032: From Exploring as a Couple to Raising Kids Who Canoe Camp, Road-Trip, and International Travel With Us

In this episode, I’m sharing a conversation I had on the Adventures Mamas Podcast where we dug into our whole story: the outdoor ed trips that shaped me, the summer camp where I learned real backcountry skills (and met my husband!), and how those experiences eventually led us to raising our kids in the Canadian Rockies.

We chat about bringing babies on overnight trips, road-tripping in a tiny minivan when our son was five months old, taking a baby on the Juan de Fuca Trail, and all the ways our kids have naturally folded into our adventures. You’ll also hear the simple systems that help us backpack with toddlers — staying warm at night, choosing a first route, and I share why we have moved more into canoe camping trips with kids. 

We even get into our bigger leaps: long winter trips abroad, living life in “thirds,” and how we’ve made extended travel possible without a big budget…

There is a lot covered in this episode, come listen - I know you are here because this is your kinda thing too. 

Resources mentioned: 

Trail Magik Carrier

Trusted House Sitters

Trail Collectiv App

Check out The Adventure Mamas Podcast with Nikki Roth and Ashley S

Join the FREE Facebook community: Connect with other women in your area to go exploring with, ask your gear and trip questions, search in FB groups Let’s Go Outside Podcast https://www.facebook.com/groups/1984734118616209/ 

Connect with me on IG: @besidethemountain 

Try Danika’s healthy snack recipes: https://besidethemountain.com/

Watch on podcasts YouTube: @besidethemountain

Email me: hello@danikavanderpyl.com 

Snack Prep Pro Ecookbook: https://besidethemountain.com/snack-prep-pro/  

Travel Gear Guide:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IEqVfpGk-5uJ29uoiScoZXLPnTY4r311/view?usp=sharing