If you plan far enough in advance or you have the choice when making your reservation, where to sit on the plane will come up and be a decision you have to make. In my opinion, there are positives to both the front and back of the plane, so when it comes down to choosing, you must think about your own priorities, and what’s best for you, your baby, & your family as a whole.
Naptime Road Trips: La Conner, WA
After brunch and exploration in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood yesterday, we found ourselves with a sleepy Bergen, and the two of us wanting to still be out and about on a beautiful sunny Sunday. And maybe a little jealous of all the Labor Day travelers. We knew if we drove home, Bergen would fall asleep in the car, and then not be able to fall back asleep once in his crib. So we started to drive North. No plan.
I had a destination in the back of my mind, but without knowing how long Bergen would sleep, I didn’t dare mention it. Once we made it to Everett though, I started to get excited. I told Slaed we needed to head to La Conner: One of my favorite Washington small towns. La Conner is located in Skagit Valley between Vancouver, B.C and Seattle (North/South), and the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades National Park (West/East), and is famous for it’s Tulip Festival every spring.
Then as I was dreaming of wide-open spaces and plenty of roadside stops for fresh fruits and vegetables, we hit some heavy traffic, and Bergen’s smooth highway-driving nap was interrupted. He woke up. We panicked, and started scrambling to find something to do in Everett. Slaed fiddled with the GPS map looking for a park we could explore, and I tried to look at the bright side of things. Just as I was accepting this new plan, I was curious as to why Bergen’s fussing had stopped. I turned around to find Bergen back peacefully snoozing, which meant we were back on the road to La Conner!
Skagit Valley
Snowgoose Produce Stand: Stop 1
Taking a ride on “Rudy” outside of Nasty Jack’s Antiques.
Swinomish Channel
Now for the real reason for our visit to the La Conner area.
Slaed’s modest “kiddie scoop” of peppermint.
A waffle cone of chocolate peanut butter is more my style. That’s a single scoop!
Info to Know:
- La Conner, WA is a little over 60 miles Northwest of Seattle (1 1/2 hour drive). Explore the antique shops and go to the Calico Cupboard Cafe and Bakery.
- Snowgoose Produce Stand (Fir Island) is open roughly from March to October from about 8 am-6pm though they tend to stay open later on busy summer days. They are known for their generous scoops of ice cream, so be careful when you order, and bring cash.
- Mark your calendar: The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival occurs every spring during the month of April.
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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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Three Falls are Better than One: Wallace Falls State Park, WA
As summer in Seattle comes to a close, we felt the need to take advantage of one of our final {Saturday Perfect Weather} days. I had my eye on Wallace Falls State Park ever since I saw the photo of the river’s fluffy cascading waters on the Washington Trails Association website.
Located in Goldbar, Washington, off of Highway 2, about 28 mile east of Everett, the drive gave us the perfect traveling distance for Bergen’s morning nap. We took back roads to make the drive even longer, and to cut out any potential traffic situations.
When we arrived at Wallace Falls, the park was busy, but not unbearable. We consulted the map, and made a plan to hike the 5.5 mile out and back trail to see the lower, middle, and upper falls. Since it worked out so well on our last hike, we strapped Bergen onto my back in the Ergo. We’re thinking he might have some enthusiasm for nature as he looks at the hanging leaves on the trees like they are mobiles, and you have to fight for his attention when he’d rather watch a waterfall.
The trek up to the lower falls was fairly easy. We followed along the river at points, and had a good view of the rolling water at one of the large bridges.
Things were kicked up a notch in getting to the middle falls. Steep steps had our muscles working hard, but the trail is well worn, and easy to navigate. We took in the view of middle falls at both lookouts, and contemplated whether or not to go all the way to upper falls. Bergen seemed to be enjoying himself, and the bagel chips and licorice had us ready for one last push.
This climb was certainly difficult, but plenty of people were conquering the trail; kids even. Getting to the upper falls is important. The middle falls give you a good perspective of the falls as a whole and by far the best view, but at upper falls we saw the entire Skykomish River valley, Olympics in the distance, and close-ups of the tempting rocky pools. Some daredevil types ventured out on rocks, others sat for a while just to experience the cascading water and be there. I wanted so badly to jump into the perfect blue-green water.
Info to Know:
- 14503 Wallace Lake Road
Goldbar, WA 98251 - The cost (if you drive in) is $10 unless you have a Discover Pass ($30).
- It’s a difficult hike. Make sure everyone has sturdy shoes. I wore Keen sandals and was fine, but would have been better off in hiking boots.
- Taking baby along? You’ll need a sturdy carrier that is comfortable and safe for trekking up steep hills. No strollers on this trail!
- Bring plenty of water and snack so you have enough energy to make it to the upper falls. Water is available at the trail head.
- If you are not up for hiking all the way to upper falls, it’s still more than worth the trip to the park. Plenty to explore on lower and middle (the best view anyway).
- Before you leave, cut off from the trail, and take some time to explore the river.
