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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Friday Dreaming: Last Labor Day
Life was a little bit different with a newborn around, but I’m happy to see we were still getting out, and enjoying our time together as a family.
This year we are doing much of the same. Enjoying Seattle, going on walks in the neighborhood, visiting parks, and spending time with friends.
What are your weekend plans?
Need some inspiration? There’s a lot more dreaming happening over at RWeThereYetMom?
It’s also Photo Friday at Delicious Baby!
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3 Important Tips for a Safe Bike Helmet Fitting
We are on our way to new adventures with Bergen. This past Sunday was “Bicycle Sunday” on Lake Washington Boulevard in the Seward Park neighborhood of Seattle. The road is closed to motorized vehicles for a little over a mile stretch from Mount Baker Beach to Seward Park. Once in the park, cyclists (and walkers, skateboarders, etc.) can ride the 2.4 mile loop trail to add even more distance to the route.
The Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation generously offers helmets for all ages (12 months and up) for $15, and includes a free fitting. We are not quite outfitted to ride our bikes with Bergen, but getting a helmet for him was our first step!
I’m no cycling expert, that’s Slaed’s department, but I did learn three important tips for a safe helmet fitting:
1. Chin Strap: The buckle should be between the chin and neck, and should be snug, but not too snug. You should be able to fit two fingers under the chin strap.
2. Side Straps: These straps should come just below the ears with the two straps forming a Y shape.
3. Back Strap: Very important for this strap not to be too loose or too tight. It should be just snug enough not to fall off.
Helpful Links:
- Find more detailed and official information on helmet fittings check with the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute.
- For information on cycling in the Puget Sound area: Cascade Bicycle Club.
- Great family biking website: Totcycle.
Next up, a baby bike seat!
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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?
A Year of Babywearing: Benefits & Tips
It’s hard to believe we’ve been “wearing” Bergen for a year now. I remember like it was yesterday putting him in the Moby Wrap for the first time when he was just over a week old, walking around the house, and then walking to Breastfeeding 911 class thankfully just two blocks from our house. I was so afraid he would fall out, so I cupped my hands around him like I was holding him anyway. Now in what feels like 5 seconds flat, he’s buckled into the front or back of the Ergo carrier, and we are off on another adventure.
We rely on our carriers, and in no way shape or form could we continue our active lifestyle without them. There are some places where strollers just can’t go, and places where strollers get in the way. We also can’t just carry Bergen around all day in our arms, and he’d get into more trouble than you can imagine if left to his own devices!
Our Benefits of Carriers & Babywearing
- When Bergen is safe and sound in a carrier, our hands are free to do other things. These can be fun things like shopping, eating, or even wine tasting, but it’s also handy for chores like laundry, dishes, and cleaning.
- Bergen feels secure, and thus more calm because he is close to one of his parents. This was especially important when he was a newborn, and when he was first teething.
- When Bergen was a newborn, (and even now that he’s older) he could nap on the go in his carrier. Many babies will nap longer in the carrier than they would in their crib, bassinet, in your arms, etc.
- Carriers are less bulky than strollers. They travel well, and allow us to navigate places like festivals, farmers markets, and sporting events simply.
- “Strangers” are less likely to touch a newborn baby when they are being worn by mom or dad as opposed to the openness of a stroller, buggy, or carriage.
- Bergen is at our level and right there with us exploring the world. I feel like I’m more likely to talk and interact with him on walks, hikes, and shopping trips. And especially when he’s facing out in the bjorn with his Dad, he is able to socialize with everyone around him; something he absolutely loves to do.
Our Tips for Babywearing
- Start early! I can’t emphasize this enough. From my experience with Bergen (starting at about 1 week old), and friends with little ones, the sooner you start, the more routine and “normal” being in a carrier will be for baby and parent. Start with just wearing baby around the house, then try a short walk close to home. Once you are comfortable, you can work up to grander adventures.
- Practice often in short spurts. Just because baby doesn’t like it after 15 minutes, doesn’t mean never do it again. Try it again later for another 15 minutes.
- Talk to other moms and dads. Watch other moms and dads in action. Ask questions. For the first 5-6 months, I only carried Bergen in the front carry position with the ergo. I was curious about carrying him on my back so I just asked other moms and dads about it when I saw them out and about.
- Watch videos. Do a you-tube search, and you’ll find all kinds of helpful tutorials for every type of carrier and position.
- Enlist the help of others at first for guidance on positioning, and making sure the baby is safe. As I was learning to carry Bergen on my back, I needed Slaed to put him into place while I concentrated on buckling. Now with some practice, I’m able to hoist him on my back by myself from a chair or the back of the car.
- Visit a maternity/baby store that sells several different carriers. Have a store employee help you try a variety of carriers out to see what works best for you. I found it helpful to try the carrier with a doll first, before getting Bergen involved.
- Think like the little engine that could…and remember the old saying, “if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” You will improve, and it will get easier, I promise!
Babywearer? Give us more of your benefits and tips in the comment section!
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Take Me Out to the Perfect Ball Game {with a baby}
Bergen is a regular now at Safeco Field as he just went to his 4th Mariner baseball game this past week (plus Spring Training in Peoria, Arizona). This particular game blew all of his other baseball experiences out of the water though. To begin, Felix Hernandez, our star, Cy Young award winner was pitching. Slaed was able to take the afternoon off from work allowing us all to go to the matinee game with his Mom who is visiting from Arizona.
As we were sitting in our seats, taking turns feeding Bergen finger food with him bopping around from lap to lap, the ballpark cameraman strolled down to capture fans enjoying themselves. He didn’t really care about us. However, everyone around us cared a lot about little Bergen. Bergen Fans started calling out to the guy telling him to video the baby, over and over (and over) again! They got pretty loud. This grabbed his attention, so he finally turned around, and shot his camera right at Bergen. Thrilled out of their minds, everyone around us clapped and cheered as they saw Bergen bouncing around on the Jumbo Tron screen centrally located in Safeco Field.
Moments later, I got a message from a friend asking if we were at the game. She thought she just saw Bergen up on the big screen! I let her know that it was indeed our little Bergen. When someone else recognizes your son, it just makes it that more real and exciting, doesn’t it?
Meanwhile, Felix was pitching quite a game, and the Mariners scored one run. The innings were just ticking by one after another. Before I knew it we were singing “Take me out to the ball game” and stretching our legs. Talk of a perfect game began to come up. We watched Felix throw strike after strike, and batter after batter swing and miss his tricky pitches.
