To me, summer is for getting outside (and also for staying home: see my last post!), and I love having weekday adventures with my kids that aren’t too far from home. In this “Easy Urban Outdoors” series, I feature places that are close to the city (Denver) to get one’s outdoor adventure fix.

Star K Ranch unquestionably fits this description. In Aurora, east of Denver, this trail system includes Morrison Nature Center, providing educational opportunities for people of all ages (and a resident bull snake, box turtle and tiger salamander!) . When my kids were littler, we’d go to their kids’ class on a weekday morning (check their schedule for current programming).

Here’s what I love about spending a few hours at Star K Ranch:

• There’s a loop trail from the nature center that is doable for young kids. It’s probably 1 mile, maximum.

• In the center of the trail is a wetland, filled with cat tails, reeds, butterflies, frogs, birds, and more.

• There are ample places along the trail to stop an explore. Lots of trees/logs to climb.

• You feel far from the city: there are very few urban views.

• There are opportunities to join programming at the nature center.

Other notes:

• The Star K Ranch trails connect to both the High Line Canal Trail and the Sand Creek Trail. I personally haven’t biked here, but I think it’d be quite doable, depending where you live.

• It’d moderately stroller-friendly. I’d recommend a carrier, but if you have a BOB stroller or similar, you’ll probably be fine!

• Maybe it’s just luck, but I’ve been here several times over the last 5 years and it’s never been crowded.

Have you been to Star K Ranch? What did you enjoy about it?

In March 2020, to create more room people to recreate while physically distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Denver Parks and Recreation closed roads in several city parks to vehicle traffic. Now, one year later, they’re determining which closures to make permanent. Several parks will maintain the pandemic-era closures, but Denver’s central park, City Park, will be returning to more-or-less the way it was pre-pandemic (read: full of cars).

As a local resident who utilizes City Park daily for transportation and recreation, I’m firmly in favor of keeping City Park car free. To be clear, this does not actually mean there will be no cars in the park. It means that there will be parking available for cars in multiple locations around the perimeter of the park (as well as ADA parking in the center of the park for those with mobility limitations) and cars can drive on short stretches of park roads to access these parking lots. A car-free park means that vehicles are not allowed to drive through the center of the park.

There are so many reasons I support a car-free City Park, but here five of my top reasons we need people-full park that’s light on cars:

one // It’s safer for everyone. Three of the four roads that form the boundaries of City Park are on part of what is called the “High Injury Network” (HIN). This is not a positive achievement: the HIN “represents the corridors in Denver with the highest number of fatal and injury crashes. Collectively, the HIN accounts for 5% of streets in Denver, but 50% of traffic deaths” (Source: Denver Vision Zero).

Colorado Boulevard to the east of the park, 17th Avenue on the south side of the park, and York Street on the west side of the park are all arterial road that are part of the HIN. They’re busy roads that get a lot of people where they need to go every day. Speeding on these roads is common. Entering the park via any of these roads is dangerous, for pedestrians, bicyclists, and people driving motor vehicles.

Furthermore, allowing cars to drive within the park decreases the safety park goers. Kids riding bikes, people walking their dogs, families having picnics. Cars often cut through the park to avoid the traffic on the busy roads mentioned above. These cars often don’t follow the speed limit and are mostly just concerned with getting where they need to go.

As urban dwellers, we need safe spaces to recreate. Low-income residents are twice as likely as high-income residents to be killed while walking. And African American children are two times as likely to be killed while walking as white children. Latino children: 40% more likely. No matter who you are, being out and about poses significant risks. We need safer streets. But in the meantime, we need parks to be a respite from the risks of the roads.

Limiting the routes cars can drive through City Park is not a limitation on people. It’s a prioritization of people. It puts the safety and health of our citizens ahead of convenience or presumed desires. It’s not about closing the streets to cars. It’s about opening them to people.

two // The people want it. In a survey conducted by the Denver Parks and Recreation department in late 2020, 78% of the 1500 respondents who commented about City Park said they wanted to see the road closures made permanent for the long term. The survey respondents were predominately white (89%), and the survey notes point out that “The amount of people who identify as Black or African American and do not want roads/lots to remain closed is significantly higher compared to all other race/ethnicities. The amount of people who identify as White or Caucasian and do want roads/lots to remain closed is significantly higher than all other race/ethnicities besides Asian/Asian American.”

These are important takeaways. Nevertheless, to ignore the preference of such a strong majority because of conjecture about what hypothetical respondents may want? It doesn’t make sense. More outreach and data collection could have been done. But if the city is confident in the role equity considerations played in their survey outreach, then they should listen to results.

three // Exercise is good for everyone. In the context of championing road closures in City Park, exercise is a factor in a few different ways:

First is the idea that you don’t have to park directly next to your destination. This seems hard for some Denverites to wrap their head around. But unless you have a mobility limitation, parking a short walk from your destination is usually a good thing! It’s a chance to exercise, get fresh air, and enjoy your surroundings. It rarely pours rain in Denver, so really those 300+ days of sunshine per year make this a great walking city.

