Who Doesn't Love a BBQ? (Giveaway)

I know we talk most of the time about getting away from home and having fun outdoors.  Sometimes it's nice to stay home, though, isn't it?  And if you are stuck staying home, you may as well be having a fabulous time!  Good luck in the  giveaway, and you're more than welcome to invite me over after you win!


Welcome to the Backyard BBQ Event!
 This event has been in the works since the end of last summer, 
so we've been working hard bring it to you! 

This event is hosted by Dixieland Reviews

Prizes: (See photos above!) Prize 1- Weber BBQ Grill -arv:$499 Prize 2- Smoker - arv:$248 Prize 3- Patio Set-arv:$599 Prize 4-Very decorative Cooler: arv:$99 Prize 5- Stainless Steel BBQ Set- arv:$62 Prize 6- Portable Gazebo- arv:$249 Prize 7- Gorgeous Patio Firepit- arv:$119 Prize 8- Croquet Set- arv:$40 Prize 9- Dart Set- arv: $37 Prize 10- 132" Movie Screen AND Projector! arv:$235 & $270 respectively. There will be 10 winners total, one winner for each prize!

Terms & Conditions: PLEASE READ AS YOU ARE AGREEING TO THESE WHEN YOU ENTER! Must be 18+ and a resident of the US to enter. Void where prohibited by law. All entries from all tools will be combined and they ran throughrandom.org to ensure a fair drawing. All winning entries will be verified, if task on winning entry was not completed and the entry was taken anyway, that entry will be disqualified.

Winner will be notified via email and will have 24 hours to respond. If no response is received, winner forfeits the prize and a new winner will be chosen. Winning email will be sent from marie@dixielandsdeals.com so please add it to your safe list. We do not spam, nor will we ever sell your email address. We hate spam as much as you do! Prizes are shipped by sponsor. Participating bloggers not responsible for shipment of prizes. Not associated with Facebook or any other social media outlet. By Facebook terms and conditions, we cannot require you to 'like' any Facebook page, we can only ask you to visit them. But it's because of the participating bloggers and sponsors that we are able to bring you such great prizes, and we do appreciate it when you like our pages, plus then you'll know when we have another awesome giveaway! But it is still up to your discretion as to whether you like the page or not, and you will not be penalized. Please direct any questions to marie@dixielandsdeals.com.

Once winners have responded with their mailing information, they will be listed on the WINNERS PAGE. We list first name and last initial to protect privacy. These names are ONLY listed once we receive the mailing info from the winner.

#KidsBuckleUp Seat Belt Safety (& A Giveaway)

As much as we here at A Local Wander encourage families to get out and explore in their own neighborhoods, reality is that most times we're all hopping in the car (or minivan or truck or Jeep) and driving at least a little ways to reach our camping spot or trailhead.  Today I'm teaming up Safercar.gov to share an important message about buckling up, no matter how short the distance we may be going...


For us, it's P, especially, that I have to sit and wait to hear the "click".  He gets distracted very quickly and could probably sit with us all waiting on him in the driveway for half an hour before he remembers, "Oh, year, we're going somewhere.  I need my seatbelt."  

In the state of Utah, children are required to be in a booster seat until they are 8.  B just informed me the other day that even though he's turning 8 he wants to stay in his booster because he can see out the window better, and that is perfectly okay with me!  Each time we travel out of state I make sure to check the seatbelt safety laws in the destination we are going as well.  


While this infographic does not yet apply to me, I know it will apply to many of you and is important to share...we as parents can sometimes put our foot down on some really simple issues.  We need to make sure we're not letting it come back on the really important ones...


As an encouragement for parents, and in attempt to raise awareness for the #KidsBuckleUp campaign, I invite you to enter the giveaway below and share the message in any way you can!


4 Out-of-the-Way National Parks Worth Visiting (And a Bonus)


Today I want to share 4 of the National Parks I've loved spending time in over the years.  2 are in Alaska, one in New Mexico, and one that everybody has heard of but I don't think always get into too "deep".  Plus, at the end, I've thrown in a bonus just for fun.  Here we go...

1. Denali National Park, Alaska
National Parks

Denali National Park has got to be about as far "out-of-the" way as you can get.  A 7-day cruise, a 4-day overland drive, or 6-hour flight just to get to Alaska, and then a 4-hour drive or 6-hour train ride before you're finally there.  But I promise you, 100% worth the time!  Read more about Denali National Park here.

2. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska
Wrangell-St. Elias

Wrangell-St. Elias is the United States' largest national park, covering 13.2 million acres.  The mountains are vast, the forests are thick, the coastline laps up on to it, and a volcano puffs regularly to remind everyone in it's sight that true wilderness can be find here.  Nestled in the middle of it all is the historic Kennecott  Mine site.  The drive there takes you back 100 years and a day there will leave you in awe of what the early Alaskan miners accomplished so far out in the middle of nowhere.  Read more about Kennecott  Mine here.