To accommodate a restless Bergen, we walked around the park grabbing food and drinks along the way. Soon it was the 9th inning, and we found ourselves standing behind “King’s Court”, Felix’s special cheering section. Fans in this section wear yellow shirts, and flash big “K” (for strikeout) signs.
It was from there where we saw him pitch his last pitch of the game. With 2 strikes up, he thought for sure the batter would swing. He threw a strike, and the batter watched the ball drop into the glove of the Mariner’s catcher. A Perfect Game.
We also had a perfect outing with Bergen! Here are some tips to ensure smooth sailing at the ballgame with a baby:
- Tag team carriers: Taking turns between Mom and Dad, Bergen can bop around and socialize in the bjorn, and then hangout in the ergo (back or front). Sometimes he even takes a nap in the ergo though now that he’s 1, the awake stretches are a lot longer. Sadly, he has nearly outgrown the bjorn.
- Food: We are sure to bring plenty of options for food throughout the game. Avocados, string cheese, pouches, bananas all travel well. Plenty of puffs, cheerios, and “mum mums” are also on hand. “Feeding time” allows us to hang out in our seats for a while.
- Expectations and flexibility: Be flexible, and expect to move around the park. You won’t be able to sit in your seats for the entire game. Move around. Find standing spots, and explore. Check out the pitchers warming-up in the bullpen. Go see new areas, and view the game from different vantage points.
- Follow the weather: Sun hats and sunscreen for the warm, sunny day. Jackets and warm socks for the cool night. At Safeco Field, it always seems 10 degrees cooler than “outside”, so we always keep this in mind.
- Consider the time. For obvious reasons, we prefer the day game. Bergen can take his regular morning nap, and then be back home in time for an afternoon snooze. We can make a 6:00 pm start time work, but but 7pm is pushing it these days.
- Open areas. Most of time there are sections that are not completely full with spectators. These areas are great for giving Bergen space to cruise around seats without bothering too many people.
- Special to Seattle’s Safeco Field:
- A nursing room is located in section 128 near Guest Services.
- For your little one’s first game, go to Guest Services to register. Kids get a special certificate with their name on it and a poster.
- Meet and take a photo with the Moose in his home, the Moose Den (main level, near center field)
- Kids 3 years and under/48 inches and under can romp and play in the Seattle Children’s Hospital Playfield (not far from the Moose Den)
- Safeco Field/Mariner’s Website
Now go travel the world through Sundays in my City!
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Seattle Area Adventure: Cedar River Watershed
Do you know where your water comes from? After this weekend not only do I know exactly where that stuff coming out of the shower head, faucet, and garden hose originated, but I feel pretty good about it too! I’ve always been proud to drink my Seattle water right out of the tap, and now I know I can continue to feel confident about our drinking water. Our watershed is one of only 4 major water systems in the country that does not have a special filtration system. It’s that clean. The water is also pure. I learned that the water cascading down the Cedar River Falls is so blue because the only thing coming down is water. 100% H2O.
Seattle is serious when it comes to water.
Why the sudden interest in water facts and cleanliness? Last weekend, we got to tour the Cedar River Watershed located about 30 miles east of the city near North Bend, Washington. Due to extreme safety measures all in name of good, clean, healthy water, the only way to get a glimpse of this beautiful 90,638 acre area is through a formal tour.
Via the family tour, we traveled by bus past the secure gates, and into the old town of Cedar Falls. The town of Cedar Falls is no longer a town, but a place for watershed employees. Many of the original homes now house offices for the protectors of our watershed. It was spooky {in a good way} to visit, like stepping back in time. The mystery of it all was intriguing. We saw where the tennis courts used to be, where the coveted heated swimming pool was located, noticed fixtures still intact. The street lights, for example, are still there, and look similar to those you’d see in Pioneer Square (just South of downtown Seattle). Unfortunately, since we didn’t get off the bus at this point, I couldn’t snap any photos.
Moving on from town, we were taken to the plant where some of Seattle gets it’s electricity (just 1%) through a hydroelectric power facility. Meandering along through the trees we arrived at the highlight of the tour, the Cedar River Falls. The flow varies depending on how much water is being released. Within the watershed, 17% of the trees are old growth; mostly reserved to steep hillsides, and the tops of mountains where loggers couldn’t get easily.
After viewing the falls for a few minutes, it was back on the bus, and back to the Education Center. A quick one hour tour perfect for little legs (and little attention spans). There were several other families on the tour with us, and everyone really seemed to enjoy themselves, kids and grown-ups alike. The Education Center features several hands-on exhibits helping children (and adults) learn all about: where their water comes from, the water cycle, and the plants and animals of the watershed (among other things). Bergen is of course too young to really appreciate and learn from these great exhibits, but I look forward to bringing him her when he is a bit older. The 5 year-olds checking out the exhibits with us had a blast; completely engaged.
My favorite part of the education center though is the sound garden. Water trickles through tiny pipes and tubes that are hidden in the trees, and then drops like rain on various types of drums providing you with an amazing musical experience! Have a look and a listen:
Info to Know:
- Cedar River Watershed Information and Tours
- The “Tap Water Tour” is for adults and kids 10 years old+
- The “Family Waterfall Tour” is all ages. Kids 5 & under are free.
- The Rattlesnake Ledge Recreation Area has a relatively “easy” 4 mile round trip hike. The views provided once you get to the top make it to the ledge are worth the hard work of the hike. You can also walk around the lake, fish, swim, and picnic.
Looking for more Seattle Area Kid Friendly Hikes?
Seattle Area Adventure: Play and Eat in Wallingford
August is a busy month for us with two birthdays, an anniversary, and this year a visit from Grandma thrown into the mix. We celebrated Slaed’s birthday just a few days ago in Wallingford, a Seattle neighborhood on the North end of Lake Union. Slaed’s birthday request was a simple picnic at Gas Works park with friends. He also wanted his favorite pizza to be involved. After settling the boys into a perfect spot at the park, I sneaked away to pick up dinner from the Northlake Tavern & Pizza House, less than a mile down the road. For 2 reasons, we “carried our pizza out”. First, this favorite pizza joint of Slaed’s is classified as a tavern, which means Bergen is not allowed in! And second, even though the interior of Northlake is classic and features commissioned murals from Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist David Horsey, who wants to spend a perfectly sunny, 75 degree evening in a dark, dungeony bar?
Since I was in charge this time (and alone!), I paid attention more. At $70 for one large pie, one medium pie, and a side salad, I was taken aback. That’s some expensive pizza! The guy muttered something about the weight of the pizza, and I reluctantly forked over the cash. As I waited for our order to come out, I did some reading of the articles and menus posted on the wall. It turns out that the large pizza, “the combo”, aka Slaeds most favorite, weighs a whopping 6.1 pounds!
