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<ul class="summary-list"><li>My family recently visited <keyword id="20054308" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ireland" source="keywords">Ireland</keyword> to celebrate my son's third birthday.</li><li>It's the perfect country to visit with a toddler.</li></ul>Many families dream of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-places-to-go-in-europe-travel-planner-favorite-destinations-2024-10">traveling around Europe</a> because it's a great continent for kids. I've been to every country in Europe (except Russia), and in my opinion, one of these countries provides the ideal destination for toddlers: Ireland. I recently went with my own 3-year-old, and we had an amazing time. As soon as our ferry docked in Dublin, my son seemed amazed. My partner and I organized the trip to celebrate his third birthday, and I shouldn't have been surprised he was enjoying himself, as nowhere is quite as magical as Ireland. <div type="image" title="Jennifer Sizeland's son running on a beach in Ireland." height="1536" width="2048" msid="114281848" hostid="261"></div><h2>The coast acts as a wonderful base for a family trip</h2>An <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-under-the-radar-places-in-ireland-2022-4">ideal way to see Ireland</a> as a family is to stay in a cottage or caravan near the coast, which can act as your base for exploring the surrounding areas by car, bike, or <keyword id="19919009" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="public-transport" source="keywords">public transport</keyword>. This was what we decided to do and was a great choice; Ireland's roads are quieter than much of the rest of Europe, as it is sparsely populated, aside from its main cities. Even though you should take the usual precautions, it felt safe and people are very welcoming, especially to children. If you want to learn about Ireland's tangible history without the kids getting bored, there are so many beautifully preserved castles and estates with sprawling gardens to get lost in. The famous <keyword id="23623420" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Blarney-Castle" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Blarney Castle" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Blarney Castle">Blarney Castle</keyword> (home of the Blarney stone) is especially intriguing with a rock close, a poison garden, and a waterfall all hidden around its vast grounds. My son enjoyed playing hide-and-seek among the vast avenues adorned with sculptures and giant plants. There is also the John F. Kennedy Arboretum, a huge parkland and tree collection dedicated to the former president. <div type="image" title="Jennifer Sizeland's son running in a marsh in Ireland, the sky is cloudy and blue." height="2213" width="2950" msid="114281854" hostid="261"></div><h2>Public transportation is great in Ireland, and wildlife is everywhere</h2>There are many ways to explore Ireland with its excellent <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/taking-public-transportation-solo-backpacking-europe-2023-9">public transport system</a>, which includes buses, trams, ferries, boats, and trains that little ones will love riding. If you want to extend your overland trip, you can take ferries from the east and southern coasts of Ireland to France, England, Wales, and the Isle of Man to avoid the hassle of flying. You might even see a dolphin or a whale in the Irish Sea if you're lucky. Seals also haul out on the beaches and rocks along the coast, so it's fun to try to spot them. My son loved visiting the Seal Rescue Center in County Wexford, where we saw baby seals being nursed back to health. The abundance of countryside means that there is wildlife everywhere, including seabirds, deer, and otters. <h2>It's not hard to get food for even the pickiest eaters</h2>It also means that there are plenty of farms, so it's easy to find fresh local produce wherever you go. While my <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/your-kids-may-not-grow-out-of-picky-eaters-study-2020-5">toddler is a picky eater</a>, the basics in Ireland, like bread, butter, and meat, are all delicious, and he loved the sandwiches and stews. As sustainability is also important there, many towns and cities have zero-waste stores and discounts for people who bring their own coffee cups. Much like any parent with a young child, I'm trying to leave a better world for him, which was much easier to do in Ireland than most places I've visited. <h2>There's just something magical about the country</h2>While these are all reasons enough to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/long-flight-with-toddlers-snacks-entertainment-2024-2">visit Ireland with a toddler</a>, perhaps the best incentive is the mythology behind this emerald isle. From fairies to leprechauns, there is a tale to capture the imagination of every child. The books about mermaids were a particular hit with mine. Museums, visitor centers, and gift shops often sell storybooks, postcards, toys, and trinkets that bring these legends to life in a way that children can bring home with them. There are so many waterfalls, toadstools, coves, and fairy pools to discover all around the country that even as an adult, I believe the stories to be true. Correction: October 16, 2024 — An earlier version of this story misstated where the ferries depart from. They are available on the east and southern coasts, not the west coast.

