On the Go with NW Kid Chaser

Woolen Mills Now & Then...

10/7/2012

My family enjoys visiting Mission Mill right here in the heart of Salem. During our summer break, we also enjoyed a quick visit of the Pendleton Woolen Mills in eastern Oregon.

The two sites are closely connected. The Thomas Kay Woolen Mill (in Salem) was the childhood playground of the co-founder of the Pendleton Mills. While a tour of Mission Mill gives a view of the past, a tour of the modern day Pendleton Woolen Mills shows how weaving continues to thrive.

Here’s the breakdown:

The colorful spools of thread in Pendleton are a delight to see.

The machinery has gone digital with
computer chips detailing the beautiful designs.

Public tours for individuals and small groups are held weekdays at 9 am, 11 am, 1:30 pm, and 3 pm. Reservations are not required, however tour spaces are filled on a first come basis. Tours take about 20 minutes. Shorter tours are also available on weekends. Call for details: 541-276-6911.

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1 Family Road Trip...

7/24/2012

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7 days,
5 states,
2 boys,
1 family road trip!

“Less stuff, more life!” is a mantra my husband and I have recently acquired. To that purpose, we gave our boys a summer road trip to Yellowstone National Park this past Christmas.
The boys unwrapped a variety of boxes (inside of
more boxes) to get to this certificate:

My oldest squealed with delight!
My youngest asked, “Where are we going?”

Seven months later, we packed the car to the brim and headed out across Oregon and Idaho to reach the world’s first national park. My sons describe the trip as fun, long, hot, exciting, funny, cool, and all around awesome. This will be just one of many posts that tell of our adventures....

Additional posts can be found here, here and here.

The saying goes that “getting there is half the fun.” So, we decided to take advantage of our route to Yellowstone through Idaho and visit some historic Oregon Trail sites. My boys love to play the Oregon Trail computer game and have read many books, so our stops were geared to pull all that background knowledge together in one real-life package.

First Stop: Bruneau Dunes State Park near Mountain Home, ID

This gem is tucked off the highway and gives travelers a chance to view the beautiful back roads of Idaho. I had heard that you could sled down the sand, but sadly that turned out not to be true (at least not on sheets of cardboard). A good break from

sitting-in-the-car, my boys ran up and down the dunes; rolling down through the soft sand. Be sure to bring extra clothes and a towel to clean up after the fun (a water spigot to rinse legs and feet is available in the park’s camping area). I would also recommend visiting only in the early morning or evening. The sun heats up sand and can burn little feat mid-day.

Next Stop: Three Island Crossing State Park at Glenns Ferry, ID

Located on the Snake River at Glenns Ferry, Three Island Crossing offers great picnic spots, camping sites, and the (free admission) Oregon Trail History and Education Center. Just off Interstate 84 this park makes a great lunch stop for travelers (just as it was a key stop for pioneers along the Oregon trail).

Then: Thousand Springs State Park at Hagerman, ID

You can see Malad Gorge from your car as you fly by on Highway 84, but taking Exit 147 for the five minute drive to its edge is completely worth the effort. My oldest son was a bit nervous

about walking on the foot bridge over the gorge (with its 250 foot drop), but he braved the 20 steps to see the face-in-the-rocks over the Devil’s Washbowl.

On the opposite side of the highway, at this same spot, is the Kelton Trail. This area is no longer maintained by the Parks Department, but we couldn’t pass the opportunity to see wagon ruts still visible from the great migration west. Follow the first road (on the left) just north of Interstate 84 until you spy the skeleton of the once-upon-a-time parking lot marker (on your right side). The washed-out gravel driveway leads to the small parking lot (slowly losing its battle with sagebrush). If you park there, you’ll see a white marker less than six feet away. It marks the wagon ruts (that are also struggling to hold their own with nature).

