January 28, 2014

Easy Backyard Game: What’s Under the Rock?

Our usual tendency when it’s time to get outdoors is to walk or bike and explore the green spaces and parks of our neighborhood and beyond. It gets us out of the house, providing a change of scenery and of course the possibility of seeing more features and having a grander adventure.

Just in the last week or so though, I’ve realized that there is a little world literally in our own backyard that is also worth exploring and getting to know! Given regular visits and quality time spent back there, I bet we’re more likely to notice seasonal changes and the overall activity and influence of flora and fauna in the smaller confines compared to a larger space. And after all, it’s convenience can’t be beat.

For some reason, when we get back there I feel stifled not having a trail to walk down or something special like a lake or forest of trees to check out. It’s also a possibility that my avoidance has to do with the fact that there is a whole lot of work that needs to happen back there! Either way, I never know exactly how we should be spending our time. Thankfully, Bergen’s (2.5 years old) curiosity came to rescue the other day, and led us to a fun activity or game of sorts.

[Read more…]

January 24, 2014

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.

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January 23, 2014

Washington’s State Park Accommodations: Inside our Bay View State Park Cabin

Yurts, cabins, and rustic accommodations of sorts always excite me. I guess the coziness, proximity to nature, and all around feeling that I am truly “away from it all” is appealing. And on top of all those romantic feelings, the practicality of having all that’s great about camping without actually have to do much work and setup (the downsides of pitching your own tent and hauling all the gear) for a parent makes the whole experience so worthwhile.

Setting up camp on the outside at our Bayview State Park cabin was simple, and even though I was worried about sharing such a tiny space (12×12 feet) with our toddler, we were able to set up an inside space with just as much ease.

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January 21, 2014

Quick and Easy to Make Travel Game for Toddlers: Photo Puzzles

For a while now, I’ve created quick photo books for Bergen (2 years old) to look at, talk about, and flip through when we travel. The photo albums have especially come in handy on the airplane when we need plenty of distractions, but don’t want items that would take up a lot of space.

For our last plane ride across the country to visit family and friends in the Southeast, I decided to take Bergen’s love for photos a step further and make things a little more interactive.

[Read more…]

January 17, 2014

Exploring Art, History and Nature in South Carolina’s Andrew Jackson State Park

Have I written about the fact that I love state parks? During our trip to the Southeast (Georgia and the Carolinas) in early December my mom mentioned a state park not far from her house. You can guess that we, along with sister and 7-year old nephew jumped on board!

Andrew Jackson State Park is located in Lancaster, South Carolina, which is an hour or so south of Charlotte. According to the South Carolina state park system, the site of the park is where Andrew Jackson, our 7th presdient, actually grew up.

We first spent some time exploring the main grounds, which includes a museum, old school house, meeting house, and an immense statue of young Andrew atop a horse.

Later we hit the woods and hiked the mile nature trail loop, also called the Crawford Trail. It was an easy walk and nice way to take in some of South Carolina’s natural beauty as the path (actually crossed the Old Church Road twice) took us through a forest filled with pines, cedars, and oak trees.

At the end of the loop while I hung back snapping photos, Slaed got to experience an owl swoop by overhead. He was the only lucky viewer as Bergen was too busy climbing on rocks and the rest of the clan was checking out the meeting house.

With the intention of rewarding the boys with some fun at the playground, we walked over to the fishing lake passing by the amphitheater on our way over. We ended up having so much fun playing in the boats, running up and down the dock, and throwing rocks into the lake that we ran out of time and steam!

What state (or region, province, etc) do you live in? Have you visited any state parks recently? Tell us about your experience!

Info to Know:

Andrew Jackson State Park is located in Lancaster, South Carolina (1 hour south of Charlotte, NC)
- 196 Andrew Jackson Road Lancaster, SC 29720
- 803-285-3344
- Hours: 8am-6pm Daily from Nov. 1-March 31, 9am-9pm Daily from April 1-Oct.31
Features include museum, old school house, 2 short hiking trails (1 mile each), meeting house, amphitheater, lake, fishing, boating (no motors), playground, and camping.
$2 for adults, Free for Youth 15 & Under, $1.25 for SC seniors
Strollers not recommended for trails.
Looking for lunch or dinner near by? Head North on US-521 just past Sun City Carolina Lakes to 521 BBQ & Grill. Delicious Carolina BBQ served by the nicest people you’ll meet. Be sure to get some hush puppies too.

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! If you enjoyed this post, please “like it”, “tweet it” or “pin it”!

More State Park Adventures:

January 10, 2014

Cle Elum, WA’s Teanaway Valley: The Search for an Iceless Hike

Here in Washington State our skiers, snowboarders and all around winter enthusiasts are a little bummed with the lack of snow. Ski resorts are closed. Festivals are being cancelled.

As we drove past Snoqualmie Pass last weekend en route to a quick getaway in Cle Elum, Washington, instead of the usual winter scene of clean white powder, we saw rocky mountains and hills mixed with whitish-brownish slush. Though we did see a few kids tubing down one hill, thanks to some artificial snow, the rest of the area looked more like Seattle when we get a little dusting: Thin layer of white with lots of green grass poking through.

On the bright side, we were blessed with very little traffic and we anticipated some nice hiking conditions. Yes, aside from worrying about the ski resorts losing money and the small towns suffering from lack of ski commerce, we were okay with the scene since we really weren’t after any ski-related activity. Just looking to enjoy a quiet, unplugged day or so in the mountains.

After getting situated in our cabin rental, we set off to explore the Teanaway Valley and find a suitable hike. First we headed west just a mile or so from the cabin. When the paved road turned to dirt and gravel, we were met with a clean sheet of ice suitable for skating, not driving and certainly not hiking.

We continued on anyway, and thought we’d found a great spot when I saw a sign marking the national forest area and a hiker symbol pointing us toward a trail. We got all geared up, packed Bergen into the carrier on Slaed’s back, and in the time it took me to grab Norman (the dog) and organize my belongings, the boys had taken a spill. The trails here were just as bad as the roadway.

Bergen was fine, protected by the pack, just a little shaken up, while Slaed endured a few scrapes on his knee along with some bruising and soreness. Wonderful dad and husband that he is though, he agreed to continue on to try to find a spot that was a little less icy.

So we ventured back and tried another direction…and another…and then another only to find ice everywhere. It became obvious why we had only seen a handful of people. No snow, you can hike. With snow, you can snowshoe. With ice…that’s a little trickier.

On the way to one of these ventures, we did notice one white minivan parked just outside of a trail entrance, and even though we ignored this spot initially, it gave us hope that we could at least go back and explore it’s hiking possibilities.

You can probably guess that’s exactly what we ended up doing. Thanks to a nice open meadow-valley of an area that receives plentiful sun, we were able to create a hike (of sorts) for ourselves. Now it wasn’t completely iceless. We still had to dodge some slick spots and did our fare share of slipping, but no more falling.

And when we finally didn’t have to worry so much about a skating rink at our feet, we had a chance to enjoy the view. Aside from a bird or two, we curiously saw little wildlife, but for some reason I felt as if a cougar would come around to meet us at any moment! Oh, and we did run into the owner of the minivan. Just a loan hiker out for a nice walk. He was smarter than us though–he had hiking poles!