I've traveled to 86 countries and Ireland is the best place I've visited to bring a toddler on vacation

The funniest wildlife photos of the year

Dehradun/Pithoragarh, <keyword id="20396265" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Wildlife-experts" source="keywords">Wildlife experts</keyword> have interpreted the sighting of a lowland bird like the peacock at a height of 6,500 feet in <keyword id="19918812" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Uttarakhand" source="keywords">Uttarakhand</keyword> as an unusual development caused by <keyword id="23460848" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ecological-changes" source="keywords">ecological changes</keyword> in the <keyword id="20128077" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Himalayan-region" source="keywords">Himalayan region</keyword> due to increased <keyword id="20823384" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="human-activity" source="keywords">human activity</keyword>. The bird was spotted twice in the forests of <keyword id="20604235" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bageshwar-district" source="keywords">Bageshwar district</keyword> in the state. It was first seen in the Kafligair forest range in April and then in Kathayatbara forests on October 5, a senior official said. "It is surprising that the peacock which is usually found at an elevation of 1,600 feet has been sighted at an altitude of 6,500 feet. It is due to ecological changes that have started affecting wildlife migration," Dhyan Singh Karayat, a forest official in Bageshwar forest division said on Monday. Senior scientist of Dehradun-based <keyword id="20392082" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Wildlife-Institute-of-India" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Wildlife Institute of India" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Wildlife Institute of India">Wildlife Institute of India</keyword> (WII) Dr Suresh Kumar said though such sightings are not common they should not baffle wildlife experts. The peacock falls into the generalist species of bird that is not so selective or choosy about its habitat. Though, traditionally a lowland bird, it has been found at higher than normal elevations in neighbouring Himachal Pradesh also, Kumar said. One reason may be that even the hill regions are no longer as cold as they used to be and the peacock finds the climate in higher altitudes conducive enough for habitation, he said. "Increased human activity like farming and expanding human settlements in the higher reaches of the mountains have led to warmer conditions at higher altitudes which may have led to this <keyword id="23460850" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="altitudinal-migration" source="keywords">altitudinal migration</keyword> of the peacock. But it may be a seasonal shift too, " Kumar told PTI. "With the onset of winter, it will get colder in the hills and the lowland bird may retreat to its original habitat conditions," he said. When asked whether it reflects a habitat-shifting tendency among peacocks in general, Kumar said it would be premature to draw a conclusion like that with just two sightings. However, if such sightings become more frequent, it would definitely reflect a general tendency among peacocks to shift habitat, he said.

Peacock sighting at 6,500 feet in Uttarakhand unusual, say experts

Everything is connected. Nature itself thrives on an intricate web of interdependence, with every element—including human beings—complexly intertwined. Now, this fundamental fact is being further reinforced by new findings on COVID-19. The <keyword id="8858345" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="SARS-CoV-2" source="Orion">SARS-CoV-2</keyword> virus initially jumped from animals to humans, triggering a pandemic on the global stage. As cases multiplied across populations worldwide, humans have ended up spilling the virus back into the wildlife, leading to new outbreaks among various animal species. Genetic analysis of <keyword id="6383885" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="wild-animals" source="Orion">wild animals</keyword> has revealed not only the presence of SARS-CoV-2, but also the emergence of unique <keyword id="22599311" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="viral-mutations" source="keywords">viral mutations</keyword>. These mutations show a close relationship to the variants circulating among humans, illustrating the ongoing exchange between our species and wildlife. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Nature’s COVID-19 cycle: From wildlife to humans and back again" comment="subhead" text="Nature’s COVID-19 cycle: From wildlife to humans and back again">Nature’s COVID-19 cycle: From wildlife to humans and back again</cmsannotation> The study by Virginia Tech involved analysing 798 nasal and oral swabs from animals trapped in the field or treated at wildlife rehabilitation centres across Virginia, US, along with 126 blood samples from six species. This research, recently published in Nature Communications, aimed to track the virus’s presence in animals from both urban and remote areas. The findings are revealing: the virus was detected in deer mice, Virginia opossums, raccoons, groundhogs, Eastern cottontail rabbits and Eastern red bats. Notably, one opossum exhibited viral mutations not previously reported, which could influence human health and immune responses. Exposure rates varied by species, ranging from 40% to 60%. The study also noted a peculiar finding: two mice at the same site on the same day carried identical viral variants, suggesting possible direct transmission between them, or from a common human source! The highest rates of virus exposure were observed in animals near hiking trails and high-traffic areas, indicating that human activity is a significant factor in the spread to wildlife. The exact transmission pathways remain unclear, with possibilities including wastewater or discarded food. However, researchers emphasise that while the virus is spreading to wildlife, there is no evidence of reverse transmission from animals to humans. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112014490" title="Cows are now spreading bird flu to each other — here&amp;#39;s why that&amp;#39;s problematic for humans" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Carla Finkielstein, a professor of biological sciences, describes the virus' behaviour as akin to “a hitchhiker switching rides to a new, more suitable host”. With humans largely protected by vaccines, the virus—with the sole goal of spreading and surviving—is adapting and mutating to thrive in animal hosts. Although this study is limited to Virginia, the species affected are found throughout North America. This means the findings may also be applicable to other countries and continents to a certain extent. Moreover, this research doesn’t just highlight the novel mutations in SARS-CoV-2, but also underscores the broad host range of the virus. Therefore, researchers stress the urgent need for extensive surveillance to monitor the virus' impact on wildlife and its potential implications for vaccine development.

