What I Couldn't Get Enough Of This April

Favorite Outdoors Reads, Ways I Got Outside, And The Well-Worn Gear I Love

Is anyone else as obsessed as I am with those monthly roundups of experiences/stories/songs/things people are loving?

There’s something so special about being invited into someone’s little space on the internet and hearing about the things that are truly lighting them up. It’s honestly these little hodgepodge lists of “favorites” that are the posts I most look forward to.

So I just couldn’t help myself. I thought I’d make this a once-a-month series called “What I Couldn’t Get Enough Of”. But we’re gonna make it outdoors-themed, obviously.

My plan is to reflect back at the end of each month on: the things that inspired me to get outside, the items that helped me do it, and any thoughts or musings I had on the outdoors.

I’ll also share a recap of the articles that went live the past month at the end of this post, so you can catch up on anything you may have missed!

Ways I Got Outside This Month

While everyone is in full warm-weather spring mode, we’re still in the thick of mud/snowmelt season here in Colorado (our seasons go by their own dang rules).

Which means pretty much all of my favorite hiking trails are still inaccessible. But that doesn’t mean we’re not getting outside over here.

These are the ways my little fam and I took advantage of the warming spring weather:

I Took My “Self Care” Outside

Can we all agree that self care doesn’t have to be crazy expensive? In fact, 99.9% of the time, it should be free.

So my #1 form of self care these days is basking in the Colorado sun for a few minutes every day it’s not hiding behind the clouds (which thankfully here is most days).

Hear me out, committing to some long, elaborate self care routine is not manageable for most of us (current me is laughing at pre-kids me and her 7 step skincare routine…it’s cute how much time that girl had on her hands).

But penciling in five minutes during golden hour to soak up some Vitamin D? I think most of us can manage that. Bonus points for having dinner outside in the sun. Who could resist?

Immediate Post-Nap Outdoors Time

I call this one the post-nap reset. When the kiddos are napping, I typically take the time to cram in as much work as humanly possible. And by the time naps are over, I’m pretty drained from going full speed.

So rather than come up with some elaborate plan to entertain them once they’re up, I just pop the kiddos in the double stroller and we immediately get outside.

No thinking involved; it’s just routine at this point. And it guarantees we always get out at some point every day, which is one of my goals for this year.

Outdoorsy Reads And Songs I’m Loving

The Ultimate Road Trip Itinerary For Epic Mountain Views

For anyone who doesn’t know, outside of this Substack I write all about hiking and adventures in Colorado.

And I recently updated my ridiculously jam-packed Colorado road trip guide, which might just be the most loved article on my website. So if you’re visiting the Rockies, you’re gonna want to bookmark this one.

What In The World Is Happening In The Outdoor Industry?

I recently stumbled upon this article by Maddy Marquardt, and holy cow. It’s a must-read if you’re into the business side of the outdoor space and the way storytelling is being eradicated in favor of a focus solely on profiting off readers through gear/product recommendations. So good.

Caamp’s Debut Album: Caamp

Ok, if you’re into music with a folksy, outdoorsy vibe, you’re gonna love Caamp. Consider this album perfect for your drive to the trailhead or a cozy evening by the fire at your caampsite (sorry, couldn’t resist).

Outdoors Stuff I’m Actually Using

There’s nothing I find more icky than untested gear recommendations that are solely there to profit off readers.

But I am a fan of a tried-and-true tested rec, and I was thinking it’d be fun to have a little segment in these monthly recaps where I share a couple of items I’m really loving for outdoors adventure.

These are things I actually own (I may at some point also shout out some things I’m considering getting, in case any of you have tested them and want to share your experience!).

P.S. Some of the links I’ve included may be affiliate links, which basically means I may earn a tiny bit if you shop through them (doesn’t cost you a penny more). I’m trying to test out keeping this newsletter entirely free, so supporting me this way truly helps me do that. And I never share stuff I don’t genuinely love. Like I said earlier, that’s gross.

The BOB Double Jogging Stroller

A little niche, but this one’s for the parents out there. If you’re looking for a double stroller that can actually be used for jogging and even some hiking trails, this is the one.

When we had our second we needed a double stroller. We tried the super popular Mockingbird one that everyone raves about, but I would absolutely not recommend it. That thing is impossible to move and drives like a dang boat.

We got the BOB single jogging stroller for our first and loved taking it on milder hiking trails, so we ditched the Mockingbird and tried the BOB double, and I’m truly blown away by how easily it navigates.

The Wide Mouth Hydro Flask

Oh my gosh, I hate that I have turned into one of those people who talks about water bottles like they are some life-changing technology. But here we are.

If you know me, you know I haaaaaate drinking water. In fact, I got married on a sand dune 7,500 ft above sea level on a hot September day and didn’t bring a drop of water with me (the dehydration headache that hit later that night was wild, to say the least).

I will literally do anything to not drink water (am I alone…anyone else out there like this?). If it’s not icy cold, I don’t want it. And if it’s not in a container with a happy color or design, I also don’t want it (I know, I know….I hate that I’m like this, but alas, I am).

So I bought the wide mouth Hydro Flask a few months back when it was on sale, and it’s just about the only bottle I consistently want to drink out of. Keeps coffee hot. Keeps water cold. Looks cute while doing it. Easily attaches to a hiking pack with a carabiner. A 10/10 in my book.

April Trail Report: What Went Live This Month

What Happened To The Outdoorsy Childhood?

Are we raising the least adaptable and empathetic generation yet? I dig into the details.

What's In And What's Out In Outdoors Culture in 2025

These are the things I’m embracing and the ones I’m leaving behind in 2025.

The 7 Core Pieces of Hiking Safety Gear I Refuse To Hike Without

If you find yourself stranded, you’re gonna be glad you packed these. And believe it or not, you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to be safe outside.

Winter, Meet Spring

Just a happy little video clip of the Rockies during the transition between winter and spring, and a few of my thoughts on the sharp contrast of the mountains. Full transparency, I meant to post this one as a note, but accidentally sent it live as a post. But I loved it too much, so I kept it up.

What were your favorite parts of this month, outdoors-related and not? Let me know!