3. White Sands National Monument
National Parks

Over the years, we have found the state of New Mexico to be a treasure trove of amazing and beautiful landscape and activity.  But you have to be willing to drive!  White Sands National Monument, with it's mounds of sand rolling away from you as far as the eye can see, and complete silence and solitude make it worth the 4-hour drive south of Albuquerque and we do it time and time again.  Find out why we love White Sands National Monument here.

4.  The Grand Canyon
National Parks

Everyone, of course, has heard of the Grand Canyon, and dreams of going there one day.  Technically, it does fit the bill of being out-of-the-way and figuratively I'm pleading with you to go out-of-the-way when you get there.  The Grand Canyon is SO MUCH MORE than just walking around the rim or stepping out on to the glass-bottomed overlook.  Picking one of dozens of trails and going down into the canyon will open up a whole new world, an ancient world, that a person can't explain until they've been down in there.  Read more about our hike down into the Grand Canyon here.

Those are 4 of our favorite out-of-the-way National Parks and Monuments.  And, now, the bonus, because it's one we love that's close to home...

Bonus: Golden Spike National Historic Site
National Parks

No doubt, the Golden Spike National Historic Site is as far out-of-the-way as you can get in Northern Utah.  You will be in the middle of nowhere, and will be able to feel like you're part of history as they re-enact the final connection of the Transcontinental Railroad.  Read more about the Golden Spike here.

That's our list, now we want to hear:
What is your favorite Out-of-the-Way National Park worth visiting?

National Park Service Week

National Park Service Week begins Saturday, and I'm excited to share about my favorite Natiional Park experiences starting Monday.  Today, though, as an introduction, I've updated a post from several years ago that still rings true to me today...

The movie "Field of Dreams" prophetically professed,

"If you build it, he will come."

 As I reflect on trips and experiences I've had in America's national parks, it seems like the same could also be said for those places;

"If you designate it [a national park], they will come."


We live in a busy world where we don't always take the time we should to stop and focus on the beauty of the place we live in.  And yet our national parks are overflowing with visitors each year.  Offering something for every type of person, from visitor center exhibits and videos to multi-day and multi-sport back-country adventures, they draw us in with the allure of grandeur and tranquility.

Nearly 80% of the state I live in, Utah, is designated in one way or another as public lands.  Year after year the controversy brews over the fairness and necessity of the government controlling where and how we live within our own borders.  Oftentimes the blame gets put on the lawmakers and other officials "back east" who have never been here.  Would they be so quick to sign the dotted line of a land deed if 80% of their state were to be taken away (seriously, Rhode Island/Connecticut/Delaware, think what that would mean). 

While I do agree in many ways that states themselves should control their resources (yes, land is a precious resource), I am also grateful for the places near me which are protected from development and urban sprawl.  With 5 national parks and many other BLM (Bureau of Land Management) or other legally protected sites, in Utah I have been spoiled by the ease in which I can walk out my door and escape reality to peacefully wander away from it all.  I'm grateful, too, thinking of all the similarly designated sites in places I've lived or visited all across the United States.  

Several of my favorite examples are:

My hope is that every citizen of this great country takes the time occasionally to step away from the daily grind, slow down, and truly appreciate the gift of nature and preservation we've been guaranteed through the national park system.  

Tell me about your favorite national park experience!


*Updated post originally shared in March 2013*

Unless otherwise noted, images in this post 
are linked to their source on nps.gov or this blog.

Adventure+Gear Fest Giveaway Winners

Congratulations to our 3 winners:

Maddy
Emily
Stacy

You should have each received an email from me to make delivery arrangements.

Didn't win but still want to go?  
You still have lots of options:


(Remember, Wasatch Mountain Film Festival tix include Festival entry as well)

(Free to run and includes free entry to the Festival when you're finish)

(Receive free entry to use before and after your shift)

Hope to see you there!!!

Adventure+Gear Fest Giveaway Ends Today

Last chance to enter for a chance to win tickets for this weekend's activities...
you'll find the entry forms near the bottom of this post...GOOD LUCK!!!

Adventure Blogger Questions


These are a few of the new blogs inspiring me recently, and I'm passing the Liebster Award on to each of them (backtrack to my last post for more information)


Here are the questions I'm excited to ask...

1. Explain the name of your blog.
2. Describe the very best day of your life.
3. What is the most exotic food you've ever eaten?
4. Tell about a place you remember because of it's smell.
5. Have you ever been skydiving?  Where?
6. How does adventure/the outdoors/or travel define you?
7. If money were no object, where would your parents want to travel with you?
8. Talk about a scary experience you've had while wandering.
9. What do you worry about the most with blogging?
10. What post have you written that you want the whole world to see?
11. Chocolate or Chips?