Humans are spilling the COVID-19 virus back into wildlife! Study finds widespread infection in backyard animals

Imagine two <keyword id="19914811" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="children" source="keywords">children</keyword>: one growing up in a bustling urban <keyword id="19939494" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="environment" source="keywords">environment</keyword>, surrounded by towering buildings, crowded streets and the constant glow of artificial lights; the other living in a rural setting, where the day begins with the chirping of birds and playtime unfolds in the green spaces just outside home. It seems intuitive to assume that the child in the countryside would naturally have a stronger connection with nature. However, this assumption might not hold up under scrutiny. In a study conducted by researchers at <keyword id="22924618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Swedens-Lund-University" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Sweden’s Lund University" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Sweden’s Lund University">Sweden’s Lund University</keyword> and published in <keyword id="22924619" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="People-and-Nature" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="People and Nature" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="People and Nature">People and Nature</keyword>, it has been revealed that a child's <keyword id="21711495" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="connection-to-nature" source="keywords">connection to nature</keyword> is less about whether they live in a city or the countryside, and more about the socioeconomic conditions they grow up in. The study challenges the common belief that rural upbringing automatically fosters a deeper bond with nature. Urbanisation has long sparked concerns about a growing disconnect from the natural world, with less outdoor engagement being linked to poorer health outcomes. This makes the question of how to nurture or rekindle our connection to nature increasingly relevant, especially for children. After all, it’s during childhood that our foundational relationships with the environment are established. To delve into how urban and rural children relate to nature, and whether this connection is influenced by socioeconomic factors, the researchers undertook a detailed study. Surprisingly, they found that a child’s relationship with nature is not dictated by their geographic location. Instead, factors like income and education levels emerged as key determinants. For instance, children from areas with higher education levels showed better species knowledge, which correlated with more positive attitudes toward wildlife. Moreover, children from wealthier backgrounds were more likely to engage in nature-based activities, enhancing their connection to the environment. This pattern held true regardless of whether they lived in urban or rural settings. The study also revealed significant variations between schools, indicating the crucial role that educators and schools play in shaping children's relationships with nature. Adults, including teachers and parents, bear considerable responsibility as role models, influencing how children perceive and engage with the natural world. However, it’s worth noting that the study was conducted in Malmö, Sweden's third-largest city with a population of 3,50,000. This very fact raises intriguing questions about how the findings might differ in much larger cities, where access to natural environments could be even more challenging.

