outdoors Archives - Serendipity Mommy

Family Bike Ride Checklist: Spring/Summer Edition

January 13, 2021 by Mandy

Taking a bicycle ride as a family can be a great way to spend some time together. It is also a good way to stay active and healthy. There are plenty of great trails that you can take your family on. However, if you want to consistently have good rides, you will need to do a little preparation. After all, you don’t want to have to spend miles biking on your return trip in inappropriate clothing for the weather.

1) Protective Gear

The first and foremost item on the checklist is protective equipment. This should include a helmet for every rider. Bikes should be equipped with reflectors. If you expect to ride in the dark at all, consider also getting safety lights.

Any unsteady riders should ideally also have elbow pads. If you have a young one, make sure you have a properly sized baby bike seat. Don’t forget to do a safety check on every bike to make sure everything is in working order.

2) Weather- and Riding-Appropriate Clothing and Footwear

Wearing the right clothes can make all the difference in the world. In the summer, this usually means light and loose clothes, ready for hot weather. In the spring it can vary significantly. Check the weather before you head out. Also, all riders should have secure shoes that will stay on the feet. Flip-flops may be comfortable, but they can be unsafe.

3) Sun Protection

During the spring and summer, the sun beats down on the trails. This is nice if you want to get outside, but it can be harsh on the skin. Make sure to wear sunblock even if it is cloudy when you set out (bring some along on the trip too). Also, wear hats, sunglasses and whatever else is appropriate for the day.

4) Biking-Friendly Snacks and Water

No one wants to have to ride home on an empty stomach. Grab some snacks that are biking friendly. Typically, carbohydrates are very helpful for cardio workouts like riding. It is a good idea to bring items that are relatively easy to eat with just hands. Finally, don’t forget to bring water for everyone. A bottle holder for the bike frame can be a big help.

5) Locks for Every Bike

If you intend to get off your bikes at all, bring bicycle locks. Going to look at a beautiful view and coming back to find that your bikes are gone can really ruin the day. It is always better to be safe than sorry. Lock up your bikes.

6) The Right Route

Last but not least, make sure you pick an appropriate route. Choose one that will be accessible to everyone’s skill level. For example, young riders may not be able to take on winding, mountain trails. Also, make sure that the trail can support groups riding together, especially if you want to talk while you ride.

Get Started on Your Family Bike Ride

With the above tips, you will be almost ready to hit the trails. Of course, you also need bikes. Check out some hybrid bikes for sale and pick one up for each family member.

Luxury Vacations in the Adirondack Mountains Anyone Can Afford

October 26, 2020 by Mandy

When most people think of mountain getaways, they think of famous destinations, such as the Appalachian Mountains or the Blue Ridge Mountains. However, upstate New York features an incredible and often overlooked mountain range: the Adirondacks.

With over 6.1 million acres of land included in the Adirondack Park, the things you can see are almost limitless. But if it’s your first time going there, what can you expect out of the trip?

Keep reading to learn all about what makes the Adirondack Mountains so great, as well as how you can go about planning a trip there.

Where in the World Are the Adirondack Mountains?

If you’ve never been to New York before, it’s important to first clear something up. In addition to being a city, New York is also a state – and a big state at that.

From cities like Buffalo and Rochester to small towns like Greece and Malone, around 20 million people call the Empire State home. Residents of the state are proud of their heritage, and consider New Yorkers to be an entirely different species.

The Adirondack Park is in upstate New York, well out of the City, and takes up much of the space of northern New York. Canada borders the mountain range to the west, and Vermont to the east.

When you first get to the Adirondacks, the lack of large cities and towns may surprise you. But that’s part of the charm! Lake Placid, Lake George, and Saranac Lake are the population “hubs” of the region.

Country Road, Take Me Home: How to Get There

Regardless of which direction you’re coming from, you’ll find the Adirondacks to be accessible and easy to get to. In fact, 60 million people across the United States can get there within a day’s drive.

If you are coming by car, Interstate 87 and 81 runs right through the park. This makes the park easy and cheap to visit, especially if you’re coming from nearby locations, such as Boston, New York City, or Quebec.

