February is often framed as month about romantic love. But at Iksplor, we believe love shows up in so many other ways too. Love looks like presence. Like choosing connection over convenience. Like intentionally spending time together, even when it's messy, cold, or requires a few extra snacks.
For Rachel Harder (one of our Iksplor Community Moms) and her family, love shows up through adventure.
Living in south-central Alaska, Rachel is a full-time mama raising her kids with muddy boots, cold fingers, and wide-open wonder. Adventure isn't an occasional escape for their family. It's woven into the rhythm of everyday life.
"We are an adventure family," Rachel shares. "When it's not too cold, the kids and I are out of the house adventuring three to five days a week."
Their days might look like mountain hikes, river days, alpine lakes, or simply being outside together before heading home for dinner and evenings with Dad. And when summer arrives?
"If it's summer, we're not home."
What stand out most isn't the scale of their adventures, it's the intention behind them. Adventure, for Rachel, is about time together and choosing connection in a world that constantly pulls our attention elsewhere.
Choosing Adventure as an Act of Love
Rachel has always been an adventurer at heart, but becoming a mother didn't slow that part of her down. It expanded it.
"When I became a full-time mom, it only made sense to take my kiddo with me and go."
Her approach stayed simple: if she could climb a mountain before kids, she could climb one with a child on her back. It might take longer. It might require more snacks. But the heart of it stayed the same.
That mindset speaks to something deeper: choosing to bring our children into the lives we love, instead of putting those parts of ourselves on hold. That choice alone builds connection, trust, and belonging.
Why Adventure Matters (Especially When Life Feels Heavy)
Things feel heavy lately.
Anytime you open social media, it's full of strong opinions and division. It's easy to get sucked in and get weighed down by it all. Rachel speaks so beautifully to how adventure can be a source of peace and rejuvenation when everywhere else feels draining.
"Being in nature resets the mind," she says. "Sometimes you just need a reset to calm the body and spirit."
Adventure creates space. Space away from noise, screens, expectations, and busyness. It allows families to bond while doing hard things, to reconnect with themselves and each other, and to experience the grounding presence of the natural world.
It's also a way of modeling joy.
"It's good for our children to see us enjoying this wonderful world."
That joy, shared, witnessed and experienced together, is a form of love our kids carry with them long after the hike ends.
Raising Kids Who Believe They Can Do Hard Things
One of Rachel's core values is helping kids build resilience and confidence, and adventure plays a central role in that.
"The world isn't sunshine and roses all the time," she explains. "I want my kiddos to be prepared for when life does get hard and they have to tackle the difficulty on their own. The best way for them to learn how to push through or how to fail and get back up is for them to do it over and over again when they have the support of their parents to help guide them and encourage them. When they learn they can do hard things, their confidence soars and so many doors open."
By facing challenges outdoors (cold days, steep climbs, tired legs) kids learn that discomfort isn't failure. They learn persistence and confidence.
Rachel recalls a moment that still stands out: her son climbing his first mountain at just 18 months old!
"When he reached the top, he was so proud of himself."
That single experience sparked something lasting. Today, at five years old, he can traverse multiple mountain summits in a day. More importantly, he believes in himself.
Adventure Doesn't Have to Be Big to Be Meaningful
One of the biggest misconceptions Rachel sees?
"That adventure is hard."
Adventure doesn't require epic destinations or expensive gear. It can be a walk in the woods. A trip to the nearest lake. Time spent outside, disconnected from society and fully present.
"You don't need fancy gear," she says. "You jsut need the courage to get out the door."
That courage, choosing to try even imperfectly, is another quiet act of love.
For the Parent Who Feels "Not Adventurous"
Rachel's encouragement is simple and honest:
"You never know until you try."
If there's even a small part of you that wants to start, that part matters. Adventure doesn't have to look like the highlight reels we see online. It can be messy. It can be slow. And that's okay.
"Everything worth your time and energy in this life is a little messy."
A Final Reminder for Love Month (and Beyond)
Rachel leaves our community with this reminder:
"It's not as hard as you think it is. More often than not, it's just fear holding you back. Don't overthink it. Just act."
This February, as we celebrate love in all its forms, may we remember that choosing adventure is choosing connection. With ourselves. With our children. With the natural world that holds space for us to grow.
We love you all! Thank you for being a part of our community! ❤️
To follow Rachel and her adventures: @alpine_mama_alaska