Socioeconomic status—and not urban or rural living—likely to shape your child's connection to nature: Study

Photos from the Ocean Photographer of the Year awards show the beauty and fragility of underwater wildlife

<ul class="summary-list"><li>At the edge of Serengeti National Park sits TAASA, a luxury safari lodge.</li><li>A night in one of the 540-square-foot canvas tents costs $985 a person.</li></ul>As the Toyota Land Cruiser begins its trek up to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.go2africa.com/accommodation/taasa-lodge#reviews">TAASA Lodge</a> in the northern part of Tanzania's Serengeti National Park, the sound of voices grows louder and louder.Moments earlier, rattling glass soda bottles and creaky car noises drowned out surrounding bird calls and the rumbles from passing African bush elephants.Now, all ears are on sing-songy voices and the distant beat of the drum.As the faces of the singers come into view, their lyrics become clear: "Jambo. Jambo bwana. Habari gani? Mzuri sana."While words like jambo — a Swahili greeting — were familiar, others were new to me.Later, TAASA's lodge manager, May Simon, translated the song and shared why the lodge staff greets all visitors with the popular melody.The beginning of the "Jambo Bwana" song translates to, "Hi, sir. How are you? Very fine. Visitors are welcome in our country. No worries."But Simon said its meaning extends far beyond words."It's about the love," Simon said. "It brings joy and makes you smile."Ultimately, she said, it's the lodge staff's way of welcoming you home.And after spending just two nights at the luxury lodge, TAASA quickly felt like home.<div type="image" title="The interior of the main lodge at TAASA." height="1365" width="1820" msid="115309555" hostid="261" sizebytes="227090"></div><h2 id="216730d2-7f43-4450-aa1a-3bdc3cf91775">The luxury lodge sits at the edge of Tanzania's Serengeti National Park</h2>TAASA sits in a game reserve near the northern edge of the Serengeti, overlooking Tanzania's Lobo Valley.The lodge itself has 12 canvas tents, each 540 square feet.The small space is simple yet luxurious. At the front of the tent is a living area with a desk and an L-shaped couch. Two steps lead to an elevated bedroom area with a king-sized mattress sandwiched by nightstands. Behind the bed is the tent's bathroom with a two-sink vanity, shower, and toilet. Throughout the space, natural elements like a wooden chandelier and stone shower remind guests of the natural world.<div type="image" title="The interior and exterior of the author's tent at TAASA Lodge." height="900" width="1200" msid="115309549" hostid="261" sizebytes="76432"></div>Guests are paired with a butler who coordinates schedules, serves meals, cleans laundry, and tidies rooms. Mikindo woke me up each morning with a cappuccino and left a hot water bottle in my bed each night.At their core, the accommodations are still tents, which was a positive in my mind. It meant I still felt in tune with nature every moment I spent in the room. I fell asleep to the roars of nearby lions, and one afternoon, I watched a family of baboons use my patio like a playground and my tent supports like a fireman's pole.<div type="image" title="The tent had 180-degree views of the surrounding nature." height="1289" width="1935" msid="115309550" hostid="261" sizebytes="130224"></div>In addition to the 12 identical tents, there is a main lodge where meals are served and unlimited drinks are poured.Here, the space oozes warmth. Comfy couches are the ideal places to sip gin and tonics and share game drive photos. Outside sits a small infinity pool overlooking the valley and a shared bonfire that provides warmth during chilly evenings.<div type="image" title="Side-by-side images of TAASA Lodge." height="900" width="1200" msid="115309563" hostid="261" sizebytes="133900"></div>During this year's high season, which is from June through October and the end of December, a night at TAASA Lodge in a shared tent costs $985 per person. This includes three meals a day, house beverages, laundry services, game drives, a visit to a nearby Maasai village, and transfers to and from the nearby airstrip. For 2025, nightly rates are $1,060 per person.Additionally, guests pay a TAASA concession fee, a 1% tourism development levy, government taxes, and Serengeti National Park fees, which total around $150 per person a night. Business Insider received a media rate for the two-night stay.