Additionally, open, car-free space in the park allows more people to move their bodies without safety concerns. People can rollerblade, bike, run, skateboard, stroll…The Mayo Clinic recommends at least 30 minutes of exercise everyday, and a 2018 study revealed that only 23% of Americans get enough exercise. 

This is again a great context within which to emphasize the point that no one is arguing against driving to the park, I’m just arguing that cars shouldn’t be driving through the park.

four// It’s good for wildlife and the environment.
In a stretch of trees adjacent to one of the closed roads on the west side of City Park, two red-tailed hawks are nesting. My children look for them every time we walk in the park. I don’t have hard data on the increase of wildlife in the park since the roads have been closed, but my observations tell me it isn’t insignificant. Our cities have always encroached on wildlife. Parks are a small refuge for all animals amidst the urban chaos.

Additionally, Denver residents endure elevated pollution levels daily. The air quality in our region continues to deteriorate each year despite stated goals to address the problems causing it. Our city leadership knows that we have to reduce car traffic and increase walking, biking, and transit trips to curb the negative effects of transportation emissions (between 1/4 to 1/3 of greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation!).

The parks department should be protecting nature and the environment by implementing policies that prioritize transit and help residents take fewer polluting trips.

five // RTD buses serve the park and surround attractions.
City Park is a regional park that should be accessible to people from the whole city and region (and beyond). In conversations about access and parking, it’s important not to make “access” synonymous with “car access.” City Park is well served by public transportation. The park is surrounded on all four sides by arterial roads with bus lines.

Of course, the convenience of Denver’s bus system can be debated and these bus routes will not provide the most convenient access for everyone. But as a city, we are striving to meet stated climate goals, and to do that we must continue to discourage the use of single-occupancy vehicle. As such, plans for City Park should incentivize walking, biking, and using transit to get to the park. And maybe make some convenient parking for electric vehicles too. The Parks and Recreation Department’s current plan to open the park back up to cars for events and everyday use is not forward-looking. It prioritizes and normalizes an outdated view of modality. We, as a city, have an opportunity to set forth as we mean to go on. Let’s reduce our air pollution, improve the health of our residents, and keep our friends and family safe.

Here in Denver, there are ample opportunities for recreation nearby. There are innumerable hikes and parks along the front range, and venturing deeper into the mountains offers even more avenues for outdoor exploration. Our family loves going hiking and camping, and we’re working on increasing our winter activities (I grew up skiing but haven’t tackled taking our kids yet!).

But all that said, most of you know I’m not the biggest fan of driving, so I’m always on the hunt for easy places close to the city to get our outdoor adventure fix.

One of our favorite places to take a short nature walk is Bluff Lake Nature Center. Here’s what I love about it:

• There’s one clearly defined loop trail, so you don’t need to think too much about where to go.

• From the main trail, there are several places to veer off and let the kids explore. These include wooden walkways out onto the lake.

• The loop is only about 1.5 miles, so it’s doable even when someone is whiney or hangry.

• Even though it’s in the city and close to a residential neighborhood, if you look the right direction you can see mountains and other vistas.

• There’s water - a lake and a stream. And some muck throughout!

• It’s stroller-friendly (a BOB or similar would be best).

• No bikes allowed. (You all know I love biking, but keeping my littles out of the way of mountain bikes is one of my least favorite parts of hiking some trails!)

Other notes:

• NO DOGS allowed, even on a leash.

• They run a Forest School and outdoor summer camps here.

• There are several other naturalist activities offered for families, kids and individuals. Check out their website!

• There are bathrooms by the parking lot.

• Bike parking is scarce. Last time I was there with the cargo bike I had to lock to a sign post.

Have you been to Bluff Lake? What do you enjoy about it?

Five years ago, I started doing daily advent activities with my littles. I’ve always been a planner…spontaneity doesn’t come naturally to me. Having a master list for the month of December seemed like a good way to enjoy the holiday season and all it’s potential activities.

We’ve kept the tradition going, but each year I’ve scaled it back a bit. My goal is for it to be festive and memorable for the kids while not being too much work for us parents. The first year or two were a bit stressful. And stress is not what any of us need; not ever, but definitely not this year!

Here’s what we’ll be up to by way of activities this month. Typically there are a few holiday parties in the mix, but unfortunately not in 2020. Hopefully next year!

december 2017.

• Head to the mountains and cut down a tree!