Have you ever run into less than favorable conditions on an outdoor adventure? What happened?

More Hiking Adventures:

January 8, 2014

Travel Well, Get Outdoors Often: 9 Ideas to Plan an Adventurous Year

I don’t know about you, but I love dreaming about the new year ahead and pondering what adventures and changes the future holds. I appreciate the blank slate we’ve been given and a chance to make things different, if we so choose.

In the travel and outdoor realm, which of course is the most fun for me to plan, I’m thinking about the year as a whole and how I can drive more fun and adventure into all the nooks and crannies that make up the days, weeks, and months of 2014.

While I certainly don’t want to limit our adventures, as a springboard, I came up with 9 categories to help me plan and focus:

1. Travel somewhere new. As simple as exploring a town close by that I’ve never bothered to visit, to hitting the road or the skies to a grander, further locale, I’m so excited to travel to places I’ve never seen before! Hint: Plans and details for a Caribbean vacation are nearly complete.

2. Revisit a favorite place. There’s a reason why you fall in love with places, so why not enjoy even more good times? We’re thrilled to have Orcas Island, Washington in our plans again this year. Golden, Colorado and Phoenix, AZ are also on the repeat list.

3. 3-day weekend getaway. For some reason we let a couple of those 3-day weekend gems in 2013 slip away from our radar, and didn’t have any trips planned. I’m hoping we can capitalize on the extra day off opportunities and get out of town.

4. Hometown Adventure. I have to say, we’re pretty much pros at the this one, but I feel it’s important to continue seeking out places in the Seattle (and the surrounding area) that we haven’t been to (or taken Bergen to) yet. In particular, there are some food and restaurant adventures we need to take!

5. Hike. Hiking (and walking) is our favorite outdoor activity to do as a family. It’s simple and we need little equipment or planning. I want to continue to explore the trails of our near by state parks and city parks too. I also want to work on Bergen’s stamina as a little hiker and increase his time and distance on his own two feet before we surrender him to the backpack carrier.

6. Road Trip. I love the freedom that a road trip provides. Within reason, you can stop when an opportunity (via attraction or food option) arises. You can choose to travel fast or slow, close or far. At this point, road trips to Oregon and Idaho are in the works.

7. Change up the mode of transportation. I’m thinking we need to add more ferry boats rides, but what I’m really dreaming about for this year is a high speed boat like the Clipper that will take us to Victoria, BC! We’ll also continue our annual train trip down to Portland, OR.

8. Challenge yourself with a new outdoor sport or activity. The new sport or activity remains to be chosen for me, but the possibilities are endless! I know for sure that 2014 will not go by without me trying stand-up paddle boarding!

9. Do what you love outdoors. Walking, hiking, camping, biking, swimming, exploring…I’m so thankful that we have our health and the ability to get out there and enjoy ourselves.

10. ??What are YOU dreaming about for 2014??

Do you make goals or resolutions for the new year? What’s on your list for 2014? Please share!

Printable version: New Year, New Adventures Planning Sheet 2014

January 6, 2014

New Year, New Adventures: Support Your State Parks

Happy New Year!

A fresh new year definitely has me thinking of things I want to accomplish in 2014, but I also can’t help but think about the goals, aspirations and new ideas that began around this time a year ago. One of the goals we made as a family was to visit more of our Washington State Parks.

We kicked the year off and set the goal in motion with the purchase of the Discover Pass. In fact, it was one of my Christmas gifts to my husband, Slaed, but a state park pass also makes a great new year’s gift for yourself or someone you love. So many goals come to mind that it would help with:

Fitness
Health
Travel
Exploring the outdoors
Beginning a new outdoor sport or activity
Education

Our Discover Pass brought us to places all across our Puget Sound region in 2013:

To be honest, we were surprised to learn we only visited a total of 10 state park units, but we did visit several of the parks more than once with Moran being the most frequented. And besides, 10 (+) is a whole lot more than years past.

A side effect of our interest and enthusiasm for our parks is that we now seek out state parks in our travels outside of Washington. Our trips to California, Wisconsin, South Carolina this year all included visits to at least one state park gem.

With a brand-spanking-new pass for 2014 ready and waiting, we’re anxious to see what the year will bring in terms of state park adventures. Looking back on the year, we really didn’t venture past the Cascades to any of the parks in Central and Eastern Washington. Seems to me that a new goal may be taking shape!

Are you motivated to visit more state parks this year? Why? Tell us about the state parks near you!

December 17, 2013

Keep the Holiday Season Fun and Festive: How to Make Time for Adventure

Let me state the obvious. The holiday season is a busy time. Many of us have so much more on our plate (literally and figuratively) right now. When you think about it, all of it eventually leads to good stuff, but when you’re in the thick of it, it can be down right dreadful.

Take gifts for example. Thinking of a loved one, and picking out something you know they’d truly appreciate, want or need is such a joy. Standing in line at the post office with an impatient toddler to send that gift can make you pretty frustrated and kill all that delight you had in the first place.

I feel lucky though. I feel lucky and thankful because in the midst of our holiday to-do list, we have found little ways to keep things merry and bright. And merry and bright in our book means making time for adventure, mostly in the form of spending time outdoors.

Making Time for Adventure in the Busy Holiday Season

Create a shopping adventure

We love heading downtown and can get so much accomplished because all of our stops are in one central location. Plus we’d rather shop Pike Place Market, and the surrounding local shops than deal with the mall. Downtown areas of small towns, art and craft festivals, and neighborhood business districts are also super festive and places where you can find unique gifts.

What helped us recently was having a plan. We had a specific list of stores to get to and gifts in mind for purchase. I strapped Bergen (2 years old) to my back, and we were able to journey around easily. Since we knew exactly what we were after, there wasn’t a lot of waiting around, which meant the little guy was content.

It also helps when there were 2 adults, so at one point Slaed was able to run into a store while Bergen and I took a break to play and enjoy the holiday scenery.

Have goals for getting your holiday tasks accomplished, but also make fun a priority.

At the beginning of a big holiday task day (or the night before) we make a realistic list of all we want to accomplish. Any thing from post office runs, picking out a tree, buying gifts, and grocery shopping is on that list, but FUN is also on the list, and it takes precedence.

Wake up early

Weekdays, I’m always up at the crack of dawn, but during this busy holiday season, I’ve also added weekends to my early waking habit. We are truly blessed with a little one who sleeps in, so I’ve tried to take full advantage of that, and use that time to write Christmas cards, wrap presents, and generally get organized for the rest of the day.

By getting so much accomplished in the morning, our day is more open and less stressful. And you guessed it, we can work in more time for fun.

Build-in adventure

I talk about this in our everyday life as well. Whenever we have an errand or to-do list task, I think and scheme about an adventure close by that we can build in. It can go the other way too. If you have a fun holiday festivity you want to go to, think about how you can build-in a task on the way or in the area to accomplish from your to-do list.

Make adventure a reward

Accomplishing the daily to-do list is huge for us. It’s a great feeling, and we find it reason to celebrate, so often we have a contingency that when all is checked off, we get to do something fun. Last weekend, it was luminaries on Saturday and walking along the Seattle waterfront on Sunday.

