adventure Archives

04/03/2018

How to Make Your Road Trips More Eco-Friendly

** This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #EarthDayDriveAway #CollectiveBias

It’s no secret my family goes on a lot of road trips. Some people think we are a bit crazy to travel far distances by car, especially with a toddler and a dog, but we love being on the road! In the past we have driven from Chicago to the Florida Keys, and from Chicago to Phoenix, so we know a bit about travel by road! Still, I am always looking for ways to reduce our carbon footprint while traveling. Being more mindful has been especially on my mind with Earth Day approaching. If you have a similar mindset, perhaps you might enjoy my tips for how how to make your road trips more eco-friendly! It’s easier than you might think! Also, be sure to let me know what tips you would add to make your travel a bit less more green.

5 tips to make your road trips more eco-friendly:

Keep reusable bag (or two) in the car to store recyclables until you see a recycling container. I have found that not every stop will have a recycling bin, so it’s always a good idea to bring a reusable tote. We also have a car organizer in the back where we can store things while traveling.

Carpool with family and friends when going on trips to together. Instead of more wasteful forms of travel, perhaps you can plan trips to destinations to which you can drive together, saving gas and money!

Plan your road trip times for off-peak traffic times to reduce gas usage. Keeping a steady speed makes your car more efficient.

Bring refillable water bottles vs. buying disposable plastic bottles at convenience stores. Same with coffee cups; many places will fill your own bottle. I also like to pack my own snacks in reusable containers, but if you must buy food on the road, try to buy local products as much as possible.

Use Mobil 1™ Annual Protection synthetic oil, which results in fewer oil changes, reduces oil consumption, and less waste oil. You can check which motor oil is right for your car using Walmart’s Oil Selector Tool. We like to get our oil changes at Walmart’s Automotive Care Center to save time and money before road trips. Mobil 1 ™ can reduce the carbon footprint of your vehicle by the CO2 equivalent of 96 pounds!**

**Estimates made based on CO2 equivalent emissions derived from Life Cycle Assessment of Mobil 1 vs. conventional motor oil. Assumes switching from a conventional motor oil of higher viscosity grade to Mobil 1 Annual Protection. Include Production, Use, Disposal, and Fuel Economy attributed to motor oil over its lifetime. Calculation based on average U.S. vehicle engine oil sump size, average MPG, average oil change interval and average annual driving distance. Assumes nominal fuel economy improvement when switching from a higher viscosity grade to lower viscosity grade. Assumes new vehicles under warranty follow OEM recommend oil change interval. Mobil 1 Annual Protection is guaranteed to protect for one full year or 20,000 miles, whichever comes first. You may or may not obtain these benefits depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.

If Mobil 1™ Annual Protection is not the best option for your car, there are plenty of other Mobil 1™ motor oil options to choose from, either through the Automotive Care Center or purchasing 5 quarts of motor oil to do the oil change yourself. Be sure to bring your motor oil back in for proper recycling, so you can also enter Mobil 1™’s exciting sweepstakes!

Right now until April 30, 2018, Mobil 1™ is giving Walmart customers a chance to win a Chevy Equinox, plus $10 off their next Mobil 1™ purchase at Walmart!

Details on the Earth Day Drive Away Sweepstakes offer (exclusive to Walmart)

You can enter for a chance to win a Chevy Equinox in two ways until April 30, 2018:
1. By purchasing 5 quarts of Mobil 1™ in the store or a Mobil 1™ oil change at the Auto Care Center.
2. By recycling any used oil at an Auto Care Center.
As a bonus, shoppers who purchase 5 quarts of Mobil 1™ synthetic oil or a Mobil 1™ synthetic oil change at the Auto Care Center are also eligible to receive a $10 Select Certificate valid on a future Mobil 1™ purchase at Walmart.
Once you have made a qualifying Mobil 1™ purchase or recycled any used oil at Walmart, you can enter to win the Chevy Equinox and/or receive their $10 Walmart Select Certificate at EarthDayDriveAway.com.
Limit 2 entries in the sweepstakes per customer (1 for purchasing and 1 for recycling).
Receipt required to receive $10 Walmart Select Certificate.
Terms and conditions, FAQs, and other information can be found at EarthDayDriveAway.com.

Walmart Oil Selector Tool

Use the Oil Selector tool on Walmart.com to determine what type of oil you will need. DIYers can pick up their preferred Mobil 1™ product as well in the motor oil aisle in the store.

Enter the Mobil 1™ Sweepstakes!

