NW Kid Chaser

This is a national program, so check for a location near you.
It promises to be a perfect air-conditioned activity for hot days.

    When Neighbor Bill told us he wanted to organize a family bike ride, I was happy. When Bill said the ride would be along the Historic Columbia River Highway, I was thrilled. Three parts beauty, two parts exercise, and one part history this ride added up to a great adventure.

Here are all the variables:

44 wheels - Admittedly, the Gorge is a long drive from home for four families with bikes strapped to the top and back of their cars. However, one of the reasons we love the Valley is the variety of fun just over an hour from home. We drive this far to ski in the winter and/or enjoy the beach in the summer -- so a two hour drive for our 4 cars and 14 bikes wasn't too much of a stretch (and turned out to be well worth the effort).
 

18 feet wide - The bike path we traveled was between 10 and 18 feet wide in all areas, smoothly paved, and included guard rails as needed. I'd consider the trail 8/80 safe - meaning that an eight year-old and an eighty year-old (and everyone in between) can ride safely.

8 adults – That means one in the front of the pack, one in the back, five in the mix, and one to quickly ride back to the parking lot when you realize you forgot to place your parking-permit in the car window.

6 kids – Ranging from 7th grade to 1st, this lively crew (and all their gear, and all their chatter, and all their laughter) makes me smile!

4.5 miles -  That's one way and NOT on even ground. While my amazing-calf muscles hubby made each climb without breaking a sweat, there were several times my youngest son and I had to hop off our bikes and walk up the incline. The good news - coasting down the other side offered a great thrill!

3.5 hours - Starting at the Senator Hatfield Trailhead in Hood River, we were able to ride to Mosier and back in less than 4 hours. Included in that time were: stops for snacks, lunch, water, a bathroom break, enjoying the view, and several too-good-to-miss photo opportunities.

2 tunnels –The "Twin Tunnels" of the Historic Columbia River Highway were built just before 1921 and provided safe passage for many a Model T-Ford. Now they are a highlight of the bike trail and a fascinating glimpse into history.

1 waterfall –On the way back into Portland we stopped at the infamous Multnomah Falls.  The upper fall is 542 feet tall and the lower, 61. It's an awesome scene. We definitely need to return when we have more time to hike to the bridge!

0 complaints - After a full day of travel and exercise, I have to admit to a sense of Oregonian pride. Our State Parks Department has done a wonderful job of developing and maintaining these beautiful recreation areas. Back at home that night after our ride, my husband had to carry my seven year-old up the stairs to bed. Our little boy's legs were exhausted from all that pedaling. Tucking him into bed, I saw the sides of his mouth slowly curl into a sleepy, sweet grin. “I had fun!” he cooed. I leaned in to kiss his cheek and whispered back the very same words.

   

When my oldest son was five, we created a new house rule: If you find money laying about the house (between the couch cushions, in the clothes dryer, on the kitchen counter, etc…) AND you can count it – you can keep it. Well… never have I seen a child so quickly learn the difference between a nickel and a dime and how to add up to 100.

Years later now, both my boys have taken up coin collecting. One day my oldest son started keeping track of the ‘States Quarters’ and (a couple of library books later) he soon began telling me which of our coins was minted in Denver and which came from Philadelphia.

This new hobby has led to a new discovery of a family-friendly Salem location: The Salem Coin & Stamp Shop. In a strip mall off Lancaster, the location may not be dazzling, but the kind shopkeepers are always wonderfully patient with my sons. Using birthday money from Grandma we’ve purchased coin protectors & organizing sleeves, a steel penny, a buffalo nickel, and some pretty interesting coins from countries outside of the U.S. As we explore money values (math), we’re also learning skills in history, geography, reading, and writing (“Thank you Grandma for the birthday money. I use it to buy…”).

Although, my son’s collection wouldn’t actually be considered valuable in today’s market, in our house we think of it as time well spent. :)

PS: The tooth fairy just brought my son a Sacagewa dollar.
I just love it when Santa and friends get in on the action!