How do you make time for adventure and fun during the busy holiday season?

More Holiday Fun and Adventure:

December 13, 2013

Christmas in the Southeast: Celebrating through Georgia and the Carolinas

We had quite a travel adventure in the Southeast part of the country to celebrate and visit with our loved ones for Thanksgiving. As with most of the country, Thanksgiving trickles right into Christmas, and this was evident even more so this year. Not only are Thanksgiving and Christmas closer together on the calendar, but it was also our only chance to celebrate the holiday with our east coast family and friends.

That’s a lot of festivities to squeeze in, but the region certainly helped out by getting all dressed up for us! Allow us to take you along on our journey, and at the same time, we’ll show you how the Southeast shows off their Yuletide spirit.

After landing in Atlanta, we traveled just north of the city to the little town of Lawrenceville. This was to be just a stopover hotel stay before making our way to the Charlotte area to visit with family. We drove into town in search of dinner; however it turned into much more!

We noticed streets closed down and residents running toward the town square, so we quickly found a parking spot and followed the crowd. To our surprise a Christmas celebration was happening complete with a tree lighting, caroling, parade, and visit from Santa. And to top it all off, the three of us got to try boiled peanuts for the first time. Bergen was a huge fan, but Slaed and I are pretty sure we will stick to the roasted variety.

Next up on our tour of the southeast takes us to North Carolina and the adorable small town of Waxhaw. Waxhaw is just south of Charlotte, and very close to the South Carolina border. My sister and her family will soon call this community home as they are building a house here, so naturally we decided to take time to play, shop, eat, and just explore!

During our visit, we hit up the playground, with remnants of Santa’s visit (in the form of artificial snow) left behind from the previous night, and then started to make our way over their local coffeehouse to warm up. The railroad runs through the center of town and our timing couldn’t have been more perfect. Just as we were ready to cross over the foot bridge, the train payed us a visit! You can probably guess that Bergen (2 years old) was the most excited.

Making our way back down to Georgia, to breakup the mini road trip, we stopped in Columbia, South Carolina. We knew the Riverbanks Zoo would be the perfect spot for Bergen to burn off a little steam. We also did our homework and knew that our admission would be free thanks to the zoo’s reciprocal relationship with our Woodland Park Zoo back home in Seattle.

We were very impressed with everything this small zoo had to offer, and felt that the exhibits were well designed and made for easy viewing. Needless to say, they are decked out for Christmas and we can only imagine how pretty it must look at night with all the lights twinkling, bonfire going, and all their other cheery festivities. We just happened to be walking by when one of the staff members was testing out the snow machine. Made for some fun memories of dancing around; with Bergen wondering why his parents were so giddy!

Our last stop on the Southeast tour was Augusta, Georgia to visit our dear friends who have recently relocated there. Though my hair wasn’t thrilled with the 100% humidity, we were happy to put our coats and hats aside and enjoy balmy temperatures. Augusta has so much natural beauty with pine trees everywhere and hanging moss adorning the oaks. We especially loved visiting the Augusta Canal and learning all about their lock system along the Savannah River.

What really got us into the Christmas spirit though was stopping by the Surrey Center not far from where all the Masters (annual golf tournament) action occurs. The chic women’s clothing store, Soho not only had a Christmas tree made of coke bottles, which we kept Bergen at least 10 feet away from at all times, but the owner also fashioned a tree using just deer antlers. Such a fun way to show off the uniqueness of the town and surrounding area.

Where are you celebrating the season this year? Have you discovered any new towns, cities or communities? We’d love to hear from you!

December 11, 2013

Holiday Gift Guide for the Young Adventurer

This year more than ever, maybe being the mom to an active, curious and busy 2 year-old has something to do with it, I’m determined to be thoughtful and intentional about my gift giving. This is especially true for the young people in my life and on my list. At the same time though, I don’t want to over-think and make the whole process more complicated than it needs to be thus creating more stress and negating the reason for the season.

I want to give gifts that will be useful. Items that the kids actually need. Presents that will actually make an impact on their lives, help them grow, or help them enjoy the things they love even more. Little contributions that will enrich their lives, feed their imaginations, and allow them to experience the world.

All those conditions made me think of 4 easy categories to help me give great gifts to the little people in my life.

Books

In my humble opinion, one can never have too many books. I love this advice from the master himself:

“Fill your house with stacks of books, in all the crannies and all the nooks.” -Dr. Seuss

My background is in education, and more specifically literacy, so choosing books for little ones comes naturally, but really all it takes is a little browsing to find a book you think will inspire and entertain. Lately during our weekly library visits, while Bergen is perusing a stack of books, I cozy up to a shelf and just explore. I learn about so many titles I never even knew about!

If you have kids in your life that love the outdoors and may even be budding travelers, I put together a list of book recommendations for Junior Adventurers and Wanderlusters.

Gear to Help get Kids Outside

Raising an active boy means I get outside a lot. It’s just what we do, what makes sense, and what all of us most enjoy. But really, I believe it’s essential for everyone, even if it’s cold, rainy, snowy, stormy, all of the above, or anything less than perfect weather.

So where the gift giving comes in is figuring out how to not only inspire your loved ones to get outside, but also keep them warm, dry, or safe from whatever element they need protection from!

Some Gear Ideas:

Rain and snow suits
- Oakiwear Rainsut
Rain boots
Long Underwear
Gloves, Mittens & Hats
Fleece of all kinds
- Kowalli Carrier Cover
Backpack
Water Bottle
Larger ticket Item Adventure Gear for Babies

Some Play Ideas:

Sidewalk Chalk
Bug Box
Balls of all sorts
Heavy duty trucks
Tools like shovels, racks & buckets
Balance Bike

Toys and Supplies to Foster Independent Play and Activity

I recently read a post on the Mama Natural site about raising a low media child, and the list of suggested toys really stuck with me. First I was proud to have already incorporated many of the ideas into Bergen’s play area without even really giving it much thought! Second, I got a bunch of ideas for how to improve and make the space even more beneficial for his development. And finally, I realized these ideas will also be super helpful in choosing gifts for all of the the other little people on our list, which inspired me to come up with these suggestions:

Kitchen Supplies (food, containers, pots & pans, stove, refrigerator, sink)
Dress-up Clothes
Musical Instruments
Blocks of all shapes and sizes
Vehicles (trains, cars, trucks, boats)
Art Supplies (crayons, special pencils, special paper & sketchbooks, paint, clay, brushes, stickers)
Author Kit (blank books, pencils, pens, extra paper, sticky notes)
Puzzles

Experiences

Kids may get excited about that shiny, sparkly (and noisy) gadget, game or toy at first, and play with it for a day or two (or maybe just a couple minutes), but the experiences you can give a child with their family and friends will stick with them forever. The little ones may not *remember* per se, but the time spent together allows for so much more than a toy or “thing” can give. Learning, bonding, peaking interests, inspiring, sparking curiosity, and expanding horizons is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the benefits experiences can generate.

