Tracie Johnson, Author at Pucker Mob

5 Family-Friendly Rafting Trips Perfect for Kids and Teens

Planning a rafting trip that is both thrilling and safe for the entire family can be a rewarding experience. The right rafting destination offers a mix of adventure, natural beauty, and a level of difficulty that is manageable for kids and teens. When choosing a rafting trip for young adventurers, it’s essential to consider factors like the water’s intensity, the duration of the trip, and the overall safety of the environment. Fortunately, several family-friendly rafting trips provide the perfect balance of excitement and security. Here are five top rafting destinations that are ideal for families with kids and teens.

1. Lower New River, West Virginia

The Lower New River in West Virginia is an excellent choice for families looking for a rafting trip that combines mild rapids with breathtaking scenery. This section of the river offers Class II and III rapids, which provide just the right amount of excitement without being too challenging for young rafters. The river winds through the stunning New River Gorge, often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the East,” giving families the opportunity to experience the natural beauty of the area while enjoying the thrill of the rapids. In addition to rafting, the region offers numerous activities, such as hiking and zip-lining, making it a great destination for a multi-day family adventure. The relatively calm waters and professional guides ensure that the trip is both safe and enjoyable for kids and teens, making it a memorable experience for everyone.

2. American River, California

The American River, California, offers an exceptional option for family-friendly rafting trips that are ideal for kids and teens. American River Rafting provides a range of experiences suitable for various skill levels, making it accessible for younger adventurers and beginners. Families can enjoy thrilling yet safe rapids that are exciting for teens while still manageable for younger children. Additionally, the scenic beauty of the American River enhances the adventure, providing a memorable backdrop for a family outing. Overall, this Rafting combines fun and safety, making it a great choice for an enjoyable family rafting experience.

3. Nantahala River, North Carolina

For families seeking a rafting trip that is both exciting and accessible, the Nantahala River in North Carolina is an excellent option. The Nantahala is known for its clear, cold waters and Class II and III rapids, which are perfect for families with kids and teens who are new to rafting. The river is relatively calm, with a few exciting spots that provide a fun challenge without overwhelming young rafters. The eight-mile stretch of the river takes about three hours to navigate, making it a manageable adventure for families with children of varying ages. Along the way, rafters will enjoy the lush greenery of the Nantahala National Forest and the opportunity to stop and explore the scenic surroundings. The combination of easy rapids and beautiful scenery makes the Nantahala River a favorite among families looking for a fun and safe rafting experience.

4. Rogue River, Oregon

The Rogue River in Oregon is a classic family-friendly rafting destination that offers something for everyone. The river is famous for its stunning scenery, abundant wildlife, and a mix of calm stretches and exciting rapids. The lower section of the Rogue River, in particular, is ideal for families with kids and teens, as it features mostly Class II and III rapids. These rapids are thrilling enough to keep things interesting but are not overly difficult for younger rafters to handle. In addition to rafting, the Rogue River area offers plenty of opportunities for camping, fishing, and hiking, making it a great choice for families looking to immerse themselves in nature. The river’s gentle flow and the availability of guided trips make it a safe and enjoyable option for families seeking a well-rounded outdoor adventure.

5. Colorado River, Arizona

Rafting down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and there are parts of the river that are ideal for families with younger children or teenagers. Rafting along the quiet and breathtaking Colorado River’s calm sections, especially in the Upper Grand Canyon, is an incredible experience. The soaring cliffs of the canyon, the glistening river, and the chance to see historic Native American sites are all perfect for family to enjoy here. Although most of the rapids in this stretch are Class I and II, the adventure is kept exciting by the breathtaking scenery of the canyon, which adds to the amazing experience. Families looking for an unforgettable adventure that incorporates geology, history, and outdoor activities will love this trip. Ensuring safety while enabling families to fully appreciate the Grand Canyon’s marvels is made possible by the presence of trained guides.

Conclusion

Rafting trips offer an exceptional way for families to bond while enjoying the great outdoors. The key to a successful family rafting trip is choosing a destination that offers the right balance of excitement and safety. Whether it’s the scenic views of the New River Gorge or the iconic beauty of the Colorado River, there are numerous options for family-friendly rafting adventures. Each of these trips provides an opportunity to create lasting memories while instilling a love for outdoor activities in kids and teens. By selecting the right destination and ensuring that safety is a priority, families can embark on a rafting adventure that will be remembered for years to come.

About The Author

Tracie Johnson is a New Jersey native and an alum of Penn State University. Tracie is passionate about writing, reading, and living a healthy lifestyle. She feels happiest when around a campfire surrounded by friends, family, and her Dachshund named Rufus. First Time Parent? Why You Should Consult a Parenting Coach

How You Know It’s Time To See A Therapist

It’s common to feel like you need to see a therapist while going through a tough time. But how do you know if it’s just a phase or if you need help? There are a few key things to consider that can indicate whether you would benefit from therapy.