• Watch The Grinch with special snacks

• Make Pizzelle cookies

• Write letters to Santa 

• Watch Claymation Christmas

• Make orange peel decorations

• Make holiday cards for your extended family

• Go for a walk after dark with hot cocoa

• Bake cookies to deliver to the neighbors

• Fancy family dinner

• Snuggle on the couch + read some holiday books

• Dance party to everyone’s favorite song

• Write a list 10 things you’re grateful for

• Family facials!

• Spinach balls and drinks by the Christmas tree

• Family bike ride to see holiday lights

• Stay in your jammies for breakfast + watch Home Alone

• Go on a bird hunt: see how many birds you can find on a walk 

• Drop food off at a local food bank

• Bake gingerbread friends 

• Enjoy reading ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas before bed

And that’s all she wrote! A few that didn’t make the list this year involve nail polish (not relaxing for me with my 3 year old!) and putting food coloring in our cereal milk (we ran out of green food coloring and I’m not sure when I’ll get around to buying more…).

I also reserve the right to change the activities ahead of time. I put the activities on pieces of paper in the pockets of our reusable fabric advent calendar and also keep a master list on my computer so I know what’s happening. I swap days or change activities as life indicates!

What about you? Do you do advent activities? What are your favorite holiday traditions?

I grew up camping. From summer camp canoe trips to family hiking trips to the times we didn’t want to rent a hotel on a road trip, I camped a lot. I’ve always considered myself a “camper.” However, when we moved to Colorado eight years ago and got invited to go camping with friends, I realized family car camping was a whole different beast than the camping I grew up doing. There was no filling your sleeping bag stuff sack with dirty clothes to make a pillow. People brought pillows! And mattresses. And bikes!

In the past several years, we’ve embraced this type of camping. I love sleeping with my pillow. I recently bought a sleeping pad and it’s divine. And yet, I still seek some degree of simplicity when we’re out in nature. Less is more. And this is particularly true when it comes to waste. I have no interest in creating a bunch of trash while I’m communing with the great outdoors. There are few things that hurt my heart more than an overflowing dumpster at the edge of a campground.

Figuring out how to minimize waste while camping can be a bit daunting. Drawing on my childhood memories of minimalist camping and my more newly-developed “zero-waste” habits, I’ve come up with some tips for making your outdoor adventures more waste-free!

one // Compost. Whether camping or in your house, composting is the number one way individuals can reduce the amount of waste they send to the landfill. By some estimates, up to 50% of household trash is organic matter. So much of our camping “trash” is compost: produce scraps, coffee grounds, uneaten sandwich crusts that fell on the ground… Put all this in a compost bin and take it home with you. If you don’t have your own compost service, most cities have a free drop-off locations. Line your bin with brown paper to reduce smell and make sure to tie your bin up high in a tree or put it in your car overnight!

two // Bring your own plates, cups, and utensils. When we camp, we bring three large plastic bins. One contains dry foods, one contains cooking utensils, and the third holds miscellaneous camping items like matches, flashlights, a first aid kit, bug spray, etc.

I pack plates, cups, bowls, and silverware for everyone in our family. I also bring a lightweight placemat to use as a cutting board, a sharp knife, a peeler, a large bowl for prepping foods, a cast iron pan for cooking, a sauce pan for boiling water, a moka pot (small stovetop espresso maker)…and any other cooking tools I’ll need for the meals I have planned.

I beg you, do not use disposables when you camp. It just goes against the entire idea of enjoying nature. You’re going to eat off a plate that was made by cutting down trees while you’re enjoying the view of the trees?

three // Take your “rag system” with you. I always encourage people to adopt a “rag system” in their home to minimize the use of paper products like tissues, napkins, and paper towels. And it’s not that hard to take some cloth towels on the road!

Here’s what I do: I take a bag of clean cloths (mostly dish towels, but also smaller clothes to use for spills and noses) and a wet bag for dirties. When a dish towel is dirty beyond reuse, I throw it in the dirty bag. Any super dirty clothes might go in there too. Wash it all once you’re back at home.

four // Bring tap water in reusable containers. Years ago, we had a large plastic “bladder” for taking water camping. These are great, and I support anything reusable that limits single-use water bottles! But, we made the mistake of letting our kids play with it at home, and it inevitably sprung a leak. Instead of buying a new one, the next time we went camping I brought a six pack of old wine bottles filled with water. I put them in one of those reusable wine carrying bags to keep them organized. This worked well, so now we bring them every time we camp. I also have a few gallon-sized bottles we bring. If the campground has a water pump, bring a funnel and you can easily refill these bottles. When we go somewhere without a water source, we bring a large 5-gallon glass bottle I bought at a vintage store as a decorative item. (I was searching Amazon for a non-plastic water container and saw a bunch of large glass bottles and realized I already had one sitting in my dining room full of fake flowers!) #usewhatyouhave

five // Minimize individually wrapped foods. It can be tempting to rely on “convenience foods” when you go camping. Granola bars, juice boxes, applesauce pouches, chip bags… Marketers convince us our life will be easier if our food is “grab and go.” But, really, when you’re camping there’s plenty of time to cut up some fruit or bread for a snack. There are many delicious snacks that don’t come with a lot of packaging. Make a big jar of trail mix to dole out to the kids. Give them bananas or apples. For more ideas, check out my post on low-waste snack ideas.

six // Recycle. Properly. It ceases to amaze me how many people put their recyclables in a plastic trash bag. If you do this, they WILL NOT be recycled. Put recyclables in a recyclable bag, like a paper grocery bag.