The Combo
The Veggie
I also learned that Northlake Tavern is one of the oldest pizzerias in Seattle. Opening in 1954, it’s of course famous for it’s piles of ingredients, but the thick crust and zesty sauce also seem to keep people coming back for more. After I was given careful instructions on how to carry the pies at an angle that was just so, as to prevent a collapse, I slowly slowly returned to the car, nervous. I did make it back with everything intact, and joined Slaed, Bergen, and our friends enjoying themselves on the hillside.
Gas Works park is a special place in Seattle. According to the Seattle Parks and Recreation website, back in the early 1900’s a gas plant was constructed where the park now sits. Then came the import of natural gas in the 1950’s making the plant no longer necessary. The area was opened as a public park in 1975.
Besides picnicking and just hanging out, like us, park goers fly kites on the famously big hill, participate in kickball leagues, and take in the beautiful views of the Seattle skyline. Many festivals are celebrated at Gas Works, and it is the premier spot for viewing the fireworks on the 4th of July.
Even though the pizza was delicious, we didn’t exactly devour it. As you can imagine, you get a lot out of a slice of a 6.1 pound pizza. That was okay with Slaed though because that meant plenty of leftovers to be enjoyed later! Remember that blueberry picking? I whipped up a blueberry rhubarb crisp thanks to those juicy berries, and THAT was devoured. Not exactly birthday cake, but good enough!
Info to Know:
- Gas Works Park
- 2101 N. Northlake Way Seattle, WA 98103
- Open 6 am-10pm
- Even on a crowded, sunny day we were able to park in the lot
- the Northlake Tavern and Pizza House
- 660 NE Northlake Way Seattle, WA 98105
- Open until 10pm Sunday-Thursday & until 12 am Friday and Saturday
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Guest Post on Ergobaby Blog
One of our stories is featured on the Ergobaby Blog today! Go visit the site to read our story, and while you are at it, check out all the other fun babywearing families!
You can read the original post here.
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Baby Wearing Adventures
Don’t let your baby hold you back from getting out and exploring the world together! Wondering what you can do with your baby in the ergo or similar baby carrier? Bergen and I are here to give you some ideas. {Several photos have stories linked}
Walk the dog at your local park!
Go blueberry picking!
Catch up on your gardening!
Go wine tasting!
Explore a new city!
Dig for clams!
Take a hike!
Dance at a wedding!
(Bergen got stolen by the bride!)
Visit the pumpkin patch!
Travel to the White House!
Watch a roller derby bout!
Take in a baseball game. Go Mariners!
Cheer for your favorite soccer team!
Already exploring the world with baby? Share your adventures!
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Seattle Area Adventure: Seafair’s Blue Angels
Bergen attended his first official Blue Angels performance this past weekend, and he was kind of the star of the show.
We were lucky enough to get to enjoy the show from our friend’s deck in the Madrona neighborhood of Seattle. Viewing from a deck above all the action on Lake Washington makes for some spectacular glimpses of the planes.
These shows give you a lot to take in. Hear the roars of the jets. Feel the vibrating impact as the jet zooms past, and seems just a few feet away. Try as you might to follow their path, but sometimes you end up only witnessing what’s left behind.
Seafair in Seattle has been happening since the 1950’s beginning as away to attract attention to our city. The Blue Angels performance, with their first show in 1972, is just one of the ways Seattle celebrates. Their show was the culminating event of the fair that was kicked off with pirates invading Alki beach in West Seattle. In between, just to name a few, there are parades, athletic competitions (full & half marathons, 5K, triathlon), hydroplane races, and festivals making for quite a busy summer!
Just like during the fireworks explosions that occurred while he slept on the night of the 4th of July, Bergen did not seem phased by the loud fly-bys of the jets. He was determined to catch them though as he tried to reach out and grab the planes that came close to the house.
Useful Sites:
- Best spots to view the Blue Angels according to the seattle pi
- Information on all the fun Seafair events
- All About the Blue Angels (including information on where you can catch a show!)
Seafair, particularly the Blue Angels, is another one of our summer traditions. Share yours!
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Travel Tips: Inside Bergen’s {Carry-on} Toy Bag
When packing for an upcoming flight with a baby, many things come into play. To prepare, you’ll include everything needed, within reason, to keep your baby fed, dry, comfortable, and well-rested. After all that, there isn’t much room for anything else, but there is still one more necessity! You need to keep your baby entertained. How do you do that? With a cleverly packed toy bag.
3 Tips for Baby’s Carry-on Toy Bag:
1. Choose toys that are easy to pack. Toys that are small, thin, and/or breakdown easily are best.
2. Choose toys that have multiple uses. You don’t want the toy to be a one-trick pony. Be creative and think of all the things you could do with that toy before it gets the privilege of traveling with you and your baby.
3. Try to stay away from toys that are too noisy. You want your fellow passengers to like you. True, they’ll like you worse if you have a fussy baby, but annoying squeaks and repetitive jingles, aren’t going to get you any bonus points either.
6 Bergen-Approved Items
1. An entertaining book. Bergen’s choice is The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle (board book edition). You can read the book. You can look at the pictures. You can have fun counting all the the fruits and vegetables the caterpillar consumes. You can play with the fun flaps as the items grow in number. Other entertaining books include “lift-the-flap” books, and “Indestructibles“.
2. Nesting cups. Bergen loves his “Munchkin Bath Cups”. They nest inside each other, can be stacked on top of each other to make a tower, and you can snap them together to make a caterpillar! And, since they all fit so nicely together, they don’t take up a lot of space.
3. A Mirror. Oh the fun you can have with a mirror! This particular mirror came from Bergen’s play mat, but we’ve repurposed it to be included in the travel toy bag. Make funny faces, play around with light, have baby admire himself…and best of all? It’s super-thin, making it easy to stuff anywhere.
4. Rings. Rings are a toy in themselves, but they can also be hooked on to other items, made into necklaces, bracelets, leashes for lovies, and on and on.
5. The Whoozit. With so many features, the “whoozit”, or similar baby toy, is bound to keep baby engaged (for at least minute or so). In fact, on Bergen’s first flight to Atlanta, he laughed for the first time thanks to his whoozit!
6. Flash Cards. Bergen likes the “Wee Gallery Art Cards for Baby“. The black and white images are easy for him to see, and each card is two-sided giving him 2 perspectives of each masterpiece. You can talk about each animal featured, make up stories, practice animal sounds, and then when you are all finished, baby can have at it, and “eat” them!