<div type="image" title="My guide and tracker in the morning light." height="1365" width="1820" msid="115309560" hostid="261" sizebytes="99674"></div><h2 id="817c3b7c-8376-480e-9671-d8130d884953">I spent two days spotting Tanzania's wildlife</h2>While it was tempting to spend mornings sipping coffee on my tent's veranda or afternoons lounging near the pool, the true highlight of TAASA is its game drives.The lodge sits near three ecosystems: the Serengeti National Park, the Maasai Mara National Reserve, and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.For two full days, Logolie Milya guided me on game drives alongside tracker Sam.This was my first lodge during my seven-night trip in the Serengeti, and I failed to realize how spoiled I was at TAASA.Since it sits in a game reserve, not a national park, we could off-road and see animals up close and personal in our open-sided vehicles. One morning, we approached a male and female lion lounging in the sun; that afternoon, we watched a leopard carry its kill into the branches of a kigelia tree.<div type="image" title="A pair of zebras and a lion in the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania." height="900" width="1200" msid="115309548" hostid="261" sizebytes="153358"></div>What I didn't see were many other game vehicles. For major sightings — like a black rhino or our leopard spotting — Milya would call in the location to other guides, which meant two or three vehicles might pull up for the viewing. Beyond that, we were solo for the vast majority of the trip.Later, when I stayed at a lodge in central Serengeti, I learned how intimate my TAASA viewings were. In the more populated parts of the national park, my guide and I would join crowds of 12-plus vehicles for a cheetah spotting or sit in a line of Range Rovers waiting for a chance to see a leopard.The advantages of staying at TAASA continued as the sun set. In Serengeti National Park, night game drives aren't permitted. But since TAASA isn't in the park, you can track animals into the evening.Night game drives are an entirely different experience. Sam sat at the front of the vehicle with a large light, scanning the distance for eyes and animals. We spotted two lions on the move — a drastic change from the lazy, lounging lions we had watched earlier in the afternoon. Beyond that, nighttime offered a completely different view of the bush with unfamiliar sounds and shapes.<div type="image" title="TAASA Lodge borders the northern section of Serengeti National Park in Tanzania." height="1365" width="2048" msid="115309557" hostid="261" sizebytes="381690"></div><h2 id="e8f9e8ad-f867-4393-afba-9be55eeccf6c">After two nights, TAASA felt like home</h2>At the end of each game drive, I was welcomed back to the lodge with the same melody and familiar faces.Mikindo was always there to greet me with a cool towel and a refreshing drink. But beyond that, Mikindo became a smiling face eager to hear about the giraffe I spotted crossing the Mara River and dive into stories about his family and childhood.I spent days with Milya and Sam, sharing anecdotes, laughing, and asking endless questions. Milya shared insight into how his childhood growing up in a Maasai village equipped him with the instincts and knowledge to be a guide. Sam told stories about his brothers and sisters who live in the nearby Ololosokwan village.Simon said her goal as the lodge manager is to "always try to make sure guests leave with a memory. Try to capture their hearts."As I left TAASA, I found myself stuck singing "Jambo Bwana" throughout the rest of my Tanzania trip. I whispered the words to myself on game drives and woke up to the lyrics in my mind some mornings.With those words came images of TAASA — the welcoming staff, the adrenaline-inducing game drives, and the serene landscapes.