Another “no-no:” can crushing. Do not crush your cans; this also reduces the chances they’ll be recycled because recycling machines have electronic readers that scan for the shape of cans.

Something else to consider: rural areas typically don’t have as robust of recycling facilities as urban areas. If you’re someone who lives in a city and is going camping in a more rural setting, bring your recyclables back home to ensure they get recycled.

seven // Meal plan. Just like at home, you’re likely to waste less food and maximize your ingredients if you have a plan. Some of my go-to meals for camping are:

• pasta with pesto and veggies/legumes

• tacos with sweet potato or mushrooms, avocado, salsa etc.

• lentil soup with rice (make both ahead and just reheat!)

• peanut butter + jelly sandwiches

• vegetable and hummus wraps

• scrambled eggs and potato hash

• oatmeal (oats, chia seeds, flaxmeal, coconut flakes, raisins…)

• pancakes (try my make-ahead mix!)

eight // Consider non-tangible waste. Reducing waste is a simple step we can all take to help the environment. I’m a big believer that the benefits stretch far beyond the trash bin by simplifying your life. But it’s also important to remember that our trash might not be the biggest way we pollute the earth. The fossil fuels burned by driving to a campsite are not insignificant, and neither are those powering a RV generator. Often, when we camp somewhere with a body of water or a hike, I’ll see people driving from their campsite to the lake or trailhead. If this is absolutely necessary, then by all means. But you already drove to the campground, so maybe spare the earth the extra pollutants while you’re there?

nine // Keep learning and researching. Every year I have new ideas about how to do something that I hadn’t considered before. I discover new ways to reduce my waste or accomplish a task in a way that has a smaller environmental impact. My next goal: cook while camping with fewer gas canisters. They’re not recyclable and they’re also a hazardous waste, so they need to be dropped off at drop off locations and should not be put directly in your trash bin. (But, if you’re like me, they just accumulate in you house because you can’t confront the waste you’ve created!)

ten // Teach others. We need to remind each other how to take care of the earth so it will always be enjoyable for camping trips. Talk with your family and friends about the importance of reducing our environmental impact. Pick up any litter near your campsite. Exploring and respecting nature is a key to becoming more eco-conscious citizens!

I hate spray sunscreens. I know that’s a controversial position to take among parents. Putting sunscreen on your kids is a legit pain, and spray sunscreens often seem like they’re easier. But here’s the rub: they’re shown to be less effective and they’re also terrible for the health of the planet and those nearby when you’re spraying.

Here’s something else I dislike: non-recyclable plastic. And that’s what packages many sunscreens. But thankfully, there are a few companies out there doing their part to make their sunscreens the best they can be for both the health of the users and the health of the planet.

I’ve received some questions lately about what kind of sunscreen we use, so here are my thoughts on how to make the best possible choice for yourself and your family when choosing a sunscreen. Sometimes we forget that our skin is our body’s largest organ, so we shouldn’t be blasé about what we’re putting on it!

THREE THINGS I LOOK FOR IN A SUNSCREEN

one // Proven “non-toxic” ingredients. As you may know, in the US, beauty products are only very loosely regulated by the government. It can be hard to know what ingredients are safe and which ones aren’t. And on top of that, hundreds of sunscreens (and other beauty products) promote themselves as “green” or “natural” or “non-toxic.” In many cases this is just greenwashing; they just want you to buy their product. To determine if a product is really safe, you should be able to find clear information about their products’ ingredients on their website. You can usually tell if they’re bluffing about the natural nature of their sunscreen or if their claims are legitimate.

two // A company with sustainability practices. Many companies are making improvements on their plastic packaging. Reusables are always the best choice, but we’re seeing more and more stainless steel containers and compostable paper sticks. These are fantastic choices. But it’s good to remember that even if a company is using plastic for their products, they still might be doing great things on the sustainability front. Their manufacturing and shipping practices has a lot to do with how many emissions are created through their business. Do some research so you can be informed about the companies you’re supporting with your wallet.

three // Zinc oxide; preferable non-nano zinc oxide. Instead of trying to figure out which weird-sounding chemical ingredients are safe and which aren’t, I look for sunscreens that are made out of zinc oxide and other ingredients I can recognize. As for why you want “non-nano zinc oxide,” it’s essentially because nano particles can enter the bloodstream and that’s bad. So you want not super small particles. You can do a quick internet search and find out lots more information on this topic.