If you don’t own a car, there are many other public transportation options to take advantage of. Train service runs all year from Penn Station and offers service all the way to Montreal. You can also hop on an Adirondack Trailways or Greyhound bus.

If you’re coming from far away, the Adirondacks have three airports to help you get in. For additional flight options, you can also fly to the larger nearby airports of Burlington or Albany.

The Best Time to Visit

Being a place of high elevation in Northern New York State means that the Adirondacks experience a wide variety of weather patterns. Winters are freezing, snow-filled, and long. On the other hand, summers can be short but hot and humid.

Such a variety of weather means that you’ll have plenty of things to do throughout the year. If you’re a fan of winter sports and activities, you’ll have many to enjoy. Snowing, skiing and sledding are some of the many popular ones.

If an average temperature of 3 degrees Fahrenheit in January doesn’t sound appealing, then spring or fall can be great times to find a balance between cold and heat. Fall also lets you see an unimaginable amount of golden, orange, and red leaves.

In the end, deciding when to visit the Adirondacks depends on what you want to see and do, as well as what types of weather you can handle.

Find a Home Away From Home

As the Adirondacks spill across much of northern New York State, you’ll have many different housing options and locations to choose from. These can range from budget bed and breakfasts to luxurious, 5-star lodges.

As mentioned, most people in the Adirondacks live near Lake Placid, Lake George, or Saranac Lake. This means that the majority of the places to stay will be are in these areas. Staying in a hotel there will let you experience small-town charm with scenic mountain vistas.

Renting your own home can also be a great option, especially for groups of people. A rental home gives you extra privacy, space, and the freedom to enjoy the normal amenities of a house, such as a kitchen. To view some great options, check out these weekend getaways.

Outdoor Activities Galore

Whether you’re someone who enjoys being in a big city or comes from a tiny town in rural America, you can find an activity you enjoy in the Adirondacks. Many of the things you can do involve taking advantage of the unrivaled natural elements.

Many of the mountains in the park have miles worth of hiking trails. These range from easy walks to intense paths. As if the sense of accomplishment wasn’t enough, you’ll get to enjoy views that take your breath away once you make it to the top of each mountain.

As the region contains dozens of lakes, you can also try out kayaking or canoeing if you haven’t before. There’s nothing more magical than spending a day on the water, then making your way back to shore to watch the stars over the woods at night.

If you’re an animal lover, you’ll love the huge variety of animals that you can see. From predators such as bears, coyotes, and mountain lions, to beavers, turtles, and moose, it’s safe to say that the park is a wildlife haven.

Make Your Dream Mountain Vacation a Reality

Located just a few hours north of New York City, many people overlook the Adirondack Mountains. But as this guide explains, they offer so much for visitors to see and do. Plan a trip there today, and give yourself the quiet escape to nature that you need.

Are you ready to get started planning your dream mountain vacation? Before you go and start packing, take a moment to check out some of our many other articles for more guides and tips.

Best Beaches to Try Paddleboarding in Asia

July 21, 2020 by Mandy

If you haven’t already tried stand up paddle boarding, why not? It’s the fastest growing water sport in the world, and it’s a great way to see a new place. Just imagine paddling along an alpine lake with a mountain background, catching waves on a sun-kissed surf beach, or sunrise yoga with no-one else around. All of these and more are possible when it comes to SUPing!

SUPing is challenging but rewarding, and it may seem a little intimidating when you first try it. However, the more you do it, the more you’ll get used to it. In this post, we’ll take a look at some things you should think about before your first paddle boarding adventure. Hopefully, it’ll put your mind at rest, and you’ll be able to make the most of your trip. Let’s take a closer look!

