The addition of the Yepp Maxi child seat into our outdoor adventure arsenal couldn’t have come at better time and season. This year’s late spring and early summer in Seattle has been one of the best yet. To be honest, I was worried that we wouldn’t have enough of an opportunity to properly test the seat out during this transitional time. Historically our Junes are gloomy; nicknamed Junuary due to the frequent rain, continued lower temperatures, and overcast skies. Not so in 2014, and we’ve got the outside memories to prove it.
Search Results for: state parks
Hiking Lake Pleasant Regional Park: Typical Arizona with a Few Surprises
We packed a whole lot of Arizona into one excursion during our visit to the state a couple of weeks ago.
A whole lot of typical Arizona was involved. You know…
- Saguaro cactus (among other varieties) towering over us, waving
Traveling the World in our own Backyard with Seattle’s 21 International Sister Cities: Beer Sheva, Israel
Did you know that Seattle currently has sister city relationships with 21 cities throughout the world? The establishment of sister cities fosters relationships between two locales thus creating greater understanding of their respective cultures. The exchange program began in 1956 thanks to President Dwight Eisenhower. His intention was essentially one of world peace and less conflict; or at least more peaceful relationships between the United States and other countries of the world.
I have an ongoing goal of honoring and highlighting each of the 21 sister cities of Seattle. The master list of cities appears in my “Travel the World in Your Own Backyard: Seattle’s 21 International Sister Cities” post and will be updated every couple of weeks.
Sister City: Beer Sheva, Israel
Year Established: 1977
Representation in Seattle:
Several education, social work, and business exchanges have occurred between the people of Beer Sheva and Seattle. In order to “travel” to the city, we visited Beer Sheva Park in Seattle’s Rainier Beach neighborhood (southeast Seattle).
The park was renamed in honor of the sister city in 1978, and includes a playground, waterfront area along Lake Washington with boat launch, picnic spots, and plenty of green space. A beautifully crafted set of table and benches to honor Dorothy Schroeter who was president of the Seattle-Beer Sheva Sister City Committee from 1989-1997, and Lucille Fuss who was the Vice President from 1989-1999 is also featured.
10 Children’s Books for Junior Adventurers and Wanderlusters
Books are a passion of mine, and if I had to choose one genre that is my absolute favorite, it’s children’s literature. Children’s books can be enjoyed by everyone from the babies and toddlers who drool all over the pages to the grown adults who can gain real life lessons, inspiration, and joy from the story.
As an elementary and special educator with a master’s in literacy, you can probably guess I’ve got quite a collection of picture books, and now that I’m staying at home with Bergen (2 years old), the collecting doesn’t stop, it takes on even more meaning, though our weekly trips to the library help curb this obsession a bit.
Here are my top choices (there are SO many more!), in no particular order, for books to get those adventure juices flowing, get kids excited about travel, and be transported via the wonderful world of literature! I can’t speak for all kids, but I feel pretty safe in saying that all of my choices are quick and fast-paced enough (without a ton of writing on each page) to be enjoyed by all ages.
My Map Book
by Sara Fanelli
Trust me. After you read this you’ll want to create your own maps of all kinds of things, and depending on age, your kids will too! The visual representation each map provides, from the real (my bedroom) to the abstract (my heart), is comforting, fascinating, and just so pleasing to create.
Miss Rumphius
by Barbara Cooney
Everyone should want to live like Miss Rumphius. She had three goals for her life : To travel the world, live in a house by the sea, and to make the world more beautiful. Okay, maybe not everyone wants to live by sea (or do they?), but the other two are for sure.
On the Same Day in March
by Marilyn Singer
Talk about Wanderlust. The book takes the reader through locales all over the world showing just how different the weather and conditions can be “on the same day in March”. Every time I turn the page, I want to jump right in and become a part of the scene. There are so many discussion starters that can come from each page too, from the types of clothing choices, to the plant and animal life, even the buildings and structures (or lack there of).
Where Are You Going, Manyoni?
by Catherine Stock
Follow little Manyoni as she sets off from her home to an unknown place–you’ll have to read to find out! The watercolor illustrations allow the reader to go on the journey right along side the young girl learning about Zimbabwe’s landscape, animals and customs along the way. At the end, the author also gives a glossary of unfamiliar words, and a 2-page key of all the animals shown throughout the book.
All the World
by Liz Garton Scanlan
“Everything you hear, smell, see
All the world is everything
Everything is you and me…”,
The story is actually a poem, and to say I love Marla Frazee’s watercolor illustrations is an understatement. I’m always left with a sense of wonder about the world and our connection to it, but at the same time gain a whole lot of perspective for what’s important.
Me on the Map
by Joan Sweeney
I’m fascinated by maps, and I love how this book strives to teach kids a sense of their place in the world all the way from their room to the entire earth (and back again). I think it also fosters important feelings of pride for where you live, right down to your street! I see that pride leading to stewardship and protecting their special place in the world.
BigMama’s
by Donald Crews
Readers not only get to travel back in time to Donald Crews’ childhood, but they also get to travel by train down to Florida, and experience what summer was like for him as a child.
The Relatives Came
by Cynthia Rylant
Ready to get kids excited for a road trip? Or excited for relatives to come visit? I love Cynthia Rylant’s descriptive language making you feel like you are one of the family!
Owl Moon
by Jane Yolen
Have you even been owling? You’re going to want to go or your love for the pastime will grow even more after reading Owl Moon. A bonus for me is that the book highlights an amazing nighttime outdoor adventure—something that seems rare these days as the parks we visit on our evening walks are deserted even though it’s only 5pm!
The Salamander Room
by Anne Mazer
Has a little one in your life ever requested to bring home a critter? Dive into the fantasy that the little main character creates by imagining what his room would have to become in order to accommodate a salamander. And what do you think kids are going to want to do after reading this? Go outside!
Have you read any of these book choices? What are your favorites for junior adventurers and wanderlusters?
Many of these titles can be found at your local public library. If you are interested in purchasing, all are available through the Wild Tales of…Travel and Adventure Store. Check out our Children’s Book section!
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Just 1 Day: Play and Eat in Door County, Wisconsin
After our pit stop in Algoma, Wisconsin, we were on a mission: No more messing around. We needed to see and experience true Door County, Wisconsin (not just the outskirts).
Play
So torn with what to do with such little time (and an anxious toddler), I furiously scanned the guide book, tourism magazines and ideas we’d printed out from research at home. I was draw to–SURPRISE!–another state park. Like Point Beach, this one is on the shores of Lake Michigan, and while I would have loved to change things up and maybe see the Green Bay side of the peninsula, the beaches of Whitefish Dunes State Park were calling my name.