OK OK, SO WHICH SUNSCREEN SHOULD I BUY?

Raw Elements - I love all the products Raw Elements make. All their sunscreens are reef-safe, which is extra important if you’re swimming somewhere besides swimming pools. I can get their sunscreen at my local refill shop, but I also like ordering directly from their website. Their kids sunscreen is great and I also love the tinted face moisturizer. Their biodegradable sticks are super for face application as well. I haven’t yet tried their lip products, but I bet they’re fantastic too.

While writing this post, I realized I could sign up to be an affiliate with them, so here’s a 10% off code if you choose to order from their site: deliberateless10
If you chose to make a purchase with this code, I get a very small commission. But please know that I was planning to promote their sunscreen anyway; I truly love their products and what their company stands for!

Meow Meow Tweet - I use Meow Meow Tweet Everyday Sunscreen year round. It’s light and goes on easily. It gives me less protection than the Raw Elements products, so I use it on days I don’t plan to have a lot of sun exposure. I really love the metal dispenser and the smell. If you’ve never checked out Meow Meow Tweet, you’re missing out. I love all their face products!

//

These are by no means the only great sunscreen options on the market. They’re just the brands I know and trust. What other companies are working hard to create sustainable and healthy products for sun protection?

Last week, I took the kids north of Denver to the Broomfield Bike Park by McKay Lake. I’d been on my list for awhile as a great place to let the kids play outdoors. I wasn’t sure how my older two, ages 7 and 5, would take to the “pump track.” Willa expressed some hesitation on the ride up, but once we were there they were eager to try riding.

We explored the playground first though, while we were waiting for friends to join us. I loved the way it incorporated nature; my kids love flinging themselves down the rock “slides:” angled rocks that you could climb or slide down. (I didn’t get a picture unfortunately, but there are also plastic slides built into the landscape.) The playground is right next to the beginner bike track, so it was easy for the kids to go back and forth between the two spots.

The beginner pump track was great. Kids who know how to ride a bike, or are adept at a strider, can do it no problem. Of course there’s a chance of falling, but it didn’t seem overly dangerous in my opinion. Even my 2 year old wanted to get out there and give it a whirl

It didn’t take long before my kids realized there were bigger tracks they could try. The track visible from the beginner one looks HUGE (see picture below), so I wasn’t keen to head over there. But I heard some people talking and realized there were two more beginner (or maybe intermediate?) tracks on the other side of the big track. We headed over there, and my kids enjoyed it so much! It was a tad more challenging than the beginner area but still doable for them.

We had a glorious day at this park. We were there over four hours and the kids didn’t even want to leave when I said it was time. I have never been to a bike park before so I don’t really know how this compares to others, but my sense is it’s a good one. If you live in the Denver area, I highly recommend checking it out, even if it’s a bit of a drive for you!

There’s a challenge I heard about on, ironically, social media. Can you spend 1000 hours outside this year? Every year, really. It is a challenge to spend less time in front of screens and more time in front of trees.

The idea that we all should be more connected with nature really resonates with me. Time outside was a huge part of my childhood. And since becoming a parent, in a city, it’s an issue that’s at the forefront of my mind.

I’ve recently read a few parenting books about the benefits of unstructured time outdoors, and I’m totally convinced. I’m always trying to find more ways to get my kids (and myself!) outside, so the challenge immediately appealed to me. I printed the tracker sheets, and we are seeing how many hours we can clock this year.

Research in child development recommends that children spend 4-6 hours outside each and every day. I know that might sounds a bit crazy to some, but I’m keeping it in mind as an average. We won’t do that every day. We won’t achieve that most days. But there are weekends and summer camping trips and maybe, just maybe, we can get close to 1000 hours this year. My son goes to outdoor preschool twice a week, so that give him a leg up!

Since I started keeping track earlier this month, I’m average about 3 hours outside per day. Much of that is walking or biking my kids to or from school, with a little playground or backyard time sprinkled in. I’m grateful for the time we’re outside getting from point A to B, but I also want to work on finding more unstructured time to just explore in nature. I will be consulting the list I made last summer about places to get outside in the Denver area. The 1000 Hours Outside website has lots more ideas too. Check it out!

How many hours do you and your kids spend outside each day?

If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll notice I post a lot about biking. Switching to a “car-lite” lifestyle has been one of the most significant intentional changes our family has made in the past couple of years. I am a huge believer that biking or walking more instead of driving has a profoundly positive impact on one’s life. It also is a change that helps minimize your environmental footprint. Transportation is the largest contributor to C02 emissions in the US. And most of the driving comes from short trips around one’s town or neighborhood. Of course the automobile has opened up so many opportunities to us, but next time you go to jump in the car for a short trip, ask yourself if maybe you could get there by a smaller, cleaner vehicle instead. (Or a larger one with lots of people on it!)

