Free camping is abundant! Often called disbursement camping many of our public lands offer camping off the beaten path for free. Defined by the USDA Forest Service as: dispersed camping is the term used for camping anywhere in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground. Dispersed camping means no services; such as trash removal,…
family camping
One Pot Meals for Thanksgiving Week Guests
Thanksgiving is not just one meal when entertaining out of town holiday guests. The family time that Thanksgiving provides often last 3-7 days. Delicious, ‘prepare ahead’, one pot meals are essential. Try a few of these recipes this week–be sure to make a double batch to freeze and serve. Having soup on the stove or…
Tiny Home Communities: A Breakthrough for Homelessness?
Tiny Home Communities for Homeless For many who are addicted, disabled, illiterate, or mentally ill, homelessness is a way of life. Living in shelters, group homes, prison or mental hospitals only lasts so long. Then what? Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up…
Vacationing with Family: A Blast or A Drag
My husband and I worked at a smallish dude ranch in Northern Colorado for many years. Several times during our tenure, a family reunion booked the whole ranch for the entire week. Maybe Grandma and Grandpa were treating the family to a vacation or the whole family pulled together and decide instead of a cruise,…
Before Buying A Vintage Travel Trailer As a Family Project
Sunset Magazine published an article a House Crush on Wheels with a 1968 Serro Scotty Vintage Travel Trailer in it. I was in love. I started searching online for one. What a big wake up call! $800-$1800 for just a shell! Shell means the trailer is striped inside of all appliances often all the wood…
What Two Days With A U-Haul Taught Me about God
A blown engine in Amarillo on a family road trip left the boys and I stranded for a few days. Triple A showed up quickly, assuring me a quick fix. The mechanic thought different. J. C. of Gene Messer Ford brainstormed solutions, called friends in the business trying to get us a rental truck, and finally…
Most Remote Monastery In Americas
My pilgrimages to the distant desert location started in the late 90’s. A friend spoke mystically about a remote monastery called Christ in the Desert in New Mexico. In college a world religion professor invited all his students to experience one night in a monastery in Southwest Missouri. I have forgotten the name of the…
Worried About Ghosts?
Elijah, noticing the name of Ghost Ranch Education and Retreat Center was a little worried about ghosts. My biggest fear in traveling with my children happened yesterday. Camping on Ghost Ranch, NM we just enjoyed dinner and an evening swim followed by a trip to the children’s area of Ghost Ranch’s always open library. Darkness…
Cooling off With Zapata Falls A Family Friendly Hike
Go through a cave to climb into a waterfall for the price of only a ¼ mile hike? Count me in! I was a little suspicious when the guide suggested that we do the Zapata Falls hike during the heat of the day. Even in the Colorado 90 degrees is hot! The entrance to Zapata…
7 Tips to Mouse Proof Your Camper
Those little devils! I live in bear country. Colorado campers worry about black bears dumping over their coolers or poking their noses in tents not mice! Seriously, “A Feed Bear is a Dead Bear” is posted on national forest trash cans in my northwestern area. A mouse proof camper is not a big concern with 9…