How to Get it Done!

When we first got pregnant my wonderful husband was so excited to buy an Osprey Poco. This is the premier child carrier for hiking. He researched and researched, became an expert, and finally settled on which model he wanted. It got to the point of annoying before he made his choice. But, he's thorough like his father. Well, decision made or not there were other priorities. So LD came and no Poco in our home.

After a promotion, and relocation, the hubs found one at his store's Used Gear Sale for a great price. So he got it for LD for Christmas. LD likes it and so do we! Hiking made possible, walking the dog made easier, and even laundry. Since he hates his carseat the Poco makes a great alternative! That is...until he falls asleep and you need to get him out.

Where's the maps? Why are the maps gone!?

In all the relocations I've made in my life I've never been more disappointed than the move to Fresno. It's not that its a terrible place, I actually like it here. We are members of the VW club, beard and moustache club, disc golf group, I'm a member of the local LLL chapter. It's nice...as long as you don't want to hit a trail (with a map) in any of the city or county parks, including recreational areas maintained by the county. There are no maps.

When we first ventured over the highway to the park, I asked the park attendant for a trail map. I got a map of the roads and that was about all that was on it. I was fairly disappointed, so I asked a different attendant...same map. I went online to find a map, surely someone has a map. I mean this park has 13 acres of land with nothing but trails. No. No trail maps anywhere. Not even a map of the cross country course, which is terrible since the CC CIF championships are held at this park. I gave up trying to find a map and figured my Garmins would end up mapping the park as we explored it. Fast forward to today. Now, one of our new years resolutions was to get out with LD into nature (the disc golf course doesn't count, neither does the park) at least once a month. I pulled up Google maps and hunted around for where to go that our bug could make the drive to.

Enter todays destination, a recreational area just about 10 miles out of town, Lost Lakes Rec Area. I found the place last week and started doing my research for what there was to do. According to the research there are hiking trails, nature trails, camping sites, fishing areas, backpacking, picnic areas etc. Sounds pretty great. I then started to try to find myself a map of these trails or at least the area. No dice. How the fuck does the county not have a damn map!? I searched and searched and came up dry. So we went and decided to live dangerously: map free. I didn't even bring my Garmin.

It was fun, cold and a short stroll along the nature trail. Our ever faithful dog got let off leash and had a ball! Very tired when we got home. LD was up in the Osprey Poco bundled up in a bunting suit and his knit wool beanie. We ran into another member of the beard and moustache club, he was out fly fishing, and chatted a bit. It was a short day out given that the temperature was below 45f and we wanted to make sure LD didn't get cold, or catch one. But its close enough that we may make a return trip in the next week or so and explore the other side.

I've started researching possibilities for our next outing and I may make it a requirement that they have a map. I want to enjoy nature and the wild life, not get lost and disappear in it.

Climb on!

The local park near us has all the usual park features: jungle gym, grassy areas, ponds, picnic areas, bathrooms etc. However, it also has some pretty awesome other features: disc golf course (complete with moving baskets, 18 holes, and putting area), cross country course, equine trails, BMX training area, BMX competition area, mountain bike skills area, freaking huge amphitheatre (shaded), dog park, 13 undeveloped acres with trails, Japanese garden, and one of the jungle gym areas has a boulder complete with holds. It's a outdoor freak's sanctuary in the city.

This morning we walked over (luxury of living just over the highway from the park) to the park with Little Dude and our dog for some time at the bouldering area. It's clearly posted, multiple times, its for ages 6+ with spotter and adult supervision at all times. We supervised ourselves. We tool turns traversing the boulder while the other walked the stroller and dog. It was a good little workout and free! It has some loose holds, but otherwise its perfect for being free-if you walk in. There's a spot to practice smearing, crack climbing, over hangs, chimney etc. This was our first time out there...probably shouldn't have chosen a Saturday, there were lots of little kids.

After lunch LD and I pulled out the hang board and laid it on his quilt for a little test to see how he felt about it. I had to eventually take it away as he kept using it to pull himself towards it. I think in a few short months we'll need to build him his own climbing wall for the apartment, once he's mastered that we can take him to the boulder at the park. Maybe take him after a round of disc golf just to show him. Let's face it, right now he can't truly decide if he will like it or want to do it. But what kid doesn't like climbing all over things?