The current helped the return trip speed by and, once back to the dock, there were three cheers for our location: just 5 minutes from a frozen yogurt shop. That’s just one more highlight of urban canoeing!
At the end of July, we embarked on an afternoon of canoeing. For this trip, we met up with friends to explore the 2+ miles of canals running right through Eugene. A huge thank you to Ryan of Northwest Canoe Tour who rents boats each weekend through Labor Day at Alton Baker Park. For $10 an hour, we were outfitted with a great canoe, paddles, lifejackets, and a map of the area. Our total canoe trip was two hours long. The canals we traveled were lined with trees and (in some areas) seemed miles from civilization. However, we also floated around a bend to find a grand view of the U of O Coliseum. Along the route there were two points where we needed to pull our boat from the canal - carry it less than 50 yards – and then re-enter the water. At first, I wondered if this would dampen the fun, but for our family it turned out to be part of the adventure. These ports made space for kids to change boats or seats, take a snack break, or walk along the shore and explore. The turn-around point for our trip was a large pond. Several tree stumps sat in the middle of the water and we maneuvered close enough for everyone to lean over and touch the driftwood. Both boats achieved this feat without bumping into each other or losing anyone overboard – Hooray!
The current helped the return trip speed by and, once back to the dock, there were three cheers for our location: just 5 minutes from a frozen yogurt shop. That’s just one more highlight of urban canoeing!
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I often refer to my husband as The Bike Guy. He’s what alternative-mode traffic engineers call ‘strong and fearless’. The man commutes daily by bike; sees new outings as an adventure in finding the best bike route; looks through bike magazines in a dreamy fantasy; and has even been known to ride his bike in the snow. I, on the other hand, am what they call ‘interested but concerned’. I like riding my bike. I love to see my kids ride their bikes. However, the momma-safety-radar works overtime and I have very little confidence in the safety provided by a paint stripe swiped on the road (aka… the bike lane). While I understand that America is a car-based society and there is no radical plan to open my hometown to bikers and walkers only, I have dreams of my family riding our bikes worry free. Enter: Portland Sunday Parkways. Our lovely city-neighbor to the north has organized five summer rides that close the streets to cars and invite citizens to bike, eat, play, and enjoy Portland’s largest public space: its streets! The parkways website says the event: “promotes healthy active living, fosters civic pride, stimulates economic development, and represents the community, business and government investments in Portland's vitality, livability and diversity.” My eight year old says, “Sunday Parkways are fun!” The number of people participating in the Parkway event was amazing. More than 30,000 people joined the fun. Every street was filled. The city parks along the route were alive with dancing, singing, ice cream eating, bubble blowing, and all out playground-playing. Most fun for me was to see the households along the route who used the opportunity to have a party. Folks sat on the stoop and waved to the parade of passing cyclists. They offered free water to participants, sold lemonade alongside art work, and served as volunteers at intersections.
My hope is that Sunday Parkways would come to every town, but until it does – might I suggest a family trip to Portland? The next event is scheduled for July 24th. Much cheaper that a trip to Denmark, this event has all the carefree fun of childhood bike rides, all the charisma of a community celebration, and the essential safety precautions this mommy requires for her growing boys. I was too busy riding to take many good pictures, but you can check out BikePortland.org for great photos capturing the fun. Several neighborhood families headed for the hills this past weekend. We traveled up Hwy 22 to Maxwell-Butte Snow Park. There we found a lovely one-mile trail for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing as well as a super-fun sledding hill. I’ve blogged about this great location before: check here for more details. Where does a snow loving family find skis or snowshoes to rent in Salem? (I’m so glad you asked). Of course, the trick to real family snow-fun is staying dry and warm. Wet = cold = cranky = whiny demands to “go home right now!" And that’s just me: The kids don’t like being cold much either.