I stayed in a 540-square-foot luxury tent at the edge of Africa's Serengeti National Park. The lodge was stunning, but the safari perks were the real highlight.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>I went from NYC to the Pennsylvania suburbs because I work remote and wanted a better apartment. </li><li>I love not having to rely on public transportation anymore, but driving at night can get scary. </li></ul>I <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/left-major-cities-rent-in-suburbs-life-better-not-cheaper-2024-7">grew up in Staten Island</a>, a borough of New York City, and lived there almost my entire life until last summer. Although being close to Manhattan was great and Staten Island is a fine a place to live, it's a pretty expensive one. I didn't want to continuing paying $850 for a studio apartment there when I have a remote job that lets me work from anywhere. Plus, most of my friends and family live in other states. Eventually, after a bit of research and a few weekend trips, I fell in love with the small-town charm and slightly more affordable prices of a town in Eastern Pennsylvania.Although I could've gotten a cheap studio, I chose to pay $1,500 a month for a two-bedroom (with plenty of space for my work-from-home setup) in a peaceful neighborhood. In Staten Island, $1,500 a month would get me a dated one-bedroom at best. <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/i-moved-from-city-to-suburbs-why-ill-stay">Moving to a suburban area</a> 100 miles away from where I grew up has been a huge change, but I've mostly enjoyed the differences in life out here.Here are some of the biggest surprises I've experienced so far. <h2 id="ffb31075-6ce7-406a-a141-6ff6c835e678">In many ways, driving feels more dangerous out here than it did in the city</h2><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nyc-congestion-pricing-toll-manhattan-drivers-new-jersey-democrats-commuters-2023-6">Driving in New York City</a> is incredibly stressful with its traffic and huge number of pedestrians and bike riders. I experience far less traffic out here, but I actually found driving in the suburbs to be more stressful at first. My neck of the woods has additional hazards that I wasn't used to dealing with in the city.The streets out here are not nearly as well-lit, which has made driving at night tough to get used to. I went from almost never using my brights to now relying on them nightly in areas that don't have streetlights.<div type="image" title="deer crossing road at night" height="3050" width="4575" msid="115267897" hostid="261" sizebytes="2769354"></div>There's also far more wildlife to be cautious of here. I frequently see foxes and deer crossing the road and have to be extra careful to avoid them.I've gotten more comfortable driving as I've done it more, but I hadn't expected such a steep learning curve. <h2 id="375fa6b6-f3cf-4c9e-9b0a-60b0b97db4dd">It's easier to make flexible plans when my friends and I aren't relying on public transit </h2>Living in New York City gave meant I could check out events and exhibits across the boroughs whenever I wanted, but actually making plans to meet up could get frustrating. To get from Staten Island to Manhattan to meet up with friends from Jersey City, I needed to make plans with multiple sets of train, ferry, and bus times and transfers in mind.If anyone in our group missed a transfer or had a train delay, our entire plan could crumble, especially if we had reservations or were in a time crunch. <div type="image" title="Path train on tracks" height="3648" width="5418" msid="115267898" hostid="261" sizebytes="602666"></div>Public transportation is limited where I live now, which means having a car is pretty essential and we drive to most plans.I prefer this since it's easier to anticipate traffic, plan enough time to find parking, and choose when to leave without having to rely on public transit, where delays can be frequent and unexpected.For me, making plans is less stressful when I don't need to worry about catching the last bus home or making a transfer. This has also made me more willing to check out events outside of my comfort zone, since I know I can just drive back home in the comfort of my own car instead of waiting for a bus.<h2 id="b72d1f66-488b-497f-a3b1-60fd4e5bd819">Moving to the area alone from out of state seems like an uncommon move</h2>In New York City, the majority of people I interacted with had moved to the area from somewhere else. Many of them came to the city for work or school and had no family nearby or very few local connections at first. Where I live now, I most commonly come across people who have lived in the area for their entire life. Plenty of my neighbors and new acquaintances have family living nearby and are surprised I moved out here alone. I meet a lot of people who regularly hang out with friends from college and high school because their groups have stayed in the same neighborhoods or didn't move too far away.Although I'm comfortable being independent, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/study-us-cities-uptick-number-of-people-living-alone-2023-9">living alone in the suburbs</a> can make forming new friendships and relationships feel more daunting.A lot of the friends I've made up here are also engaged, married, or in serious relationships. Still, so many people here have been incredibly friendly — and I've already made amazing connections through meetups and book clubs.

