My husband and I are avid Jeep fans, and new Jeep owners. We’ve been eager to have a Jeep for quite some time, and were finally able to “give” ourselves a Jeep this past Christmas. We love to explore around our home state of Arizona and have been finding all kinds of new and exciting places that our Jeep can navigate.

A couple of weekends ago we headed out to Lower Sycamore Creek, which is in the Tonto National Forest in the Mesa area. This is an extremely active and busy system of trails traversed by Jeeps, dirt bikes, ATV’s, and other off-road recreational vehicles. Normally my husband and I choose more remote and private areas, but Lower Sycamore’s proximity to our home (only about a half-hour away) drew us in its direction.

Some general advice about going off-roading:

- If you’re not sure of your route, DON’T GO ALONE.
- If it looks like the trail is too hard to traverse, TURN AROUND.
- Take plenty of water, extra gas, a spare tire, a basic tool kit, a first aid kit, a change of footwear and a couple of blankets.
- Take a ration of high-protein snacks that keep well – jerky, nuts, granola bars, and trail mix are great.
- Take an actual folding map or atlas as well as a GPS, so you’re not depending on a battery.
- Tell people where you’re going and when you expect to be back. If you change your plans, let them know.
- Lots of areas lose cell phone reception, so don’t depend on your cell. Better yet, if your vehicle has OnStar, which depends on satellites and not sketchy cell reception, you’re much better off.

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The thing about the great outdoors is that they are everywhere! Also, great.

Whether you are enjoying a family vacation or an extended staycation, there is almost always a hiking area close by.  It doesn’t have to be the wilderness — parks, neighborhood walking trails and the urban jungle all have a path to offer, and if kids are involved the adventure is sure to follow. I speak from experience.

Hiking is not only a nice way to spend quality time with those you care about, but a perfect way to get the exercise that most of us so desperately need. It’s a win-win!

This post is part of our Friday Family Series.

Photo: W. Honea

This is a guest post from Yvonne Condes, a blogger in Los Angeles who specializes in gluten-free baking.  She and her husband and two young boys look for moderate to easy hikes to enjoy together on the weekends.  Note the many places where you can get a spectacular view of the ocean.

One of the great things about visiting Los Angeles is access to hiking, biking, and walking trails. Here are a few fun, easy to moderate hikes to do with your kids.

Solstice Canyon in the Santa Monica Mountains:  This hike works well with both younger and older kids. There’s a nice paved trail that will take you to the ruins of the beautiful Roberts House, which was destroyed in a 1982 wildfire. If you’re feeling adventurous, the family can climb over a few rocks and see some lovely little waterfalls. Or if you feel like a workout, you can head to Upper Solstice Canyon and enjoy a 3 hour hike with spectacular ocean views.

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If you didn’t know the handy fact that Tennessee boasts the most caves of any state, you’ll know after touring the unforgettable underground caverns of Ruby Falls, located just outside of Chattanooga in Lookout Mountain, Tennessee.   If that’s not enough natural wonders, nearby Rock City Gardens offers a stunning seven-state view and a 4,100 -foot walking trail displaying towering rock formations and lovely gardens. Read More »