NW Kid Chaser

Open to all ages.... Salem Sunday Streets is a fun, free, community event designed to promote healthy and active living by opening up city streets for people to play and explore together. This year’s event will feature: food carts, farmer’s market, music on a pedal-powered stage, interactive art projects, hula hooping, disc golf, yoga, and more...
       

For years, we've heard about the Valley of the Giants outside of Falls City, Oregon. This summer, we finally dedicated one of our days to visit this close (but oh-so-far location) and found that the adventure had mixed reviews

Pros:
1) Big trees. Huge trees. Place-your-child-next-to-it-and-wowza trees.
2) Crystal, clear, beautiful water.
3) 387 shades of green: Moss, Ferns, Lichen, Ground Cover, Trees...
4) A well marked, easy to hike trail.
5) The middle of nowhere: No traffic sounds. Lots of bird songs.

Cons-
1) The same beauty found in other (easier to find) Oregon locations.
2) Very muddy path (for approx. 50 yards in June).
3) Seriously long drive on a very bumpy gravel road.
4) The middle of nowhere: Come prepared.

Once on site, my family enjoyed the hike and marveled at the large trees. The path winds among the Douglas Fir trees - sometimes over fallen logs, sometimes under, and (at one point) squeezing right between two sawed-halves. It really was a fun path. However, the momma in me shuddered when my youngest asked (for the 2nd time) why it took two hours to get to this coast-range location, when it usually takes us just over an hour to drive all the way to the beach.  One good look at the map answered that question and confirmed that my boys continue to like the "doing" more than the "seeing". We won't be making a return trip - but I'm glad we took the adventure.

You can receive driving directions to the Valley by calling the BLM (503-375-5646). I see now that they discourage "passenger cars" on the road. Oops! The area is certainly remote, so I would definitely recommend having a spare, being very clear about your return route, and not relying on cell phone service.

I'm woefully behind in blogging about Spring Break 2014.
It really was great fun. We traveled to Odell Lake and learned why so many Oregonians love the area for recreation.

We traveled to Odell Lake Lodge & Resort with our neighbors and enjoyed canoeing, hiking, and cross country skiing. One large cabin was just the right size for three families of adults & children. The kids piled into one room with bunk beds. Families took turns preparing the evening meal. We all stayed up late playing games & talking.

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

Another great experience in Hawaii: Sea Kayaking!

      Our family loves a good canoe ride, but sea kayaking was a new adventure. Like a good hike, I wanted our outing to have a destination. A bit of research led me to Kailua Sailboards and Kayaks.  Just a few blocks from the beach, this outfit was able to supply everything we needed to hit the sea water safely.

      Kailua is located on the east side of Oahu and is a cutie of a beach town. We rented kayaks and then rolled them to the water’s edge with use of a handcart. I saw some folks complain about this process in online reviews, but we didn’t find it a problem. You can launch right on the beach or in a small, side stream. We chose the side stream so that we could ‘practice’ in the calm waters. This allowed my 8 year-old to get a feel for the boat and understand our plan for the day.

    Then, we headed out to Flat Island. The half-mile trip was quick and completely safe. The island is a bird sanctuary, so visitors need to purchase a day-permit to land. The $3 purchase was totally worth it, as my boys enjoyed exploring the rocky landscape all around the island. My youngest and I took photos of the nearby islands, beach, and waves, while my oldest son and husband paddled out a bit further to catch some waves and ride their kayak in the surf.

     Mokulua Island is nearby (an additional mile away), but we decided instead to head back to Kailua Beach Park to have lunch and then return to Flat Island a second time. The boys were more relaxed the second time, as the trip was familiar. Then, after returning the kayaks, we enjoyed the calm waters at Kailua for the rest of the day. Soft sand, calm waves, and shade. Hooray!

Our family had the great fortune of celebrating the end of 2013 in the great state of Hawaii. The amazing trip was filled with non-stop water sports and I was in constant amazement of how eager the boys were to take on each new challenge.  I’ll blog about some of our highlights over the next few weeks, but want to start here with one of our best experiences: Surfing!

The picture from above is of boogie boards that the boys enjoyed at Waimanalo Beach. We rented a home just down the block and so were able to ride the waves almost every day we were on Oahu. For bigger waves and bigger boards, we had the help of the Hawaiian Fire Surf School. 

In planning this trip, our whole family was eager to try surfing, but (as a mother) pretty much every fiber of my being was anxious. I expected my uber-athletic husband to excel. I was fairly certain I could catch-on with some practice. I was hopeful my eleven year old (a fairly good swimmer) would enjoy the challenge. I was terribly worried my eight year old (beginning swimmer) would be in danger.

While my husband teases me for having the uncanny ability to evaluate any situation and immediately find all the possible ways it could kill us, I just like to think of myself as being prepared. I mean... it’s not that I think the worst case scenario will happen. I just think it’s wise to be completely prepared for the worst case scenario. So... when it comes to surfing that means one thing: I need EMT, water-rescue, professionals in the water with my dear children at all times. Simple.

Luckily, my research led me to Noah and Peter of Hawaiian Fire. Surfing lessons with these pros brought the safety I craved. It also brought fun, good memories, and a morning that ended with me tearing-up at the beautiful sight of my babies catching a wave.

My eleven year-old did not only enjoy the challenge, he conquered it. I was grateful for Noah’s vigilant eyes and encouraging words. My son lists surfing as his #1 favorite Hawaii experience.

My eight year-old had a private lesson with Peter. On the same surf board, I saw the two paddle out past the crowd to the largest waves. Once positioned, Peter would help my son stand up on the board and the two would sail gently along the wave -- like a picture-perfect commercial spot for the Hawaii tourism board. My (sometimes) anxious boy looked incredibly relaxed and was grinning from ear to ear. After more than an hour on the waves, his first words when back on the beach: “That was awesome!” Peter also smiled, saying, “He didn’t even get his hair wet.” Right then and there I wanted to kiss Peter. I really did.

Without hesitation, I recommend Hawaiian Fire for moms, dads, kids, and families of all ages. I can’t possibly express how thrilled I was by this family experience. I’m not sure if we’ll ever return to Hawaii, but if we do, this activity is #1 on the to-do list. We will hit the waves again, but only with Hawaiian Fire.

I've never been a fan of football. All the bumping into each other; the intentionally trying to knock each other down; the padding/helmet/gear that keeps me from easily reading the player's facial expressions; the screaming crowds and the (usually rainy weather): In the past, I have always said, "No thank you!"

But then.... I had this boy. This funny, smart, charming eight year-old that adores football. So, that means we now subscribe to Sports Illustrated (for Kids), and we watch Sunday football on TV, and I've learned the names of several teams - just so that I can follow some of the dinner conversation on the subject. It's as if my whole world has turned upside down.

Although I never, ever, in-a-million years, thought it would come to be -- my son plays on a football team and I LOVE watching his games! This is proof that nothing is as powerful as a mother's love.  (Granted- we are talking about flag football... with a mouth guard... in a non-competitive league.. with a coach who strives to let each kid play each position - regardless of skill level). Amazingly, I have found harmony with football!

The season has now ended, but I want to give a shout-out to the Boys and Girls Club of Salem. Our family has participated for two years and we've been consistently impressed by this kid-centered athletic program. My boy is the shortest child in 3rd grade yet, on any given weekend, he has played quarterback, center, and running back (and all with a smile). Hooray for Coach! Hooray for Boone! Hooray for kids of Salem! I want to say thank you to the 'Boys and Girls Club' for letting kids be kids.. and..for giving this mom a chance to find the fun in football.