When we arrived, I felt even better as the ranger told us we were about to experience Wisconsin’s best beach.
Having only visited a handful of Wisconsin beaches, we can’t really claim that Whitefish Dunes is the absolute best (since we haven’t seen so many others), but we can attest to it’s beauty and uniqueness.
I was surprised to learn that a section just inside the entrance to the beach area is prone to rip currents. I suppose its again my naiveness of the midwest and the power of a large lake, but I just always associated this phenomenon with oceans and seas. The section was roped off and easily avoidable.
We defaulted to our usual beach walking routine of dipping our toes into the water and collecting treasures. Thanks to some serious sand bars, we could actually walk quite far out into the lake without the water even getting close to our knees.
The water was crystal clear here without a lot of the seaweed debris we were used to seeing at other Lake Michigan beach spots. In one spot, millions of tiny delicate shells swept up towards the beach.
And there’s so much more that we lacked the time to explore. Over 14 miles of hiking trails, a fishing lake, a nature center, and even a special beach just for dogs.
Eat
As we entered Sturgeon Bay on our way to the state park, we thankfully had our lunch spot all scoped out. The Bluefront Cafe on the west side of town is an adorable little eatery serving brunch, lunch and dinner. To us, they offered fancier and more diverse food options compared to what we had typically seen (and thoroughly enjoyed!) in our Wisconsin trip.
I love the set-up of cute tables and cozy booths, and the fact that it was clearly enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. Their selection of Wisconsin micro-brews on tap didn’t hurt either.
Our Picks? The Walleye Sandwich and Fish Tacos
Have you visited Door County, Wisconsin?
Tell us about your experience!
Come join the conversation! If you enjoyed this post, you can keep up to date with each and every post by subscribing to the blog via email. We’d also love to have you join us on all of our adventures by “liking” our facebook page and following us on twitter!
More on Wisconsin:
- Madison Eats
- Algoma and Its Murals
- Point Beach State Forest (Two Rivers, WI)
- An Ice Cream Fit for Lunch
Good Eats in Madison, Wisconsin
With only three days to dive into the food scene of Madison during our trip last summer, we really didn’t waste a lot of time, and were not about to take any chances. We were prepared with a guide book as always, but more importantly, we sought out recommendations from friends who’d lived in and visited Madison. Only folks who really knew their stuff could be trusted. Admittedly, we had some preconceived notions.
Beer, cheese, and ice cream were all top priorities, and not surprisingly it wasn’t long before we’d sampled all three. There is more to Madison than just those basics though, so here’s an overview of a few spots you wouldn’t want to miss if you find yourself in the city of four lakes. 
The Roman Candle, a local pizza joint with 3 locations, was the one spot we chose more on a whim and out of convenience than from our great list of recommendations. We had just arrived in the city that afternoon, it was getting late, and after exploring some of the local parks and waterfront, we needed to get food into Bergen’s (2 years old) belly immediately. We were quickly welcomed in to the restaurant despite Bergen’s impatience and squirminess, and we breathed a sigh of relief when we noticed the shelf full of books, toys and other amusements right next to our table. These supplies were exactly what we need to help us get through this meal.
Once we got a glance at the menu, we settled one of their specialty pizzas. “The Pestoral” reminded us of one of the old standbys we order for a favorite spot in Seattle, and the Madison version did not disappoint. This pie has a pesto sauce and is topped with tomatoes, fresh Wisconsin feta, artichoke hearts, kalamata olives, red peppers, and there’s even some basil thrown into the mix. 
After a rough night of tossing and turning and a not welcome early rising, we were ready to be spoiled by exceptional food. Good thing, we were led in the right direction (thanks to a nice local who actually walked us right to the door) to the popular breakfast spot, Marigold Kitchen. Even though the restaurant was busy when we got there, I somehow was able to walk right up to the counter to order while Slaed and Bergen snagged a spot. By the time I was joined them at the table, the line was getting close to going out the door!
We went the sweet and savory route and coordinated with a stack of fluffy pancakes topped with strawberries and a expertly crafted breakfast sandwich piled with a fried egg, fresh Wisconsin cheese, applewood smoked bacon, tomatoes, and green onion. This is an order at the counter, then staff brings your food to your table kind of spot. I should also mention that Slaed got the best glass of orange juice (fresh squeezed) he’s had in a long time.
Of course you can’t be in Wisconsin long before you start to notice all of the German influence. After Bergen’s nap and a little freshening up, we decided to start our evening off with some appetizers and a beer or two at the Essen Haus. This traditional German restaurant with 16 German beers on tap, really got us excited about being in the state.
And most importantly, we finally (okay we’d really only been in town for a day) got to sample the fried cheese curds that everyone told us about, and boy were we spoiled! These are the best fried cheese curds we had over the course of our 7-day stay in Wisconsin (and we ordered A LOT of cheese curds). The staff was super helpful (and patient with us) and we also loved the traditional pretzel served with horseradish and mustard. I’d love to go back and really dig into some of their German food specialties.
We’ve now learned that maybe we were pressing our luck a bit by taking Bergen to 2 restaurants in one night, but we were too excited about some of the recommendations we received and we thought we just had to do it all (or at least try to). And we really can’t complain too much because The Great Dane keyed us into another Wisconsin tradition: The Fish Fry. We should have gone with two orders from the fish fry menu, but if you didn’t already know, we love to coordinate our entrees to encompass different tastes, so we had one fish fry and the Great Dane’s burgers on a fancy pretzel bun. My recommendation…fish fry all the way.
It’s tough to really go wrong with any farmer’s market, but Madison’s Saturday Farmer’s Market is really something special. Instead of sitting down for breakfast on this morning, we opted to just do lots of little snacking and nibbling as we made our way around the capitol building. We tried locally made (with local ingredients) scones and mini fruit pies, but the most memorable treat was the raw corn. The woman at the stand shucked the corn for us, and assured us that we did not necessarily need to cook corn in order to enjoy it! We also learned that little Bergen would do just fine with his own piece of corn on the cob—he was occupied for a good 20 minutes munching off each and every last kernel.
More Madison Food Recommendations:
- Ice Cream at Babcock Hall Dairy Store-Grab an ice cream cone that’s big enough for lunch!
- Willy Street Co-op-Handy spot for grabbing a few staples for your hotel or rental. Great salad bar perfect for lunch on the go.
- The Weary Traveler Free House-Plenty of local beers on tap and an overflowing meat and cheese plate that will satisfy all the hungry mouths in your group.
Have you spent time in Madison, Wisconsin? What did you see, do & most importantly…EAT?
Come join the conversation! You can keep up to date with each and every post by subscribing to the blog via email. We’d also love to have you join us on all of our adventures by “liking” our facebook page and following us on twitter!