I look forward to learning more about you!

Why "A Local Wander" (& Other Random Things)

Blogging has changed a LOT since I left Utah.  Now that we're back and excited to be sharing our adventures once again, there are all kinds of ups and downs.  Coming off the high last month from our trip to Lake Mead, it was a great surprise to return home and find a tweet from fellow travel blogger, Travel the Unbeaten Path, sharing with me the Liebster award.  


Her instructions to me were these:

The Liebster award is passed around the blogging community to support, encourage and get to know each other and our growing blogs. Here’s how it works: You answer 10 questions I've created for you. Then, you nominate other bloggers who are just getting started and ask them 11 new questions.  Let them know via social media. They thank you, link back to you, and then do the same!

The questions are great!  I'll break them up with a photo or two.  And try to surprise you at least once or twice...




How did you come up with your blog’s name and/or premise?
I get a thrill hearing people ask, "How did you even know about that place/festival/hike, etc"  We knew about it because we got out there and looked for it.  We just took "a local wander".  I want to help families get out there wandering on their own-it's doable and you can do it any place that you are.  Looking at back my first welcome post explains it even better...

Of all the posts you wrote until now, which one is your favorite and why? 
It's still makes me chuckle every time I think of it.  (Although, I've driven it almost a dozen more times since then and feel a little bad I gave the state such a bad wrap...I have the best intentions of writing a more redeeming post...someday...)

Are you a planner? Or are you spontaneous?
Spontaneous Planner.  Is that a thing?  

What is your idea of a perfect trip?
It's green (sorry, Utah, you can't take the love of mid-west green out of me).  We're staying in an old school cabin or cottage or bungalow.  We're sleeping in every day, throwing on lunch in a backpack, walking out the door and going whichever direction strikes us as right that day.  

What is your favorite quote? 

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely
 in a pretty and well preserved body,
 but rather to skid in broadside, totally worn out and proclaiming
 "Wow what a ride!"

What's one piece of advice you are tired of hearing from others?
I wouldn't call it advice, but I hate the admonishment, "Your kids aren't even going to remember it." 

You're right-B isn't going to remember climbing stairs in this Italian village...
Travel Memories Saturday (Italy) May 4, 2013
P isn't going to remember blowing bubbles at White Sands in New Mexico...
National Park Week: White Sands National Monument April 25, 2013
And the babies aren't going to remember hiking in a slot canyon...
Do You Mean "White" Owl Canyon? (Lake Mead) March 25, 2015
But I remember it.  And when I tell them about that place, they're going to feel the magic of being part of my memories there.  I wrote about that recently.

And what one piece of advice do you like to share. :-)
Take your kids out exploring!  Walk out the front door, and go somewhere.  They're not too little.  You don't need to wait until they're a little bit older.  Take them, get dirty with them, look at what they're looking at.  Your family will never be the same!


How would you answer these questions?


Travel the Unbeaten Path, thanks again!
Now to pass the Liebster award along, 
I nominate a few of my new favorites:


You can find your questions here...

Adventure + Gear = A Can't Miss Weekend Festival! (And Giveaway)

If you are an outdoor junkie, adventure seeker, occasionally make it into the mountains, or even just sometimes look out the window and think it might be nice to get out there, I have an event for you to get giddy and excited about!  It pains me to think that I almost didn't know it was happening and would regret not giving you the opportunity to get as excited about going as I am...and chance to go, of course, with a giveaway, but you'll have to keep reading...

Source: Adventure+Gear Fest
What Is It?  
A 2-day festival bringing Utah's best adventure, travel, and outdoor companies and products together in one place, giving you a chance to try products you've been drooling over, get tips and advice on how to make your outdoor time more fulfilling, and be inspired by our state's most passionate outdoor enthusiasts.  It's an event for the whole family and will definitely have something for everyone...

Demo areas:
 Mountain Biking, Longboarding,Slackline, Zipline, & more

Exhibitors covering: 
Biking, Running, Camping, Rafting, Climbing, & more

If you can dream of doing it, there will be someone at the Adventure+Gear Fest who can teach you about it, and probably even let you try it out.

In addition to the 2 full days of festival events in the SouthTowne Expo Center, the Adventure+Gear Fest is also partnering up with great organizations to offer additional cultural and athletic opportunities to enjoy during the weekend...

Source: Adventure+Gear Fest

The Wasatch Mountain Film Festival is being presented by Wasatch Mountain Arts and is the first of it's kind in the Salt Lake area.  The films will focus on a passion for the outdoors, both playing in it and be responsible to take care of it.  It's going to be an incredible night of family-friendly entertainment.  We're taking B & P and I have no doubt we'll be watching them try to do the crazy stunts they see for the rest of the summer.

