• NW Kid Chaser
  • At Home
  • On the Go
  • In the Stacks
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Search

  NW Kid Chaser

Marvelous Mary's Peak...

1/25/2015

0 Comments

 
    Yesterday's clear skies were the only motivation our family needed to visit Mary's Peak, just outside Corvallis. The views from the 4,097 feet summit (the highest point in Oregon’s Coast Range) were absolutely amazing! Looking across the valley we could see snow capped Mt. Hood, Mt. Jefferson, Three Sisters, and even Mt. Bachelor.
Picture
Picture
    There are a variety of "paths" to the summit. We traveled the "Meadowedge Trail" and found it perfect for families. Not too long/not too short (1.8 mile loop), includes both forest and meadow, picnic tables at the ready for snacks at both trail head and summit: Ideal for young explorers and parents.

    To get there:
From Salem, travel time is approx. 1 hour 15 minutes.  Take I-5 South to Hwy 34 (through Corvallis and Philomath). After passing through Philomath, follow the brown information signs north onto Mary's Peak Road. Once driving up the mountain, you'll come upon Conner’s Camp (5.5 mile loop hiking trail to summit from this point). Keep going another 3 miles and you'll see a paved road to your right that leads to the Mary's Peak campground. Once you've entered the campground, take the left loop and you'll see a place to park and a picnic table just right of the trailhead map. 50 feet after entering the forest, you'll see the sign (below).
Picture
Picture
        Once on the trail, it is easy to navigate. Take water, snacks, a camera to capture the view and give yourself plenty of time to explore the beautiful trees along the path and the joy of the summit. This trail is a highlight of the mid-Willamette Valley.
0 Comments

Newport Family Fun...

8/31/2014

0 Comments

 
Our family made a quick beach-run a few weeks ago. It was a good way to beat the summer heat of the Valley. Here's a map that shows you a few of our favorite spots in Newport:

Oregon Coast Aquarium
Hatfield Marine Science Center
Coast Park
Don Davis Park
Mo's at Newport's Bayfront
Newport Candy Shoppe
0 Comments

Valley of the Giants...

8/16/2014

0 Comments

 
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
Picture
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.

0 Comments

Odell Lake ...

8/4/2014

0 Comments

 
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.
Picture
Here's the gang - looking out over the Lake early one morning.
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.
Boat and ski rental is available from the Lodge. A number of trails depart from the lodge into the forest. Sadly, when we were there, there wasn't enough snow to ski. However, just a short drive down the road, we found plenty of snow (and a great family trail) at nearby Gold Lake Sno-Park.
The main trail at Gold Lake is a straight road lined with beautiful trees. Best part: The kids can ski ahead and still stay within sight. Half a mile from the gate is a gentle slope: easy to climb and fun to descend. Turn right at the top of the slope and you'll make a medium-sized loop back to the road. This is a great location for those new to cross country skiing and learning to glide.
Picture
We'll be back!
0 Comments

Chess K-12...

2/12/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
If you have young chess players in the house, you might want to check out one of the many chess tournaments held here in Oregon. Our experience with these tournaments has been very positive. There is a range of players welcomed, with particular attention to encouraging the youngest of players. Events are typically inexpensive (less than $20 to enter), offer the chance to play 4 or 5 similiar-aged opponents, and are a great way to pass a rainy, cold Saturday.
0 Comments

The Wonder of Weather...

7/5/2013

0 Comments

 
In preparation for the upcoming First Lego League 2013 Season,
our Lego team recently visited the local experts
who forecast the weather.

Our first stop was the Portland office for the National Weather Service.
Picture
Picture
This great tour gave us general info. on how this agency works to monitor, predict, and warn citizens about severe weather or natural disasters. Click here to schedule your own tour.

Next, we stopped by the Portland Preparedness Center.
Picture
Picture
This small store has everything you need to prepare, stay safe, and rebuild after natural disasters.

Finally, we were welcomed to KGW Channel 8 by Chief Meteorologist Matt Zaffino.
Picture
Picture
We were awed by the buzzing TV studio and the groovy-cool green screen. With TV, the internet, twitter, and Facebook, KGW can give you the latest weather info. any time of the day.
0 Comments

Camp Westwind...