03/07/2018

Big Island Fun: Rainbow Falls in Hilo, Hawaii

Rainbow Falls in Hilo, Hawaii

Rainbow Falls in Hilo, Hawaii, seems be a popular attraction on the Big Island. It’s easily accessible and free, so visitors of all ages can see its beauty. Even if you’ve been there before, Rainbow Falls is worth revisiting because you just might catch a glimpse of a rainbow in front of the waterfall, depending on the weather.

We first went to Rainbow Falls during our honeymoon on the Big Island in 2014. We had stopped by for a refreshing beverage at the Rainbow Falls Cafe across the street, but sadly it was closed during our most recent trip. This time we explored the same areas as before with V. She loved running around in front of the banyan tree, which is just as beautiful as I remember. We plan to hang a print of our photos in our home to remind us our time in Hawaii.

Rainbow Falls in Hilo, Hawaii

Whether you have 15 minutes or hours, you have plenty of time for Rainbow Falls. You can simply admire the waterfall, or if you can walk up the steps to the Banyan tree area. Some people climb on the rocks to the top of the waterfall from here, but I am not certain this is a good idea. It seems kind of dangerous to me!

Sometimes you’ll see tour buses drop off tourists, but these visitors are often only there for a short time. We have had good luck finding parking when we arrive in the morning.

In case you’re wondering, Hilo is about an hour and a half from the Kona side of the island. You can easily fit this park in on the same day as a visit to Akaka Falls. We spent time here after our recent helicopter tour.

Have you been to Rainbow Falls or the Big Island?

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Rainbow Falls in Hilo, Hawaii

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Exploring Hilo, Hawaii

Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park in Hawaii

02/21/2018

Muir Woods National Monument With a Toddler

Muir Woods National Monument

When we booked a last-minute weekend trip to the Bay Area recently, we had only two must-dos on our list besides seeing our family. One of them was visiting Muir Woods National Monument. We’ve been fans of redwood trees for a long time as nature lovers, so we couldn’t wait to see them in person.

Muir Woods recently enacted a new parking and shuttle service, which means you must make a parking or shuttle reservation BEFORE your visit. I am glad my great aunt told me about this new rule, because I was able to log on the website and book a spot for the earliest slot available, 8 a.m. You must arrive during your 30-minute arrival window but you can stay in the park as long as you’d like until the park closes at sunset. The drive from where we were staying in the Union City area was about 45 minutes. Tip: Print or screenshot directions to the park and your reservation ahead of time because service is limited in the area.

The lot attendants will scan the barcode on your reservation (which you can show on your phone) and then you are free to park and enter Muir Woods. You can add an alternate name to your reservation. Admission to the national park was $10 per adult in addition to the $8 parking fee. Tip: Arrive early to explore the woods with few people around. It gets more crowded as the day goes on and the lots fill up.

We took the Hillside Trail loop around the park and it was easy enough for pregnant person and 3-year-old to do. Take your time and admire the views of the majestic trees. Note: This is a quiet trail. If your toddler can’t be quiet for long enough, it may not be the best idea, although we encountered plenty of adults who couldn’t abide by this rule, while V could.

In the middle of the loop we branched off to check out the beginning of the trail into the adjacent Mount Tamalpais State Park. We ventured too far into the state park because we were starting to work up an appetite, but it’s worth a side trip while at Muir Woods. Next we went to the cafe for lunch. The choices were a bit limited (most of the salads were sold out), but I we chose from what was left, ordering an egg salad sandwich, a PB&J and a hot dog. Most (if not all) of the options are organic, grass fed and made with local ingredients, though. We also made a pit stop in the gift shop to continue our tradition of picking up an ornament on our travels.

You can easily spend an entire day here, but we decided to also check out nearby Muir Beach. It’s only 3 miles down the same road as the park. We were told we’d have to circle around looking for parking, but we lucked out and found a spot immediately. It was super full and a line was forming by the time we left, though, so arrive early! V enjoyed playing at the edge of the water. A man nearby was blowing bubbles for the kiddos, and she also really liked that. It was a nice little day trip.

Have you visited Muir Woods National Monument or Muir Beach?

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02/14/2018

Toddler-Friendly Visit to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

There’s plenty for families to do at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island. You can still take in the sites and explore with a toddler. We recently spent a day visiting the park for our second time. (Our first trip to the island of Hawaii was in 2014 on our honeymoon.) You could spend days here, or you can squeeze in quite a bit of adventure in just part of one day.