Source: Adventure+Gear Fest
Being offered by Sandy City and Wasatch Running Center, the coolest thing about this race is that it's FREE for the 1st 300 to sign up.  (We were only about the 20th to sign up a few days ago, so your chances should be good).  Choose between a 5K, 5-mile, or 10-mile run and at the end enjoy the rest of the Adventure+Gear festival with a complimentary entrance fee.  It's going to be a great time way to exercise, enjoy the area, and then head inside for everything else the festival has to offer.  

Please tell me you are jumping out of your seat excited 
to bring the whole family up for these two days of excitement!

And now the, giveaways. I was so excited about this event that I contacted Adventure+Gear Fest and asked them to sponsor 2 giveaways for you, my fantastic readers.  They were more than generous offering 3 prizes.  Be sure to enter both giveaways...





I'll be there, come join me!

A 5K For the Kid In You

Post contains affiliate links.
There is a huge trend across the country right now to compete in challenge races that will push you to the edge of your mental and physical limits.  There are races that keep you up for days, trading places with the crazy friends who convinced you running or riding your bike in pitch black for 3 hours at 3AM was a good idea.  And there are races that combine both those races together.  The Tough Mudder, Dirty Dash, Ragnar, and any plain long-distance race are always going to be impressive finishes.  Today, however, let me introduce you to a wholly different kind of race that your inner-child is going to love...

Technically a 5K, this race is so much more than just running.  The course is dotted with bounce house obstacles to climb, run through, slide down, and enjoy; all while racing towards the finish line. You can be a serious competitor, but you might be one in a sea of fun-loving adventure seekers laughing as they battle their way through to the end together.  It's a race for families, friends, parents and kids, college roommates, guys looking to meet light-hearted girls (and vice versa), maybe even a dog or two.  



The great news?  The Great Inflatable Race is coming to Salt Lake City in May!  For more information, check out their website FAQ's.  

I know this is a race that you will love being a part of!  It seems like a little ways off, but registration prices will go up as the date gets closer...

Use code "FREEMPLES" to receive 
$10 off your registration fees.
(Registration includes T-shirt, sunglasses, and race access)

Doesn't this look like crazy fun!
Tell me who you want to run this race with you?

Don't want to run, but still want to be there?
I'll be volunteering-sign up & come join me!
Or, spectators are welcome of course-
it's free to watch or buy the spectator pack and wear your t-shirt & glasses proudly.

Not near Salt Lake City and wondering if there's one for you?
Check out the nationwide locations here...

Hunting Through the Strip in Las Vegas

This is part of a sponsored post via US Family Guide.
As spontaneous as our last road-trip seemed, there was a little bit of method to my madness.  The last minute decision to get out of town was easy, but how did we decide where to go?  First, it's always safe to head south until you get somewhere warm.  But, also, I still needed to do a review for Urban Adventure Quest.  Since I'd already done the scavenger hunt in Salt Lake City, I chose the next location within driving distance...Las Vegas...

Source: urbanadventurequest.com
If you aren't familiar with the city scavenger hunts offered through Urban Adventure Quest,
 check out last month's review.  

Let me start out by saying I LOVE the idea behind Urban Adventure Quests.  The puzzles and challenges are well-thought out, informative, and entertaining.  I think any of the 35 locations would be worth the time and money.  But, I want to give a big caution that the Las Vegas race is not as "family-friendly" as the website touts it to be.  I may come off simply as a prude, but I think it's fair to point out up-front that a number of the Las Vegas race challenges include entering the casinos, speaking with pitbosses, or having a more than skin-deep knowledge of gambling terms and amounts.  Also, a puzzle towards the end of the race involves studying a fresco painting and identifying how many pairs of bare women's chests you can see.  Some will say, "Hey, it's Vegas" and "It's art", and they would be right.  This race would be a blast for 20-somethings in town on spring break.  Just maybe not for families like ours with curious little kids in tow.

Having said all that, it is still a really fun race!  We did decide half-way through that the kids weren't into it anymore and went on to Lake Mead, but before we left Sin City, we figured out clues that took us past cool interactive sculptures and to a great snack-stop under the Arc de Triomphe...

I am 100% in my own skin carrying a baby on my back in the wilderness, but
will be honest that we looked a little out of place packing them down the strip in Las Vegas.
The one big question I had after completing the Salt Lake Urban Adventure Quest was whether it would be more fun or less fun and more or less beneficial to do the race in a place you were familiar with.  Is it something people would want to do at home as an outing or on vacation as an excursion? I'm going to say the verdict is still out.  We loved the Salt Lake City Adventure Quest because it was full of history and we could use our knowledge of the area to guess pretty accurately where the next clue would lead.  The locations in the Las Vegas scavenger hunt were pretty iconic and so also relatively easy to locate.  I guess we'll have to try a third hunt in a place we know nothing about and then get back to you!

Want to find an Urban Adventure Quest near you?
I'd love to know which one you want to try!