What’s in your Carry-On Toy Bag? Please share!
This post is part of Travel Tips Tuesday on WalkingOn Travels and Suitcases and Sippy Cups. For tons more travel tips, check out their sites!
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Seattle Area Adventure: Blueberry Picking at Larsen Lake
Remember how I mentioned the other day that summer was back in Seattle? Well, the gray skies and 60 degree temperatures returned on Friday, but guess what I found out? 60 degrees and gray skies is perfect weather for blueberry picking. My summer bucket list just received another check mark.
Bergen and I met Nina and her two kids (ages 1 & nearly 5) at Larsen Lake in Bellevue, Washington, a suburb of Seattle, to see just how many blueberries we could gather in our buckets. We both strapped the babies into their ergos on our backs, and with Maya in the lead we started down the main path. Hundreds of blueberry bushes line this greenbelt area in the middle of suburbia allowing us to have our choice of spots to start from.
As we started picking away, Maya and I took Nina’s advice:
- Pay attention to the color of the berry. The darker the better. If the blueberry isn’t blue, it’s not ready to be picked!
- If the berry just seems to fall right off the stem, it’s probably a good choice!
- Look for a bush with lots of berries. That way, you’ll maximize your time at that particular spot.
- Seek out more fruitful bushes by moving in from the trail, and front of the patch.
After a 1/2 hour or so, we took a break so that babies could have a walk, Maya could have a run, and Nina and I could explore the beautiful surroundings. As we wandered the trail, we ran into fisherman, nice ladies with dogs, joggers, and of course other families enjoying the day just as we were. Maya noticed the tall weeping willows, the “river” (stream), and the cute foot bridge we traveled across. The area also features hemlocks and cedars, and is a great spot for birders. Had we continued on the trail via the Lake Hills greenbelt, we would have eventually ended up at the slightly larger, Phantom Lake.
Recharged from our walk, we got back to the task of filling our buckets.
Maya was an excellent helper gathering many of the low-lying berries.
Bergen, on the other hand, had other ideas.
An hour more of picking, and everyone was tired and hungry (for more than just berries) so we made our way back to the stand to settle up. I ended up with a little less than 3 pounds of blueberries. Want to guess my total price? $3.35! Nina is apparently a super-picker (and she had a helper), and picked a little over $5 in berries.
Happily dreaming of all the things I could do with my blueberry stash…
Info to Know:
- Larsen Lake Blueberry Farm is located in Bellevue, Washington. From I-90, take take the exit for 148th Avenue SE (11 B), and head North. Turn right into the parking lot just past SE 8th Street.
- Open Tuesday-Sunday from 10 am-6pm, June 20th through the 1st week of October (as of July 2012)
- 700 148th Avenue SE Bellevue, WA
425-260-2266 - The stand accepts cash and check only so be prepared!
- There are pre-picked fruits (blueberries, of course) and veggies for sale.
- The stand will provide you with one of their buckets for easy gathering.
- More blueberry farm recommendations in the Seattle area from Red Tricycle
Feel free to share your favorite blueberry-friendly recipes by leaving a comment!
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Seattle Area Adventure: Play & Eat in Seward Park
Summer is back in Seattle! At least it was on this particular day. Wanting to take advantage of the sunny, warm weather, and not wanting to heat up our non-air conditioned house anymore by turning on the oven, we recently headed over to our neighborhood to the southeast, Seward Park.
The first order of business was dinner. Always after a good deal, we decided to check out a {new-to-us} burger joint that I discovered in our entertainment book: Bent Burgers. After driving and walking by dozens of times, I was curious about the place. Also, the coupon was “buy one burger, get one free”. I was obviously sold.
With plenty of room on the back patio, we scoped out a spot, and headed to the counter to order. There are plenty of choices, but it’s not overwhelming. I went with the old standby: the cheeseburger, and Slaed ordered his go-to: the mushroom swiss. We rounded out the meal with 2 beers, and an order to yam fries.
Bergen brought his own goodies, and chowed down while we waited for our burgers to arrive.
Bent Burger is family-friendly. They had a highchair for Bergen, plenty of parking space for strollers, and even a special kids menu. The patio is a perfect place to enjoy the sun, but provided us with plenty of shade at the same time. We are still Seattlites after all, right? We saw many happy kids coming in and out with their parents, and what I really loved was that they didn’t arrive in their cars. Truly a neighborhood hangout.
Wondering about those burgers? Bergen was too.
These babies were served to us by friendly staff, were made to order, and came out promptly. Mine was piled with fixings including perfectly melted cheese, crispy lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and their tangy “bent sauce”. The burgers are not super fancy, and not super greasy like a typical fast food joint. They’re just right.
Pleasantly pleased, and full of burger goodness, we ventured down the hill to the park. This park makes me feel lucky to live in Seattle surrounded by such natural beauty.
What I love about Seward Park:
- It’s a peninsula bounded by Lake Washington
- Old Growth Forest
- Stunning views of Mount Rainier
- 2.4 mile multi-use trail
- Plenty of space for swimming & “beach” play
- Hiking trails
- Playground complete with smaller scale play structure and zipline
On this particular evening, Bergen had just one thing in mind. With no line at the baby swings, he hopped aboard, and took in the view of Lake Washington. Mount Rainier was not making an appearance, unfortunately too hazy, but when we are given clear skies, it’s quite a sight.
After Bergen had had enough swinging, he cruised over to the play area that is just his size, well almost just his size. This mini play structure is designed for kids ages 2 to 5 years. The ground here is the new bouncy material. We love this because there is nothing he can put in his mouth, which is the case with mulch and gravel at many other playgrounds. We started to notice though that Bergen was crab walking instead of his usual full speed ahead crawling style. When I got down on his level for a closer look, I realize he was avoiding the rough texture on this soft little knees. Smart guy.
After some climbing and sliding, we gave the knees a break, and wandered over to the big open field, and beach front area. I loved watching the kids jumping in and out of the water, diving off the platform, and just being happy and free. Once Slaed let Bergen off of his shoulders, he made a beeline for the water’s edge. Seriously, if I hadn’t stopped him (by the end of his shirt), he would have crawled right into the water! He was so determined. We were wishing we had packed swimming gear.
We were hoping to top this beautiful evening off perfectly with an “Obama” cone (chocolate and vanilla twist) from the ice cream truck that frequents the park. Unfortunately for us, he was no where to be found! Must have had a busy day, and I’m okay with that because I know we’ll be back very soon…
Info to Know:
- Seward Park (5895 Lake Washington Blvd. South Seattle, 98118) is open from 6 am to 11 pm.
