A Life Built Around Family
I'm Josue. Dad of four, married to my best friend Julisa, and honestly — I feel most like myself when I'm outside. Camping, hiking, fishing — those aren't just weekend activities for me. They're how I decompress, how I think, and more importantly, how I connect with my kids. There's something about being out there, away from the noise, that just hits different.
I didn't grow up with a lot but I grew up outside. Between California and Mexico, some of my best memories happened without a screen in sight — catching fish with my hands, exploring trails that had no name, just being a kid with nowhere to be. Now I'm a dad trying to give my four kids that same feeling. Dirt on their shoes, fresh air in their lungs, and memories that actually stick long after the trip is over.
It's not always easy. Between work, bills, and the chaos of a full house, finding time to get outside takes real effort. But every time we do — every camping trip, every trail, every early morning at the water — I remember why it matters. My kids aren't going to remember what was on TV. They're going to remember the time we set up camp in the dark and laughed about it for weeks.
Things Dad Likes started because I wanted a place to be real about all of it. The gear that's actually worth buying, the trips that are doable on a budget, the honest moments that don't always look pretty but feel right. This is for the dads who show up — not perfectly, but consistently.
Why I Started Things Dad Likes
Getting outside with four kids is never as smooth as it looks. Someone always forgets something, the weather doesn't always cooperate, and there's usually at least one moment where you question the whole thing. But then you get there — you set up camp, the fire gets going, and the kids stop looking at their phones — and you remember exactly why you do it.
That's the experience I want to share here. Not the polished version. The real one. The one where the tent takes twice as long to set up and somebody steps in the fire pit and you eat sandwiches for dinner because the camp stove wouldn't light. Those are the trips my kids are going to talk about when they're grown.
I've learned more about parenting on a trail than I ever have sitting still. There's something about being out there with nothing but time and nature that strips everything back to what matters. No distractions, no agenda — just you and your kids figuring it out together. That's the stuff I'm here to document.
And along the way I'll share the gear that made it easier, the spots that were worth the drive, and the lessons that only come from doing it — not reading about it.
What You'll Find Here
This is a place for dads who actually do the thing. Not the ones with a perfectly curated feed and a sponsor for every post — the ones who load up the car on a Friday night, figure it out as they go, and come home tired but full.
Every week I'm putting out content that's actually useful. Gear I've personally used, trails I've personally hiked, and honest takes on what worked and what didn't. If I wouldn't recommend it to a friend, I'm not putting it on here.
I'm also building something for the long run. A community of dads — and moms, and families — who believe that the best thing you can give your kids isn't a thing at all. It's time. It's presence. It's showing up and saying let's go, even when it's not convenient.
So whether you're a seasoned camper or you've never slept in a tent in your life — you're in the right place. Pull up a chair. Or better yet, grab your gear. Let's go.