So how do you dress to keep the cold away and the fun in hand? (You’re asking such fabulous questions today). Here’s the 3 level lowdown: Level #1 is a thin layer of synthetic fabric (polyester or polypropylene).This is the modern day “long underwear”. You need a long sleeve shirt, pants and socks that should be “kind of stretchy and fit tight to your skin”. This level is the most important level, as it is the base. Skiers, sledders, and mothers chasing kids doing said-activities will break a sweat. In this event, cotton is your worst possible enemy! Go to the sports store and shell out for this layer – you’ll be thanking yourself for years. Level #2 is the “fluffy layer”. (Yep, we’re using only the fanciest, most efficient words here at NW Kid Chaser.) This layer includes wool or the heavenly fabric known as polar fleece. Throw on socks, pants, and a jacket or vest and call it good. When the boys were little, I found inexpensive polar fleece jumpsuits at the local resale shop. They wear well and those cutie kids grow up fast – so buying them second hand is a great option. Level #3 is the final layer and needed for day-long outings, wet snow, and anyone who is likely to find them self sitting or laying in snow. This includes five year-olds who like to fling themselves off small hills so as to “body-surf” down the sledding run or mommies who haven’t skied in awhile, lose their balance, and yelp while ungracefully toppling over. (Like me!) This layer consists of a dry shell. That can include a ski jacket, fancy ski pants from Columbia and/or hand-me-down ski-bibs. Fabric should be water resistant (or water proof) and breathable. Check the tags, ask the salesman, and be assured that this layer lasts a long while as well. Any purchase is a future investment in warm, dry fun. February is usually a great time to pick up these items, as well as snow boots, on clearance. All the rest includes mittens, hats, scarves, and boots. These items are mostly based on personally preference. I always bring an assortment to fit the day’s weather and our specific needs. I like polar fleece gloves as they allow the greatest use of hands, but they can become wet/cold during a snow ball fight. Pulling out a new pair in the nick of time is key, and even better if you include those nifty little hand warmers if things get too bad. Again – cotton is NOT your mountain top friend. Save it for the dry, comfy clothes you wear in the car on the way home. All this info comes from the man I love. At our house, we say “Happy Wife, Happy Life” and Mr. Obery knows quite well how much I dislike the cold. He taught me the power of appropriate layers and makes sure we’re geared up properly. If you want a second opinion – check out this video from Livestrong.com Happy Winter Everyone! My mountain-man husband wanted to head to the great outdoors during our winter break. Sadly, our schedule and weather didn’t cooperate with those plans. Passing through Portland, we decided to try out a winter activity with an Oregon modification: Ice Skating at Lloyd Center. When we first told our boys the plan to go ice skating, our five year old son refused. “I don’t want to fall through the ice,” he confessed. I assured him we wouldn’t be visiting the back pond his father braved as a child in the mid-west. “We’ll be inside - in a rink,” I explained. “We’ll be safe, out of the rain, and near hot chocolate!” We brought our own lock and so safely secured our coats in the ice skating rental shop. Lacing up our boots, we miraculously climbed the stairs and stepped onto the ice. Me with my older son and my husband with or youngest (divide and conquer is our strategic parenting style), we tried to instruct our sons on the fine art of skating and avoiding major spills or falls. My eight year-old wanted to hold on to me – but I knew that would lead to both of us on the ground. So instead, I just skated alongside him and offered encouragement and advice. The boy hung to the side rail for dear life. That first lap around must have taken a good 15 to 20 minutes, His feet were under him (at most) 10% of the time. I felt bad for him, until I saw a young man in his mid-twenties doing the exact same thing. It’s hard to look cool clinging to the side, but you gotta do what you gotta do. Back to the entrance, the twenty-something exited the ice and (ignoring the pleas of his girlfriend) unlaced his skates and marched away from the rink. My kid asked for mittens (“My hands get cold when I fall on the ice.”), but immediately headed out for another lap. Slowly but surely, my eight year old gained confidence and skill. By the end of our two hours he was gliding (albeit wobbly) across the ice and passing other skaters. The only time he fell was when he tried to turn too quickly so that I could snap his picture. (Sorry!) Even on the way down his smile reflected off the ice like a moon beam! It was awesome, wintry, family, inside-fun! I recently enrolled my boys in private swim lesson. In the past, we’ve always participated in group lessons but I needed to inspire my eight year-old to make the final leap from dog-paddle to crawl-stroke and hoped private lessons would do the trick. I was not disappointed. Let me break it down for you…