- Check out the Seward Park Environmental & Audubon Center for programs, hikes, tours, and much more. I know we will be attending the next Toddler Tales and Trails program. There are plenty of options for bigger kids and adults too! I’m thinking a birding hike is in our near future too.
- The park has great picnic shelters that can be reserved for a small fee. Fun option for birthday parties and family gatherings!
- More highlights include a clay studio, tennis courts, and 2 active bald eagle nests!
This post is part of “Photo Friday” on Delicious Baby. Click the link to check out all the other beautiful and inspirational travel photos! After that, travel the world through Sundays in my City!
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Learn from our Mistakes: 6 Travel {with a baby} Don’ts
We are coming up on Bergen’s first birthday, which also marks one year of being parents, and one year of traveling with a baby! From cars, to ferry boats, to planes, and trains we have continued our adventures now as family of three. Considering we are still out gallivanting, shows that we’ve figured out a few things about the whole traveling with a baby gig (or maybe we are just a little nutty), but that’s not to say it has been smooth sailing for every trip. We’ve definitely had our missteps. The adventure, beautiful sights, chance to see family and friends, and all the other benefits of travel has kept us going though.
Here are 6 of our travel mistakes that will hopefully help you as you plan your journeys with kids in tow.
1. Don’t ignore time changes and don’t get the baby up too early. When Bergen was 3 months old, for Thanksgiving we traveled to my sister’s house via a flight to Atlanta, then a drive to her home in Charlotte, North Carolina. Like typical babies, Bergen was still waking up in the night at the time. When he woke to eat at 7:00 Atlanta time on our first morning on the east coast, it was really 4:00 in the morning for him. Instead of putting him back in his crib to sleep a couple more hours, we packed up the rental car, and started our journey to Charlotte. Big mistake. He didn’t catch up on sleep in the car, and was so overtired and overstimulated by the end of the day, that we could barely calm him, let alone get him to sleep. Make sure you factor in time changes, and pay attention to the total amount of sleep your baby is logging.
Thanksgiving’s great and all, but I wish I could have slept in.
2. Don’t travel without backup food (or don’t be forgetful). At 4 months, we happily hopped on a quick flight to the bay area for Christmas. Bergen was exclusively nursing, though I would also pump milk so others (and me) could feed him milk in a bottle. You work so hard pump, and I especially did so for the flight home as B hated to nurse on the plane (too hot? too crowded? too distracted?). What did I do? I left the milk in my sister-in-law’s refrigerator in Oakland. Whoops. Luckily we could still try to nurse, and it was a short flight, but still. I didn’t bring formula as a back-up, which would have been a good idea. FYI, they don’t sell formula anywhere in SFO. We checked.
Don’t forget my milk!
3. Don’t arrive at your destination too late. Sometimes this cannot be avoided as you don’t always tons of flight time options, and time changes can be tricky. However, if you can avoid getting to your destination too late in the evening, do it. When Bergen was 6 months old, we flew to Washington, D.C., and didn’t arrive until about 10:00 at night. We still had to gather our bags, grab the rental car, and drive another 45 minutes to our family friend’s home. Bergen was NOT a happy camper. He screamed the entire way. Not so easy to navigate the George Washington Parkway under those circumstances. It’s also not so fun to introduce an exhausted, cranky baby to friends for the first time. To top it off, we hadn’t had much to eat, a whole other mistake in itself. Looking back, we should have either taken an earlier flight, or booked a hotel close to the airport for just that night.
I hope I get to bed at a decent hour.
4. Don’t forget about the temperature the baby will be sleeping in. As we all know, babies are sensitive to the cold and heat, and they can really easily get uncomfortable. They are relying on us to help them out, and regulate their little bodies. I didn’t think this through on a trip to the Phoenix area when Bergen was about 7 months old. I thought, “It’s Phoenix! It will be hot, hot, hot. Light pajamas and a light sleep sack will be just what he needs.” Wrong. It gets chilly at night in the spring time, and everyone (including my mother-in-law) relies on open windows and doors to cool down the house from the hot daytime temperatures. Bergen was waking up every 2 hours at night! This may not have been all because he was cold, but it was definitely one of the reasons. I failed to bring along warmer sleeping gear, so it was off to Goodwill for some impromptu shopping. We made this mistake again on our trip to Colorado. On one of the nights, we stayed up in the mountains in Evergreen, and failed to locate the thermostat. Poor little guy was freezing. Once we found it and started pumping warm air into his room, he was nice and cozy, and back to dreamland.
Spring in Phoenix is nice and toasty in the daytime, but those nights can get chilly!
5. Don’t bring a stroller if you really won’t use or need it. We were in the Denver area for Memorial Day weekend visiting friends and family. We brought along our Baby Jogger City Mini since it easily folds up into it’s own storage bag. We carted that puppy around in our rental car from Aurora to Stapleton to Golden to Evergreen and back to Aurora, and never even took it out of it’s bag. Between the ergo and bjorn, we just never needed it. Since that trip, we’ve thought twice about packing a stroller as it can be a waste of space and money if it doesn’t get used. I didn’t miss it on our trip to New York last month, or even our road trip to Hayden Lake last week. It’s best to think through the activities you have planned, and determine what you’ll really need.
Stroller? What stroller?
6. Don’t board the plane too soon. Bergen is an active little guy, and that’s putting it mildly. He likes to move. A lap baby he is not. It’s nice of the airlines to allow families with small children to board first, and we did this the first few times we flew with Bergen. Then we realized we were stuck on board waiting for everyone else to find their seats. No more! We now try to board close to the end in order to give Bergen as much active time as possible before he is confined to tight quarters of an airplane. If all three of us are traveling together (luckily, this is most of the time), Slaed will board first to get things situated.
Always on the go…
I know this is by no means an exhausted list, and I also know it is not the end of our travel mishaps in general, and with a little one. We’ll keep living and learning though. In the meantime, I want to hear your stories. Share your travel don’ts in our comment section!
This post is part of Travel Tips Tuesday on WalkingOn Travels and Suitcases and Sippy Cups. For tons more travel tips, check out their sites!
Come along with us on all of our adventures by “liking” our facebook page and following us on twitter!
Seattle Area Adventure: The Bite of Seattle
Naptime has ruled our life lately. It seems that Bergen wants to nap for at least 2 hours, and insists on taking those naps in his crib. Maybe a cat nap could occur here and there in the car or ergo, but he can’t get by on those alone. He’s not so portable anymore. We have short windows of time now where we can do things outside of the house. It can be stressful because we can’t always predict what we’ll get from the little guy. Every outing, or should I say, adventure, seems like an experiment, a risk almost.
