Kelty FC 3.0 Kid Carrier

Over the past 5 years we have logged hundreds of miles with the Kelty FC 3.0. In fact, on numerous occasions, we have wished we were Kelty reps.  One particular ‘Wish-I-was-a-Rep’ occasion occurred while vacationing in Yellowstone National Park.  During that trip in 2012, we were asked in two unrelated instances if we knew of somewhere close-by where someone could purchase this exact child carrier…wish we would have had a couple additional carriers in the car we could have sold for a few extra bucks J

Kelty really went out of their way to provide all the necessities, and convenient amenities, for including your little one on an outdoor adventure.  When we initially spent a little more to get the 3.0, I thought we were being a little frivolous; honestly, how often are we going to need a changing pad and a sun/rain hood?  Every single time!  Let’s be realistic, odds are, it is sunny, or it is raining when you are out hiking.  What other weather is there!?!  And the hood even doubles as a crude, caveman style pillow during those ever too frequent times when the little tyke’s head starts to bob around as your methodical bounding through the woods hypnotically eases them into a sandman slumber.  Also, potentially needing no further clarification, the changing pad does not fall into the convenient amenity category.  This necessity has alleviated those moments when you wonder why a freshly cleaned bottom is a magnet for leaves, twigs and grass. Although it can be a good time plucking tiny blades of grass off slightly damp baby buns…J

In what may be considered by some as slight overzealousness, we did take our little family of 4 to the top of Angels Landing in Zion National Park when Sawyer and Talmage were 3 years old and just over a year, respectively. In a feat of super human toddler strength, Sawyer made it to the top under his own power (another story in and of itself)!  But Talmage got to ride in the Kelty FC 3.0.  More than once on the way up the final ascent we were stopped by an overly frazzled middle aged hiker questioning the security of the kid carrier…and maybe our sanity.  “He isn’t going to come out and go toppling down the mountain, is he?”  “Nope, not unless I go rolling down with him!” I would smile.  You may not need to personally test the shoulder straps in the exact same way, but I can assure you that a child can in fact be turned upside down without slipping right out on their head…Don’t judge!

You obviously aren’t packing a tent and a couple sleeping bags in the extra storage pockets, but the space is more than capable of handling the entire families need for food, water, a few toys, extra jackets for the crew, and a change of baby clothes, with room to spare for a camera and a few Band-Aids.  Seriously, I am always amazed how much we can pack into the carrier and still have plenty of space for an entire human!

The waist belt is padded and comfortable with those handy pockets which are great for keys, chap stick, and maybe a couple strategically stashed packages of fruit snacks for those…kid moments.

Don’t judge (too harshly) but this carrier has been a life saver on numerous occasions.  Despite having been to Old Faithful in Yellowstone and the top of Angels Landing in Zion National Park, as well as Bryce Canyon, Brian Head, Lake Blanche in Big Cottonwood Canyon, Wall Lake in the Uinta Mountains, almost every trail in Snow Canyon, and numerous other adventures…it has also provided babysitting services while mowing the lawn…more than once.  And maybe similar services while vacuuming the house…and hypothetically, as some added weight when doing pull-ups, but hey when you have something that works, you use it…right!?!

Would I recommend the Kelty FC 3.0 to a friend?  Absolutely!  In fact, we do all the time. We literally could not have lived without this piece of equipment in our repertoire over the past 5 years raising our two boys in the great outdoors.  It will be a bitter sweet day when we don’t have one of the munchkins strapped to our back while out on another adventure.  But, until then, it is nice to know this pack will get our babies wherever we choose to drag them!

Get out there! Get Dirty! It’s never too early to get those kiddos a little dirty in the great outdoors!

my little things

We save. We dream. We pine for that grand adventure.  The adventure that will redefine our lives.  Why are all my Facebook friends going on vacation?  When will it be my turn to swim with dolphins?  Or ride an elephant?  Or summit Everest?  Or fly to the moon?  Or ride on the back of a panda?  Don’t pretend you haven’t asked yourself at least most of these questions!  All too often we fall victim to thinking we should be able to have it all, do it all, and be everything to everyone.  Well,…we don’t!  So, stop!  Take three deep breaths (nope, that is not the first time I have said that this week…I have 2 little boys).  And now think about those things that really matter…  Why are you doing what you are doing?  What are those things that will bring real live, lasting joy in your life?

Please note: we all get to fall victim to the ‘have it all right now’ mentality.  We all, at times, get caught up in the ‘they did that?  I want to do that!’ mode of thinking.  And, that is okay.  We are only human.  But, don’t let that type of thinking dictate how you think and act.  Don’t let it consume you and define who you are.  Know the foundation upon which your real happiness is built.

My greatest joy comes from helping my two little boys learn about and explore the world around them.  The innocence of a child is never more apparent than when they are uninhibited in the great outdoors.  Seeing everything. Touching everything.  Tasting a few too many things. Questioning everything.  It truly is a wonder to behold and one of the greatest joys of parenting.

Camping. To some people this is almost the equivalent of being behind bars with a very unsavory cellmate.  But for our family, it is one of the places where we start to really notice the little things.  How does a fire start? Can I help put up the tent? Dad, listen. Can you hear the crickets?  Mom, look at that moon!  So, many learning and growing experiences happen on a camping trip.  And most of those experiences are hopelessly unplanned.  You can’t prepare for the questions, but you can certainly be a willing participant in the search for an answer.  Kids just plain love the journey.

Pretty much at the drop of a hat we threw the 3-man tent, some sleeping bags, and some marshmallows in the car and took the short 5 minute drive up to the East Mountain Wilderness Park last Saturday night.  Yes, the weather didn’t look the best, but it was only 5 minutes from home if by chance the worst-case scenario did in fact become a not so hypothetical scenario. At almost every stage of our little overnighter, I realized how much I love being with my family in the outdoors.  Questions were abundant.  Smiling faces became sticky marshmallow messes.  One shoe did unfortunately get peed on. But beaming from ear to ear, our two dirty bundles of energy hoped in the tent, cozied into their sleeping bags, and you would have thought heaven had found its resting place on earth!  These are the days, and nights, never to be forgotten!  These are the moments that make up my joy!  These are the little things that I wouldn’t give up for a trip to Hawaii,…or the moon! Don’t get me wrong, I still want to take a ride on the back of a panda, but that can wait.  Right now, my experience has shown me that the best memories are found in the little things.  And more often than not, the little things seem to happen without much forethought and planning, and just a little bit beyond our own backyards…