What we did at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park with a toddler:

Thurston Lava Tube. Though the walk is somewhat dark, it was easy for V to walk through it. It isn’t long at all. (You can find other lava tubes to visit, but they might not be suitable for toddlers.) Hold your toddler’s hand in any wet areas. Rain boots wouldn’t be a bad idea.
Admire the craters/views from the viewpoints. Bring snacks and water!
Drive to sea arch and grab ice pops from the stand next to the ranger station. Along the drive you can stop and see the craters and lava rocks. At the end of the drive you park and walk toward the sea arch. It isn’t a long walk. You have to keep an eye on your children here because the barrier wall does not extend all the way. Then grab some popsicles for $6 each (It’s worth it on a hot day.) for the drive back. There are restrooms here as well.
Lunch at Volcano House. We admired a view of the volcano from our table. Our toddler loved looking out the window at the smoke.

Have you been to the Big Island or Hawaii Volcanoes National Park?

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01/24/2018

Whale Watching Plus Snorkeling With Dolphins and Manta Rays in Hawaii

Whale Watching Plus Snorkeling With Dolphins and Manta Rays in Hawaii Somehow we tend to luck out when booking tours on vacation. We have at several times arrived to discover we are the only people with reservations, meaning we essential get a private outing! This is what happened with our whale watching tour through Kona Ocean Adventures. I was expecting a small group of six, including us, but we were pleasantly surprised!

In addition to seeing lava, I really wanted to spot some whales during our Hawaii trip. They migrate to the Hawaiian islands from November to about April, so we’ve never seen them during our trips; all of my visits to Hawaii have been in September.

I had no idea what to expect from our whale watching tour. I was told that if we happen to not see any whales we could go back out with them another day, so that made me nervous that the tour wouldn’t be worth the $130 per person price tag.

But we got so much more than we were expecting, though I wasn’t able to capture much of it on my camera. (More on that later.)

The first part of the tour involved heading away from shore for a while. I will say I was not expecting how bumpy it would be, so keep that in mind if you’re planning to ride on a boat while pregnant. You can always ask them to go a bit slower, though.

We quickly spotted a whale and her calf.

Whale Watching Plus Snorkeling With Dolphins and Manta Rays in Hawaii

Then we heard a call over the radio that there was a manta ray feeding frenzy nearby. Our captain asked if we were interested in seeing it and we quickly said yes. When we arrived, she asked if G wanted to swim with them, too. He quickly grabbed his snorkeling gear and jumped in the water. The captain gives tips on how to swim with them. The mantas are used to people, from what we were told. I, too, quickly got into the water to peek underneath the surface and see them swim from afar. It’s an incredible sight!

Whale Watching Plus Snorkeling With Dolphins and Manta Rays in Hawaii

After a while, we moved on. We next heard a radio call about spinner dolphins and instantly said yes to seeing them, too. Only one other boat had discovered the dolphins, so it was not crowded with people at all. It was amazing! I have never in my life seen so many dolphins at once, and they were quite active!

I had to take the opportunity to swim with them as well. As soon as you pop your head underwater you can hear them. You might even hear whales nearby as well. We spent quite a bit of time snorkeling here, though I only lasted a few minutes. In my current pregnant state I don’t have the energy to swim for as long as before, though using a noodle helps.

After our dolphin snorkel we went back to whale watching. We traveled pretty far north of the coast and even made it to where we could see Maui! This is where we spotted a breaching whale from afar. I was unable to capture photos because it happens to quickly and unexpectedly.

We also saw a shark fin!

As you can see, our whale watching was much more than just whales. It went from a two-hour tour to one that lasted more than three hours! However, had we not also been able to snorkel I would not have thought this was worth the money. But the unexpected adventures made this adventure worth it! It’s one of our favorite memories of the trip!

Have you been on a whale watching tour?

Note: If you’re pregnant you should check with your doctor about what is safe for you to do. Every pregnancy and person is different.

Watch a video of our whale watching and snorkeling tour:

01/19/2018

Lava and Rainforests Adventure with Paradise Helicopters

** This post has been sponsored by Paradise Helicopters of Hawaii. All opinions and images are my own.

Big Island Hawaii Lava and Rainforests Adventure with Paradise Helicopters

I’ve crossed off something that’s been on my bucket list for a long time during our Big Island vacation: seeing lava! During our honeymoon in 2014 Graham and I had hoped to see the lava but we weren’t able to; at the time it wasn’t flowing toward the ocean and we could only see the crater and billowing smoke at an overlook in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Thanks to Paradise Helicopters, which sponsored my ticket for the Lava and Rainforests Adventure tour, I was finally able to make that dream a reality!

