Violet, 19 months, recently had a big adventure.  We went backpacking for four days.  She was a bit whiny on the first day but soon got into the groove.  Eventually, she was keeping track of her own gear; shoes, baby doll, sippy cup, and fleece pullover.  She felt comfortable to walk around each of our camps solo and check out the scenery  (Luckily her legs are only about 10 inches long so a big journey for her still had her well within a comfortable zone for us).  She even chose a favorite Ponderosa Pine which she gazed at and loved on even when we weren’t taking pictures of the quintessential tree-hugging baby scene.  During each trip we take her relationship with nature grows deeply and beautifully.  Jason (Daddy) and I survived as well.  We got our outdoor fix, exercised our bodies and cultivated confidence that we could bring our family life into the outdoors.