Day 1 Colorado to Idaho Leaving not too long after midnight on Memorial Day, to help the kids pass the many hours in the back seat by sleeping a good deal of it, we left on our 4,000 mile road trip to the Olympic Peninsula. 15 hours of driving on Day 1 brought us to […]
Hawaii is heavenly! The vibrancy of life & color is a feast for the eyes & soul! The hues of blue … the blue skies … the varying blues of the warm Hawaiian waters … Elvis Presley’s “Blue Hawaii” definitely came to mind. The thick, lush, deep emerald green of the gorgeous vegetation, the variety of blooming flowers […]
After nearly 18 years in Colorado, we thought we’d better go see the iconic Crystal Mill, especially since we’d purchased a 4-wheel drive truck in the last year & were eager to put it to the test. Both the location & our vehicle did not disappoint, although the drive was pretty hair-raising & I had to remember to breathe every once in a while, especially as we noticed a truck that had rolled down a cliff at some point in history. I would not recommend doing this, if you aren’t a confident 4 x 4 driver.
With a light dusting of the first snow of the season & the fall colors at their peak, the scene could not have been more picturesque.
The structure, built in 1892-93, is not actually a mill, but it was the control room for the hydroelectric power generated from that dam that used to be there. The power was used by the mill for the saws and lights. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985, it is reputed to be one of the two most widely photographed locations in Colorado, along with Maroon Lake/Maroon Bells.
First-Aid Anti-septic/Pain Relieving Cleansing Spray (No Sting). Great for quick relief when the little ones fall & scrape their knees & need some immediate soothing.
Various sizes of Band-Aids, Band-Aid Waterproof Tape & Gauze for cleaning injuries & for taping gauze over bigger scrapes & cuts
Melaleuca’s Triple antibiotic gel
For deeper gashes when you’re far from immediate help:
Super Glue can be used, after the wound has been thoroughly cleaned & disinfected, & as long as the wound is fairly straight. We’ve used it successfully to glue our son’s forehead closed when he split it open. Here is a link on how to use this method: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/228135537347806286/
Or
Disposable skin stapler & staple remover after wound has been thoroughly cleaned & disinfected.
(A multiple use everyday essential in our home). Use this for almost instantaneous relief from insect stings, bites, itchiness, & burns. I have yet to come across anything else that works as effectively or as quickly for soothing bee or wasp stings!
(A multiple use essential in our home)
Quick relief for headaches, nausea, & itching from insect bites
For headaches: Apply a drop or two & massage into the pressure points at the back of your neck, at your hairline, & into your hairline. Apply a drop or two & massage into your temples in your hairline.
For nausea: Apply 3 – 4 drops over your intestinal area & massage in a circular clockwise motion over the intestinal area around your belly button.
(A multiple use essential in our home)
Cleansing/antiseptic aid for minor cuts, scrapes, burns, insect bites, skin irritations, gum or mouth issues.
Eye Drops We use this when out on the trail or, if back at the camp, a warm saltwater rinse in a little eye cup, (Himalayan salt & filtered, warm water). The salt can also be used to clean wounds.
We use the homemade lotion with added drops of Melaleuca Oil & Lavender Oil.
I make our own using coconut oil, olive oil, bees wax, Vit. E oil, & Lavender Oil. This is the moisturizer I use every day after showering but it works great for all sorts of ailments … sun protection, rashes, scrapes, burns, lip balm, scars, etc. When used as sunscreen, I add zinc oxide to the mix. Coconut oil has a natural SPF of up to 10 & zinc oxide is arguably the best broad-spectrum protection available against UVB & most of UVA. Here’s the link to the recipe I use for the lotion: Pintrest Link
I purchase our non-nano zinc oxide here: Soapgoods Store Link
This doesn’t go in our First-Aid kit but in a small lotion jar in our toiletry bag.
DISCLAIMER
These are our family’s tried & tested methods & products we use – ones we have not had any negative experiences with. This may not be the case with you. We are not promoting any one product. We generally attempt to shy away from chemical-based products & stick with what’s natural, as much as possible. We like to keep things short & to the point, & not information overload. If you’re interested in reading more about the oils or methods we’ve used, you can (1) click the link below or (2) do your own research & find what works for you.
My Pintrest Board about natural essential oils
Proud of my little people. Their feet carried them the furthest they’ve hiked in a day – 10 miles & 9 hours – past mountain lakes & waterfalls, wild flowers & streams, 1 rock slide, & 1 foraging bear. Such a beautiful day