Our Lava and Rainforests Helicopter Tour on Big Island of Hawaii:

I have been looking forward to our 45-minute doors-on helicopter tour with Paradise Helicopters from Hilo Airport for months! At the time of booking, we had planned to stay in Hilo for a night or two, but we eventually decided to only stay on the Kona side of the island. That meant that we awoke bright and early one morning for our one and a half hour drive to Hilo. The directions were simple: Park in Hilo Airport’s main terminal public parking and the check-in desk is directly across the street under the Paradise Helicopters sign. Hilo Airport is small, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding Lobby 2. They first weigh each member of the party (wearing anything you’re bringing on the tour, like your camera) and then you hear the safety restrictions. You are free to use the restroom or hang out in the lounge while you wait for the safety briefing, during which you learn how to wear use your headset, plus hear other important information about where to walk on the runway, as well as many volcano puns. haha (FYI: You may not bring extendable camera sticks!) The briefing includes a seat assignment; our flight was scheduled to have four passengers.

After our safety briefing we had some sad news: Our tour was canceled because of bad weather that was hampering visibility in the area where we would be flying to see the lava. Tip: Try to plan your Paradise Helicopters tour in the beginning of your trip so that you can reschedule for another time or day if needed because of the weather, which is ever-changing and unpredictable.

Don’t worry, though, we were able to rebook for Sunday morning! Plus, when we arrived back at check-in we found out we would be the only passengers on our flight. At the last minute we decided to make it a partial doors-off tour to appease the birthday guy in our group. 😉 I requested to keep my door on because I am terrified of heights! The ground crew was so nice and helpful, and V didn’t seem afraid at all as they buckled her into her seat.

Paradise Helicopters in Hilo, Hawaii — Be sure to walk along the painted lines as you head toward the helicopter. Follow the instructions from the ground crew.

Doors-Off Helicopter Tour of Hawaii Lava and Rainforests — A doors-off Paradise Helicopters tour was also leaving from Hilo Airport at the same time.

Our pilot Pete flew us south toward and over the various lava flows that have occurred over the years before we made it to the active crater.

It’s amazing to see how the trees are left lying on the black hardened lava rock.

You can also see a portion of a road that is still visible after it was cut off from the rest of the island during a lava flow.

Old Hawaii Road Cut Off By Lava

I was in awe of the patches of forest I would see among the black rock.

Hawaii Lava Rock and Rainforest

Lava is currently erupting from Kīlauea at its summit and from the Puʻu ʻŌʻō vent on the East Rift Zone. The lava activity is constantly changing, so if seeing the lava flow into the ocean is your goal, be aware that it isn’t always happening. The Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park website constantly provides updates. As you can see in the video and photos I took, lava flow is scattered across the plains.

Seeing the red snaking lava flow was surreal.

Lava Helicopter Tour with Paradise Helicopters

I was impressed our pilot could see the lava so easily in the brightness.

It’s a bit tricky to snap photos of the lava from a moving helicopter, but the pilot will circle around so you can get your shot.

Lava and Rainforests Adventure with Paradise Helicopters in Hawaii, Big Island

After circling the crater while listening to “Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash, we heading back north over the forests and toward the ocean. Our pilot wanted to fly over water since we had those handy floatation devices attached to us anyway. The remaining part of the helicopter tour was a flyover above Hilo and some of its waterfalls, including Rainbow Falls. We also passed over Hilo Bay and some of its surrounding hotels before heading back to Hilo Airport.

Lava and Rainforests Adventure with Paradise Helicopters, Big Island, Hawaii

Hilo Waterfalls from Paradise Helicopters Tour

FYI: You can tip the pilot and staff in envelopes at the check-in desk. Also, parking is not validated, so be prepared for that.

Tips for Paradise Helicopters tour with toddler and while pregnant:

Check with your doctor to make sure you are OK to fly. If you’re feeling nauseous you might not enjoy the flight and it may not be a good idea.
Be aware that the vibration of the helicopter could affect your lower back pain, if you have any. Again, check with your doctor.
Our toddler wanted to sit with me halfway through the flight and was sad she couldn’t. We should have asked which parent she wanted to sit with to avoid any crying.
It gets super windy, especially if you take the doors-off flight. Bring a jacket and wear pants and closed toe shoes!
A ground crew member will buckle the child into his/her seat, or you may do so if you’re more comfortable.
It’s best if your child can grasp how to use the microphone/headset system. V started crying because we couldn’t hear her until she figured out how to push to talk to us. Then she was happy!

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Is seeing the lava in Hawaii on your bucket list as well? Have you ever done a helicopter tour? What did you think? Let me know in the comments!

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Exploring Hilo, Hawaii

01/14/2015

Aravaipa Canyon Camping Trip

When I asked Graham what he wanted to do for his birthday I already knew the answer: camping.

