What seems like a near-apocalyptic fantasy for some has become an outright nightmare for others. Children home from school disrupting routines for many homes, jobs fluctuating operating hours to balance new shipments, and new regulations daily sent from up the ladder have many Americans in fight or flight​ mode.

Stop. Take a breath.

It is okay to stock up the pantry with a few extra cans of veggies. I am not sure that hoarding mounds of toilet paper is the key to survival. After all, Charmin was once nonexistent. Deep breaths. Take this opportunity and blessing of time off to remember what it is like to be human.

Don't let the national crisis have you locked up inside. It is easy to go stir-crazy and feel like times are much worse than they actually are. 

Spring is well under way as the snow cradling mountain tops begins to turn into that element that boaters dream of, run-off. As peaks dry, rivers become full of rushing white waters and hopes of a rainy spring just in time to bump up that cfs of your hometown river. Alpine lakes transition from ice fishing holes into crystal structured kayaking paradises. And what better flotation device to hike up a mountain than a Kokopelli Packraft, destined for adventure.

Pack it up, pack it in within a matter of minutes. The lightweight inflation bag makes filling your packraft with air a breeze- literally. It is the vanlifer's dream. 

Grabbing the packraft to get on the river last minute was easier than packing lunch, and it encouraged me to get out there on days with a later start than planned. When toting a child along on the adventure, having a boat that fits in the near palm of your hand is a major perk.

I am left with a deeper urge to explore and raft higher alpine lakes that aren't a simple drop-in away. There are so many rivers out there that I have yet to dip my feet in. This boat opens up possibilities to waters of your deepest imagination, and my favorite part is sharing the ride with my mini (Minnie- to her).