Flip through your latest Athleta catalog or peruse its web site, and you might come across Charlottean Erica Lineberry. Athleta, a women’s technical apparel company owned by Gap, Inc., recently chose Erica as one of twenty women to be a 2012 sponsored athlete on its Athleta Chi blog. Wahoo! We are so proud to have a local mom represented!
Erica’s passion (besides being a wife and mother) is rock climbing. Her blog, Cragmama.com chronicles her life as a rock-climbing-mother-extraordinare and offers helpful tips and resources for other parents to enjoy nature and the outdoors with their children. (I, for one, love her blog – I have a bit of a snake-phobia (no camping for me!) but her posts and pictures might just inspire me to Just Do It for my kids’ sakes.)
Erica is one cool mama – just see for yourself! Smarties, meet Erica!
Erica’s Smarty Mom stats
Mom of: Canaan, who turned 2 years old on the first day of spring
Married to: Steve, for 10 years
Years in Charlotte: a little over 1
Occupation: Blogger/Writer and Toddler Chaser Extraordinaire
College Alma Mater: Elon University
Hood: Arboretum area
Tell us about your blog, Cragmama.com – why did you start it and what do you want it to do for other moms? When I got pregnant in 2009, my hubby and I realized that we were at a life stage where many people give up on adventure – exchanging their climbing, camping, biking, and hiking gear for a mountain of diapers, burp cloths, high chairs, and baby monitors. But we refused to let that happen and committed ourselves to redefining adventure as a family. Though I haven’t been a Mommy or a climber nearly long enough to qualify as an expert in either field, I’ve fortunately stumbled upon some really great ideas along the way (as well as learned a lot from my many mistakes!), and thus Cragmama.com was born! My goal at Cragmama is to become an online resource dedicated to helping families get outside. My content touches on a wide range of topics, everything from camping with an infant, family-friendly gear reviews, inspiring stories and interviews, and even local tips for some “Green Hour” fun.
You were picked as one of twenty women to be a 2012 sponsored athlete for Athleta, a women’s technical clothing company. What does this entail and what does it mean to you as a blogger, woman, and mother extraordinaire?
As one of Athleta’s sponsored athletes, my main job is to contribute articles for the Athleta Chi blog, which is a blog centered on inspiring and motivating Athleta’s customer base – strong, fit women who are empowered through an active lifestyle. I will also get the opportunity to be involved in reviewing current gear, as well as testing products still in the early stages of development. As a blogger who wants to be a writer when she grows up, I’m psyched to have another venue and audience to write for. As a mother, I feel good about the opportunity to be a role-model for my son. And of course as a woman, I’m thrilled about getting a brand new closet full of clothes!
How long have you been rock climbing and what makes you passionate about it?
I first tied into a rope in 2006 and I’ve been hooked ever since. Climbing appeals to me on so many different levels – the competitive side of me loves pushing myself physically and mentally on the rock, and the dirty hippie side of me loves wandering around the woods with a backpack and waking up in a tent. Not to mention it’s a great way to spend quality time together as a family!
Share with us some of your tips for getting kids outside and loving nature?
I think its important to start now, regardless of how old your children are. Don’t be tempted to wait for a “better” or “easier” age. Each age will have its own challenges, but also its unique rewards. Find something for the whole family to enjoy – if your children see you having fun, they’ll follow suit!
Where is your favorite local spot to climb as a family? To hike? To camp?
The closest rock to us is Crowder’s Mountain State Park (near Gastonia, NC), and it is a great place to climb, hike, as well as camp. We also commonly take day trips around Boone and Winston-Salem to climb, and a couple times a month we’ll get out for a weekend of camping and climbing in West Virginia or Tennessee.
Favorite piece of mommy advice you’ve given or received?
The first family that we ever saw out climbing with children once told us that “Parents can do everything WITH kids they could do WITHOUT – it just takes twice as long with twice as much gear.” That statement always stuck with me and we’ve definitely found it to be true.
Best book you’ve read lately?
I’m currently in the process of writing a book of my own – a rock climbing guide for Central North Carolina, so these days I’m up to my neck in guidebooks and climbing resources as opposed to romance novels and autobiograhies. However, when I get a chance to read for fun, I’m a fan of C.S. Lewis and Rob Bell.
Favorite movie of all time?
Of all time? I’m not sure I can commit to that. But movies that would rank high on the list – Zoolander, Elf, Avatar, Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore, Sound of Music, Gone with the Wind. Usually I go for comedy over sappy, but I do love a good tearjerker every now and then.
Favorite restaurant to take the whole family?
Brooklyn Pizza – The Buffalo Wing Pie is where it’s at!
Favorite phone app?
I wish I could say it was something intellectual like Kindle, or something useful like iMap my Fitness…but if I’m being honest the app I use most is my Facebook App.
Finish this sentence: “I couldn’t live without my…”
Hubster and son. Life is not an adventure without having my two favorite people in the world to share it with.
Thanks, Erica, for sharing your story! We’re so proud of you!
