• Adventuring with Kids,  Gear Reviews,  Mountain Biking,  Road Trips,  Simplifying,  Travel

    Gear Review: North Shore NSR-6 Bike Rack

    Specs: North Shore NSR-6 Bike Straight Weighs 69 pounds Requires heavy duty 2-inch receiver hitch Weight capacity: 300 pounds  MSRP: $749.99 How it performs: Five stars here!  The rack’s design puts the bikes at the proper angle so that they fit easily and don’t damage one another in transport (unlike the mess that can happen with other hitch-mounted racks). Why we like it: I am 5’3″ on a tall day, and I love this rack.  I can load and unload it easily by myself, which is not true of rooftop racks.  It can also be tilted away from the vehicle, even when it’s fully loaded.  It’s made in Canada of…

    Comments Off on Gear Review: North Shore NSR-6 Bike Rack
  • Adventuring with Kids,  Colorado,  Hiking,  Mini-Adventures

    Mini Adventures: Rifle Falls State Park

    Rifle, Colorado gets a bad rap for various reasons, but believe me when I tell you it’s worth a second look! We were at Rifle Gap State Park recently for a group campout, and decided to spend a morning at Rifle Falls. We’d heard it was beautiful, and that part is definitely true. Rifle Falls State Park is tiny. After entering the gate, drive past 8-10 campsites and park to walk to the falls. It’s about a 50 meter walk, so make sure you bring all your gear (just kidding!). If you’re traveling with little ones or anyone who is mobility-impaired, this could be a great hike. The path is…

    Comments Off on Mini Adventures: Rifle Falls State Park
  • Adventuring with Kids,  Colorado,  Gear Reviews,  River Adventures

    Gear Review: Hala Atcha 9’6″

    Specs: 2018 Hala Atcha 9’6″ (Length: 9’6″, Width: 36″, Thickness: 6″) MSRP: $1299 How it performs: Five stars in this department! The reason we love the Atcha is because it performs well on the river. It’s stable and responds well. We are not professional paddlers by any means, and this board suits are family well. Why we like it: See above. The Atcha has a retractable center fin, which is fantastic on land and in the water. We also love that Hala is a local brand based in Steamboat Springs. Above all, the quality of this board is top notch. Where to buy: Hala has a storefront in Steamboat at…

    Comments Off on Gear Review: Hala Atcha 9’6″