At the Kroc Center, group lessons cost $35 per child (total of $70 for 2 kids) and include 10 thirty-minute sessions. Private lessons cost $90 for two children ($45 per child) and last for just 4 sessions of thirty-minutes each. I figured we’d gamble, give it a try, and see what happens. I was not disappointed. Here’s the final math tally… Less time at the pool, but less time sitting on the wall. $10 more per child, but 10x more progress than ever before. 1 instructor (Thank you April!) – 2 kids – 1 happy Momma. I wasn't disappointed and...neither were they: Here's the last post of our Detroit Lake adventure.... As you drive up Hwy 22 to Detroit Lake, here are two quick and easy pit stops worth making: Detroit Dam: When driving from Salem, everyone in our car is ready to stretch their legs by the time we reach the dam. The views from both sides of the dam are interesting to both young and old. On sunny days, you’ll see a whole gaggle of fisherman testing their skills. We were able to see river otters playing in the water and on shore nearby - which was a real treat. Detroit Ranger Station: This ranger station south of Detroit offers a few small displays, rangers to offer advice and maps, and goodie bags for the kiddies that will keep them occupied in the car or hotel room. Also a good site for restrooms and water --
it’s another stop well worth it. Not a hiker? Not a boater? Detroit Lake still has something to offer you and your family! The Upper Arm Day Use Area is a gem of a park just north of Detroit on Breitenbush Road. Upper Arm has a variety of picnic areas – in both sun and shade. The gradually sloped trails make it easy to access the various sites of beach, overlook rocky areas, and a grassy field. One large covered shelter is available. Parking is available, but fills to capacity by Noon on busy days. Our family chose a rocky outcrop up the river for our picnic. We waved to boater making their way up the river. We peered over the edge of the rocks and watched fish swim past in the crystal clear water. And then…. we dared Daddy to jump in. This inspired our 8 year old. His response to the cold water made us all giggle, but he had such fun that he jumped again! Never wanting to be left out of the fun – soon our five year old jumped in. ...but Dad was right there to save the day and ‘my baby’ was so proud of himself that I too was inspired. I surfaced and screamed.
Simply said: The boys had not adequately described the temperature of the Brietenbush River. I jumped in unaware that the cold would take my breath away... or at least some of my breath … the breath not needed for screaming. The boys doubled over in laughter at their silly Mom while my husband helped me onto the rocks – also unable to stifle his laughter. Cold as it was… I have to admit: That kind of family summer fun is worth every goose bump. Here they are: Directions to the shortest hike (near Detroit Lake) that has the greatest payoff for each step. 1) Drive through Detroit - on Hwy 22 – heading east. 2) Turn right on to Blowout Rd. 3) Cross bridge, follow road, pass campsites. 4) Travel to the Y in the road at mile marker 130. 5) Stay right. 6) Follow the gravel road a bit further. 7) Turn into the first parking lot on your right. 8) Hike 5 minutes downhill from the trailhead. This is what you find at the end of this journey. This is what we did at the end of this journey. This is what we did not do at the end of this journey. We hope to take this journey again soon! Our recent two hour canoe ride was clearly divided into two sections. First, came the oh-my-please-do-not-let-us-die portion, followed by the wow-this-really-is-fun part of the adventure. Now granted, I didn’t actually think we would die. I just thought I might kill my husband. Again... I am exaggerating! Really! I would have only injured him. Let me start from the beginning…. On our recent trip to Detroit Lake, my family rented a canoe at the Detroit Lake Marina. We timed our rental for the last two hours of the day – beating the heat, maximizing the shade, and joining the end-of-the-day leisurely pace on the river. Our family settled into the canoe with life jackets, paddles, a first-aid kit, and a small cooler of snacks. I had wondered if there would be enough room, but soon found we had plenty of space. The cooler and kit fit perfectly under the seats. The boys sat