Yesterday, after B’s “morning” nap from 11:00-1:00, our experimental adventure was The Bite of Seattle. This will be my seventh year in Seattle, but my first “Bite”. Other years, either I didn’t know about it or we were busy or out of town. Slaed, who hasn’t gone since his early Seattle days, was super excited to go as a family.
Our plan was to get lunch at The Bite. If you were paying attention earlier (above), you’d know that B woke up at 1 pm so we were pretty anxious to get going. Parking was easy, and free since we decided to go on a Sunday. The event itself was free with plenty of samples and complementary items.
You can’t just rely on the free stuff though, and with so many great restaurants to choose from, it can be easy to go overboard. I learned quickly that striking balance at The Bite is important. For our first bite, we were patient, scanning the booths for a bite that was unique, healthy, and the right price. Oh, and it had to have the potential to be delicious too! It wasn’t long before we came upon the “Delicious Asian Grill”, and their Ham Bao (Barbeque Pork Steamed Buns): One of The Bite’s “Hope Heart Right Bites”, tasty looking, and a deal at 2 for $5. Good choice. The steamed bun part was slightly sweet, and the pork inside had great flavor, and was just the right amount.
After working so hard to find the ham bao, we decided to take it easy on ourselves, and ventured over to “The Alley” hosted Seattle Restauranteur Tom Douglas. For $10 we got 7 bites from 7 different local restaurants. Sunday’s line-up:
- Fennel Porchetta with corn & blueberry salad: Seatown
- Bruschetta con la muffoletta: Al Boccalino/Luigi’s Little Italy
- Semmelknoedel (Bread dumplings): Belltown Pub
- Southern Fried Chicken Sammie: Local 360
- Pork Dumpling: Din Tai Fung
- Peanut Butter, Banana & Chocolate Bouche: Ten Mercer
While there was an initial line to wait for our ticket, and then plate, it was so worth it because once we got to “the Alley”, each restaurant booth served us our bite one after another. We also got to meet several chefs including Tom Douglas himself. Then we found a table with some other friendly bite-goers, and started in. We all agreed that this was the best thing going.
My favorite was the Fennel Porchetta from Seatown. The Fried Chicken Sammie from Local 360 came in a close second for me, but ended up being Slaed’s favorite.
Bergen was a huge fan of the blueberries, and also enjoy sampling bits of the porchetta and the bread dumpling.
With full bellies, and Bergen still hanging in there, we spent some time at the international fountain, and then gathered give-aways, and coupons (Slaed’s favorite) from the various sponsors. We snagged some good treats! Bergen was a trooper through it all, and we decided to leave while we were all still having a good time since you never know when things will start to go down hill.
What I learned at The Bite with a Baby:
- Bring your carrier. I know I’d be super-frustrated trying to navigate a stroller through those crowds. We take turns: Slaed carries B in the bjorn and I carry him in the ergo.
- Be realistic and accepting. We went into the adventure knowing we wouldn’t be staying as long as we would have without Bergen. We talked before hand about our expectations so that neither of us was disappointed. We ended up exceeding our expectations, and I was happy that I didn’t “wimp-out” for fear that B would get too tired, too restless, too hungry, etc.
- Something for Everyone. More often than not, these adventures that are more for adults will include something the kid(s) love. Bergen was fascinated by the fountain. Older kids would love the puppet shows, dock dog competitions, and bouncy house (just to name a few).
Info to Know:
- The Bite of Seattle is just one weekend, but there are other events that Festivals Inc. puts on throughout the year. It looks like the next big one is Oktoberfest NW, which will be held at the Puyallup Fairgrounds.
- If you are inspired to try some of the great local food featured at The Bite. You can check out the restaurants involved here.
- There are quite a few exciting changes going on at the Seattle Center (where The Bite was held). Check it out!
What fun events are you attending in your local area?
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Seattle Area Adventure: Zoo Tunes
What are your favorite summer traditions?
We are lucky enough to have beautiful summers here in Seattle allowing us to look around, savor, soak in, and admire all that the rain and wet create: GREEN everywhere, flowers bursting with bright colors, and fresh clean air. All allowing us to breathe a big sigh of relief that we made it to our well-deserved reward (75 and 80 degree sunny days).
One of our favorite summer traditions is the outdoor concert. The choices seem to go on and on in the Seattle area, and there are so many venues that just can’t be beat. An outdoor summer concert with an 11-month old though? I wasn’t so sure.
What about the noise?
What about bedtime?
Would Bergen invade the other concert goers space?
Despite the questions, and slight hesitation, we packed a picnic complete with cheese and crackers, my best avocado turkey sandwiches, rainier cherries, and lemonade, and headed to the Woodland Park Zoo for a Zoo Tunes concert. Grace Potter and the Nocturnals performed with ZZ Ward opening. I’m no music critic, but the entire show was rockin’! Both bands had us dancing in our lawn chairs with kids showing their approval by running around in circles and jumping up and down.
Bergen had a blast. He’s already proved his love of music at home by dancing, clapping, and clicking (yes, he clicks to the beat with his tongue) to musicians from Madona to Raffi. This, however, was Bergen’s first real live concert experience.
The noise? No problem. It’s an outdoor concert. The music isn’t so concentrated as it would be if we were indoors.
The bedtime worries? The doors opened at 5:00 pm, and the show started at 6:00 pm. We may have stretched it a little bit, but we took B’s lead, and were able to enjoy the concert until 8:00 pm. They had to stop soon after that anyway so the animals can get their sleep. 🙂 These concerts are made for families.
Space invasion? Yes, Bergen did do quite a bit of blanket surfing, and we did quite a bit of baby snatching, but everyone was so nice and friendly. They were all just out to have a good time, and didn’t mind a cute little baby coming over for a visit. Plus, once we got tired of chasing our crawl-master, Slaed and I both took turns walking around the venue visiting the sponsor booths, the carousel, and most importantly, the penguins! We could still enjoy the music from each of these places.
We will be back to zoo tunes next year with a toddler in tow.
Info to Know
- If you are in the Seattle area, there are still several Zoo Tunes shows with tickets available.
- While there is food and drinks at the zoo for purchase, it’s best to pack your own picnic. You’ll be glad you did when you see the choices available for the price you have to pay.
-
Some of our other favorite outdoor concert opportunities:
- University Village Sounds of Summer Concert Series (Wednesdays from 7/11/12-8/15/12) FREE!