Zoo or Aquarium Membership
Garden Membership (Japanese, Botanical, Conservatory)
Museum Membership (Children’s, Art, Music, History)
National Park Pass
State Park Pass
Sporting Event Tickets
Swim Lessons
Help with a vacation or trip (hotel stay, excursion, restaurant)
Coupon Book chock full of deals on tons of experiences (Chinook Book, Entertainment Book)

Do you have any ideas to add to any of our categories? Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment!

More Ideas from my Outdoor Family Blogger Friends:

Ride On! A Junior Cyclist’s Christmas Wish List – Family Adventures in the Canadian Rockies

A Skiing Family’s Letter to Santa – Brave Ski Mom

An All Weather Gift Guide for All Year Adventures – Crag Mama

Holiday Gifts for Outdoor Conscious Families – AKontheGO

Best Gifts for Outdoorsy Families – Tales of a Mountain Mama

Gifts for Outdoor Loving Mothers – AKSkedaddle

Five Great Christmas Ideas for the Outdoorsy Kid – Rain or Shine Mamma

Holiday Gift Guide – Go Adventure Mom

Outdoor Gifts for Teens – Bring the Kids

Top Outdoor Toys for Toddlers and Preschoolers – Bring the Kids

Top Outdoor Toys for Babies – Bring the Kids

Top Outdoor Stocking Stuffers – Bring the Kids

Top Outdoor Gifts for the Whole Family – Bring the Kids

Top Outdoor Toys for Elementary Age Kids – Bring the Kids

Top Outdoor Gifts for Adventurous Parents – Bring the Kids

Top Outdoor Gear to Get Your Kids Ready for Winter – Bring the Kids

All I want for Christmas…Gifts for the Active Family – Active Kids, Active Family

Holiday Gift Ideas for Your Outdoor Enthusiasts – Adventure Tykes

Best Gifts for Outdoor Families: Books Edition 2013 – Tales Of a Mountain Mama

Holiday Gift Guide for Tykes – Adventure Tykes

Stocking Stuffers For Everyone – Adventure Tykes

50+ Holiday Gift Ideas for Nature Kids – Go Explore Nature

November 22, 2013

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!

November 18, 2013

An Easy Trash Pick-up Walk: Refocusing our Afternoon Walk to do Some Good

You might already know that we have a late afternoon routine of walking the dog (and ourselves) nearly every day. The reasons (and benefits) are many: exercise, visiting parks and playgrounds for Bergen, catching up on our days and making plans…we even have been known to throw in an errand or two at the post office or grocery store.

These days, depending on time and distance planned, sometimes Bergen walks on his own. However, most of the time, he rides in his stroller, with opportunities to walk & play built in, as we tent to log at least 3 miles on our outings.

When Bergen walks on his own, we can go several blocks at a decent pace, but after a while his speed slows and he’s more interested in interacting with the little things he sees on the grass, sidewalk and properties of our neighbors. He stalls, dilly-dallies, piddles, you name the technique for slowing down (and wasting time), he does it. It’s important to us though that he continues to build his walking stamina and endurance. The last thing we want as active adults is a kid who doesn’t want to walk anywhere.

Yesterday, we tried something new for our afternoon walk. I don’t know about your locale, but as city dwellers (at least in our neighborhood), we tent to get our share of trash that builds up along the sidewalk edges, curbs and intersections. We clean up our block and blocks close by every now and again, but we hadn’t done so in a while, and Bergen had never been a part of it.

So instead of our usual walk, we went on a trash pick-up walk. Bergen and I searched for pieces of trash while Slaed followed close by picking up all that we found and collecting it in a garbage bag. After just a couple of blocks, Bergen got pretty good at spotting garbage on the ground—and with all of the leaves that have fallen, it wasn’t exactly the easiest trash pick-up we’ve done!

A bonus to the while thing was that because pick-up takes time, we were actually going at Bergen’s ideal pace. We were able to focus him on sighting trash, but he also had extra time to explore and do his dawdling–checking out rocks, acorns, flowers, leaves and whatever else he could find. And without the pressure of speed and keeping up, he actually walked a whole lot further than he normally would!

Have you ever picked up trash in your neighborhood or another location? Do you volunteer with your kids? Tell us about it!

More Walking Adventures:

November 14, 2013

Wanna Be Birdwatchers on Skagit Valley, WA’s Padilla Bay Shore Trail

Do you consider yourself a bird expert? Maybe you’re a bird watcher? Interested in trying to spot different species of birds and keep track? Just enjoy looking at birds?

A couple of weeks ago during our quick weekend trip to Skagit Valley, Washington, we learned that in this season of life with our motley crew, we aren’t going to win any awards or even get past the point of just being lucky to encounter a bird.

Wanting to hike, but not wanting to travel far to a trailhead, we decided to take-on the Padilla Bay Shore Trail. The trail runs along the bay (part of the larger Salish Sea) and is just a half mile or so south from our rented cabin at Bayview State Park.

Quick Points about the Trail

Multi-use (pedestrians, bicyclists, even hunters) 2.25 mile dike-top trail equipped with frequent mile markers to track your progress
Combines views of the water and San Juan Islands juxtaposed with busy farms (we watched red potatoes being harvested) all the while being watched in the distance by Mount Baker and the Cascades
Easy, flat trail making it perfect for young hikers (and those carrying young hikers).

Just as we started our hike, we passed a fellow trailmate who asked us if we were out looking for birds. Really that wasn’t our original intention, instead we were just out to enjoy the surroundings and get some exercise, but did we somehow look the part of a bird watcher?

Okay, maybe one of us did have binoculars around our neck, but we never really thought to put ourselves in the “bird watcher” category. Even so, since she brought it up and we realized we were in one of the most popular spots for birding in the state, we thought we’d play the role and give our best effort to see as many winged friends as we could.

We figured we were doing pretty well when we encountered a great blue heron hanging out just on the edge of the adjacent farmland.

Great Blue Heron--Padilla Bay Shore Trail: Skagit Valley, Washington | WildTalesof.com

Turns out this area is said to have one of the largest groupings of great blue herons in the Western United States.

Later on about halfway down the trail where it skirts to the east, we watched several hawks fly over head, but not really sticking around long enough for us to get any good observations of color or markings. Of course we also saw the usual suspects: tons of seagulls and plenty of ducks, and after that first heron sighting, we saw several more…or who knows maybe it was the same one!

After a while though, I came to the conclusion that while we may be blessed with seeing some birds here and there, especially popular ones, we aren’t really in a place to be expert observers.

Why not? Well, for starters our pooch, Norman isn’t exactly welcoming the flyers to flock toward us. I’m thinking he’s more of deterrent and scaring the birds away even if we do come in contact with them. And then there’s this toddler we’ve got hanging by our side. He’s noisy and makes sudden movements. Probably not behavior tips you’d find in the bird watcher’s handbook.

We’re not going to give up though. For now, we’ll stick with being “wanna-be bird watchers” and just be happy with what comes our way. Maybe when Bergen (now 2 years old) is a little older and better able to stay quiet for a period of time and have more controlled movements we’ll step up our game and become a little more serious. Does this actually happen?

More Info to Know:

The Padilla Bay Shore Trail is located in Bayview, Washington. Parking is available at the North (lot on 2nd Street) and South end of the trail with porta-potties at each location. Directions here.
Very stroller friendly
Access is FREE.
Trail is multi-use: bicyclists, pedestrians, and even hunters (October-January).