We chose to hike into Aravaipa Canyon, which he has been to before and I’ve always wanted to visit. Only 20 people are allowed into the canyon per day, and a permit is required. I paid $20 for two days of adventure — money well spent.

From Phoenix the canyon is about a two and a half hour drive east. If you want to go to the east side of the canyon it’s about five hours, so we’re saving that for another time. (To get there from Phoenix, drive on the U.S. 60 to Superior, then follow the sign to Arizona 177 toward Winkelman. From Winkelman turn right (east) on Arizona 77 to get to Aravaipa Road, which about 11 miles away. It’s then a 12-mile drive on a dirt road to get to the trailhead.) Sign in at the trailhead and write down your vehicle license plate number and permit number. Then you’re free to head out on your merry way.

The parking area only had a few cars, so we knew we wouldn’t see many people in the canyon. We put on our 60-pound-plus backpacks and started the hike. It begins in desert terrain. You hike about .7 mile before you have to cross the creek the first time. Be prepared to cross about 9 times. (I lost track.) We wore our regular hiking shoes for the first part of the hike before changing into our water shoes. We guessed that the water was about 50 degrees, which will surely wake you up! It was never more than a calf-height water level, but if it’s been raining it could be deeper.

It began sprinkling on our hike in. I remember thinking the mist felt nice on my face. Some spots along the trail were muddy, so I took small steps to avoid falling. Graham gave me a push to step out of the water sometimes when he noticed I was having difficulty. You can also always count on Graham to throw in a “Nice work” along the way.

You have to hike in about a mile and a half to get off the private property you cross to get the camping area. From there it’s up to you to decide how far to go. Horse Camp is said to be popular, but we stayed close to the beginning section of the canyon. We’re saving the longer hikes for future trips; now we know what to expect.

We saw three hikers leaving the canyon as we got settled. They would be four of the six people total we encountered. The first order of business was setting up our tent and making lunch. We chose quesadillas and various snacks: cheese, apple slices, popped Wheat Thins and pretzels.

Then we went on a hike before the sun set. We sat and looked out toward the towering cliffs to the east. A cave toward the top caught my eye.

When we made our way back to our campsite I noticed I had lost a glove. Graham ran back to find it. I stood there with hitchhikers stuck to my leg and bear mace in my hand, feeling helpless. He didn’t want to leave me alone for long, so he returned sans glove and we started our fire. (I would find the lost glove the next morning on a hike.)

How we pass the time while camping:

We sing alternating lines of “You Are My Sunshine” (or any other song).
We listen to music.
We talk.
We eat.
We gaze at the stars and/or the fire.
We shine our headlamps out at the distance when we think we’ve heard an animal.
We cuddle.

That night we lay on a tarp and sleeping bag and stared at the sky. Sometimes we don’t say much; we just get lost in our heads. I thought about how it was to be in a place where I didn’t have much cell service. Those areas are getting harder and harder to find. It was refreshing to not be checking my email or texts or social media accounts.

I slept like a baby after taking cold medicine to fight my cold. It rained in the middle of the night, but luckily no animals stopped by our campsite. This may have been the first time I’ve gotten more than 8 hours of sleep on a camping trip. Hooray!

We spent the next day exploring a bit before hiking out. We watched the yellow leaves flutter in the wind as they fell off the trees. Graham would stop every now and then to point out some animal tracks. He notices things that I never would. And of course we tested out his GoPro.

Here’s my attempt at a video of the trip.

We’d like to go back soon to visit the east end during the spring or fall. Aravaipa is now one of my favorite Arizona places.

01/08/2015

2015: The Year of Adventure

I have declared 2015 the year that Graham and I take to embark on new adventures. 2014 was all about planning for the future, and I’m ready to start living out those plans.

As I have written about before, my goal is to travel outside of the country as well as to one state I haven’t been to before. We plan to visit Nashville on the same trip we take to Louisville, during which we’ll visit family and friends and I’ll run my marathon. (Yikes!) We might even get to go to the Kentucky Derby! That should check half that resolution off the list. It would be an even bigger treat if Graham and I could make it to Seattle and Vancouver this year as well. We figure it could easily be fit into one vacation. My travel goal would then be complete, though I’d also like to go to:

Utah’s national parks, especially Arches and Zion. Utah is so close, yet so far away.
Hawaii — always Hawaii.
Chicago.

We already have a few other adventures in the works for this month (if I can get over this illness) and next. I can’t wait!

UPDATE: I’ve just added Bend, Oregon, to the list after seeing this photo.