What if you could spend a year taking your family to as many of the most amazing National Parks in the country as you could?  Before your kids are grown and gone and before these magical places might be gone.  Well, one dad did just that.

You don’t have to be a parent to appreciate this memoir from longtime Backpacker magazine editor, Michael Lanza.  But you at least have to have a deep appreciation for the outdoors and a curiosity about what it could mean to lose some of our best National Parks as we know them today. 

If you do have kids, you’ll be inspired by Lanza’s journey in 2009 when he set out with his wife Penny, son Nate and daughter Alex to not only see, but backpack, kayak and rock climb through our nation’s gems like Glacier National Park, the Everglades, Yellowstone, Joshua Tree, the Grand Canyon—11 parks in total throughout the year.  Did we mention his kids were only 9 and 7 years old at the time?

A cross between one dad’s journal from a year of amazing experiences with his kids and a scientific and enticing look at our planet’s environmental catastrophes waiting to happen (and in some cases already happening), Before They’re Gone is a book that leaves a lasting impression with you on multiple fronts.  You’ll want to pack up your kids and immediately take that trip you’ve been talking about for years.  Maybe even to one of those places you fear will change before you ever get to see it.

Get your hands on a copy.  Order Before They’re Gone here.

Already read Before They’re Gone?  Tell us what you thought below.

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Let’s start by noting that, if you’re hesitant to try an outdoor vacation, you’re about to hear about a 4-year-old and 8-year-old that kayaked Grand Teton.

If you’re a parent itching for this kind of trip, but wondering if it’s a good idea, what with your kids and all, let this suffice as a, “Yes, you can.”

Nicolas Zibell and his family had never experienced the U.S.’s western national parks, but he wanted to open his daughters’ eyes to their grandeur.

Clara, 8 years old, and Chloe, 4, were excited about the trip from the get-go, Nicolas says.

“It was new, it was beautiful,” he says. “They actually thought it was fun.”

The Zibell family — Nicolas, his wife, and daughters — joined an O.A.R.S. crew on a Jackson Lake kayaking trip in Grand Teton National Park. It was 2 days of paddling and hiking, plus a night of camping.

The highlights according to Nicolas:

• Incredible scenery

• Surprisingly gourmet meals

• Surprisingly comfortable camp set-up

• Beautiful moments around the campfire

• Two young girls hooked on active, outdoor adventures

“When they wanted to paddle, they could paddle,” Nicolas says, describing how he and his wife took a daughter each in their tandem kayaks. “Sometimes they didn’t help — they actually paddled backwards. They also wanted to compete and finish before the other.”

The family even experienced one of the ever-present worries of outdoor trips: a rain storm. But, he says, the girls took it all in stride.

“It’s an adventure, but it’s very comfortable,” Nicolas says. “Even if you don’t know anything about [kayaking and camping], there’s no reason you can’t do it.”

With his busy business life, Nicolas says he appreciated the chance to get out of cell phone service and spend quality time with his daughters.

“It’s the perfect way to reconnect with the kids,” he says.

And the next day, his oldest daughter asked to go whitewater rafting. 

The wildlife, looking at the stars at night, the fog lifting off the lake in the morning, the hike over wooden bridges, bear scratches on a tree — it all had a big impact on them all.

“The kids still remember it,” he says.

 The Zibells will be joining the O.A.R.S. family again this summer, for a taste of whitewater on the Lower Klamath River in California.

Does you have a great family vacation story from an outdoor adventure? Feel free to share it in the comments below!

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In the heart of canyon country, you’ll find Moab, a no-frills town that caters to adrenaline junkies and adventure seekers. Only have a day? Here’s the ultimate one-day itinerary:

7am — Fuel up with homemade fare and healthy portions from the funky Eklecticafe (352 N Main St.). Then hit the trails.

8am — Moab is known as the mountain biking Mecca. There are trails for all skill levels, but seasoned riders will want to ride the famous Slickrock Trail, a challenging 10.6-mile loop (located off of Sand Flats Road). Rent a bike or sign up for a guided bike tour through Dreamride.

12pm — After breaking a sweat, grab some lunch . Not much has changed since this classic diner’s opening in 1954, but Milt’s Stop & Eat (356 Millcreek Dr.) is where to go for the best burger in town. What to order if your stomach can handle it: The Chili Cheeseburger and a banana malt.

2pm — Walk off your lunch at Arches National Park. Depending upon how much energy you have left, consider taking an O.A.R.S. 4×4 backcountry tour of Arches for just $99/person. You will have the option of a couple of hikes to the iconic Delicate Arch and your guide will take you to the perfect spot to catch the sunset. Set among spectacular rock formations, the dramatic sky show will be a wonderful ending to an action-packed day.

8pm — Go where the guides go: If you’re looking for a light dinner or something other than cheeseburgers and milkshakes try the White Rim Roll at Sabaku Sushi (90 E Center St.). This hip spot will blow you away with its fresh fish creations in the middle of the desert.

10pm — Still going? Grab a stool at Woody ’s Tavern (221 S Main St.). Live music on Friday and Saturday nights.

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