How We Got Started as An Outdoor-Loving Family
I was never the athletic type when I was younger and I don’t think I still am.
Back then, I had Scrabble as my sport and I even got to compete during the school’s intramurals and was even sent once to compete with other schools. Yeah, well, I was a nerd and an introvert and a *very* serious person.
The closest I got to do an actual sport was in fourth grade when I got drafted as a substitute volleyball player. Would you believe it? I couldn’t either. I only really made the cut because I was one of the very few whose serve went over the net and on to the opposing team. The actual game got me really nervous; I was afraid of flying balls (our school’s quadrangle is really small, just enough to fit two volleyball courts). Thankfully, I never got the chance to play but the actual game was really boring — no rally took place and each team only earned points from serving.
In high school, I was one of the boys (although technically, there weren’t around since we were an all-girls high school). I would run around and played tag or hide and seek and I did that even as I got a boyfriend (yeah, I was 14 then, get over it).
Mountaineering Dreams
Fast forward to college and I became more confident with myself.
Perhaps it was also because of the influence of my then boyfriend who was very athletic? Then again, being surrounded by a lot of males (I graduated Computer Engineering; get over that, too) may have also helped boost my confidence and taught me how to play it rough.
In fact, I felt so confident that I decided to sign up to join the USC Mountaineering Club but, alas, a bf-gf team cannot join the group for obvious reasons. I guess I wasn’t as confident as I thought I was because I didn’t pursue with the application on my own.
Years passed and boyfriends came and went (LOL, kidding) and I finally got the boost that I wanted. I was single after a very long time and wanted a change in my life so I signed up yet again on my last year in college.
I joined a day of BMC and, after a few weeks, we were scheduled to go on our first ever minor climb. As expected, my parents didn’t allow me to join and so I told them that I was not joining the night before the climb. I was so dead set on becoming a true-blue mountaineer, I even joined the pre-climb meetup.
Also read: 13 Must-Visit Mountain Peaks and Camp Sites in Cebu
Sigh. I had been a frustrated mountaineer since then.
The Opportunity Comes!
And then fast forward…I had my little one and, somehow, my partner’s and my brain were focused on the same goals: to travel and to explore the outdoors.
I wasn’t really sure how that came about. The first time we roughed it out with our kid was when she was just six months old and we went to Kalanggaman Island to camp overnight. It was humid and not the most pleasant experience for us and we were thankful to our friends who allowed us to sleep in a more comfortable room later on in the night.
Of course, the kiddo had been out even before that. We brought her to a nearby restaurant when she was just a few weeks old and also went on our first long-distance travel to Negros Island when she was three months old.
We became more and more confident as parents to take our baby out on camping trips but no two experiences are ever the same. Sometimes, things went smoothly but there are also times when it was so horrible, I just wanted to pack up and go home.
Also read: 8 Simple Ways to Encourage Your Kids to Love the Outdoors
But somehow we still pursued it and I guess that’s how hikers also are. Sure, a 10-hour climb traumatizes you but then you still get back on your feet and plan for the next climb.
One day, we decided to buy our trusted outdoor tent (we were just looking around, actually) and since we had invested a lot, we knew we had no choice but to make the most out of our purchase. Paying ₱6,000 for a gear is no joke, after all.
Thankfully, our now-constant travel buddies invited us to a camping night in Sirao Peak and I think that was the beginning of it all.
We fell in love with the experience and hungered for more.
Keeping the Passion Burning
From then on, we would go on spontaneous camping trips, both on mountains and on beaches.
We were cheapskates and didn’t mind a little discomfort if it meant it would save us money. We always brought our tent with us and we could definitely say that it has given us an ROI. In fact, whenever we decide to travel, we don’t book accommodations (planning itineraries make me nervous so I just give a rough estimate on the days and amount we spend on a particular place) but instead try to find if there are nearby campsites available. I honestly wish there are more campgrounds in the country.
We have since invested in two pairs of *couple* hiking shoes and a 50-liter backpack, all of which already need to be replaced. We also recently bought our cookset (finally!) and that’s how we realized how awesome my partner was at cooking and budgeting for our food. Oh, and how can I forget our beautiful and iconic backpack carrier which shaved around ~₱6,000 from our pockets (₱2,000 for the secondhand product from the US and ~₱4000-₱6000 for shipping)?