What’s your level of bird watching expertise & interest? We’d love to know!

November 11, 2013

Rainy Day Adventure + Lunch: Seattle’s Olympic Sculpture Park

Last week we had one of the most wet and blustery days I’ve ever experienced here in Seattle. Instead of hiding away, which was my instinct, I decided to embrace the weather with an adventure downtown.

After hitting up the central library for just a bit in the morning, we were ready for some lunch and Bergen was not quite ready for an immediate nap. He still had plenty of energy to burn. What to do?

My strategic choice of parking allowed us to have to walk through Pike Place Market. And what better fare to warm up (and add a little cheer) on a rainy day than macaroni and cheese and a grilled cheese sandwich from our world famous Beecher’s Handmade Cheese?

With our goods tucked away, we then made the trek to the Olympic Sculpture Park. A break in the rain, though certainly not the wind, gave Bergen the perfect opportunity to wear himself out as he wound up and down the pathways of the park.

I love the contrast of elements that the sculpture park offers: Beautiful large scale works of art mixed with nature and back dropped with a cityscape.

After a while, we pulled up to a bench near Alexander Calder’s Eagle and chowed down.

Like clockwork, just as the last noodle drenched in creamy cheese was consumed, the sprinkles started up again, and before we knew it, a miserable rainy experience was upon us. I tried to explore just a little longer, but the effort was too great and Bergen was losing steam. Time for that nap I talked about earlier!

Thankful that our rain isn’t constant, just frequent, we keep going, keep adventuring.

Do you ever dine outside? Where’s your favorite spot?

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 Downtown Seattle Adventures:

November 8, 2013

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.

Just One Day: Play and Eat in Door County, Wisconsin | WildTalesof.com

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:

November 4, 2013

Exploring UW’s Husky Stadium and Surviving a Rainy Day Football Game

University of Washington home football games are usually saved for Slaed (dad & husband) to have time away with his buddies. While we don’t have season tickets, he does get to go to a handful of games each season and looks forward to the fun all year.

This season though with Bergen being a little older, and the stadium being newly updated, we wanted to make a point to go as a family. We live fairly close, within just a few miles, so why not take the time to cheer on our Purple and Gold Huskies.

It figures though that when the big day of the game arrived (we strategically chose a 4pm starting game) it was raining. Not just a nice, normal, misty Seattle rain. No. We couldn’t be that lucky. It was raining buckets. Cats and Dogs. Huskies & Wildcats really, since we were playing Arizona. Just pouring.

Of course we had grand ideas of actually walking all the way from our house to the stadium. We didn’t completely abandon that plan though, and instead drove as close as we could get before the no-parking-on-game-day rules were enforced. Then with Bergen in the backpack carrier and umbrellas in hand (and to think we thought we might not need them!) we made the trek, which turned out to be a little less than 2 miles.

Despite the down right miserable conditions, we managed to stay relatively warm and dry and thus have nothing but happy memories of attending Bergen’s first college football game.

We had to be prepared though and I think we made some smart choices, even if you think we might be crazy (or foolish?) to subject ourselves and our toddler to such an experience.

1. Dress Appropriately. Unfortunately we had to take team spirit (and fashion) completely out of the equation, and just dress to stay warm and protected from the rain. Lucky Bergen got to wear his Oakiwear rainsuit, which many adults coveted, with fleece layers underneath and rain boots. Slaed and I both wore rain pants and rain jackets layered with long underwear.

Shoes are also super important to consider because once your feet start to get wet, no matter how prepared you are with your clothing, you’ll be uncomfortable (and unhappy) in no time. With all the walking we had to do this took some extra thought, but Slaed’s goretex hiking shoes and my Bog rainboots worked well.

Specific Gear Recommendations:

Children’s rain suits from Oakiwear
MyMayu Boots, Bogs, and Oakiwear boots for kids
Precip Rain Pants from Marmot
Bog Insulated Rain boots
Goretex Hiking/Trail Shoes from the North Face

2. Don’t Push It. I’m glad we didn’t just abandon our seats all together because getting to watch the marching band and opening excitement of the players running on to the field was thrilling However, since our seats were not covered, we took in the experience of being close to the action for a quarter or so, but then took a break.

3. Warm Food and Drinks. What a difference a nice, hot cup of coffee makes after enduring the rain for a couple of hours. If you’re not into caffeine, there’s bound to be decaf, and if you’re not into coffee, there’s gotta be hot chocolate! We also got to warm up with some pre-game gumbo at our friend’s tailgate. What a treat. Even better, pack your own thermos of warm goodness! We’re never that prepared, but I love the idea.

4. Enjoy the Stadium Away from Your Seats. I love exploring stadiums, ballparks, arenas, etc. The designers put a lot of work into creating these sporting complexes. There’s often art, history, and just fun little touches that make the place unique. Checking out these aspects of the stadium is a great thing to do while you get some respite from the rain.

5. Retreat to the Nosebleeds. Once we warmed up and explored the stadium for a bit, we were ready to continue watching the game we came to see. Luckily, many of our fellow attendees decided not to stick around, and there were plenty of open seats way up high. Though the nosebleeds often get a bad rap, I loved this option. It game us a bird’s eye view of the football action, a view of Lake Washington, and plenty of room to spread out. Oh yeah, and the seats were covered and protected from the rain!

Who are you cheering on this fall? Do you dare attend a game in the rain?

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!

*Affiliate links used to direct you toward some of our favorite rainy weather clothing and gear options. If you purchase through our links, we receive a small commission. Thanks for taking a look!

More Sports Fun:

October 28, 2013

Bayview State Park: Simple Setup, Spectacular Sunset

We just had one of those weekends where we didn’t travel very far from home, but still felt like we were truly getting away.

Skagit Valley is just an hour and a half or so north of Seattle. Its most famous claim-to-fame is the Tulip Festival that takes place every spring. The rural area is also spotted with adorably charming small towns, pastoral view after pastoral view, and its situated where one can take in the water to the west and Cascades to the east, including Mount Baker, all in one spot.

In need of a fall getaway, we made the quick trip to see what staying in a state park cabin, with a toddler, might be like.

Bayview State Park (also in the town of Bayview) is located on Padilla Bay with views of the larger town of Anacortes as well as the San Juan Islands. It’s a small state park made up of mostly cabins, campgrounds and RV spots, but it’s quiet, and it has an incredible beach.

You’ll hear much more about our trip, from the food we ate to the hikes and other adventures we got into, but I just love how we started off our weekend.

For one, we were relieved to learn it clearly doesn’t take nearly as long to setup “camp” at a cabin as it does when tents are involved. We also had a better plan: One person works while the other gives full attention to Bergen (2 years old). Then switch. No more thinking we can both set things up and “keep an eye on” the little guy. It just doesn’t work and it’s not worth the time we think we would save.

In what felt like no time, our beds were set, chairs and supplies were out, and food was organized (you’ll see we didn’t need much). And then, we were munching on appetizers, enjoying refreshments, and making our way to witness sunset on the bay.

In addition to rocks, Bergen has now added sticks to his collection habits, so you might imagine he was quite pleased at the selection. He was so content here, just wanting to explore and gather treasure after treasure.