6/29/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
My children's school spent the last days of the school year at
Camp Westwind
(just north of Lincoln City). A good friend described Westwind as the Opal Creek of the Oregon Coast. I can only describe it as my favorite outdoor school excperience of all time! With amazing location and facilities, Westwind was perfect for our large group. It has it all: beach, river, sea, forest, tidepools, meadows, hiking trails, campfires, and hot showers!

Picture
We entered camp by crossing the river at high tide!
Picture
The beach was our beautifully secluded playground and classroom!
Picture
We had to get an early start to explore the tidepools!
Picture
The exposed caves were a sea star extravaganza!
Picture
Our cabins were tucked among the trees!
Picture
Our nature hike included amazing views!
Picture
Our community adventure was learning at its very best!
0 Comments

Talking Garden...

5/26/2013

0 Comments

 
Last summer, my family and I visited the Talking Water Gardens in Albany. Free and open to the public every day of the year, this "engineered treatment wetlands ... is a public works project that cools treated wastewater before entering the Willamette River." 

I know... I know... it doesn't sound exactly like a place you'd want to visit, but take a look at these photos, that I took as we walked along the trails, before marking it off your list:
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Woolen Mills Now & Then...

10/7/2012

0 Comments

 
    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.
0 Comments

Spokane...

8/29/2012

0 Comments

 
       Many, many moons ago (when he was a bachelor) my husband lived in Spokane. Taking an alternate route home from Yellowstone, we stopped in Spokane to get a glimpse of his old stomping grounds.
Picture
    I’m not sure exactly what I expected to find in Spokane, but I (honestly) didn’t have particularly high hopes. We pulled into town with hotel reservations and a plan to leave early the next morning. Instead, we stayed past lunch and found a new favorite, downtown hotel and park.

Lodging: 
Usually when traveling, I look for a hotel with two things: a pool for the boys and a business center for me. After a long day’s drive – I can check my work email, while Dad and boys exhaust themselves in the pool. By 9pm, we’re all happy and tired.

However, when making arrangements in Spokane, our hotel choice was all about location, location, location. Well... location AND price. I wanted a hotel that would allow us to walk to Riverfront Park, but needed a room that would not break the bank.

I found Hotel Ruby through an internet search and decided that to take the risk, fully hoping that “boutique”, “recent remodel”, and “locally-owned” would add up to something interesting.

We weren’t disappointed.

Here are just a few snapshots of the trendy, hip hotel that served as our home away from home.

Riverfront Park:
 A fabulous public park is like a piece of art. A great park includes a mixture of colors and textures. It often tells a story sparked by a bit of inspiration. The designer must employ time and care in the details of the creation. What joy it was to find that Riverfront Park in downtown Spokane has all these things. Built for Expo ’74 of the World’s Fair, the park has things-to-see, things-to-do, beautiful strolling pathways, and treasures around every bend.

The public art in the park ranges from a gigantic red wagon (slide included), building blocks (see below), a trash eating goat-sculpture (sadly out of order on the day we visited), and a long line of iron men (and women) running in a race. While the playground in the park is very small, the carousel, gondola, suspension bridge, and splash fountain provide more than enough fun to fill the day.

Riverfront Park in Spokane has now been added to our list of favorites:
Bush's Pasture Park, Salem, Oregon
Riverfront Park, Spokane, WA

Lithia Park, Ashland, Oregon
Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California
Central Park, New York City, New York
Bonderen, Copenhagen, Denmark
0 Comments
<<Previous

    On the Go

    Picture

    Categories

    All
    Ages 10 And Over
    Ages 5 To 10
    Ages Birth To 5
    Animals
    Aviation
    Beach
    Bikes
    Books
    Disney
    Eating Out
    Farmers Market
    Games
    History
    Hobbies
    Holidays
    Lego
    Library
    Math
    Museums
    Music
    On The Web
    Parks
    Salem
    Service Projects
    Special Events
    Sports
    Theater
    Tours
    Travel: Hawaii
    Travel: International
    Travel: Oregon
    Travel: Portland
    Travel: USA

    RSS Feed

© 2009-2015 All Rights Reserved, NW Kid Chaser