Laying Low…For Now
It has been a year since we decided to quit our corporate jobs and work from home (although, we’ve actually switched roles). We have taken it one step at a time: we wanted to be with our kiddo and also have the chance to travel whenever and wherever we want to, Internet-permitting.
Freelancing has been awesome but it has its ups and downs. I’ve traded security for instability which is also the reason we have laid low in our outdoor activities. I have been living a sedentary life about 80 percent of the past year!
Our recent trip in Mindanao was a wake-up call of sorts. There, we talked about plans for the future like moving in to our new house and going on yet another long-term (indefinite?) trip around the country. We might have also talked about getting active again if we wanted to climb mountains along the way (Rizal Province is a haven).
Sometimes, I feel like a fraud not being able to travel or climb mountains as much as we did last year but life happens and we just have to deal with it. The partner and I like to think about it as a “preparation” for a much bigger trip.
What’s Your Story?
It has been a long time since I actually wrote and told stories on the blog thus this very long post.
Now, over to you: how did you start about becoming an outdoor person? Or…do you ever wish to be one? Which places do you wish to visit?
Me? I don’t think I will ever be able to climb Everest, not even base camp, but my biggest dreams include climbing the highest mountains in the country and walking the Pacific Crest Trail or the Appalachian Trail (these two can take around 4 to 7 months so it needs a lot of preparation in terms of money and stamina).
This post is a part of a new weekly series called Inspiring Outdoors. The series, which comes out every Wednesday, aims to inspire and motivate readers to get out of their office cubicles, ditch the gadgets and explore the beauty of life outside. Go and explore the outdoors!
Want more inspiration? You can also check out #FamiliesOutside, an interview series to help encourage families to go out and explore places, near or far.
About the Author
Pam is an outdoors-loving millennial momma who loves to hike, trek and camp in the beaches and mountains with her partner and their 3-year-old daughter. When not exploring the great outdoors, she moonlights as a freelance writer specializing in the travel, parenting, personal finance and digital marketing niches. You can also follow her via social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest!
Pam! This post is really interesting and inspiring all at the same time! Grabeha nimo oy. Or ninyo, rather! Dali ra kaayo ko hangakon/kapuyon and saputon dayon basta alimuot! Pero that doesn’t mean I couldn’t change that because you know, I also want to be like you someday! A different version maybe. Can’t wait! But for now, focus sa jud kos akoang single life (in terms of civil status! haha). Thanks Pam for this amazing post! 🙂
Your story is indeed interesting . I have read countless of blog posts of yours and I can you are one of the most unique “adventure” “bloggers” (double quote for emphasis) ! I hope your story encourage others to also do similar activities whether it involves climbing mountains, surfing, cooking or even blogging. Coz it never too late to find your type of adventure.
Hahahaha! I initially wanted this space to be a mommy blog (thus numerous adventures) but I probably will take down some unrelated posts. Still doesn’t change the fact that life is an adventure!
As for surfing…erm not sure if I have a future there. But I’m trying to convince the partner and daughter to start a food/cooking blog maybe when we move to our own house. Bahahaha 😀
For me, It all started when my dad bought me a camera. I was really fond of traveling and taking pictures even before my dad bought me one. But I was never really the “ok, if no one’s gonna go, I’ll go by myself” kind-of guy when I travel.
That all changed last year when my dad bought me an action camera. There is a new kind of dynamics that really moved me. I was thinking that “if hindi ako mag tr-travel ano ng gamit ng camera? sayang naman”. I started thinking of future places I wanted to go. And then I got to do that almost every weekend. I traded my party night out with traveling to nearby islands.
Of course being a college student has its perks. I’m still young with lesser responsibility, which also means I am on a tight budget since I only have my allowance to turn to when it comes to budgeting for my travel.
I am still thankful that my parents are very supportive with what I do and I hope when it is my turn to be a parent, I’d be as supportive as they are. And I hope my partner and kid/s would love traveling as much as your partner and kid do. =)
-Radysetgo
I hope that if I ever get to have children someday, I would still love the outdoors like you do. 🙂 It doesn’t matter if you haven’t climbed as many mountains as you did before so long as you keep the passion burning. I’m a non-conformist myself and I really enjoy watching people leave their comfort zones. Cheers to more adventures, Pam!