You’ve Tried To Fix The Problem On Your Own

If you’ve been struggling with a mental health issue, you’ve likely tried to fix the problem on your own. Maybe you’ve read self-help books or tried to talk to friends and family about what you’re going through. But it might be time to seek help if you still feel stuck.

You’re Struggling More Than Usual

If you struggle more than usual, it may be time to seek online therapy. Many people struggle with mental health issues, but when it starts to impact your everyday life, it may be time to get help from a therapist. A therapist can help you work through your struggles and give you tools to handle them. If you’re struggling more than usual, don’t hesitate to get help.

Your Family And Friends Have Suggested Therapy

Your family and friends have suggested therapy because they see how much effort you put into managing your mental health. It’s not that they don’t think you can do it, but they can see how much strain it’s putting on you.

They may have even tried to talk to you about it before, but you brushed them off because you didn’t want to admit that you needed help. But now, after everything that’s happened, you’re finally ready to listen. You know that therapy won’t be easy, but you’re willing to work because you want to better yourself and your relationships with those around you.

You’re Feeling Hopeless

Feeling hopeless can be one of the symptoms of depression, and seeking treatment can help you manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life. If you’re feeling hopeless, you must get help. Talking to a therapist can help you understand your feelings and develop healthy coping mechanisms. If you’re struggling with depression, seeking treatment can be vital to managing your symptoms and improving your quality of life.

You’re Self-Medicating

If you regularly rely on drugs or alcohol to cope with your mental health, it’s time to seek proficient help. Self-medicating can quickly lead to addiction, and it’s not an effective way to deal with the underlying issues. A therapist can help you understand and address the root causes of your mental health problems, so you can find healthy ways to cope.

You’re Experiencing Physical Symptoms

If you’re experiencing physical symptoms impacting your quality of life, it may be time to find help. Many people experience physical symptoms from stress, anxiety, or depression. If these symptoms prevent you from enjoying your life or completing everyday tasks, it’s essential to seek help from a therapist. Physical symptoms that may indicate it’s time to see a therapist include:

● Chronic pain

● Insomnia

● Digestive issues

● Headaches/migraines

● Excessive fatigue

● Skin problems

You’re Having Suicidal Thoughts

If you’re feeling like life isn’t worth living or can’t go on, getting help is vital. Talking to a therapist can be essential to getting through these complex thoughts and feelings. Your therapist will work with you to create a safety plan, an essential tool for managing suicidal thoughts. This plan will identify warning signs that your thoughts are becoming more intense and outline steps to take to keep yourself safe.

Your therapist can also provide resources and referrals for additional support services. If you’re struggling with suicidal thoughts, please seek help; there is hope, and recovery is possible.

Conclusion

While it’s impossible to give a definitive answer to the question of when you should see a therapist, some signs indicate it might be time to seek proficient help. If you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or any other emotional issue, and you feel like you’ve tried everything without success, therapy could be the key to finally getting relief. Don’t be afraid to seek help. It could be your best decision.

About The Author

First Time Parent? Why You Should Consult a Parenting Coach

Redirecting your life from one that revolves around your job, friends, and other activities to one centered around your family can be difficult. The new responsibilities of a parent require a different set of skills than you may have developed throughout your life up until this point. Parenting requires quick thinking, problem-solving, and the ability to manage various situations in real time. Here are five reasons why consulting a parenting coach could be the best decision for you.

Coaching Helps You Confidently Adjust To Parenting

The transition from life before children to life as a parent involves a lot of changes. You may need to change your work schedule, social circle, and schedule of activities. You may need to find a new source of income if you decide to stay at home with the kids. You may need to learn new skills, and you may need to learn to adjust to a new role within the family. Coaching can help you with all of these transitions. A good coach will help you navigate these changes and feel confident in your new role as a parent. The coach will help you to figure out what skills you need to develop and what skills you already have. You can put that to use as a parent.

You Have A Confidant And Advisor You Can Turn To

As a parent, you will go through many different situations and encounters. Some of these will be challenging, and others will be confusing. In the heat of the moment, it will be hard to find the right solution to the problem that you are facing. If you have a parenting trainer, you have someone who can help you navigate these challenging situations. You can turn to your coach for advice and ask for suggestions on what course of action to take.

Coaching Helms You Towards Effective Discipline

Discipline is the process by which we help our children learn to navigate the world positively. It is also the source of some of the most intense parenting dilemmas. When your child is being harmful or disruptive, you need to find a solution that helps them learn from their mistake and return to a positive state of being.

Disciplining your child can be very difficult and fraught with errors. A good parenting coach will help you to navigate this process and help you to avoid the most common pitfalls. They can also help you to develop a discipline plan for your family. A good coach will help you understand how your child thinks and the best way to discipline them in a positive manner. They will help you to avoid coercive discipline, learn positive discipline strategies, and discipline in a way that helps your child grow and learn from their mistakes.

