Literally Outside: Five Siblings, One Getaway
All photos credit Literally Outside
Sadia ventures with her ‘Sibling Squad’ into Seattle’s wilderness to literally get outside.
“Sitting around the fire, there was a moment when we actually all watched the stars together. I've never seen the stars with my brothers and sisters like that. Usually, we’re running around or one of us is not there. Having company in the silence with my siblings, we all felt solitude and connection. It was really nice.”
– Sadia Anees, an adventurer from Chicago, IL
Not all families grow up escaping into nature on the regular. The Anees family – five siblings and all – spent more time traveling in smaller packs in their younger years, as it was expensive to gear up and get out with that many kids. As they got older, the siblings (now ages 30 to 19) would plan trips together, but typically, just a few of them at a time.
Sadia – the unofficial ringleader and oldest of the Anees ‘Sibling Squad’ – had a mission to get her two brothers and two sisters outside with her. The plan was simple: Book a flight to her hometown of Seattle where her sibs still live, rent a Getaway House in Skagit Valley (1 hour north of Seattle), and finally, convince them to get outside with her.
But not just get outside… get Literally Outside.
Click to view the interactive map of their adventure
“I wouldn't say any of my siblings are super outdoorsy other than me. Whenever we do go out, they don't say, “No” but they are also not like, “Heck yes, let's do this!” It’s just funny. Once they finally get out there, they’re usually excited. But up until that point, they lean towards the not-for-me vibe.”
Okay, so maybe the plan wasn’t so simple. But that’s the beauty of trusting your siblings. You’re willing to partake in their risky (and sometimes sketchy) ideas to have a shared sense of adventure. Sadia also knew she wanted to outfit her siblings in Literally Outside apparel, a Chicago-based brand focused on getting people of all different races, backgrounds, cultures, and experiences outside. Regardless of their body type, style preference, and experience in the outdoors, Sadia says Literally Outside makes them not just feel good but look good doing things most of them normally wouldn't do.
The Anees siblings hit the road for Skagit Valley in two separate cars. On the way, they stopped at Davies Beach Park in Stevens, WA for a quick hike. The sisters arrived first at the little (but extremely cute and cozy) cabin in the woods. Soon after, their brothers rolled up with a little less eagerness and excitement than their sisters: Wide-eyed with an “Are you serious right now?!” look on their faces. It was clear the guys had some type of feeling about the adventure ahead.
It didn’t take too long for the entire crew to settle in. Sadia admits her role as the oldest sibling means she usually takes charge – whether it’s making plans or buying the groceries. This trip, though, she wanted to sit back and see what everyone else would do. 10 minutes after their arrival, a loud roar echoed through the forest as flames shot high out of the fire pit, “I’m becoming a Nature Man now!” Needless to say, Umair was starting to feel at home.
“This trip encompassed a lot of firsts for everybody in different ways.
I've never seen my brother start a fire before. Like, I didn't even think he knew how. By the end of the trip, he definitely went through a lot of logs and starters to keep this fire going. He loved it.
My sister had also never made hot chocolate before, which was bizarre to find out. We made a lactose-free version with her for the first time. She also loved it.”
After a night of cooking a group meal, stoking the fire, and watching the stars together, the family woke up early to adventure to some local stores and trails in the area. Hiking around Little Mountain Park was a highlight of the trip as they reveled in the 360-degree views overlooking central Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountain Range. Post-hike, the crew stopped at a small cafe, the Ristretto Coffee Lounge, and shopped around at Bloom Floral, to support local businesses and explore the new-to-them town of Mount Vernon.
No matter their past experience of getting outside in nature and exploring lesser-known places in the wilderness, the Anees siblings conquered an experience – together – that they’ll never forget.
This very ethos is what Literally Outside is all about:
Getting outside and blazing new trails – for everyone.