In order to making biking your norm, you need a bike to suit your needs. Enter: the cargo bike. We bought ours two years ago, and as cheesy as it sounds, it has truly changed my life. I get a decent number of questions and comments about my bike, so I thought I’d do a little FAQ here for anyone who’s interested. Let me know if there’s anything you’re curious about that I’ve missed.

What type of bike is it?
Our bike is a Nihola 4.0.

Nihola bikes are made in Copenhagen, Denmark. Their “family” model is the most popular: it has one bench which fits two children. Our model, the 4.0 has two benches so it can fit up to 4 children with seat belts.

Where’d you get it? Is it custom?
We ordered our bike from Practical Cycle, a bike store in Sacramento, California. They import Nihola bikes from Copenhagen and have sold them to customers across the United States. The bike was shipped in a truck directly to our garage! The cost of shipping was minimal relative to the overall purchase.

Why not just use a trailer or bike seat?
We’ve used both of those bike attachments to transport our kids. But when I was pregnant with our third child, I realized I really wanted a bike that I could use in place of a car to go almost everywhere we need to go. I didn’t want to bike just for recreation or occasional use. A trailer and/or bike seat can be heavy and awkward depending on your set-up. I loved the idea of a “bucket bike” where I could just throw everything in the cargo area and not worry about attachments or the kids dropping things etc.

Why a bucket bike instead of a longtail?
Longtail bikes were some of the first cargo bikes for carrying kids available to the American market. I remember over 10 years ago I watched a video about a family using an Xtracycle for errands (they bought a tree at a nursery, haha) and seeing that lit the flame that turned into a burning desire to own a cargo bike. But later, I saw a Madsen bucket bike (basically a longtail with a cargo bin on the back) and thought that would be much better for kids. More research led us to the Nihola, and I love having the kids in front of me so we can talk and I can keep an eye on them. And I love having the ability to just throw everything inside the cargo hold and get on our way. I don’t have to think too much about adding bags or attachments. And I don’t have to worry about the kids dropping their belongings en route!

Why do you like it so much?
This might actually be the hardest question to answer, just because it’s hard to put it into words. Riding a bike gives me a feeling of freedom and excitement while simultaneously making me feel calm and at peace with the world around me. The sensory experience of the breeze in your face and the weather all around you is truly good for one’s soul. I love getting my exercise while also getting somewhere. I like talking with the kids about the things we see around us. When I see traffic, I am gleeful that we’re not stuck in it. Riding a bike makes me feel strong and independent. The most mundane errand, is more fun when you’re biking. At least, it is to me!

When are you going to let your kids bike on their own?
When Denver has more protected bike lanes? ;) Kidding. Kind of. Willa is 7, and her biking skills are improving. Cameron is almost 5 and he’s good on a bike too. They bike on her own for recreation and in parks. But generally, the traffic and roads around our neighborhood do not feel safe for children, in my opinion. Even the large park we live near allows cars on the roads, and the drivers go too fast while looking at their phones. I wish my kids were able to bike more on their own, because I think it’s important for kids to be independent. And I’m a parent who is ok with kids taking on a bit of risk. But I also have to be honest with myself about where we live and central Denver just isn’t the best place for kids to be biking on their own at a young age. I’m hopeful the bike infrastructure will continue to improve though.

All that said, I plan to keep riding the Nihola with the kids for years to come. Often we bike to places that others would drive. This morning I took Willa to her soccer game 5 miles away. She’s not going to bike that on her own any time soon.

Is it hard to ride?
In short, no. It rides much easier than I thought it would before buying it. Even though we have the electric assist, we don’t use it all the time. The Nihola is relatively lightweight as far as cargo bikes go. The challenges with riding it are more related to navigating streets and obstacles in the city. It doesn’t clear steep curb cuts, so I have to angle the wheels to make sure the front doesn’t bottom out. It also doesn’t have the same turning radius as a two-wheeled bike, so I sometimes have to do three-point turns. Locking it up can also be tricky sometimes, depending on what types of bike locks are available.

Where do you ride it?
Pretty much everywhere! We live in central Denver, so we can get to so many places within a mile or two. We use it almost every day for school drop off and pick up, as well as trips to the grocery store, the doctor, friends’ houses, and more. I love having the cargo bike in the garage ready to go at all times, so we can just jump in it without too much rigamarole. I try not to drive unless I’m going somewhere over 5 miles. Last summer, we did swim lessons 4 days a week for 4 weeks about 45 minutes away (biking). I biked most days. It was a great way to spend time together with the kids and for them to decompress after swimming. Last year, I used the bike to bring my son’s classmate home from their preschool a couple days a week. I call it my “bike minivan:” I use it for everything!