Skagit Valley is also known as an incredible place for bird watchers. Here we had our first of many great blue heron sightings throughout the weekend.

Usually after awhile I’m told to quit it with all the picture taking, but this time, Slaed understood because every time we looked out, the sky had changed, and was showing us something a little different.

Where can YOU get away without traveling too far? Share your favorite destination, even if it’s just down the street!

More from Skagit Valley:

Naptime Road Trips: La Conner, WA

October 18, 2013

Our Midwest Beach Vacation: Exploring Point Beach State Forest in Two Rivers, WI

When you hear “Wisconsin”, what’s the first thing you think about?

Cheese, cows, curds, and beer all seem to be classic answers.

How about the beach though?

Does splashing in the waves, boogie boarding, and walking along the shore come to mind?

It most certainly did not for us, but after attending a family wedding in Madison, we were willing to give the coast of Wisconsin a try. In fact, we turned what could have been a short wedding weekend, into a full week mid-west vacation.

From Madison, we made our way north to the small “beach” town of Two Rivers on Lake Michigan. Normally we choose to stay in town and close to the action of restaurants, cafes, and local shops, and while we weren’t far (just 2 miles), this time a comfortable retreat that was closer to the water was more important to us.

Our Midwest Beach Vacation: Exploring Point Beach State Forest in Two Rivers, WI| WildTalesof.com

Happy to support Wisconsin’s state parks system, we chose Point Beach State Forest to be our first spot of exploration, and minus a break for lunch and Bergen’s (2 years old) nap, we made the most of the entry fee and spent the majority of the day here.

First, we decided on a leisurely (though long) walk along the water with Bergen beginning and ending in the backpack carrier. He also started off with regular clothes, changed into his swimming gear when it became evident that we wouldn’t be shy about the water, and was back in his dry clothes as we made our way home.

We nearly had the beach to ourselves and took our time taking in views of the lighthouse, stopping to investigate the differences in the lake shore verses ocean shore, and giving Bergen plenty of time to throw sand and rocks into the water and chase butterflies.

Our Midwest Beach Vacation: Exploring Point Beach State Forest in Two Rivers, WI| WildTalesof.com

After a while, we saw a blue tent set-up in the distance and made the goal of reaching it for our turn around spot. We planned to then take the forest trail back to get a different perspective of the park.

Our Midwest Beach Vacation: Exploring Point Beach State Forest in Two Rivers, WI| WildTalesof.com

As we approached the group at the blue tent, the people were friendly enough, but they were skeptical. Like us, I think they were enjoying their deserted beach time, and weren’t sure about this family of three encroaching on their fun.

Behind them, we started up the walkway, to find the forest trail that would lead us back to the park entrance. Here we ran into even more people, and discovered that we actually were invading these vacationers space! After following the walkway, we found a set of rustic cabins (available to rent from the state park) and quickly realized we needed to get out of their hair before they started thinking were some sort of weird intruders.

A couple of the campers were nice enough to lead us to the trail and we were on our way. Unfortunately, we didn’t last long. Being the spoiled Pacific Northwesterners that we are, it didn’t occur to us to bring the bug spray (that we packed, but left at the rental) along with us. Before stepping foot into the forest, we didn’t even think we’d need it! Isn’t bug spray just something you slap on at night while enjoying some outside time? Not even close.

Our Midwest Beach Vacation: Exploring Point Beach State Forest in Two Rivers, WI| WildTalesof.com

Can you tell Slaed was high tailing it out of there?

The mosquitoes literally consumed us. And poor Bergen in the backpack carrier was defenseless. He couldn’t even reach down and swat them away. We were back to the beach in a hurry, which is a shame because I was really looking forward to getting to know more of the woodsy parts of Wisconsin that we had heard so much about.

I guess we should have been more prepared. The girls who helped us get to the path originally must of assumed we were smarter, because they made no mention of the pests. All they said was what a great time we’d have hiking!

A much more pleasant return.

After this experience and even more fun later on in our trip, we are a couple of believers in the Midwest beach! Calm water, soft sand, beautiful views… Just stay clear of the forested areas unless you are well-equipped and ready to defend yourself.

These suckers were certainly not the worst pests we’ve encountered, but bad enough. Where have you run into the worst bugs in your travels?

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.

More from our Midwest Vacation:

October 15, 2013

Built-in Adventures: Experiencing Fall on the Snoqualmie Valley Trail in Carnation, WA

After a travel adventure in California’s Bay area, yesterday Bergen and I set out on another built-in adventure to pick up our pup, Norman at the boarders. She takes such good care of Norman, treating him like one of her own, that we are okay with driving out to the country to reunite. Besides, it gives us a chance to experience the beauty of Snoqualmie Valley. No matter the season, I treasure the drive out, and I’ve picked up favorite spots to stop and explore along the way.

This visit gave us the perfect opportunity to burn off some energy and take-in all the fall color changes happening here in Western Washington. While we barely scratched the surface of the 31.5 mile Snoqualmie Valley Trail, we covered enough ground to see plenty of gorgeous autumn leaves, a salmon spawning spot, and even caught a glimpse of the October happenings at one of the region’s most beloved farms.

The trail, stretching from Duvall to Rattlesnake Lake near North Bend, has several access points. We entered at Nick Loutsis Park in downtown Carnation, and walked just a half a mile or so (remember we were going at toddler speed) to where the trail crosses over Remlinger Farm.

Stopping at the bridge that took us over the Tolt River provided me with a mix of emotions. For one, I was terrified that Bergen might slip through the opening between the edge of the bridge & railing, and fall. Highly unlikely, I know, but for some reason bridges bring on a new fear for me now that I have an active toddler by my side (or often running away from my side).

Then when I studied the water flowing below us a little more closely, I saw one salmon floating there, dead. When I continued studying the river and it’s banks, I realized there dozens of salmon floating in the water and also stuck along the edges and in between rocks. I was worried. How completely sad.

We moved on, but I later realized, thanks to some informative signage that this is normal. It’s peak spawning season for several species of salmon, so they’ve made their journey back and have now died. The natural order of things.

And another remarkable reminder of this season of change.

What seasonal changes are you experiencing in your world?

Have you checked out our latest giveaway?

October 9, 2013

Kowalli Baby Carrier Cover Giveaway!

I recently posted about the Kowalli Carrier Cover that we just added to our Adventure Gear Arsenal. I’m so happy with this handy tool that keeps both me and Bergen (2 years old) warm while I’m lugging him around in the ergo carrier.

I’m thrilled to announce that the folks at Kowalli would like to giveaway a carrier cover to one our readers! Remember, you can read all about the details of the carrier cover, how it works, and what I love about it in my previous review.

Kowallis can be used with all soft carriers (ergo, moby, beco, etc), and is made for children 0-3 years old. Even if you don’t have a little one at home, what a great gift for your babywearing family and friends!

To Enter the Giveaway

Easy: “Like” Kowalli on facebook, and leave a comment here on the blog letting me know you’ve done so.
Bonus Entries-Your name will be entered again depending on how many bonus entries you submit thus increasing your chances of winning (make sure to tell us in your comment which of these you did or already do!):
- “Like” Wild Tales of… on facebook
- Follow” Wild Tales of… on twitter
- Share this post by tweeting or sharing on your facebook wall or page. Make sure to tag @WildTalesof in your post.