All are Welcome: The Palace Hotel in Port Townsend, WA
Beautiful end-of-summer weather in the forecast paired with an entirely open schedule for the weekend meant that a quick and spur of the moment getaway needed to happen. Last September we got to be spontaneous for one of the first times in our young parenting lives, and decided to take an overnight trip with little to no advance planning. When my husband Slaed saw the two factors come together (the weather and the schedule), he left it to me to choose a destination relatively close to Seattle, and book a hotel.
It didn’t take long for Port Townsend, Washington to come to mind as a perfect place for our quick trip. I’d been meaning the explore the town with it’s old Victorian-style homes, numerous parks, and beautiful views since only getting a quick glimpse years ago. And since the town is located on the northeast tip of the Olympic Peninsula, it’s just over a 2-hour car ride from Seattle. To make the trip even sweeter, part of those 2 hours includes a 30-minute ferry crossing from downtown Seattle to Bainbridge Island: Perfect for a little guy (about 13 months then) who likes to get out and move.
A few factors were necessary for our perfect Port Townsend hotel stay. First we had our hearts set on a suite-style room. We’ve grow accustomed to and been spoiled by hotel spaces that have a bedroom along with a living area. This way, Bergen gets his own sleep space, and we can have our own sleep space, and since Bergen goes to bed much earlier than us, we like the option of taking it easy, chatting, or watching a movie without having to tiptoe around with the lights off. In addition, given the last minute planning we also needed a hotel that was pet-friendly. It was too late to arrange for pet boarding, we didn’t want the extra expense of someone else taking care of him, and plus it’s about time our dog, Norman joined us on one of our out of town adventures! Our last necessary factor was location. The hotel needed to be in the middle of it all. We wanted to be able to park the car, and not use it for the duration of the weekend.
The Palace Hotel met all of our needs. Room #9: Miss Lily’s Suite was available, the place welcomes dogs, and with it’s location on Water Street in downtown Port Townsend, we could walk to restaurants, shops, parks, and other local attractions.
The Welcome
As soon as we arrived, we were welcomed. After a quick lunch next door at the Public House, we inquired about an early check-in. Bergen desperately needed to get down to the business of napping, and knowing he has his best sleep in the crib, it was a huge relief when the staff didn’t think twice in allowing us up to our room. And while they were welcoming Bergen and his baby needs, they had nothing but love and affection for Norman. The staff was ready for his arrival with treats in hand, and a bag of other goodies to make his stay more comfortable.
The Suite
The space (#9: Miss Lily) provided more than enough room for our little family to spread out. All rooms were clean, bright, and nicely laid out. In keeping with the Victorian style of the hotel (and town), the furnishings are antiques and collectibles. The door opens up to the living room, which has a comfortable wooden-based couch (which actually folds out to a futon), large chair, and several tables. The TV was located here and allowed us to keep up with our local soccer team while Bergen napped, and was great for sneaking in a movie at the end of the day when he was down for the night.
I absolutely adored the bedroom. From the exposed brick walls, to the beautifully quilted bedding, to the wrought iron bed frame, I was sorry that we were spending just one night. The charm of the space made up for the fact that the bed was a little creaky when we first climbed in; it made for a more authentic experience really! By the way, in order for us to hang out in the living area while Bergen slept for the night, he started off here in the bedroom. When we were ready to go to bed a few hours later, we switched him (& his crib) to the living room. He was none the wiser.
The bathroom in the room was standard and had everything we needed, but for those interested in more “amenities”, #9A (Miss Rose) has a 6-foot whirlpool tub, and #7 (Miss Alice) & #10B (Miss Mona) both have claw-foot tubs. Not all rooms have their own private bathroom, and some bathrooms, though private are separately located.
Though we did not do any cooking during our hotel stay, we did appreciate the full kitchen that is part of the suite. The refrigerator (full size) allowed us to keep cold drinks on hand, and was great for all of Bergen’s extra snacks, bottles, and meals. I liked too being able to wash Bergen’s cups and other little dishes in a real sink with a drying rack! The extra space the kitchen provides also allowed us to stretch out more, and gave us more of a feeling of being at home. Since Bergen eats frequently, we definitely utilized the table even though we dined out for all of our “adult” meals.
More to Love:
- As I mentioned above, the staff is very welcoming. In addition to the warm atmosphere they create, the staff is also very easy to work with in terms of making sure individual needs are met. Should questions come up about possible discounts or upgrades, I wouldn’t hesitate to ask, especially on the off-season.
- We loved learning all about the history of the space, originally built in 1889. From 1925 to 1933, the “hotel” was operated as a brothel, which is where all of the names for the rooms come from! Beware…there is also talk of the building being haunted.
Info to Know:
- The Palace Hotel is located in downtown Port Townsend, Washington on the northeast tip of the Olympic Peninsula:
- 1004 Water Street
- (360) 385-0773
(800) 962-0741
- A total of 15 rooms are available with rates starting at $59 for their continental/standard rooms, from $99 for their deluxe rooms, and from $109 for their superior rooms (#9: Miss Lily is a superior room).
- Hotel is equipped with Wireless Internet with a business center computer and printer available.
- Pets are welcome with a $20 fee
- All rooms have a refrigerator and microwave.
- All rooms are non-smoking
- Off-street parking is available in the back at no extra charge.
- Port Townsend Food Recommendations
- Port Townsend Parks:
Come join the conversation! We’d love to have you join us on all of our adventures by “liking” our facebook page and following us on twitter! You can also keep up to date with each and every post by subscribing to the blog via email.
Running Down a Dream: Rattlesnake Ridge Half Marathon Trail Run
- If you’re stuck in a running rut, where you’re bored, unmotivated, or just plain not running for no-good-reason, try trail running.
- If you want to put a challenge into your running, but don’t really want to increase the miles, try trail running.
- If you need a great excuse to get outside with your family and explore the parks of your region, try trail running.
- If you like setting a goal for yourself by signing up for a running event, but hate the huge price tag that comes with larger events, try trail running.
- If you’re sick of running the same old routes for your long runs on the weekend (or even your short runs), try trail running.
If you’ve ever thought about tackling or trying an official trail run,
DO IT.
The above series of “if’s” describe my situation a few months ago. To tell you the truth, I hadn’t run, not even a couple of miles, since my half marathon in late November. It took being laid up due to a tooth extraction to motivate me to sign up for a future race. I suppose even just a day or so of being “immobilized” was all the push I needed.
As a newbie to trail running, I did my best to prepare for the half marathon run, running the easier arboretum trails near our house during the week, and choosing tougher, hillier trails for my long run on the weekends.