Do the kids like it?
Yes! They’ve gotten very used to it over the past two years. They often complain now if we’re going to drive somewhere. But, just like anyone, they can get crabby if it’s hot or we’re on a long ride. They sit pretty close to each other so kicking and yelling at each other is not uncommon. But neither is singing songs or laughing. Mostly, we have a good time when we’re biking around the city.

Is it just for carrying kids?
No way. We sometimes load it up with lawn chairs and a cooler for a picnic in the park. I regularly use it for grocery shopping. Occasionally I’ll ride in it for a date night! (When we were in Copenhagen, that was commonplace!) Whatever kind of cargo you need to move around, there’s a bike for that!

How much cargo can it hold?
The bike can carry 265 pounds plus the rider. People often ask when the kids will be “too big” for it, but going by their weights, it will be a long time before we out grown it!

What about when it’s cold or rainy?
There’s a rain cover for days with inclement weather. We use it occasionally, but thankfully we don’t get too much precipitation in Denver. On days that are just cold, I have the kids bundle up with coats and blankets. The cover makes kids cozy for sure, but it’s hard to get them in and out of their seats and it’s sometimes a bit claustrophobic for them. I stay warm by using no assist and getting my heart rate up!

How much was it?
The Nihola 4.0 was $3500 and we added a BionX e-assist battery for an additional $2000. I sometimes feel uncomfortable when people ask how much it cost, but I also remind myself and them that it was much less than a car! And we are now a one-car family, so we feel like we came out ahead! There are definitely more inexpensive cargo bikes available, but we wanted one with high-quality parts that would last for years. We are hoping to use it for many years to come.

Should I get one?
YES! I’m a big believer that everyone needs some sort of cargo bike. Even if you don’t have kids, we all have stuff we need to carry around. You’re more likely to bike places if you have a way to carry cargo (hello, grocery store!). There are so many types of cargo bikes, there’s definitely one that would suit your needs.

If you’re in the Denver area, I highly recommend MacKenzie at Hardt Family Cyclery in Aurora. In other cities, search “cargo bike shops” and I’m sure you’ll find something not too too far away. They’re becoming more common all the time.

There’s tons of information available online too. Check out Denver Bicycle Lobby on Twitter or Cargo Bike Republic on Facebook; both communities have tons of advice to offer!

As I mentioned recently on my Instagram, my goal for the summer is to try to get the kids outside for at least 3 hours a day. Some of this will be swim lessons and other planned activities, but I’ve recently been reminded of the importance of unstructured outdoor play. I grew up doing this, on a large lot of land in northern New York, as I’m sure many people my age did. I’d spend hours playing in mud and water and setting up forts amongst the trees. But in recent years, there’s been a shift towards spending more time indoors with increase supervision. I’ve been reading “There’s No Such Thing As Bad Weather” by Linda Åkeson McGurk and she has me completely convinced of the benefits of freely playing outdoors.

We moved a couple years ago to a house with a larger backyard. We try to get the kids outside as much as possible. But lately I’ve been thinking about finding more “real” nature for them to explore. More trails and streams and mud. I reached out to some of my parent networks on Facebook, and received tons of great suggestions. I’m compiling them all here for my own purposes, and perhaps for your reference as well. I haven’t been to even half of these spots, so do let me know in the comments if you have any feedback on any of the suggestions.

Where to find nature experiences within the Denver metro area, divided by region.
Spots closest to Denver are listed first. —

NORTH

Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge // 6550 Gateway Road, Commerce City, CO 80022
There’s a driving loop for viewing wildlife, but several short walking trails as well.

Broomfield Bike Park // Zuni Street, Broomfield, CO 80023
Bike park and supposedly fantastic nature playground nearby. Free.

Sunflower Farm // 11150 Prospect Road, Longmont, CO 80504
A single-day admission ticket gives you access to this quaint farm in Longmont. Feed animals, play on swings and the treehouse playground, ride the horses or tractors. They also offer a preschool and summer camp options. Reservations required to visit.

Eldorado Canyon State Park // 65 Baldwin Cir, Eldorado Springs, CO 80025
Four trails ranging from 0.5 miles to 3.5 miles. Tip: aim to go on a weekday; weekends get very crowded.

Dirty Bismark Trail // Superior, CO - various trailheads along loop
{from the website} Dirty Bismarck Loop Trail is a 13.8 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Louisville, Colorado that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October. Dogs and horses are also able to use this trail.

//

SOUTH

Washington Park // S. Downing St. & E. Louisiana Ave., Denver, CO 80210
Great walking paths, a new playground, and a creek to explore. Recent improvements have minimized car traffic inside the park.