- Concerts at Marymoor in Redmond, WA
- Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery Summer Concert Series in Woodinville, WA
Share your favorite summer tradition! What rockin’ concerts have you been to this summer? Did you drag the kids along?
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10 Road Trip Tips in Action: Seattle, WA to Hayden Lake, ID
Before our last road trip, I jotted down a list of road trip tips in my handy-dandy travel notebook. The tips were essentials for making everyone in our family happy on the road. As anyone with kids knows, your “baby” is constantly changing, and what worked for him or her 2 months ago may not work in the present moment or vice-versa. That being said, it’s always been important for us to reflect and plan before every trip depending on the chosen mode of transportation. We even analyze the situation before we go on a walk (ergo? bjorn? stroller?) so you can imagine what goes into a 300 mile drive or a flight across the country.
Today you’ll find the general trip tip (something essential to all of our sanity), and how it worked on our road trip from Seattle to Hayden Lake.
1. Time your departure. It’s not always possible, sometimes you don’t have a choice, but if you are able to, think about the time that would be best for your kids to travel. On the way to Hayden Lake, and on way back home, we hit the road right before Bergen’s first nap. We took advantage of those 2+ hours of quiet time (break time for mom and dad).
2. Make a plan/research where to stop for food. It’s not at all fun when you are hungry with no idea where to go. You end up frustrated, and stuck with something mediocre at best. It’s a good idea to know of a few possibilities along your route. I knew that Ellensburg, WA would be a good pit stop on our journey so I did a little research, and found a highly recommended and rated Taco Truck: Tacos Chalitos. We didn’t end up stopping in Ellensburg on the way to Hayden Lake (see #10), but we did stop on the way home to Seattle, and boy were we glad we did! $7.50 = 2 plates of 3 delicious pork tacos.
3. Research small “attractions”along your route that your kids will like and/or enjoy. These attractions (landmarks, interesting small town claim to fames, famous buildings, etc.) will depend on the age of your children, of course. At this point, Bergen’s favorite attraction is any playground with a swing. He loved the one we found in Moses Lake, WA:
4. Pack “easy-to-eat” food. In between the amazing food stops you plan, you and your kids are bound to need something to snack on. Choose foods that aren’t too messy or complicated to eat. In our “snack-pack” we had swedish fish, red vines, crackers, and raisins. We made the mistake of bringing sunflower seeds! Those didn’t get touched as both Slaed and I looked at the bag, and realized sunflower seeds were way too much trouble to eat on the road! For Bergen (11 months) we packed “puffs” and “pouches“, and little pieces of bread and cheese.
5. Make thoughtful TOY choices. With the age of your child in mind, think about what will keep them occupied in the a car with limited space. For Bergen, I packed a few old stand-by’s that he really likes including a special jingle bell rattle, his 4th of July light-up stick, and his favorite wooden teether keys. I searched around his room, and found some new toys that we hadn’t brought out yet, and those turned out to be a real hit, partly because of the novelty. One of the toys was a little fabric house that carries 4 pets (a dog, cat, bird & bunny) that all make sounds when you squeeze them.
6. Bring along some rockin’ tunes. Whether it’s in your ipod, phone, CD’s, or even cassette tapes (yes, I have a cassette player in my car!) don’t forget the music, and make sure it’s music that your kids like! Even if you are not a huge fan of their music choices, you’ll become a fan once you see what a great time they are having listening and singing along. For our trip to Hayden Lake, Casper Babypants had us dancing in our seats.
7. Take advantage of “rest stops”. You know..those convenient ones right off the side of the highway? Those are great for in & out quick stops, but they also have grassy areas for kids to crawl & run around, picnic tables, and vending machines. You could even make a deal with your kids, and (gasp!) allow them to pick something out as a reward for good behavior! Bergen was quite restless on the way home to Seattle so we took full advantage of the rest stops along I-90. It gave him a chance to stretch his legs, get a diaper change, have a snack, etc. We saw many families doing just the same.
8. Sit in the back seat. This depends on the space you have available of course, but if there is room, get back there, and play, talk, read, sing, and feed! I certainly didn’t do this the whole time we were road tripping, but for various stretches of time, I sat next to Bergen, and entertained him. I now have The Very Hungry Caterpillar board book memorized (he loves to turn each page as they grow in size).
9. Organize bags so supplies are easy to reach. We packed a food bag, diaper bag (of course), and toy bag. Each were placed strategically in the back seat so we could grab what we needed with out any injuries or swerving. Bags or supplies that we knew we didn’t need were packed in the trunk. That way, we weren’t confused with a sea of luggage.
10. Be flexible! As you know, with kids in tow, things will not always go as planned. Expect that, anticipate it, and roll with it. Case in point: I spent lots of time researching where we would stop in Ellensburg, and found the perfect taco truck for us, and park for Bergen . In my mind we would take our tacos to the park, sit down at a lovely picnic table, and enjoy. I was so excited! Well, guess who was still sleeping as we were approaching Ellensburg? Do you think we were going to wake him up? Absolutely not. Instead we were able to continue on to Moses Lake where grabbed Subway, and found a school with a playground via Slaed’s phone. It all worked out as you read in #2 because I got to have my taco stop on the way home!
Info to Know:
- Tacos Chalito Truck: 209 South Main Street (Ellensburg, WA) 509-962-5643
- West Ellensburg Park: 900 West 3rd Avenue (Ellensburg, WA)
What are your road trip tips in action? Share your tip and/or story by leaving a comment!
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How to Enjoy a Lake Weekend
We had the pleasure of traveling to Hayden Lake, Idaho over the weekend. While the drive was over 300 miles, once we arrived at the lake, we stayed put and learned all about the art of enjoying a lake.
Things You’ll Need:
Essentials…
- bathing suits
- towels
- sunscreen
- life jackets
- sunglasses
- drinks
- snacks
- music
- cards/games
- water toys
- boat
Non-Essentials (but fun to have)…
- jet ski
- dock
- lounge chair
- hammock
1. Cook up some nice, warm, sunny weather. A little rain and clouds are okay at times; it helps cool things down a bit. Thunder and lightning are also okay (as long as everyone is safe ashore), especially when they put on a show at night.