When I lined up at the start on Sunday, I was nervous. At the same time though, I was confident. Confident because I knew what to expect. The previous weekend, I scoped out the course, so the challenging, never-ending hills with 2700 feet of elevation were no surprise to me.
With plenty of time to think as I traveled through the great trees and bright greens, I came to a few realizations:
Mile 1 & 2: Trail Runners walk. I read about this previously, but I had to see it for myself to fully believe. At times, it’s just more efficient and faster to hike up a tough hill rather than run.
Mile 3 & 4: It’s important to train for the race/run conditions. Knowing the course would be uphill for nearly half of the run, I focused on hills a lot during my training. I also feel like pushing the jogging stroller during training was a huge boost for my strength. Without the extra weight of the stroller to push, I feel so much more open and free making the hills feel less daunting.
Mile 5 & 6: Dress for the part: 20 degrees warmer than air temperature. Just a few days before the big half marathon, my husband Slaed picked up this piece of advice from a radio commercial of all places. With temperatures in the low 60’s, I chose running shorts and a tank top. Sure it was chilly waiting around for the run to start, but I was almost immediately comfortable while others ended up having to tie jackets around their waist.
Mile 7 & 8: Run with water. Before this half marathon training, I had never really run with water. If I run with the stroller, sometimes I stash some since it’s easy to carry, but otherwise, I would just plan a route with water fountains. On road race days, I knew aid stations would be there for me regularly, so I never had to worry. Trail running is a different story. There are no water fountains on the trails. With only 2 aid stations throughout the course, I prepared by toting water via a handheld carrier.
Mile 9 & 10: Downhill running is taxing. Light, shorter steps are best. Sure, uphill climbs can be downright torturous, but after awhile the downhill wears me down. Breathing is easier, but I feel like my mind has to be engaged much more to keep aware of roots, rocks, and other obstacles on the trail and keep my speed in check. In my training, I found that if I went down hills too fast, the pounding with each step traveled all the way up to my head, neck and shoulders leaving me with a headache for the rest of my run. During the half marathon run, I tried my best to stay light on my feet with shorter, quicker steps. Tougher to do as people start passing me by, but better for the body in the end.
Mile 11, 12 & 13.1: Trail Running takes a lot longer than road running, but what a thrill to finish! I knew trail running would be harder than road running, but I didn’t realize how much more time (conditions pending) it takes to run a mile on the trail compared to a mile on the road. I’m not entirely sure of my finish time, but I think I came in at about 2 hours and 45 minutes, compared to just over 2 hours for my road race last November. The scenery of the trail run, time spend outdoors surrounded by nature away from the cars and busyness, and the feeling of accomplishment made that extra 45 minutes truly worth the effort.
Are you a trail runner? What do you love about it? Thinking of giving trail running a try? What’s motivating you?
Come join the conversation! We’d love to have you join us on all of our adventures by “liking” our facebook page and following us on twitter! You can also keep up to date with each and every post by subscribing to the blog via email.
My amazing support team!
See Portland, OR: Tackling the 4-T Trail with a Toddler
On our latest visit to Portland, Oregon, we were interested in seeing the city from a different perspective. The two of us have visited Portland quite a bit, and we were intrigued by the idea of experiencing so much of the city without ever getting into a car. We’re also always up for an adventure, and love exploring our surroundings so tackling the 4-T Trail was an outing made for us.
The 4-T Trail is a trek that roughly loops the Southwest section of Portland:
- Train (MAX light rail)
- Trail (Hike)
- Tram (Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU)’s Aerial Tram)
- Trolly (Portland Street Car)
Train.
We began our journey by walking just a few blocks from our downtown hotel, to the MAX light rail station. From here, we traveled Southwest to the Oregon Zoo. Bergen was happy enough just hanging out in the backpack carrier set on the floor of the train while we sipped our morning coffee. As we exited, we learned we were actually standing in the deepest station in North America, and the second deepest in the world! As we looked around for our way out, we were expecting to find a large set of stairs poking out towards the sky, but it turns out, there are no stairs. We had to use an elevator.
Trail.
Once we were back on higher ground, we immediately recognized signs directing us toward the 4 mile hiking portion of the adventure. Yes, you have to cross small highway exit so to speak, and walk a few hundred feet along the road, but it was hardly difficult or troublesome. Soon the bustling world was far off in the distance as we enjoyed fantastic greenery and blooming trillium.
Anytime the trail departed from the forest and onto roads, the course was clearly marked. Council Crest was our favorite part of the hike, and was also a perfect spot for Bergen to get out from the carrier and stretch his legs. Cherry Blossoms were in bloom, and the relatively clear skies gave us a great view of the city and surrounding mountains and volcanoes.
Tram.
After a tough last bit of hiking as we climbed off of the Connor Trail portion, we found the Aerial Tram just a little ways down into the OHSU campus. I didn’t have much of an idea of what the tram would be like as it’s existence was new to me. Boy were we blown away with the view and general “coolness” of the entire thing.
Bergen on the other hand was not nearly as impressed. He can be such a daredevil in his play and exploration, but here and there we are finding things that truly frighten him. For one he’s deathly afraid of goats, sheep, and pigs. And here at the tram we learned that he wasn’t such a fan of heights.
On our 3-minute trip down to the South Waterfront, we learned that the tram is actually utilized for transportation purposes by employees and visitors of OHSU, and is not just for tourists or recreational visitors like Seattle’s monorail has largely become. I also found out that if you are only riding the tram down, there is no charge for your trip; only those riding up pay $4 per ticket (free for children 6 & under).
Trolley.
With thoughts of a filling lunch on our minds, we made our way to the Portland Street Car with a great bathroom stop at the OHSU Center for Health and Healing. Bergen, again did really well just hanging out in the backpack carrier people-watching, and I loved getting to see some of the sights along the way. We passed Portland State University buildings, parks with festive happenings, and cute shops that I would love to visit on a return trip. We departed the trolley close to our planned lunch spot, Kenny & Zukes.
Quick Tips for Toddlers & Kids:
- The backpack carrier was a huge reason for our success. Though it’s tougher on the back and heavier than the ergo, Bergen seems much happier with the higher view. It also gave him a place to hang out (and not get into trouble) on the train & trolley portions.
- Take advantage of bathroom stops when you see them!
- A given: Bring some snacks & water.
- We got up early and ate a good breakfast at our hotel. This allowed us plenty of time for the adventure during Bergen’s “peak” time of the day.
- Make a plan for where you’ll eat lunch whether you pack a picnic or eat at a restaurant, food cart, etc. You’ll be hungry by the end of the journey!
- Take along a map & notes from the 4-T Trail website.