Looking for more Seattle Area Kid Friendly Hikes?
Hike Down Crystal Mountain: Sunshine and Daisies to Dust and Rocks
The Mount Rainier Gondola took us up to 6,872 feet of elevation, but we were determined to get back down to the base of Crystal Mountain Resort all on our own. We decided to take the slow route, and hike.
Our journey began with an easy to navigate trail, and before we knew it, we were surrounded by wild lupines, daisies, and Indian Paintbrush. We stopped often to take in the fields of purple, and admire the mountains in the distance.
We were happy to see Bergen content on my back in the Ergo, and I was happy to still be able to carry him this way! While we walk quite a bit around town, our last true hike was in Arizona back in March, so we weren’t sure how he’d react to this 6-mile decent.
Magically, at about 30 minutes in, he decided to take a snooze. I ended up pushing ahead of Slaed and his Mom, and was alone for most of the remainder of the hike. We quietly continued on crossing streams, and circling alpine lakes.
It was right around here when the trail began to become questionable. The lack of clear signage and markings left us (along with another group of hikers) wondering which path would be best to travel. Even though we had a map, it was tricky to figure out, and we certainly didn’t want to take any chances of making this a longer hike with a one year old on our hands. We decided to venture down a “road” instead of linking up with the Silver Creek Trail. The road lead us into some rocky, dusty terrain.
Not exactly stellar hiking conditions, but fun to imagine with chairlifts filled with skiers, and the hills packed with snow in the winter. No complaints on the view either. I made my way down slipping and sliding, and just as the base of the resort came into view, Bergen started to put up a fuss. I couldn’t blame him. He was quite the trooper, and I was ready to be done too! I relieved him from the Ergo, and we strolled the rest of the way in search of refreshment.
Info to Know:
- We were attempting the “Crystal Mountain Trail” (#1161), which connects up with the “Silver Creek Trail” taking you back to the base. Be sure to have a map on hand. It would also be a good idea to talk the hike over with a guide at base to be sure of the turns!
- Good, sturdy shoes are a must! Even if you didn’t take the road on the last part like we did, the trails are still rocky, and you are going downhill nearly the entire way.
- 6 miles is strenuous. Bring plenty of water, and a high energy snack.
- Hat and sunscreen for sunny, warm, clear days.
- The resort is located near Enumclaw, Washington
- 33914 Crystal Mountain Blvd.
Crystal Mountain, WA 98022 - 1-888-754-6199 or 360-663-2265
Now go travel the world with Sundays in my City!
- 33914 Crystal Mountain Blvd.
Summer Fun at Crystal Mountain Resort
A “just right” summer day, and a visit from Gramma was exactly the motivation we needed to go on a day trip to the Mount Rainier area via Crystal Mountain Resort. The new gondola ride was calling our name, reminding me of the fun Slaed and I had riding a glass bottomed car on Whistler-Blackcomb’s Peak 2 Peak in British Columbia. The 4 of us could enjoy the view without all the work of hiking up the mountain.
As we walked aboard, I was curious to see how Bergen would react to the ride. I wondered if the heights would effect him. Would he get excited? Would he even notice?
For the 10 minute ride, the view had him captivated. As you can see, he loved pulling up on the bench or window, and looking down as we continued to climb higher and higher. I on the other hand, became surprisingly nervous! Especially when about half way through, our car paused, and we hung motionless. It turns out operators were just slowing down to help a car of elderly folks disembark. I wasn’t prepared, but was put at ease when it was our turn to step off the gondola, and I witnessed one of the most beautiful views I’ve ever seen.
Though pricey, I think the experience is worth the cost, and it makes for a nice excursion with out-of-town guests. We also splurged on lunch at the Summit House, the restaurant just off the gondola, which is actually Washington’s highest elevation restaurant (6,872 feet)!
Our Tips for a Good Mount Rainier Gondola Experience:
- Even if you are just going up and down on the gondola, good, sturdy shoes are a must. The terrain can be unpredictable with steep ledges and rocky paths.
- Be careful on the rocky ledges. There are not any barriers, so the slightest misstep could have you in a scary situation.
- Bring your camera and binoculars. The binoculars will help you get an even closer view and you might even spot some wildlife.
- Since we were with Slaed’s mom, we decided to make it really special and have lunch at the restaurant, but to save money, pack a simple picnic and enjoy one of the most breathtaking views in the world!
More info to know:
- Cost for round trip gondola rides range from $0-$20 depending on age.
- The resort is located near Enumclaw, Washington
- 33914 Crystal Mountain Blvd.
Crystal Mountain, WA 98022 - 1-888-754-6199 or 360-663-2265
- 33914 Crystal Mountain Blvd.
- So much more summer fun to be had including: hiking, frisbee golf, horseback riding, biking, lawn games (like bean bag toss!), and of course, shopping.
Stay tuned for our hike down the mountain!
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Need some travel inspiration? Check out the travel dreaming happening over at RWeThereYetMom?
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