Where to go

The first and most important thing to take into consideration is where to go for a SUP trip. After all, there are lots of different ways to use your board. Do you want to do the simple stand up paddling? If so, it’s better to take a look at somewhere with flat water that you can just relax and enjoy the scenery as you’re working your body’s core. Perhaps you want something a little more adrenaline fueled? Surf SUP is what you’re looking for – for that you’ll need to head to a beach with the right conditions. Usually, a surfing beach is perfect for this, just make sure to know your place in the line–up. SUP yoga and SUP fishing are a little more specialised – but do your research and it won’t be hard to find places where you can practice either of these.

Get the right equipment

There is lots to think about when it comes to beginning stand up paddle boarding. Whether you’re thinking of buying or renting, the first things you’ll need is a board, paddle, PFD (personal floatation device) and leash.

At this point, you might be wondering what size paddle board is right for me? Generally, that comes down to your weight and skill level. Make sure to choose a board with a bit of room for man oeuvre in the weight capacity – you may need to factor extra weight for bags, or who knows, you may bring your dog along a SUP trip!

Once you’ve got the right board, it’s onto the paddle. That should be around 25cm longer than your height. If you’re buying your equipment, a paddle should cost around 20% of the board price.

A PFD and leash are both essential pieces of safety equipment. The former will keep you floating should you fall off the board. That’s particularly handy when it comes to surf SUP! The leash will help you in a different way if you fall – you won’t lose your board if you’re attached. A surf leash is different to a SUP leash, so don’t expect to use the same leash for both sports.

Learn to take a fall

While on the subject of staying safe, don’t assume that you’ll be fine if you fall with a PFD and a leash (though the chances are you will). You also need to fall in the right way. Obviously, you’d rather not fall at all, but it can be quite difficult for beginners to master their balance on the board. If you feel yourself losing balance, it’s important to fall away from the board. That way, you won’t get any unpleasant injuries. Even an inflatable board can do some serious damage if you faceplant it!

It’s more strenuous than it looks

When you see people stand up paddle boarding, it looks like they’re having the time of their lives (they probably are, by the way), while putting in very little effort. However, it takes a lot of core strength to stand up paddle board. You’ll use muscles that you’re not used to and at first it might hurt a bit when you get off your board. However, don’t let that put you off. The substantial improvement of your body’s core improves your posture and makes you more flexible.

SUPing is a full body workout that you don’t notice at the time, and what could be better than that?

Respect those around you

Once you start to master the basics of SUPing, you need to be aware of other people around you too. Obviously, the dream is having a whole mountain lake to yourself, but when you start off, you’re likely to be boarding with other newbie SUPers. Make sure that you do so on calm and flat water with plenty of room. That way, if you fall or get into any difficulties, you won’t put off other new SUPers.

Another time you’ll need to respect those around you is when you’re surf SUPing. Even after a bit of experience, you’ll need to learn the line–up. Surf SUPers sometimes get a bad rep with surfers, so if you are in any doubt, speak to a local or experienced surfer at the beach. Not only is this useful for learning the line–up, but it’ll also alert you to any hazards or dangers in the water.

Both of these are about more than just respecting other people. It’ll also prevent injuries to you and them!

Final Thoughts on your first paddle boarding adventure

If you follow the five steps written above, you will be sure to have a blast on your first paddle boarding adventure. And you’ll hopefully come back safe and sound too! Wherever you’re planning your adventure, we wish you a great time.

Want a Magnificent Feeling? Climb Mount Kilimanjaro

July 16, 2018 by Mandy

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Mount Kilimanjaro is a wonderful wilderness that has a range of wildlife to astound all its visitors. It’s the largest mountain in Africa and is located in the adventure filled land of Tanzania. It hosts a range of spectacular safaris and forestry and the magical Mount Kilimanjaro is just one of the highlights of the country.

There’s not just one way up the mountain, this trip is dynamic and can be as challenging, so it’s best to travel light by packing items like packable rain jacket that would be barely noticeable in your bag, but highly useful when needed. When climbing Kilimanjaro, you want to make it as enjoyable as possible. It’s the journey that everyone would like to take a least one, it boasts of remarkable views and the honour of having the title of having walked on top of Africa. Here are some of the routes you can take up the mountain.