Come join the conversation! We’d love to have you join us on all of our adventures by “liking” our facebook page and following us on twitter!
More Portland Fun:
- A Walk from Downtown to the Northwest District
- Food Carts of Downtown Portland: 3 Tasty Choices
- Portland’s Love Affair with Fountains: Jamison Square
This post is part of Friday Daydreamin’ with R We There Yet Mom?
Celebrating National Park Week with Pinnacles
It’s National Park Week here in the United States!
Admission to all parks (including historic sites, recreation areas, monuments, memorials, and more) is free this week (April 22-26, 2013) making this a great opportunity to check out a park near you. According to the National Parks website, every state has at least one national park, and no american is further than 100 miles from a national park! What are you waiting for? Time to get out and explore.
The United States’ newest park to bear the official National Park title is Pinnacles National Park. In January of this year, it was upgraded from a National Monument to a National Park. Pinnacles is located in central California between Highway 101 and Interstate 5, about 60 miles East of the Monterey Bay Peninsula. Pinnacles is special to us. We visited the park during our Central California coast road trip in 2011, which was dubbed one of our two babymoons.
Here we took in the views of distant mountains that seemed to go on forever, marveled at the wild rock formations (called pinnacles), and went on what seemed like the longest wildflower guided-hike in history. The hike went on so long, in fact that we were the only two souls left at the end, accompanied by our most knowledgeable ranger of course! I also have great memories of Slaed and I calling out and playing around with possible baby names for our future little adventurer.
What was the last National Park you visited? (Us: San Juan Island National Historic Park)
Which National Park will you visit next? (Us: Most likely Yellowstone!)
Info to Know:
- All National Park Free Entrance Days for 2013:
- 1/21 (MLK)
- 4/22-4/26 (National Park Week)
- 8/25 (National Park Service Birthday),
- 9/28 (Public Lands Day)
- 11/9-11/11 (Veteran’s Day Weekend)
- Visit the Find a Park site to find a park near your home or travel destination.
- If you think you and your family will visit a few National Parks this year, consider purchasing an Annual Pass for $80.
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A Visit to San Juan Island: When a Day Turns into a Morning
We planned a whole day on San Juan Island as an excursion for us from our week-long stay on Orcas. However, we quickly realized that while we might like touring around the island by car getting in and out to look at various natural awes and historic sites, Bergen was not such a fan. He made this glaringly obvious.
By our first stop after a ferry ride and breakfast, he’d had it with the car seat. Even though he never had to be confined for all that long, just having to go back again and again was frustrating him. I was also used to the nice schedule we had going on days previous: one hike or exploration in the morning, back to the cabin for lunch and nap, back out for more exploring & dinner. Nap time had become just as relaxing for me as it was for Bergen, and I wasn’t ready to give it up.
Time for a change of plan.
Instead of taking the 5:00 pm ferry back to Orcas, we would scrap the day for a morning, and take the 11:30 am. We’d only see a couple of sites, but we were okay with that sacrifice, and Bergen could get his usual 2 hour nap as opposed to a 45 minute (at best) car nap. Changing plans is not easy for me. I get so excited about the upcoming events, I get my heart set on what I’ll see and experience. This was necessary though, and it paid off in the long run.
With our day whittled down to just a couple of hours, we chose what was most important for us to see.
First a bit of history to get us oriented. At the San Juan Island National Historical Park on the Southeast end of the island, we learned how the islands that belong to the United States were acquired. Back in the 1800’s there was joint occupation between the Americans and the British with both sides believing they had a right to the land. Two camps were established with the American Camp at this location, and the English Camp about 13 miles away on the Northwest side of the island.
The disagreement was eventually settled through third party, Kaiser Wilhelm I of Germany. Many call it the Pig War because, though there were no other casualties, the hostility between the two parties began after an American shot and killed a British pig who was digging around in his garden.
Laundress Quarters
View of Griffin Bay and Mount Baker from the Redoubt
Following our history lesson, we could only make one more stop before we had head back to Friday Harbor to catch our ferry. Lime Kiln State Park was at the top of my list. It’s noted as one of the best whale watching spots in the world (though we were unfortunately off-season), has a beautiful lighthouse, and of course an actual Lime Kiln.
Closest to a whale sighting as we were going to get!
This Lime Kiln was renovated after the parks acquired it in 1996.
Lime Kiln Lighthouse: Still operational today though the inside is used for Orca Whale research.
Norman doing his best to spot a whale.
No, not what we planned. There were more harbors, a lavender farm, the English Camp, a whale museum, restaurants, wineries and shops to check out, but we had a nap to get home to.
Info to Know:
- Breakfast: We recommend the Bakery San Juan. It’s a bit out of town (about a mile away from Friday Harbor), but worth the drive for the cinnamon rolls! They also serve the best brewed coffee (no espresso) on the island.
- 775 Mullis Street Friday Harbor WA 98250
- San Juan Island National Historical Park is located on the Southwest part of the island. It’s American Camp visitor center is open year round though hours are limited in the winter.
- 4668 Cattle Point Road Friday Harbor WA 98250
- Lime Kiln State Park on the West side of the island is 36 acres and and features whale watching, the lighthouse, lime kiln, and about 1 1/2 miles of hiking trails.
- 1567 Westside Road Friday Harbor, WA 98250
Have you visited Washington’s San Juan Islands? How did you spend your time?
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For more travel inspiration, check out Budget Travelers Sandbox.
Travel the World in Your Own Backyard: Seattle’s 21 International Sister Cities
Did you know that Seattle currently has sister city relationships with 21 cities throughout the world? Up until recently, I certainly did not. The establishment of sister cities fosters relationships between two locales thus creating greater understanding of their respective cultures. The exchange program began in 1956 thanks to President Dwight Eisenhower. His intention was essentially one of world peace and less conflict; or at least more peaceful relationships between the United States and other countries of the world.
My interest in sister cities began about three years ago. Upon researching our trip to Bergen, Norway we found out about the sister city relationship with Seattle. We made a point to visit the park in Bergen that is home to a totem pole given to the city of Bergen from the city of Seattle. It was neat to experience a little piece of home so far away. In fact, we were so touched by the experience that we chose to name our son after the city that holds such a special place in our hearts.
My plan is to honor as many Seattle Sister Cities as I can in 2013 with the ultimate goal being to highlight all 21 cities. Some of the ways that we can “travel” to the cities will be fairly easy, like visiting local Seattle parks created to showcase the sister city relationship or taking in an exhibit at a local museum that highlights the city. Attending festivals representing the country of the sister city is also a possibility, but with many others, I’ll have to get quite creative, and really keep my eyes out for events and activities that will allow us to experience the city.