My story is…something that I’m still working on. As for you and your family’s, I’d say that things already look pretty great and you really look like you’re on a great track with all your outdoor getaways and adventures. Really inspiring stuff! 🙂
My story.. No thanks.. Never tried trekking in any mountains in Cebu but will definitely do this one sooner.. hopefully, :crossfinger:
You have an inspiring story indeed. It’s really amazing how you and your partner are both into outdoors. Actually I was startled when I saw your family with your little one way back in Mount Hambubuyog. It was a very tiring trek plus you had your toddler with you. But later on that night I came to ponder that you really have a blessed family sharing the same interests.
I always love the outdoors since I lived in the province until my High school days. But I was engaged and more active in outdoor activities when I’m already in the corporate world. I had this urge and hunger to travel and stay outdoors as much as possible. I just wish that someday, I can find my travel buddy or travel partner. 🙂
In the early stages of psychological development in humans, the feelings that our long term memories will provide later in life are nostalgia and trauma. It’s a combination of both, in certain amount of degrees, that can lead to people’s level of interest in doing something relevant to these past experiences – much like craving a burger.
I am sure that this worth while experience your kid is having is going to be something she would always crave when she grows older.
From the eye of the child, I think one day I will thank my parents that at this age, I was able to travel to these places. As long as the kid is safe and happy, I think going outdoors is a fun adventure to take. Amping mo and always check the weather kay kuyaw na. Hehe. 🙂 Ayo-ayo!
The tales of the trail is amazing especially when you have kid with you. Though I love travelling I’m not really an outdoorsy person but I’m willing to try anything except trekking. haha
It felt like reading a love story folding in front of me. Haha! Someone who’s not that confident to try the outdoors who then meet her match and shared the same passion. Together they both made the idea of traveling into a reality. awwe! So sweet naman! 🙂 I also love who genuine and realistic the post it, that traveling with your daughter is not always bed of roses, things may fall out of hand too. The best part is, you enjoy the journey, share and make memories together as a family.
Awww thanks Kris. I never saw that angle from where I was writing. Hahaha. <3
I can totally relate to the feeling of not sporty. I always like to climb mountains and try trekking but I’m not sure if I can make it though. haha! It’s great that you end up with someone who shares the same passion with you and supports your travels all the way. 🙂
I was never a person who loves going outdoors. It kinda sucks but I wish there was a time in my life where I was really engaged in that. The last time I was outdoors was during a Camp in my Boy Scout days! Yes, it was messy but fun nonetheless. 🙂
Your family is an inspiration to everyone of us Pam. I don’t consider myself as a sporty one as well, I didn’t even know if I had known one sport that I really play. Way back in Elementary and High School all my male classmates are playing basketball and I’m there watching them and I’m always the scorer. You know that feeling you get? I used to be a top in our class since I was in my grade school and High school, but never been proficient in sports. The only sport I knew was reading books and studying my notes and not even considered as a sport. I really admire you for overcoming a lot of things in your life. If ever I possess my own family, I wish it would be like the family that you have.
I’m happy to share that it was recently, I climb mountains and I’m enjoying it.
Wow! Asha started traveling at 6 months? Just wow! She beat me in a lot of aspects in traveling!
Padayon lang mo Pamskie! A family that travels together, stays together!
I totally love outdoor adventures which is why my family dubbed me a “warrior”.. LOL! I think it’s innate in me. But I have to say that I am not as fearless as I was before (pre-marriage).
Sometimes I get scared of going out on dangerous adventures or going too far from home because I’m always thinking of my son. 😉 I haven’t tried bringing him in long travels unlike you guys.
The husband is not fond of traveling so he just lets me do what I love without a single complaint. I couldn’t force him to do what I do so I’m okay with it. It’s nice though that you and your partner share the same love for adventures. ♥
I love how it started when you and your partner share the same interest with outdoors and you are lucky one! I have friends that they were not allowed to go for a trek because of their wives and partners and that’s bad for self-satisfaction. Your kid is born to travel and I’m not surprised on her traveling across the globe.
I started trekking with an invite from a friend to Mt. Kapayas. That’s bad for a first time because of its distance and difficulty. Apparently, I was able to love the adrenaline and get thrilled whenever I hear adventures and outdoors!