a strict gluten-free diet. In addition, an estimated 11-25% of US households eat a gluten-free diet. At Tales of a Mountain Mama, we want everyone to be able to experience the outdoors and to … Read more
If you are going to take kids on a thru-hike (or really any long-distance backpacking trip), you need to think a bit more carefully about gear than if you were just taking them in a mile or so to basecamp at a lake for your backpacking trip. If you get nothing else from this post, … Read more