2. Grab your swimsuit, towel, sunglasses, and sunscreen, and try one (or more):
- Lounge & Read (book, magazine, kindle, newspaper…all are great choices)
- Play cards
- Have a ball with water toys
- Take a nap
3. Jump in!
- Float
- Challenge your friends to swimming competition
- Dive
- Strap on some goggles or a snorkel mask & look for treasures
4. Enjoy delicious food with good company. Here are some suggestions:
- Homemade fried chicken, brats, and wings
- Fresh Halibut Tacos
5. Take a boat ride. Optional: At Sunset.
6. Reminisce, catch-up, and laugh (best done around a fire).
“A day at the lake is worth a month in town”
This post is part of Travel Tips Tuesday on WalkingOn Travels and Suitcases and Sippy Cups. For tons more travel tips, check out their sites!
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{Vashon Island, WA} Getting There is Half the Fun
We recently got to step back in time to beautiful, peaceful Vashon Island, Washington. Vashon has something for everyone: fresh fruits and veggies from the local farms, beaches, hiking, boating, art galleries, delicious food, famous coffee, and all the wonderful things that go into island life.
One of our favorite parts of day though? Traveling by ferry boat on this sunny spring day!
Info to Know:
- Vashon can be reached only by ferry boat (unless of course you take your own boat or private plane) with the main choices being from the Fauntleroy ferry terminal in West Seattle, WA, the Southworth terminal in Port Orchard, WA, or from Point Defiance in Tacoma, WA. Ferry information: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/
- Cyclists find the island “bicycle-friendly”, which allows you to be a “walk-on” ferry passenger with your bike.
- It’s not quite the same as a ferry boat ride, but another option for access to Vashon is by water-taxi from Downtown Seattle. Details on times and schedules
This post is part of “Photo Friday” on Delicious Baby. Click the link to check out all the other beautiful and inspirational travel photos!
Come along with us on more of our adventures by “liking” our facebook page and following us on twitter!
Our Red Rocks Surprise
After a night in beautiful Evergreen, Colorado over Memorial Day weekend, as we began to make our way back to the Denver area, we came up on the well-known Red Rocks, and amphitheater. This was much to my surprise as I wasn’t expecting we would get to see this landmark, but little did I know, I would be even more surprised as we decided to turn in and venture up to the venue. Slaed being a Colorado native (growing up near Golden) has been to numerous concerts at the Red Rocks. For me, it was a travel wish list item. Curious to see what we’d find since the road was open, we crept our way to the top, popped Bergen out of his car seat and into the Bjorn, and walked to the entrance. They actually let us in!
Later that evening there would be a concert, but for now we were free to explore. Once we traveled the walkway to the stage and seating, we discovered dozens of people. Some were like us: snapping photos of the view and beautiful rocks. (Not only can you see the obvious (red rocks), you can also see the Denver skyline.)
The others were actually using the amphitheater as their health club/gym! Serious runners, stairclimbers, and fitness junkies were using the steps for their workout. I was so impressed.
Besides admiring the exercisers, we were also able to walk around inside where there is information and history about the venue along with a gift shop, of course. Slaed’s favorite part though was the huge listing of each and every concert held at the Red Rocks complete with dates. He couldn’t help but go through and list off all that he’d attended. It was quite a list. He should be proud, and it brought back a lot of fun memories and stories for him to share.
I hope my next visit to the Red Rocks is for a concert, but I also wouldn’t mind getting to explore the amphitheater more as a park too. Maybe I’ll even act like a native and bring my running shoes next time.
Info to Know:
- For information on exercising at the Red Rocks Amphitheater check out this link.
- Admission to the park is free, and hours vary depending on the seasons. Check here for more info including maps and directions.
- Elevation is 6,450 feet so plan accordingly!
- Guided tours happen everyday at 10am.
- Looking for lunch or dinner before or after your visit? Check out The Morrison Inn (in Morrison, CO), and sit on the back deck.
Walk Portland
Walking continues to be a favorite pastime for our family, and is (obviously) one of the best ways to explore a place, new or old. While this was months ago, we had quite an adventurous walk in Portland, Oregon after getting off the train from Seattle.
First, we ditched the stroller for the ergo. This was an easy choice after initially trying to navigate the crowded outdoor market. The stroller can be great. It gives you a place for your little one, and a place for all your stuff too. However, it’s not so great when it actually slows you down waiting for gaps to appear in the mass of people. It also makes it difficult to get in and out of places. Opening doors while attempting to push the stroller inside…I just can’t make it look graceful.
To fuel our journey, we braved the line (not too bad, just a block long) to visit the world famous Voo Doo Doughnut shop.
Slaed went with the classic Voo Doo Doll Doughnut (filled with raspberry jelly), while I stuck to my favorite flavor combination (chocolate and peanut butter), and chose the Old Dirty Bastard. The Old Dirty Bastard features chocolate frosting piled with oreos, then drizzled with peanut butter sauce.
Filled with Voo Doo goodness, it was on to the waterfront to take in the views of the Willamette River. As I learned the following day, walkers, joggers, runners (me), cyclists, etc. can enjoy the trails that run along the river on either side.
After exploring Old Town/Chinatown just for a bit, we were ready for lunch. Sticking with our love of breweries (see another Oregon favorite), we wandered into Deschutes and found ourselves yet another kid & adult-friendly establishment.
In addition to making everyone happy with the atmosphere, we landed two delicious beers, and another perfect food combination.
Grilled Pear and Goat Cheese
Elk Burger with Guyere
Continuing to enjoy this amazingly beautiful and warm day, we crossed over the freeway, we made our way to the Northwest District (or Alphabet District or Nob Hill, also home to “trendy third”).
A view from Wallace Park
So many folks out and about enjoy the warm sunshine
Cherry Blossoms along 23rd.
Back at Wallace Park, we met up with friends (Portland residents), and decided to let them take over our walking tour. They led us to the not far, Washington Park where we explored the Rose Garden, Amphitheater area, and of course indulged Bergen in his favorite past time these days: swinging.
Working hard to climb the slide
Bergen’s buddies
No blooms in April, but come summer, I’m sure it’s glorious.
Having worked up an appetite for yet another meal. The 7 of us headed to McMenamin’s Tavern & Pool. Another great family choice. Food was good. Beer was better. The best though was capping the night off with a delicious truffle at Moonstruck Chocolate Cafe.
Finally…a quiet walk back “home” to our hotel with Bergen nodding off in the ergo. Portland. Our lovely neighbor to the South.
Info to Know:
- Voo Doo Doughnuts: 22 S.W. 3rd Street (Downtown) Bring cash! Cards are not welcomed here.
- Deschutes Brewery: 210 N.W. 11th Ave
- McMenamins Tavern & Pool: 1716 N.W. 23rd Ave. You’ll find over 60 locations through Oregon and Washington.
- Moonstruck Chocolate Cafe: 526 N.W. 23rd Ave.
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