Of course, my family didn’t see the marker at first and so hiked in every direction for twenty minutes. My boys were not eager participants in this adventure after we found a length of skin recently shed by a rattlesnake. This was the perfect

conversation starter about how the trip to Oregon must have been for children their own age in the mid 1800s. We decided as a family that we just might have decided to stay on the East Coast.

Last stop: Twin Falls, ID

We entered Twin Falls on Highway 93 in an effort to visit Shoshone Falls. The falls (nicknamed ‘The Niagara of the West’) were a grand sight, but it was the Perrine Bridge on this same route that really caught our attention. Less Oregon Trail; More modern sport: This stop was unexpectedly interesting.

Pull in to the Visitor’s Center on the northwest edge of the Perrine Bridge and you’ll most likely find BASE jumpers preparing their parachutes for their next jump. Yep, you read

that right: JUMP! Every day folks throw themselves from this bridge and somersault, tumble, fall, and eventually float to a soft landing almost 500 feet below. At first, I hid my eyes. Then, I peeked through my fingers. My sons ooh and ahhed. My husband thought it looked like fun! (Ek!) It was the talk of the minivan for miles and miles down the road.

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One step at a time...

3/29/2010

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Spring is here and that means it’s time for all those interested in getting a bird’s eye view of Salem to
head up to the top of the State Capitol Building.

Tours are

offered (free-of-charge)

every hour (on the hour)

from 9am to 4pm.

Spring & Summer

Climb all 121 steps to the overlook and even receive a certificate to prove you made it!

While you are at the capitol - take a peek at the Governor's ceremonial office on the 2nd floor. There you can see the Oregon Seal (also on the Rotunda floor & building door knobs) as well as receive a free pencil for the kiddies. Older children may be interested in seeing the Oregon House and Senate chambers. Take a look at that groovy carpet. :)

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Philadelphia....

12/23/2009

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Earlier this year I had a chance to travel to the city of Brotherly Love: Philadelphia. My kiddos weren’t with me, but I couldn’t help but keep an eye out for places they would enjoy.

Here’s just a few of my ‘must see’ picks for families:

1)Independence Visitor Center
            This is a great place to start and pick up maps, flyers, and an up-to-date- events calendar. Don’t’ feel the need to pay big-bucks for professional tours (or even a car-rental) as the on-duty Park Rangers can give you directions to lots of interesting sites within walking distance and can tell you about the many FREE events available. Also, pick up your Independence Hall tickets here!

2) The Liberty Bell
            Just across the street from the visitors center the building that houses welcomes visitors FREE of charge. No tickets or scheduled visit is required, but do expect a short line for security before seeing this iconic symbol of freedom.

3) Independence Hall
            Although admission is free, I recommend reserving tickets for the Independence Hall tour several days in advance so as to choose the time you prefer. There is a $1.50 per ticket fee, but tours are popular and you don’t want to miss this opportunity. Arrive at least 15 minutes early to allow for security. The tour guides are animated and knowledgeable and make the time spent truly enjoyable.

4) The Betsy Ross House
            Just off the beaten path, you’ll find this home turned museum. For just two additional dollars you can enjoy the audio tour – which I highly recommend. An actress playing Betsy can be found on the main floor. Be sure to stop and chat/ask questions. The historical information is great and ‘Betsy’ never breaks character. She and I shared a long talk about the trials of motherhood (she the mother of seven girls -me with my two boys). It’s my favorite memory of my trip.

5) City Hall
            This beautiful building is just magnificent at night. It’s as if Batman will fly in at any moment to declare Gotham City safe for all!

6) The Subway
            No trip to a big city is complete without a ride on public transportation. Feeling brave? Try it at rush hour! For young and old, it’s just plain good fun at $1.50 a head.

7) The Reading Terminal
            This is my new, all time favorite place to people watch. It’s the farmer’s market/food court/gift shop to top all. Come hungry, expect a crowd, and try not to stare. I loved every minute of it!

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NW Kid Chaser

Woolen Mills Now & Then...

1 Family Road Trip...

One step at a time...

Philadelphia....

On the Go

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