Are you curious about Seattle’s 21 Sister Cities? Here they are in alphabetical order:
- Beer Sheva, Israel
- Bergen, Norway
- Cebu, Philippines
- Chongqing, China
- Christchurch, New Zealand
- Daejeon, Korea
- Galway, Ireland
- Gdynia, Poland
- Haiphong, Vietnam
- Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Kobe, Japan
- Limbe, Carmeroon
- Mazatlan, Mexico
- Mombasa, Kenya
- Nantes, France
- Pecs, Hungary:
- Perugia, Italy
- Reykjavik, Iceland
- Sihanoukville, Cambodia
- Surabaya, Indonesia
- Tashkent, Uzbekistan
I myself have actually traveled to a grand total of 3 Seattle Sister Cities: Galway, Reykjavik, and of course, Bergen. I’m hoping to add to that total, but in the meantime I’m happy to take some time to enjoy the various cultures right here in Seattle. Besides, it’ll keep us busy since you as you may have read, we are holding off on international travel (aside from maybe British Columbia) with Bergen this year.
Stay tuned as we Travel the World in Our Own Backyard!
Sister City Resources:
- List of sister cities from City of Seattle (includes links to information for each city)
- Sister Cities International
Have you traveled to any of the Seattle Sister Cities? Tell us a little tidbit about your experience! We want to learn more.
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Experience Kauai’s Na Pali Coast: Tips for Hiking the Kalalau Trail to Hanakapi’ai Beach
Out of all of our adventures while on Kauai, hiking the Kalalau Trail is at the top of both of our lists of best memories from our week-long stay on the Garden Isle.
The trail head begins at the end of the road; the furthest you can drive from the North end of the island. There are no roads for motor vehicles on this part of the island, so if a helicopter ride, kayak trip, or swim isn’t in the cards for you and your family, this hike is your chance to see the treasured Na Pali coast.
Though we would have loved to go further (the entire Kalalau Trail is just under 11 miles out), we only had time and baby-patience for the 4-mile round trip hike to Hanakapi’ai Beach. Despite the low mileage, the terrain is quite treacherous. It varies in steepness, and elements from dry rocks, to slippery rocks, to puddles, and streams. We came prepared, and also picked up a few tips along the way.
1. Arrive Early. Since the trail is the only land access to the Na Pali coast, the destination can be quite popular, and parking is an issue. If you’re like me, you’ll also want to avoid a crowded trail. Getting to the parking lot at least before 8 am will ensure you of both.
2. Bring a few hiking comforts. If you have hiking poles, it’s smart to bring them along. Slaed brought his, and I borrowed one on the way back. Hiking with a toddler on your back can throw off your balance, and the pole helped give me some extra stability. Other comforts include the obvious: water and a little snack for when you arrive at the beach.
3. Hiking Shoes. Wear hiking shoes that work for you. With the slippery and rocky areas of the trail, you want to be comfortable to explore, and not constantly concerned about your feet. Chaco sandals worked (loved being able to walk across the stream with out worrying about drenched shoes) for me while Slaed wore trail running shoes. On the way back we saw many a’hiker sporting flip flops. Maybe they made the trek, but I bet it wasn’t easy or comfortable.
4. Enjoy the view. We needed this reminder for some reason! I guess we got so focused on the hike, that we would forget to stop, and take some time to cherish the experience. Leave it to Bergen to help us out. On our way back, he would not stop fussing. I whizzed through the trail thinking we needed to get out of there as soon as possible. After some full on screaming, we decided to just stop and take a break. We all drank some water, had a few crackers, and just checked out the amazing Na Pali coastline. Once back in the ergo, Bergen was good to go the rest of the way.
5. Extra clothes for kids. While we certainly were not swimming at Hanakapi’ai beach (much too dangerous), Bergen still managed to the get pretty wet and sandy playing and romping around. We were glad to have packed an extra outfit for him to change into for the hike back.
6. Check Ahead. Closures for maintenance can occur. Also beware and respectful of the ocean. It not advised to swim Hanakapi’ai beach, and especially dangerous from September – April due to treacherous surf conditions.
What are your tips for hiking with kids? Have you traveled to Kauai? What was at the top of your “best memories” list?
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Need more? Go visit Travel Tips Tuesday on WalkingOn Travels and Suitcases and Sippy Cups. For tons of great travel tips, check out their sites!
Wild Tales of…2012: A Year of Travel and Adventure
Our first full year of travel as a family and adventure of three proved to be chock full of new experiences, and beautiful destinations both near and far from our Seattle home. As I sat down to reflect on just what we were up to in 2012, it turns out we were quite busy! Each month seemed to find us packing our bags or at least a backpack in preparation for some kind of escape.
January
A rare month of staying close to home. We explored local gardens, tromped in the snow (while it lasted), and most memorably checked out our local Roller Derby Team, the Rat City Roller Girls.
February
The wedding of a good friend from high school had us traveling across the country (Bergen’s 2nd trip back east) to the Washington, D.C. area, and my hometown. Bergen had a blast at his first wedding, and even stole a dance; ergo carrier and all. We also squeezed in a day of sight seeing around NW Montgomery County, MD, and fittingly spent President’s Day on the Mall in Washington, D.C. taking in some of the newer monuments.
March
Ready to escape the cold and rain, we traveled down to Bergen’s Gramma’s new home in the Phoenix area. We made sure to coordinate our trip with the Mariner’s Spring Training schedule, and took in a few ballgames. We went on our first true hike as a family; trying out the ergo as a backpack carrier.
April
April was another month of firsts for Bergen. Bergen’s first cold. Followed by and coinciding with Bergen’s first camping trip at Cape Disappointment on the Washington coast with a night in Astoria, Oregon thrown in. Later on in the month, Bergen tried a new mode of transportation. He went on his first train ride to visit friends in Portland, Oregon.
May
With more friends and relatives for Bergen to see and meet, we spent Memorial Day weekend in the Denver, Colorado area. We visited Slaed’s hometown of Wheat Ridge along with nearby Golden, took in a Rapids Soccer game, and squeezed in a day in the mountains. Bergen and I even got to see Red Rocks for the first time.
June
While we wish a visit to New York and Connecticut could have been under better circumstances, it was quite special for Bergen to meet so many Aunts, Uncles, and cousins at my Grandfather’s funeral. We miss Poppy so very much. Not many photographs were taken during that visit, but this one with Bergen sporting one of his Great Grandpa’s well-worn, signature hats seems fitting.
July
Along with a crowd of friends, we set out on the road for Hayden Lake, Idaho. I couldn’t stop looking at the view, and we really got the chance to practice relaxation by just enjoying our surroundings and company!
