Bucket List: Updating

So about two weeks back I made a Jeep Mom's mini-bucket list.  I've been able to check some items off the list.  I've added a few things to the list too.

First I'll start with my additions to the list.

11. Start a training regiment
12. Sign up for Warrior Dash
13. Compete in Warrior Dash
14. Try a new Tex-Mex Restaurant
15. Take new friend to Tex-Mex Restaurant

 CHECK 1. Conquer my fear of jumping in a lake. 

I did it!! Sunday, July 28th. Will I do it again? Who knows, but I did it!

2. Conquer my fear of heights -- still working on this one.   

3. Off Roadin' in a Jeep -- Planning for Labor Day weekend!

4. Hike Old Rag  need I say more...

5. Run around the trails of Lake Courage -- I might have to wait until next summer on this one, if the Boy Scouts let me back in summer camp.

   

CHECK 6. Start up a new hobby.  And I pick biking. Got my new bike...So excited!

CHECK 7.  Camping at Swallow Falls -- What an awesome trip. Check out my previous blog post for pictures.    

 CHECK 8. Canoe with my Boys - Michael also went kayaking and now he wants a kayak for Christmas.

CHECK 9. Take my Boys Hiking - We had a blast and now we said we are going to do this at least once a month!

CHECK 10. Make a New Friend

Jeep Topless Tips

As with anything in life you learn by your mistakes.  And as the Boy Scout motto goes, you must always "Be Prepared". 

When you have a Jeep you can't just put your top down, hop in and hit the road.  It takes a little more thought. So here are some tips I learned while "Going Topless in my Jeep".

Things I Learned Going Topless in My Jeep

1. When it's sunny out, make sure you keep sunscreen handy, and if you have no hair make sure you wear a hat.

2. Don't park under trees that are shedding their blooms.

3. Don't park under trees that have lots of birds hanging out in them.

4. When you are going 65 mph down the interstate and you have long hair, tie it back or put on a hat. There is a high potential you will go blind momentarily and crash.

5. When you bring your drink in the car make sure it has a lid that it secure. I prefer the purple plastic kind with a straw.

     

6. Anything you want to keep in your Jeep make sure it's tied down.

7. Leave No Trace is definitely a principal you should use for the inside of your Jeep.  You don't want that litter fine when trash goes sailing out the top.

8. When you have kids make sure there is a blanket for each of them.  Even when it's warm outside the back seats tend to get a little chilly for the little ones.

9. Spray your floor mats with bug spray.  Some say spiders like to spin their web inside your Jeep.  Fingers Crossed -- I haven't had this issue yet.

10. Get a spider shade... I've read anyways.  I am still researching this one. If I get one it will for sure be Viking Purple!

 Back on the Road (BotR) for my Next Adventure!
Happy Trails!   

Bucket List: Camping & Hiking with my Boys

Life is too short not to do the things you say you want to do.  So that's what we did this past weekend.  We packed up the Jeep with our camping gear and headed for Swallow Falls State Park. A place we've been wanting to go to for a couple of years.

Into the mountains of Western Maryland.

We put the top down and didn't look back!

We were all looking forward to setting up our tent, roasting marshmallows and hiking to the falls.

Since it was my "birthday weekend", I was able to pick our dinners all weekend.  Of course, I didn't want to pack food, cook or clean up, so we hopped into the Jeep after setting up camp. We headed into town to the local Mexican restaurant. The second night was also my choice - guess what I picked? I tried to be a little different this time.  I went for Tex-Mex. 

The city of Oakland is a quaint mountain town with antique shops, the National Transportation Museum and a train museum.  Plenty of things to do in town if you get tired of hiking - which we didn't.  The falls were absolutely beautiful. 

The Youghiogheny River and the waterfalls were breathtaking. The description on the website mentioned the river flowing through rocky gorges and creating rippling rapids. The rapids were a little more than rippling.  From other sightseers there, we were told the water was flowing at a rate of 600 times faster than normal.

 It was amazing to see how beautiful and ferocious mother nature could be at the same time. Another spectacular sight was Muddy Creek Falls - a crashing 53-foot waterfall.

The hike through the mountains was amazing, up and around rock formations.  

Along the banks of the creek and the river.

Interesting pictures in nature.

We all had a great time on the hike. We ended up hiking the trail three times.

We are definitely going back.  This time we will wait until there isn't a lot of rain.  We are told that you can walk under the 53 ft. crashing waterfall when the water isn't flowing so ferociously.

And right next door is another state park.  Herrington Manor State Park.  There's a lake with swimming, canoeing, kayaking and paddle boating and they have cabins for camping. You can take the 5.5 mile hike or hop in your Jeep and drive 5 minutes.  We went to check it out and decided to do some canoeing.  Michael even tried out the kayaks.  Which now is on his birthday wish list.   

A great place to take the family for a weekend getaway.  Even better place to take your Jeep!