Winner, Winner…

1 Kowalli Carrier Cover (valued at $69) will be given away to one lucky reader! Winner gets to choose from several great color combinations that Kowalli offers. Contest ends and all entries must be received by Friday, October 18, 2013 at 11:59 PM Pacific Standard Time. Winners will be chosen at random and notified on Monday, October 21, 2013. Giveaway open to U.S. and Canadian residents 18 years or older. After notification, winners have 3 days to connect. Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact me!

Kowalli Carrier Cover Giveaway is now closed. Congrats to the winner!

Many thanks to Kowalli for providing one of the carrier covers for the giveaway. All opinions about the Kowalli Carrier Cover are my own.

October 3, 2013

Adventure Gear: Oakiwear’s Rain Suit Keeps Us Outside

Ever since Bergen (now 2 years old) was big enough to even start toddling around outside and on play equipment, we had visions of purchasing some sort of one-piece suit for him to wear throughout our 9-month rainy season here in Seattle. Even when it’s not raining, the ground is still wet and if you’ve ever been around toddlers, you know how clumsy they can be as they lumber around becoming distracted by this or that.

A suit we purchased from another company worked well for him and allowed for a good year or so of adventuring outside in the wet and cold. When it was time for a bigger size though, I wasn’t completely convinced our previous brand was the best, so I started to look elsewhere. In my research, I found an amazing little company called, Oakiwear. Honestly, I’d never heard of the brand, but as I poked around their website, I found so many things I liked:

Local Company: For us, Oakiwear is a local company out of nearby Vancouver, Washington. We love supporting our “neighbors”, and also who better to design outdoor gear than people who are living and breathing the same wet and soggy weather as us.
Quality: I’ll get into the nitty-gritty details below, but just by reading a quick description, I could tell Oakiwear took time to design a rain suit that would last.
Price: Even with all of the fancy features that the rain suit has, I still feel like Oakiwear keeps their prices reasonable. They also aren’t shy about putting their products “on-sale”, which I love.

When I first received the Oakiwear suit about a month ago, we were being spoiled by amazing Seattle weather. It felt like Bergen would never get to try out the suit in all it’s glory. I’m sure glad I savored those moments though because the doom and gloom is back, and we have had more than enough opportunities to try out the suit! We’ve gone on walks in the rain, hiked through the arboretum, attended several sporting events, and explored the zoo on a misty day all in the name of testing this puppy out.

About the Rain Suit

The Oakiwear rain suit is made of high quality nylon material that is of course waterproof, and allows dirt and mud to wash off easily. Seams are fully taped, and neoprene is added around the wrists and ankles allowing great protection from water seeping in. The heavy-duty front zipper goes from just below the waist all the way up to the neck making it easy to take on and off. The suit also features an attached hood, and reflective tape is sewn in across the chest and upper arms. There are two drawstrings (strategically placed inside the suit) allowing you to cinch the suit around the waist if desired.

The suit is available in several sizes: 12 months, 2T (Bergen’s size), 3T, 4/5, & 6/7.

What’s to Love?

First and foremost, the suit keeps Bergen dry! We encountered some serious rain on a few of our adventures recently, and we felt confident knowing that he’d stay comfortable and protected in the suit. He’s literally dry from head to toe, and the attached hood stays put!
Yes, the suit locks out the rain, but the material is still breathable, so Bergen isn’t going to get overheated.
The suit is comfortable making it easy for Bergen to romp and play. Even though the 2T size a little big on Bergen right now, the velcro straps on the ankles and wrists allow us to create just the right fit for him so nothing is hanging down or dragging. In addition to helping with sizing, the ankle straps also come in handy to keep his rain boots more secure. For some reason, Bergen loves to try to “shake” his boots off, and these straps allow us to gently tighten around the boot so he can’t get them off so easily.
Oakiwear isn’t messing around with quality. One of the biggest complaints I had about Bergen’s old suit was the dreaded zipper. It was small, hard to line up (since it attached at the ankle) and I had no confidence in it lasting for the long haul. Oakiwear’s zipper is exactly what I was envisioned: big, sturdy, easy to zip up and down.
Oakiwear has fun, bright colors (purple, red, blue, pink, yellow…) to choose from, and they’ve also smartly placed strips of black fabric at the knees, which is of course where most of the dirt and stains would collect.

What’s to be Desired?

Needless to say, we are extremely happy with the product, and from looking at reviews of years past, it appears that Oakiwear has listened to many outdoor families and tweaked little features here and there to make the suit even better. Good outdoor gear is essential for us living here in Seattle, and I take our clothing choices seriously.

One thing we did love about Bergen’s old suit was the fleece lining that could be added and removed easily depending on conditions. We’re okay with layering Bergen’s other clothing, but just an idea as an option for Oakiwear to consider. Also, like his boots, Bergen loves to throw off his mittens. The little fold-over attached mittens on the other suit were also handy, but it may encroach on the design of the wrist straps of the Oakiwear suit. We may just need to resort to mittens we can attach to outer clothing or ones that strap around the wrist more securely.

To purchase an Oakiwear Rain Suit (approx. $42 to $74):

Purchase directly from Oakiwear
Purchase from Amazon

Special Offer from Oakiwear

In addition to their already fabulous and reasonable prices (and by the way rain suits are on sale right now), Oakiwear is giving an additional 15% off to all readers of the blog! Just add the coupon code “wildtales” to the little box at checkout. This code is for your entire order, never expires and can be used on any of their products, not just rain suits.

Please note: The folks at Oakiwear generously provided us with a Rain Suit for review on the blog. All opinions expressed are my own. We’re also affiliates of Oakiwear so if you purchase through our links, we’ll receive a small commission. Thanks for your consideration!

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September 27, 2013

Olympic National Park’s Big Cedar: Whoops, No Photo.

On our way to Ruby Beach during our camping trip in Olympic National Park last month, we decided to make a quick detour to the “The Big Cedar Tree”. Signs, maps, and guides were steering us over to check out the natural wonder. When we arrived at the parking area, we only need to walk a few steps to find what was indeed quite a large cedar tree.

However, surrounded by the big cedar was also quite a large crowd.

Who wants to fight over a good view of the thing when there’s a whole forest to see? With a quick look, we continued on the trail. It wasn’t a decision we really discussed. As usual, we just let Bergen lead the way.

He must have been in search of a more peaceful, serene experience. When we jutted off the main trail down a little cut off, we found our own “big cedar” to check out in all it’s glory.

And when we made our way back passing the famous big cedar once more, can you believe an even bigger crowd of lookers, climbers and photographers had formed? I’m glad Bergen had his own little plan.

Which U.S. National Park did you explore last? National Public Lands Day is tomorrow: Saturday, September 28, 2013. On this day, and a few other days during the year, entrance fees to all National Parks are waived.

Related Posts:

Seattle/Puget Sound Area Readers: Have you entered our Chinook Book Giveaway? Hop on over to the post and get in the running!