August
Summer in Seattle is the absolute best. That’s when we kick back, and enjoy the hard earned days, weeks, and months of non-stop gray and drizzle in the winter and spring. We got to explore many local and state parks in the spectacular August weather, but the most memorable was probably our gondola ride up Crystal Mountain where we were rewarded with unbelievable views of Mount Rainier.
September
By then, we were ready for another road trip. This time to the Victorian town of Port Townsend, Washington on the Olympic Peninsula. A ferry ride offered Bergen the chance to escape from his carseat for part of the journey, and once we arrived there was so much beauty to enjoy.
October
Bergen and I decided to tag along on one of Slaed’s work trips to North Central Washington. Even though it was just one day, we pretended like we were on vacation in the Bavarian town of Leavenworth, sampled local beer and wine and searched for fall colors and salmon. We even spotted a rattlesnake!
November
Getting there may have been tough, and coming home was even harder, but without a doubt, our vacation in Kauai was the highlight of 2012.
December
We braved the skies with Bergen one more time for a trip down to Truckee, California to celebrate Christmas with my whole family. Bergen loved hiking through the snow, and even more, he loved getting to spend quality time with his cousins, two of which were born just a few months apart from him.
Busy, busy, busy, but really, we wouldn’t have it any other way. We have much in store for 2013, some tickets already purchased, and some travel dreams just beginning to brew. Stay tuned as Bergen hopes to add to his growing list of states (15 so far) visited, and we try to keep up! Just what do we have in store? So far…a week in Washington’s San Juan Islands in just few weeks, a repeat trip to the Phoenix area to see Gramma and more baseball, another train adventure to Oregon, two trips to Montana, and…many more adventures in the works.
Wishing you and yours a very happy and healthy 2013! Here’s to many wonderful travel memories!
What travel memories will you be creating in 2013?
Don’t miss a thing from Wild Tales of…in 2013: Follow us on all of our adventures by “liking” our facebook page and following us on twitter!
Washington
- 5 Washington State Travel Destinations for Families
- Farms, Parks & Hikes to Enjoy in the Fall
- WA Coast: Cape Disappointment
- WA Coast: Long Beach
- Olympia:
- Nisqually Wildlife Refuge
- Olympia’s Marriott Townplace Suites
- Olympia Children’s Museum
- Olympia Weekend Itinerary for Families
- East of Seattle
- Larsen Lake Blueberry Picking: Bellevue, WA
- Cedar River Watershed (North Bend, WA)
- Fall City Farms
- Snoqualmie Valley Trail (Carnation, WA)
- Hike: Anti-Aircraft Peak (Near Bellevue, WA)
- Hike: Swamp Monster Trail (Issaquah, WA)
- Twin Falls Hike: Olallie State Park
- Cougar Mountain: Big Tree Ridge Trail
- Hike: Franklin Falls (near Snoqualmie Pass)
- Hike: Denny Creek Trail (near Snoqualmie Pass)
- Lake Sammamish State Park
- Mt. Rainier
- Skagit Valley:
- North of Seattle
- South of Seattle
- Port Townsend, WA
- North Central WA
- Smallwood’s Harvest: Peshastin, WA
- Peshastin Pinnacles State Park (North Central WA)
- Leavenworth
- Lake Chelan Wine Tasting
- Lake Chelan: Things to do with Kids
- Lake Chelan with Kids (Video): Stroll, Boat, Hike
- Cle Elum’s Teanaway Valley
- North Cascades Hike: Thunder Knob
- Lake Wenatchee
- Wenatchee Photo Essay
- San Juan Islands
- Islands Near Seattle
- Olympic National Park
- Seattle
Running on the Road: Keeping up with Training while Traveling
While training for a half marathon this past spring and early summer, I realized that if I wanted to reach my goal of finishing around the 2 hour mark, I’d need to keep up with my training during our travels. This meant thinking ahead, and not always going out for a run at my ideal time. In the end though, I scored some (well-deserved?) alone time leaving me feeling refreshed and accomplished, and I also set a personal record for my half marathon time!
Here’s what helped me get going away from home:
- Bring your gear. You’ll be sure to skip out on a run if you don’t have proper equipment. You don’t need much for running, but the littlest things (like the right socks) can throw me off, so I go through a checklist of what I’ll need, and pack those first.
- Research places to run. Before you leave for your trip check out places that might work for the distance you need. This gives you a chance to explore somewhere new too. In Denver, it was Cherry Creek State Park. In Portland, I ran along the Willamette River. On the Washington coast, Norman and I sneaked away for a 4 mile run on the beach. If you are visiting family and friends, ask them for ideas. Sometimes I even use “Map My Run” to calculate the mileage.
- Plan ahead. Look at your trip itinerary and your training schedule, and determine the best days and times to fit in your run.
- Communicate with your travel companions. If I am traveling with Slaed, just before the trip or even on the plane or in the car, I go over my running intentions with him. That way, he’ll know when he’s on “Bergen duty” while I’m off on a run. I also make sure to plan the run around our activities. This also keeps me honest! Solo travel with the baby or kids can be trickier, but while I was visiting my cousin in Connecticut (without Slaed), she was nice enough to watch Bergen while I went on a quick run. I made it easy on her though, and went just after I put him down for a nap!
- Think about destination environment and weather. The clothes you wear in your hometown may not work for wherever you are traveling, so make sure to bring gear that works for the climate and weather. Being aware of humidity and altitude levels is also important. I prepped a lot by drinking tons of water before our trip to Denver, and lowered my mileage expectations because of the thin air, and high altitude.
- Consider waking up early. Sometimes you just can’t fit a run in any other way. In Portland, I woke up super early before Bergen was even awake, and got my run over with by 7:00 am. Certainly leaves you feeling accomplished for the rest of the day!
Celebrating after a 2:05 finish!
What helps you keep up with your training while traveling? Share your tips!
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Pacific Northwest Adventures
Washington
- WA Coast: Cape Disappointment
- Near Olympia:
- East of Seattle
- Crystal Mountain Resort/Mt. Rainier
- Skagit Valley:
- North of Seattle
- South of Seattle
- Port Townsend, WA
- North Central WA
- Smallwood’s Harvest: Peshastin, WA
- Peshastin Pinnacles State Park (North Central WA)
- Leavenworth
- Lake Chelan
- San Juan Islands
- Islands Near Seatte
- Olympic National Park
Oregon
- Astoria, OR
- Amtrak Cascades
- Portland, OR
Idaho
- Road Trip: Seattle to Hayden Lake, ID
- Lake Weekend: Hayden Lake, ID
- Swimming Fun at the Lake with Toddlers (Hayden Lake, ID)
British Columbia
All Work and No Clams: Cape Disappointment, WA
After a perfect evening in Astoria, OR, we headed across the bridge and back to the great state of Washington for an Easter weekend of clamming and camping {or so we thought}. The clamming actually took place in Long Beach & Oceanside, and the camping in Cape Disappointment State Park. You’ll see why Cape Disappointment fits this blog title.
