So your mother is a chicha-swilling, altimeter-toting, coca-leaf chewing
adventuretraveler. You've never understood her and you're not about to
start now. While other "normal" mom's are getting their nails and hair
done, scheduling their massages, and having luncheons of delicate baby
greens smothered in goat cheese and balsamic vinegar, your mom is
scheduling her next expedition to a remote valley, somewhere far away
(guaranteed not to be a Mexican resort) where they eat things you prefer
to pet, and where spit is the main ingredient in the local brew and
where fingernails are tools, not objects to be adorned with varnish.
You want to do something special for her. What can you do to make mom
feel your love on her special day?
Here's a list of ideas and places you can go (hint, hint, kids!) to find
a few things to make your mom's life just a little more enjoyable,
although better not tell her that, or she'll ditch it.
Don't even think about getting your adventure traveling mom a "set of
designer luggage!" Not a trend-setter in the fashion world, she could
care less how it looks or whose initials are meticulously carved by
Italian artisans, but will cherish your thoughtfulness for years to
come, if you get her a backpack designed specifically for women. The Juniper
50 model, available online by www.mountainsmith.com/" target="_blank">Mountainsmith
has features that will bring Mom to tears. With a detachable day
pack for those side trips to the summit and a u-shaped zippered
compartment for fast packing, just in case she needs to head out of camp
quickly to beat the approaching snowstorm, she'll be smiling as she
saunters up to the ticket counter on trip departure day.
Instead of smelly candles, get Mom a practical gift. A headlamp will help your
mom at night as she tramps around the brush looking for a place to
"go." Avoid getting that call that the dear old gal stepped on a scorpion and
has been airlifted to the nearest field hospital in a country whose
name you can't pronounce. Available at many mountaineering outfitters.
The flowers are going to die anyway, so don't bother buying that
bouquet. How about a handy pocket knife? It will last a lifetime and when Mom is
called upon by the locals to help prepare the goat for dinner, let her
whip out her "Gerber Gator II". I would avoid sheath
knives. They look pretentious. Best to go with the fold-up model that
stores easily in her pocket or backpack.
Who needs one of those fancy, gold and gem-studded time pieces, when you
can sport a device designed to save your life! If the name is any indicator of worthiness,
you'll love the Suunto Core so much, you'll want to get one for yourself. Changes in barometric
pressure need to be monitored when you're in the mountains and this
device has a "Storm alarm" which could save your Mom's life. And what
better way for Mom to monitor her acclimatization than with an accurate
altimeter. Not to mention the compass with rotating bezel and a
one-touch function that allows you to sight, lock and follow a bearing.
(my eyes are tearing up as I write this.)
She wouldn't be your Mom if she didn't care about the environment.
Every mom needs one of these. An odor-proof barrier bag. Now you can protect your
Mom without having to be there (thank God). These versatile bags offer
storage options for food and other scented items. Prevent campsite
animal intrusions and minimize those bear attacks. You will sleep
better just knowing Mom won't be disturbed from her slumber in her
plush, Hungarian goose-down sleeping bag. In a pinch, barrier bags can
also store human waste. If you'd rather not buy this item in person,
(your Mom will totally understand), you can get it online from Wild River Outfitters.
I bet if you called them, they would have it waiting for you to pick-up in a discreet brown paper
bag, made from 100% post-consumer waste paper.
There are many other gift-giving ideas for adventure traveling Moms,
including hydration systems, trekking poles so she doesn't fall and
break her hip, chocolate chip Clif bars and of course, one of
the most important items to a successful expedition, flip-flops. (just kidding!)
If you want to blow her mind. There's nothing that says "I care" more
than sending your mom on a trip far away. Send her to her dream
destination in Peru. She can learn to cook in an authentic Qetchua Qitchen.
(sorry, no camping or strenuous hiking on this trip, just hotels with plenty of plumbing)
But if you really want to make your Mom's Day memorable, grab a couple
of Clif bars and take her out for a hike at the local Park or go kayaking together for "Clean-the-Bay-Day."
Mom doesn't care so much about the stuff, she just cares about being with you. That's why she's
your Mom.
Celebrate with your Mom.
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