South Platte Trail // various starting points along a ~20 mile route.
”Scenic bike ride but lots of places to stop! Get out down south by the Botanic Gardens at Chatfield.”

High Line Canal // various starting points
{from the website} At 71 miles long, the High Line Canal is one of the longest continuous urban trails in the country, twisting through the most populated area of Colorado while crossing a diverse mosaic of communities and nature. The Canal originates at Waterton Canyon in Douglas County and runs to Green Valley Ranch in Northeast Denver, falling within one mile of more than 350,000 residents.

Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms // 8500 W Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton, CO 80128
{from a mom who works there}: “Amazing place to let your littles run around and explore. Farm animals, lots of birds, frogs, and beavers dams all along the creek. Most folks don't walk the full loop of the trail along the creek so miss a lot of the site.”

Chatfield State Park // 11500 North Roxborough Park Road, Littleton, CO 80125
{from their website} “Float your boat in the lake, bicycle or hike on a trail that provides scenic views of the neighboring foothills and Platte River valley, camp, ride a horse and even fly a model airplane - all at Chatfield State Park, nestled next to the foothills southwest of Denver.​​​​”

Castlewood Canyon State Park // 2989 South State Highway 83, Franktown, CO, 80116
Slightly hidden in the plains (not the mountains) which makes this park unique and sometimes less crowded than other state parks. Various hiking trails and much nature to explore.

//

EAST

Bluff Lake Nature Center // 3400 Havana Way, Denver, CO 80238
No bikes or dogs allowed. Free entry. 1.2 mile loop and several other trails and areas to observe nature.

Star K Ranch // 16002 E Smith Road, Aurora, CO 80011
They do a great nature class for kids 5 and under on Thursday mornings. Check their Facebook for details.

The Urban Farm at Stapleton // 10200 Smith Road, Denver, Colorado 80239
$5 admission for ages 2+

Cherry Creek State Park // 4201 S. Parker Road Aurora, CO 80014
{from the website} A scenic oasis in the Denver area offering a wide variety of water and land activities for outdoor enthusiasts. The 4,000-acre park and modern campground are open year-round. View birds and wildlife, recreate or relax with the majestic Rocky Mountains as a backdrop.

//

WEST

Crown Hill Park // 9357 West 26th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
Nice walking loop around a lake.

Anderson Park // West 44th Avenue and Field Street, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
Access to Clear Creek. Possible water play and much to explore by the creek.

Alderfer / Three Sisters Park // 5136 South Le Masters Road, Evergreen, CO 80439
There’s also an east trailhead.

Bear Creek Lake Park // 15600 W Morrison Road, Lakewood CO 80228
When I first moved to Denver after living in places with more water, I laughed when someone told me this was a good beach. Then, a few years later, I took my kids to swim and said to friends, “this is GREAT!” It’s not the Adirondacks or Minnesota, but it’s still fun!

Lions Park // 1470 10th Street, Golden, CO 80401
Walk by the creek and play at the playground before or after. Water level varies so be cautious if there’s a high/strong flow.

Bear Creek Greenbelt // 2800 S. Estes St., Lakewood, CO 80227
{from the website} “This lovely, natural stream corridor provides a continuous trail connection and wildlife corridor from Wadsworth Boulevard west to Bear Creek Lake Park. The 379-acre preserve parallels Bear Creek and contains wetlands, fishing ponds, riparian forests and abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. Trail connections provide endless options for biking and walking along the scenic floodplain heading toward Denver or Bear Creek Lake Park and the foothills beyond.”

Lair o’ the Bear Park // 22550 State Highway 74, Idledale, CO 80453
Great walking path along a creek. Good for families and usually suitable for a stroller with large wheels.

Matthew Winters Park // 1103 County Highway 93, Golden, CO 80401
Various trails, but apparently the trailhead itself is a great place to play; a stream and some trials offer kids ample opportunity to explore nature.

North Table Mountain Trail // Access the trail via Highway 93 just north of Pine Ridge Road. (4758 Highway 93)
{from the website} North Table Mountain Trail is 1.5 miles and traverses the southwest side of North Table Mountain below the cliff band. There are excellent views of the Golden Valley. The trail is moderate to advanced in difficulty, with 300 feet elevation gain from the north and 400 feet elevation gain from the south. The trail branches left to the Golden Cliffs Trail shortly after the trailhead in the north. Stay right to keep on the North Table Mountain Trail. The trail terminates near Peary Parkway at its southern end.

Apex Park // 121 County Highway 93, Golden, CO 80401
Close to downtown Golden, this trail is nice on really hot days, it eventually follows a stream with good shade thanks to a dense forest. This trail is popular with mountain bikers, but there are “directional use” restrictions: “Bicyclists are required to ride in one direction only (uphill/west) on odd-numbered calendar days.”