I moved alone from NYC to the suburbs of Pennsylvania. I love it, but it's been filled with a mixed bag of surprises.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Wendy Altschuler brought her three sons on a 70-mile hike along California's John Muir Trail.</li><li>Her oldest son put his first aid course to good use while helping his little brother.</li></ul>To be fair, if you were to ask my three <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/molly-shannons-advice-parents-raising-teens-see-them-regular-people-2024-10">teenagers</a> right now if they liked schlepping all of their belongings on their back to hike so deep in the woods that they had zero connectivity on their cellphones, they would definitely say, "nope!"Backpacking is hard, really hard, especially if it wasn't your idea to go in the first place and your parents forced you to detox in nature against your will, far away from your friends and digital devices.On one particular seven-night backpacking trip, where we section hiked for about 70 miles in the high sierras on <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/hiking-trails-worth-traveling-for-2018-3#john-muir-trail-11">California's John Muir Trail </a> — the magical land of 14,000-foot peaks, glacial lakes, and glittering slabs of granite — my boys, ages 11, 13, and 14, heard one of two things from nearly every hiker they met on the trail: "I wish my parents took me on a hike like this when I was your age," and, "I wish I <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mistakes-when-traveling-with-babies-toddlers-kids-teens-2024-8">took my kids on a backpacking trip</a> when they were little."I have always loved <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/traveling-with-kids-scheduling-mistake-trip-2024-10">backpacking with my kids</a>, and hopefully, one day, I'll do it with my grandkids. I want to finish the rest of the 211-mile-long JMT with my sons.<h2 id="046d2b87-8778-405d-b5b1-fdc07e5b7513">It's true: you can't get these years back</h2>There's a sweet spot, an intersection when your kids are <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/family-camping-better-than-traditional-vacations-travel-tips-2024-3">old enough to hike</a> with some weight and you're still healthy, strong, and young enough to tackle the excursion.After all, it's no easy feat to trek all day, set up camp, cook dinner, sleep on the ground, and then do it all over again the next day and the next.So, why do I do it? Why drag kids up and over craggy mountaintops or through burly forests, where dangers like impending weather, wildlife, or injury could derail the journey you've been planning for months?First off, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-fall-hikes-in-the-us-2018-10">hiking</a> for multiple days in a row, carrying everything you need but nothing you don't, is one of the best ways I know to truly <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-make-kids-love-camping-2024-7">connect with my family</a>.Without the distractions of smartphones, video games, school and work responsibilities, or other obligations, I'm able to delve into what really matters: carving out meaningful time for my boys.In the same way that a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-plan-corporate-retreat-successful-inspiring-team-building-2024-1">company retreat</a> can spark creativity by providing employees with a break from routine, our family hikes help us form stronger relationships without the distraction of day-to-day home life.On our JMT backpacking trip, we cooked meals together, filtered and treated water, set up our tents, and marveled over the day's explorations. One afternoon we spent hours inside our tents, waiting out a passing hailstorm — there was nothing to do but tell jokes, relax our tired bodies, make up songs, and listen to the thumping ice bounce off our tents.<div type="image" title="Boy fishing along California's John Muir Trail" height="2750" width="3666" msid="114998282" hostid="261" sizebytes="1102974"></div><h2 id="a7a0f6dc-1840-4293-acff-c33b1abae83e">Lessons learned</h2>In the backcountry, after a long time spent casting and hoping, my oldest son <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/took-teenagers-on-roadtrip-everyone-enjoyed-it-2024-10">caught, gutted, and cooked a fish</a>. My middle son, educated about navigation and blazes, trekked a bit ahead on the trail by himself and ended up having propitious one-on-one time with a mule deer. And my youngest? He had to muster up the grit and resolve to keep up with his brothers and find joy in a demanding experience.We all grappled with being uncomfortable, wet, hungry, and tired, and it was through these trials that we found out what we were truly made of. In addition to securing permits, getting a satellite device for emergencies, and learning the ins and outs of the terrain, we did plenty of physical training to prepare for the JMT. Not only did we go on shorter and easier backpacking trips, testing out our gear and adding muscle to our legs, but my husband also bought my boys Styrofoam airplanes so that they could run up and down a hill to launch and fetch the planes. They knew they were being "tricked" into exercising, but they did it on their own accord anyway.My oldest took a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/basic-first-aid-hacks-everyone-should-know-2018-7">first aid</a> course, which proved useful when my youngest hurt his finger on the trail. Watching the pride stretch across my son's face as he hopped into action and grabbed the kit out of his backpack to help his little brother was a highlight for me.<div type="image" title="Camp spot along California's John Muir Trail" height="3024" width="4032" msid="114998284" hostid="261" sizebytes="1969844"></div><h2 id="1644cc9a-bcf8-4366-9255-b4b642c5267e">We found meaning in each experience</h2>After we crossed our set finish line and went home, we learned to deeply appreciate all of the essential things that are easy to take for granted: a roof over our heads, clean running water, the warmth and softness of our own beds, and the freedom to eat what we wanted when we wanted.There's something about tackling a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/took-little-kids-camping-maine-summer-fun-outdoors-huttopia-2024-6">big challenge in nature</a>, engaging in what our kids call "type two fun," that births independence and maturity. Whether my boys realized it or not, they glowed on that trail. They learned how to be leaders, accountable, and responsible for themselves and those around them.My boys also bonded with each other as they depended on each other for conversation, motivation, and support. More than anything, however, my guys learned that they are capable of tough things. They are much stronger than they thought possible. Now, when life throws challenges their way, they have something to draw strength from so they can move forward.We consistently parrot to our boys this simple yet beautiful statement from Conan O'Brien: "If you work really hard and are kind, amazing things will happen."Got a personal essay about bonding with family that you want to share? Get in touch with the editor: <a target="_blank" href="mailto:akarplus@businessinsider.com">akarplus@businessinsider.com</a>.

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