While the Rohr family lives in the southern portion of the Kettle Moraine State Forest, just minutes away from hundreds of trails, the adventures don’t stop there.
Jaime and Jason, a cytogenetic technologist and project engineer, respectively, are passionate about hiking, exploring and raising their daughters — seven-year-old Cahmen and three-year-old Hallie — with a deep appreciation for nature.
Have you always been an outdoorsy family? And how have you made that a priority a family?
I would say we have always loved the outdoors. Being up north on the lake at the family cabin is one of our favorite places to be. We have really gotten into hiking in the past three years. I think as a busy family we make getting outdoors a priority on a week by week basis and see where we can fit in our time in nature. I aim to hike twice a week in a tight schedule and anything more is a bonus!
Where are some of your favorite places to hike in Wisconsin?
There are so many trails and parks I like all for different reasons and at different times of the year. It also depends if we are hiking as a family or I’m hiking solo.
Amnicon Falls, Copper Falls State Park, Devil’s Lake State Park and anything in Wisconsin Dells area with the sandstone cliffs are beautiful. The Ice Age Trail (multiple segments), North Country Trail (multiple segments), Seven Bridges at Grant Park and Lions Den Gorge along Lake Michigan. Scuppernong Springs State Natural Area is great for kids! I love hiking the Nordic Trail in January during their candlelight hike — the giant ice lanterns are really impressive and Lapham Peak is really beautiful in the fall. Honestly I could go on and on!
Why is hiking — and being in the outdoors in general — important to you and your family?
I am a firm believer that nature heals. There has been so much research on the benefits it has physically, mentally and emotionally. It’s important to me because I can feel the difference in me afterward. I go to the gym, and I love that too, but it doesn’t have the same effect on me as hiking. It really clears my mind and my soul. My answer is always: go outside.
Hiking and playing outdoors really opens up teamwork, builds confidence and communication among children and families. Imagine traversing a gorge with water, slippery rocks and logs as balance beams. You all work together to get across and communicate your next steps. It’s really a beautiful thing to see two sisters who might have been squabbling an hour ago now work together and encourage each other.
I have noticed my daughters already paying attention to the little things. They will notice beautiful moss growing at the tree base or that something looks like a fairy house. They are taking in what’s around them. It’s music to my ears when they take notice of the sunrise or sunset. I want them to continue to find beauty in everything.
Any tips for hiking or adventuring with kids?
Snacks! We always pack the backpack with plenty of snacks. Exploring is supposed to be fun. Keep it fun and keep it light. Don’t put too much pressure on them to keep marching — let them explore and get dirty. Depending on the ages of your children and hiking experience, sticking with one to three miles is a good place to start. Try to look for natural areas or trails that offer something interesting like springs or waterfalls. Save the tougher hilly trails that might be boring for them for a solo hike. Remember, if they have fun, they are more apt to do it again!
I understand you’re doing one hundred hikes in 2019. What made you decide to set that goal? And how is it going so far?
I am! Last year I completed the 52 Hike Challenge. I started the challenge because I felt I was staying indoors in the winter and I wanted to motivate myself to get outside. I am very goal-oriented, and to keep pushing myself I decided to challenge myself to one hundred hikes in 2019 with my Hiker Babes family. Through this organization there is no time limit for one hundred hikes; it’s just my own personal goal. This year has been a great hiking year! I am at fifty-six hikes currently and it’s taken us beyond Wisconsin to the Badlands National Park, Custer State Park and, recently, Glacier National Park. I try to hike a new trail each time to keep it fresh, but due to time restrictions sometimes I hit ones that are convenient.
What have been highlights of your summer so far, and what are you still hoping to do before fall?
We always enjoy our family time up north at the lake and our trip to Glacier National Park was amazing! One highlight was hiking at Houghton Falls and the trail ended at Lake Superior and both my girls jumped in! I have a long list yet for summer, which seems to be slipping away quickly. We would like to make it to Indiana Dunes National Park, Kohler Andrae State Park and back to the cabin one more time this summer. Fall hopes are Devil’s Lake, Perrot State Park and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
What do you wish everyone knew about Wisconsin?
I think I was unaware of, or took for granted, the beauty and geological diversity Wisconsin has to offer. And that Wisconsin has lots of waterfalls! We have two scenic National trails — the Ice Age trail and the North Country trail — that highlights a lot of this diversity and are so beautiful. The shorelines of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior are amazing as well. I think what we have discovered is what keeps the fire burning and the drive to keep exploring! Remember that not every spot is a going to be a home run. We still laugh about hiking to a dried up waterfall; you just never know what you will find!
Photos courtesy of Jaime Rohr.