Back on the Road (BotR) for my Next Adventure!
Happy Trails!  

Jeep Mom Fashion

A Jeep gives you the freedom to go anywhere and do anything. It's proven off-road capability makes it an extremely versatile vehicle. In the water, on the sand, mountain terrain, highway driving, city driving -- Top down, Top up, Doors on, Doors off, Windows Zipped on, Windows Zipped off.  The possibilities are endless.

A Jeep Mom must also have that same sort of versatility.

BIG Sunglasses!

Little Sunglasses!

Colored Sunglasses Too!

Fashion Boots to...

 Hiking Boots...

Sandals, Running Shoes and Casual Too!

 Cowboy Hat...

 Straw Hat...

Baseball Hat & Ponytail

Straight Hair -- Curly Hair 

with straw hat and  colored sunglasses too! 

The possibilities are endless!

 But of course no Jeep Mom should go without this shirt. 

 

They must always accessorize too.  Not just any purse will do.  

 A Jeep mom is resourceful and always at ease (Ha!). And never wants to lose her keys.

Back on the Road (BotR) for my Next Adventure!Happy Trails!  

Bucket List: My Mini-Bucket List

Everyone needs to have a "Bucket List".  I have many mini lists and I'm still working on my big list. So here's my latest "Mini-Bucket List"

Jeep Mom's Mini-Bucket List for 2013-14 

1. Conquer my fear of jumping in a lake.  CHECK

I did it!! Sunday, July 28th. Will I do it again? Who knows, but I did it!

2. Conquer my fear of heights. I think I could do this by going on a zip line and ropes course in the trees.  I'm looking into checking out Terrapin Adventures with my teenage son! Hopefully sometime this month.   

3. Off Roadin' in a Jeep. There is a place in Pennsylvania where you can go off-roading with a professional driver.  I am so there!

4. Hike Old Rag  need I say more...

5. Run around the trails of Lake Courage. I was able to complete about half at Boy Scout Camp but the rain prevented from trying again.  I'm guessing it's about a 7 mile run.  

6. Start up a new hobby.  And I pick biking.  Outdoors, Healthy and physical fitness is my theme. And for those of you who don't know me very well...  I was a deprived child and had to share a bike with my sisters.  I've always wanted my own bike!

7.  Camping at Swallow Falls  

8. Canoe with my Boys

9. Take my Boys Hiking

10. Make a New Friend

Boy Scout Adventure

I packed up my Jeep and we headed out.  Boy Scout Summer camp was our destination.  We decided to put the top down for the ride.  Well, a Jeep Mom is always prepared. Or is that a scout motto - Be Prepared.  Hmmm! When you have kids riding in your Jeep - a blanket is a good item to keep in your Jeep.

I truly enjoyed myself and I'm looking forward to camping with the boys again.  They were truly amazing to watch.

They can come together to do most anything.  They worked as a team to build fires and forts.

We saw really cool wildlife.

They got dirty.

They gave 5 star restaurants a run for their money. They made the best deserts -over an open fire- I've ever eaten. 

They slept under the stars in their hammocks or in the camp chairs by the fire.  Of course this Hammock City was set up right behind my tent.  I spent most nights getting to sleep with headphones in my ears. I think boys can out do girls when it comes to chit-chat. 

Of course the boys are pretty tech savvy too. Hammock City wouldn't be complete without Wi-Fi!

The adults did tech the old fashioned way.

We were able to share our favorite apps.  Which prompted a service project we started for the camp.  Online mapping of the Reservation. We will get to go back and map out the camp.

I was also able to conquer some fears, accomplish news things, and make new friends. 

I am deathly afraid of being in bodies of water I can't see below the surface.  But I did it! Will I be able to do it again?  Who knows.  But I did it once! 

I can now add to my mom's box of tricks - French braiding my own hair in the dark of night.

And the number one thing about summer camp for adults and boys alike is making new friends!

Even though I was out in the woods a mom's duties are never done. Balancing a checkbook can be done anywhere now-a-days.

All our meals were shared family style in the dining hall with the other troops at camp.  There was a lot of singing and chanting, lessons in manners and scouts learning clean up skills. We were able to enjoy one night of open fire cooking. I was selected to head down the mountain into town to get some much needed groceries for our one night of cooking over the fire. Now, I want you to know I wasn't selected for this job because of being the only mother.  I was selected for this job because I had the coolest vehicle!  Plus, I volunteered because I was having withdrawals.  I hadn't driven the Jeep in over 3 days.

It was nice to get home and into a hot bubble bath.  

But I will miss my time with my new scout friends and watching the boys open up and come out of their shells.  Watching scouts try new things. Watching scouts support and cheer each other on. All our little jokes, jibes, and contests.

The fresh air, running in the woods and late night dutch-oven deserts. And of course scary summer camp stories by the fire. (check out the next post on how I had Boy Scouts crying.)

My home away from home...Til next time.