September 26, 2013

Adventure Gear: Old Fashioned Maps and Street Guides

I’m horrible with directions. I have no general sense of direction, and more often than not, the direction I think is correct, is actually the complete opposite of where I should be headed. Lucky for me, I married a navigator (and great driver), but because of these great skills, I tend to check-out and take in the scenery without a care of how we might be getting where we are going. It’s embarrassing to admit, but there are places I been to countless times, yet I would never be able to get there on my own without step by step directions.

I believe I’m getting better though. For one, I now make a conscious effort, most of the time, to pay attention and even ask questions to stay engaged in how we are getting somewhere.

And for two, though I haven’t quit completely, I’m trying to not always rely on step-by-step, turn-by-turn directions from sources like google maps and apps you might find on your phone. It all started when I was on my way to Kubota Garden in South Seattle with Bergen. Here I was so happy to go on this adventure after running some errands nearby when I suddenly realized, I really didn’t know how to get there!

I do not have a smart phone. An iPod Touch, yes, but that tool would only be helpful with a WiFi connection. I suppose I could have pulled over and found a place to connect, look up directions, and be on my way, but then I realized something was sitting right behind me ready show me the way!

Years ago, I purchased a street guide for the Greater Seattle area and threw it in the back of my car thinking it would be there if I needed it. I never really used the thing until this day, and it was eye-opening for me. I flipped through, found the map showing the general area we were in, and planned my route to the garden. There is even a index in the back making it easy to look up common places like schools, parks, museums, and other points of interest.

Using my street guide or just a good old fashioned map makes me happy and they truly come in handy. Here’s why:

It’s easy. Like I mentioned, just flip through or check the index and voila, there is the map you need. No waiting around for the network or internet connection to work.
A physical map just feels more usable than looking up a location on a mobile device. There is actual thinking involved instead of just relying on the directions generated by the internet, which engages me in the process of finding the place. And since I’ve done the work here , I’m more likely to know how to get there on my own next time.
Internet directions can be unreliable. I just read an article in the Seattle Times today about travelers driving to the Anchorage Airport and actually driving on the runway because that’s where the map app on their apple device was guiding them. That’s just not okay.
These maps and the ones corresponding to them give me a better perspective of where I am and where I am headed.
The map is not going anywhere. It won’t run out of battery life, be out of cell range or without internet access. It’s there when I need it.

Do you break out the old-fashioned maps and street guides when on the road? Or are you a mobile device map user? Little bit of both? Tell us about it!

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September 20, 2013

When You Only Have a Day: The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and Its Falls

We only had one day to visit Yellowstone National Park during our trip to Montana’s Paradise Valley. Deciding how to spend our time was tricky. We knew we would return to the park at some point in the future, but not knowing when we would return left us confused. Should we race around and see everything possible only stopping for a minute or two at a point to take a quick look and snap a few photos, only to jump back in the car and do it all over again somewhere else? Or not see as much, but take the little time we already had and spend time at just a few select points?

You can probably guess that we chose take it easy. With only a day in the park, we were already rushed, and to top it off we had the added pressure of making sure Bergen (22 months) napped at some point during the day. Our first stop was the Mammoth Hot Springs area where, in order keep up with my half marathon training, I got a trail run in while Slaed and Bergen hiked and explored.

After a peaceful drive where Bergen snoozed and Slaed and I took in the sights, we were ready for our next adventure. The drive also gave us some time to make up or minds on what to see,. We decided on the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.

We started off taking in the views of upper falls noting what a wet spring the area must have had judging from the amount of water flowing. As you might imagine, the gushing water really made for a full-on sensory experience.

Moving on to another spot along the canyon, we spent some time walking and hiking around Upper Falls. Aside from my trail run experience, this one of my favorite parts of the day. I couldn’t stop looking at the falls, which meant I also couldn’t stop snapping photos from different points on our trek down (and back up) for a closer look.

At this particular viewpoint, we were closer to the action, and were given somewhat of a respite from the crowds. Since it requires a little bit of a hike, not everyone decides to venture this far. Also, just a little ways out from the viewpoint was a huge nest with a small osprey tucked inside!

Maybe we didn’t see it all, but we did see a few things pretty well. I know we’ll be back.

Have you visited a National Park lately? Which National Park did you explore last? National Public Lands Day is coming up on Saturday, September 28, 2013. On this day, and a few other days during the year, entrance fees to all National Parks are waived.

Sister City: Beer Sheva, Israel

Year Established: 1977

Representation in Seattle:

What state (or region, province, etc) do you live in? Have you visited any state parks recently? Tell us about your experience!

Have you ever run into less than favorable conditions on an outdoor adventure? What happened?

Do you make goals or resolutions for the new year? What’s on your list for 2014? Please share!

Are you motivated to visit more state parks this year? Why? Tell us about the state parks near you!

Making Time for Adventure in the Busy Holiday Season

Create a shopping adventure

Have goals for getting your holiday tasks accomplished, but also make fun a priority.

Wake up early

Build-in adventure

Make adventure a reward

How do you make time for adventure and fun during the busy holiday season?

Where are you celebrating the season this year? Have you discovered any new towns, cities or communities? We’d love to hear from you!

Books

“Fill your house with stacks of books, in all the crannies and all the nooks.” -Dr. Seuss

Gear to Help get Kids Outside

Toys and Supplies to Foster Independent Play and Activity

Experiences

Do you have any ideas to add to any of our categories? Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment!

My Map Book

Miss Rumphius

On the Same Day in March

Where Are You Going, Manyoni?

by Catherine Stock

All the World

Me on the Map

BigMama’s

The Relatives Came

Owl Moon

The Salamander Room

Have you read any of these book choices? What are your favorites for junior adventurers and wanderlusters?

Have you ever picked up trash in your neighborhood or another location? Do you volunteer with your kids? Tell us about it!

Quick Points about the Trail

What’s your level of bird watching expertise & interest? We’d love to know!

Do you ever dine outside? Where’s your favorite spot?

Play

Eat

Have you visited Door County, Wisconsin?

Tell us about your experience!

Who are you cheering on this fall? Do you dare attend a game in the rain?

Where can YOU get away without traveling too far? Share your favorite destination, even if it’s just down the street!

These suckers were certainly not the worst pests we’ve encountered, but bad enough. Where have you run into the worst bugs in your travels?

What seasonal changes are you experiencing in your world?

Have you checked out our latest giveaway?

To Enter the Giveaway

Winner, Winner…

*Kowalli Carrier Cover Giveaway is now closed. Congrats to the winner!*

About the Rain Suit

What’s to Love?

What’s to be Desired?

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Special Offer from Oakiwear

Which U.S. National Park did you explore last? National Public Lands Day is tomorrow: Saturday, September 28, 2013. On this day, and a few other days during the year, entrance fees to all National Parks are waived.

Seattle/Puget Sound Area Readers: Have you entered our Chinook Book Giveaway? Hop on over to the post and get in the running!

Do you break out the old-fashioned maps and street guides when on the road? Or are you a mobile device map user? Little bit of both? Tell us about it!

Are you planning to visit a National Park soon? Tell us about your plans in the comments!

Seattle/Puget Sound Area Readers: Have you entered our Chinook Book Giveaway? Hop on over to the post and get in the running!

Kowalli Carrier Cover Giveaway is now closed. Congrats to the winner!