Coaching Helps You Develop A Growth Mindset In Your Children

A growth attitude is an idea that anyone can grow and develop new skills. This is in contrast to a fixed mindset, which assumes one’s skills and abilities are set in stone. This is a concept that has been applied to parenting as well. If you have a transition mindset, you feel that your children can grow and develop new skills. Coaching can help you to create a growth mindset in your children.

A Coach Can Help With Communication Issues In The Family

Parenting is a constant process of communication. You are communicating with your child, your child is communicating with you, and you are communicating with your partner. Parenting is a team effort, and communication is the key to success. If you struggle to communicate effectively with your child, your partner, or other family members, a parenting trainer can help. A good coach can help you identify communication issues in your family and focus on how to best solve them. They can also help you to communicate with your child in the best way possible. If you are having difficulties communicating with your child, a coach can help you to find solutions and ways to solve those problems.

Conclusion

Parenting is a challenging and rewarding experience. It is important to remember that you are doing a complex and essential job. If you are finding that you are struggling with the transition to parenthood, hiring a parenting trainer can be a valuable investment in yourself and your family.

About The Author

Tracie Johnson is a New Jersey native and an alum of Penn State University. Tracie is passionate about writing, reading, and living a healthy lifestyle. She feels happiest when around a campfire surrounded by friends, family, and her Dachshund named Rufus.First Time Parent? Why You Should Consult a Parenting Coach

5 Places to Travel with Your Dog This Summer

If dogs are considered a man’s best friend, who wouldn’t want to travel with their best friend? If dogs are considered a man’s best friend, who wouldn’t want to travel with their best friend? Instead of placing your dog in a doggie daycare while you travel, you can take them with you and stay in pet friendly hotels. While creating memories with your dog will require a certain amount of preparation, there’s no reason why they can’t come along for the journey. In order to have a good time as you travel with your dog, follow these tips including packing freeze dried liver dog treats in your preparation process.

Venice, Italy

An Italian vacation might seem really upscale for a dog, but it’s possible. Since traveling to Italy requires a flight, you’ll need to make sure your dog meets the height and weight requirements. While there can be dangers involved with traveling on a long flight with a pet, talk to the airline in order to make sure you and your dog can get the necessary accommodations. Once you’re in Venice, you’ll be able to ride many of the gondolas with your dog in tow. When you’re traveling during the summer months, it can get pretty crowded. Knowing this, make sure you have a leash and enough treats to keep your dog in line.

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

If you can’t see yourself getting on a flight with your dog, you can always do a road trip to the next country over. While you’re still in North American territory, Canada is merely a car ride away. Vancouver is an excellent place to travel with dogs because it’s considered a very dog-friendly city. It has a lot of off-leash parks for you and your dog to enjoy. If you’d like to grab some food, you can bring your dog to one of the many public marketplaces that allow dogs.

Bend, Oregon

Bend, Oregon has a nickname that makes it perfect for this list because it’s been coined as the best dog-friendly city in the nation. Affectionately known as “DogTown, USA”, Bend, Oregon provides a great getaway experience for dogs and their owners. There are 13 off-leash parks in the city. Feel free to roam over 51 miles of outdoor trails with your dog as well. If you’re a beer fan, visit one of the many breweries that allow dogs inside. There are over 40 pet-friendly restaurants in this city. As you enjoy your own beer, your dog can get their own non-alcoholic brew that’s made for dogs. Pet-friendly vacation rentals can be understandably tough to come by. Thankfully, there are plenty to choose from in Bend, Oregon.

Sarasota, Florida

If you live on the East Coast, Florida is a popular vacation spot to consider. When you’re traveling with a dog, consider visiting a Floridian city like Sarasota. Brohard Beach Paw Park is a beach where you can bring your canine companion. In fact, it’s meant for dogs as it is the only beach in Sarasota County where dogs are allowed. There’s also a fenced-in park that allows you to let your dog roam and run without restraint.

San Diego, California

The West coast is extremely beautiful, and San Diego is a perfect place to capture that. Whether you’re heading to enjoy a yacht ride or visit the beaches, San Diego is known for its dog-friendly accommodations. Visit a few of the many off-leash dog parks in the city. Allow your dog to socialize with others.

If you have an older dog or if your companion has issues with inflammation or discomfort, consider getting a back brace for dogs to avoid any issues. If you’re a baseball enthusiast, Petco Park is located in San Diego. Buy tickets to a baseball game, and make sure you and your dog sit in the dog-friendly section that’s called the Backyard.

Closing Remarks

If you’ve ever been afraid to travel with a dog, there are ways to prepare your dog in advance. Begin to try different prompts to train your dog to follow instructions. It can be useful to hire a trainer to help you prepare your dog for traveling adventures in the future. When you travel for the first time, pay attention to what tools were useful and what tools you wish you had. Then, make adjustments for the next trip. In time, you’ll develop a practice that works for you and your dog to explore the world together.