comfortably on a cushion on the boat floor. We pushed from the dock and began to make our way up the Breitenbush River. My boys have never been canoeing before and so my Momma danger-radar was, of course, cranked to full tilt. My sweet husband sat in the back of the canoe and with each movement rocked the boat wildly (Momma radar alert!). This prompted me to scream and command all boat passengers to immediately stop moving and/or thinking about moving. I did not want my children in the river. I did not want to end up in the river. I did not want my children in the river. I did not want our gear sinking in the river. I did not want my children in the river. We adults paddled against the gentle wind and current with my husband dangerously tipping the boat and risking our very lives every 32 seconds (Momma radar alert!). This went on for much too long: boat rocked, I screamed, husband apologized; rinse and repeat. Finally up the river, we began to experiment with passenger distribution. I consider my husband a slim guy, but in comparison to me and the boys – the man is the heavyweight of the Obery household. Moving both the boys to the front of the boat with me helped immensely. Everything started to improve. Our boys took turns sitting in the front seat to row (downstream). I lounged in the bottom of the boat (toward the front) and took photos, enjoyed the scenery and ate cookies. This solved our "Big-Man-Rocks-Boat" issue. The screaming soon stopped. Suddenly this trip was great fun. The cookies were delicious. On the river, we saw (what I imagined to be) falcons diving into the river and catching their dinner. We paddled alongside ducks. We called hello to fellow boaters. We passed fishermen at play. We waved to families on shore. For a flat fee of $20 we were given the gift of two hours on the water among beautiful scenery; flexing our muscles, and (once the Momma radar was calmed) laughing together. Next time at Detroit Lake I hope to bypass the drama portion of the evening and skip right to the … I-married the-most-patient-man-ever part of the trip. Mommas can be assured: Canoeing is a safe, fun activity for all the family. The Heart of the Valley Triathlon was once again held on Memorial Day at Osborne Aquatic Center in Corvallis, OR. For those of you who haven’t yet heard of this event, take note: This Tri-It is the perfect length for beginning athletes and designed to maximize fun. * Kids swim 25 meters in an outdoor pool. (Kick boards and life vests completely acceptable.) * Then kids (and parents) run to the ‘transition area’ where athletes switch to their bikes. (My seven year old grabbed his shirt, bypassed his socks and jumped on his bike in record time. My five year-old slowly and meticulously dried each inch of his skin, neatly placed each sock on his feet, and then tested the wind direction and speed to determine if he should wear his polar fleece jacket. (Ok... maybe I’m exaggerating; but just a little. I love that kid, but he’s like molasses. Each decision is pondered with such precision. Me: “You’re doing great, honey! I think you look fabulous in that coat. Go ahead and get on your bike now, sweetie. You are RACING!!!” Him: “Thanks Mom!”) * From there it’s .25 mile around the local Middle School (on the sidewalk) and then back to the transition area to park the bike and head out on the run. (My seven year old ran with his bike helmet on as he didn’t want to take the time to remove it from his head. My five year old removed his helmet; fully and carefully reconsidered the polar fleece decision and then ‘paced himself’ on the running trail. * The final run (a short 300 yards) brings the athletes to the middle school track and across the finish line. Runners have their name read over the loudspeaker, receive a medal around their neck, and are given a gift certificate to the Corvallis swimming pool and Dairy Queen. Hooray! Hooray! Hooray! Both my boys were all smiles! I should mention here that earlier in the day there is a race for adults as well. I volunteered during that portion of the event, but my running was limited on Monday to (fittingly) chasing my own kids (camera at the ready). Three cheers for AA Sports who run this great family event!!! The staff was professional, helpful, and provides a huge service to the community in making this healthy, family fun possible. The kid’s race cost just $20 per child and included snacks after the race and a T-shirt. It’s clean kid fun, for sure!
My five year-old woke this morning and immediately asked when he can race again. Sorry to say this event is passed for the year, but never fear: There’s a similar event planned by AA Sports in July on July 31st at Blue Lake Park. Start. Click here to find all the details. |
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