Marangu

This is known as the most popular route to take when climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. This is the route that is lined with hut accommodation and places to buy snacks to refresh you along the way. For those whose aim is to reach the summit as quickly as possible, this route allows climbers to complete it in only 5 days. With a low acclimatization rate, this path has to be trod with caution. Because of the low acclimatization you have to make sure that your body conditions well to the ascension, you don’t have to rush, add an extra day onto your trip if necessary.

Machame

Located on the south-western slope of Mount Kilimanjaro, this is also a route that is often journeyed by many. Want the scenic route? Then this may be the best choice. Capture an array of habitation: flora and fauna like no other and a host of other beauties from moorlands to enchanting alpine deserts that are striking. This climb is a bit more intense for those who prefer more of a challenge.

Lemosho

Many like to brave the more remote route offered on the Lemosho trail. Feel rough a ready to go, trapesing through the wilderness of the western part of the mountain. Get the chance to spot some wildlife along these parts, from antelopes to elephants and more. This route is one that has been carefully designed and thought out with climbers in mind. The trail is slightly longer and has a good acclimatisation rate, enabling climbers to reach the top without the lightheaded feelings.

Rongai

Rongai is another recommended way of getting up the mountain. Get your tents to the ready and pitch your way up to the peak. This hike is preferred during the rainy seasons as there’s less chance of precipitation and therefore your tents won’t get damp. It has an 86-93% rate of achieving the climb, so you have a high chance of seeing the sunrise triumphantly across the lands of Tanzania from the top, as so many climbers desire.

Umbwe

This route is not for the fainthearted and only recommended to those who are well experienced climbers and in a fit state to climb a very challenging route. This route has a very low success rate of achieving, and therefore already sets climbers chances at slim for reaching the top.

Planning The Perfect Camping Holiday For Your Family

July 6, 2018 by Mandy

A camping holiday is something that many Australian families enjoy. With so much spectacular natural beauty available, it is easy to see why camping is the perfect holiday for many Australians. If it is something that you are not familiar with, then here is some advice that can help you to prepare the ideal camping holiday for you and your family. With a little bit of planning and preparation, you can have the trip of a lifetime, in your own back garden. Who needs to fly abroad when you can enjoy the beautiful scenery that Australia has to offer?

Planning your Camping Trip

The first thing that you will need to do is to research where you are going to go camping, the time of year that you are going will also be an essential factor in choosing a suitable location, as well as the equipment that you will need to take with you. You can use the internet to search all the attractions in your closest national park which will show you what you can do on your family adventure, and there are lots of things to keep everyone entertained.

Kayaking
Hiking
Cycling
Swimming
Wildlife Watching
Relaxing

Make Sure You Have The Correct Equipment

You will also need to ensure that you have all the correct equipment for when you are camping to not only remain comfortable but also to prepare for any eventuality. If you are camping during the colder months of the year, then you may need a sleeping bag with a higher TOG rating, than if you are going during the warm summer months. You will need to be able to take plenty of water with you, more than you need for your trip, just in case you end up staying longer than expected for whatever reason. The night time in the bush can also be deadly with some of the poisonous insects, reptiles, and other dangerous animals that can be found in the Australian wilderness. As such, you may wish to check out Hard Korr Australia’s folding camping solar panels which will give you all of the light that you need at night time when you need to run to the toilet quickly or get yourself a drink of water. Another essential piece of equipment that you will need is a first aid kit, and depending on how far in the Outback you are going, a satellite phone may also be a handy addition to your equipment.

Check With The Local Park Authority

It is also a good idea to check the parksaustralia.gov.au website, as here you will not only be able to see a list of all the popular activities that are on offer, but you will also be able to find out about any warning or restrictions that may be in place. If you need some general advice and cannot find the answer on their website, send them a quick email, and they will be able to respond with the information that you require.

If you prepare for any eventuality, you will be ready no matter what your family camping trip throws at you. You may end up taking some kit that you do not use, but it is better to have it and not need it, rather than need it than not have it. With a little preparation, you will be able to plan the perfect holiday for your family and get to explore some of the great outdoors that Australia has to offer.