We met up with our friends, loaded up in their truck, and hit the beach. We watched as successful clammers walked away with their catch, and got excited. As long as you have a clamming license (obtained at various sporting goods & fishing shops), you are allowed 15 clams. The rule is, you get what you get. If you dig up a small clam, and think, “I can do better than that…”, you are out of luck, you’re stuck with it as part of your 15.
With clam guns in hand, off they go to catch dinner…
After a few practice digs (Slaed doing most of the digging as I was carrying B in the ergo), we started to get the hang of the technique. However the clams were not showing up. Maybe this part of the beach has already been clammed enough? So, we loaded back into the truck, and drove North. We tried again…
No clams.
Back into the truck a third time. Maybe just a little further North will do the trick. Along the way, we ran into a fish and wildlife police officer, and we asked him for advice. His advice was the come back the next day, bright and early. Disappointing. We stayed positive though. We wouldn’t have clams that we dug up ourselves for dinner back at the campsite, but at least we’d have clams to cook up in our own homes when we got back.
On Day 2 of our clamming adventure weekend, we did like the wildlife officer said, we were up at the crack of dawn, and drove much further North this time with high hopes. Apparently, everyone in the entire state of Washington was thinking the same thing.
Washington’s Easter Egg Hunt
We found what looked like a good spot for digging, kept our eye on some experts (in my mind, an expert is anyone who actually has clams in their bags), and got down to work.
Our friends Tim and Alina working hard.
We searched and searched for the clams to “show”, supposedly a small dimple in the sand indicates their presence, but little was revealed. We dug in spots where we thought a clam might be showing. We observed experts, and even asked them for advice. There were 6 of us, which means if everyone got their allotted 15 clams, we’d have a grand total of 90 clams.
Wondering how many we were able to dig up? 2. Yes. 2. Better luck next year, I guess.
Despite our lack of clams, we still enjoyed a beautiful weekend. We couldn’t have asked for better spring weather, our friends got to really bond with Baby B, and we learned that we can camp with a baby! {sort of…more on that in another post.}
The Clam Digging Family
Who had the best time clamming?
Norman, of course! So much fun that I couldn’t even get a good picture of him.
Info to Know:
- To find out all there is to know about razor clamming in Washington, check out the WA Dept. of Fish & Wildlife’s website.
- Cape Disappointment State Park is a great choice for camping.
- Not a camper? Check out the Sou’Wester in Long Beach, WA. Stay in their funky lodge, one of their cabins or “tch! tchs! (trailer classic hodgepodge). You can even hook up your RV there. We stayed in the lodge a few years back and loved it, and you’ll be just steps from the beach!
- Don’t forget all your clamming tools & necessities: a clam gun, rubber boots, clamming license, gloves, bucket or net to hold your clams & lots of patience.
- Check the tides; clamming is best at low tide.
the rundown: week 1!
Last week, I shared my training plan for week 1 of my preparation for the Seattle Rock n’ Roll Half Marathon. I’m excited to share my “rundown” with you. I must say, blogging my training plan proved to be hugely motivating. Whenever any thoughts of veering away from my goals came to mind, I was able to quickly refocus because I knew I had to stay true to the plan. I also knew that any excuse I came up with would seem silly.
Goal is in bold. What I actually accomplished is below.
Tuesday: 3 mile run: I ran with Norman.
Ran 3 miles with Norman! A fairly straight forward out and back run. Pretty flat with just one small hill.
Wednesday: 2 mile run or cross training: Plan to do a cardio class tonight at the Y.
“Total Strength” class at the Y. It’s a mix of cardio and strength training. This class makes me so happy. I love the mix of people (men, women, young, old(er), etc.) who come, the music puts a smile on my face, and the instructor is so upbeat and positive.
Thursday: 3 mile run +strength: Plan to do an early morning run with B & Norman + push-ups & hand weight exercises.
Ran 3 miles with B & Norman! Same run as Tuesday.
Friday: Rest!: Perfect timing as we’ll be traveling to the coast for razor clamming.
Did lots of resting in the car. We had such a fun day of traveling to the coast. I’ll share more of our adventures later this week.
Saturday: 30 minute cross-training: It will be more than 30 minutes, but my cross training will be clam digging on the beach! I’ve heard using those “clam guns” is hard work.
Digging clams is hard work. It’s also discouraging. We caught very few clams…a combination of bad timing, and the clams not “showing” themselves. Lots of beach walking though!
Family of clammers
Sunday: 4 mile run: Plan do any early morning trail run with Norman around Cape Disappointment.
Ran {at least} 4 miles with Norman on the beach at Cape Disappointment State Park! It felt great to take a break from “camp life” to run along side the ocean. Beautiful views of the mountains too, and two lighthouses.
One of the two...
Norm's view
11 weeks to go. I’m feeling great. Look for my week 2 training plan tomorrow!
seattle area adventures
A growing list of Seattle Adventures:
- Travel Guide to Seattle (Activities, Restaurant & Hotel Recommendations)
- Seattle Scavenger Hunt for Kids
- Seattle Area Hiking Resource
- Seattle Area Hikes with Kids
- Fremont Neighborhood
- A Run from Madison Valley to Pioneer Square
- A Seattle Sounders Soccer Game
- Free Outings Around Seattle
- A Ferry Ride to Vashon Island
- A Ferry Ride to Bainbridge Island
- Road Trip: Seattle to Hayden Lake, Idaho
- Woodland Park Zoo: Zoo Tunes
- The Bite of Seattle
- Seward Park
- Larsen Lake Blueberry Farm
- Seafair’s Blue Angels
- Gas Works Park
- Washington Park Arboretum Waterfront Trail
- Downtown Seattle with a Baby/Toddler
- Volunteer Park Dahlia Garden (2012)
- Pioneer Square Waterfall Garden Park
- Discovery Park (hike with baby)
- Discovery Park Hike with Preschooler
- International Children’s Park (International District)
- Olympic Sculpture Park
- Christmas in Downtown Seattle
- Seattle’s 21 Sister Cities
- Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI)
- West Seattle’s Schmitz Preserve Park
- Seattle Aquarium
- University of Washington
- Green Lake: Play and Eat
- South Seattle’s Kubota Garden
- Ballard Neighborhood:
- King Street Train Station
- Farms, Parks, and Hikes near Seattle to Enjoy in Fall