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March 18, 2014

Investigate and Appreciate Nature with S is for Salmon: A Pacific Northwest Alphabet

How does your child typically interact with a picture book during a read aloud?

The process of our nightly reading sessions can be fairly predictable. Things usually go the same way: One parent selects books (from the shelf or library bag) along with the help of 2.5 year old Bergen, we read the pages, Bergen remarks here and there, and we move on to brushing teeth and getting into bed. An extremely important routine, yes, but not necessarily anything remarkable or amazing happening in the day to day.

When I cracked open the new book by Hannah Viano, S is for Salmon: A Pacific Northwest Alphabet, Bergen’s reaction to the illustrations and interaction with the pages was slightly different though. It made me stop to observe.

Investigate and Appreciate Nature with S is for Salmon: A Pacific Northwest Alphabet | WildTalesof.com

Image courtesy of Sasquatch Books

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March 14, 2014

Western Washington Respites: Padilla Bay’s Breazeale Interpretive Center

I hate to say this after two back to back gloriously sunny spring days, but here in the Pacific Northwest, the weather isn’t always on our side. Sure, we don’t often have to endure the cold-hard bone chilling days like our neighbors to the north, but it rains here. A LOT. And it’s grey and dark.

Even when it’s not raining heavily, it’s misty and damp. Moisture is everywhere and we get wet. I’ll be the first to say none of that matters if we have the proper gear and clothing layers. At times though, we just need a break.

Places like the Padilla Bay’s Breazeale Interpretive Center, located in the tiny town of Bayview, Washington, are perfect for when we want to explore in nature, but need a little respite from the elements.

5 Tips for a Great Visit to Padilla Bay’s Breazeale Interpretive Center:

1. Explore and Take a Hike.

The trails were the first thing we discovered and explored upon arriving at the Interpretive Center. Since our dog, Norman was along for the ride, we wanted to give him a chance to sniff around and get some exercise before had to leave him to go inside the center. Unlike the indoors portion, the trails (as well as the parking lot) are always open to the public.

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March 11, 2014

Hiking with Toddlers: 10 Tips to Keep Everyone Happy on the Trail

We’ve come to the point where we can’t go to (or even drive past) any natural area without Bergen (2.5 years old) yelling out in question and excitement: “HIKE???”.

He knows what he likes and that’s getting to be outside on the trail exploring. Whether it’s among the towering cedar trees at home in the Pacific Northwest or the giant saguaro cactus waving from the dusty Arizona desert, on the trail seems to be where he’s most content.

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March 10, 2014

Stuck in Defeat: Moving Past Trail Running Excuses

My run had barely started, and I was already feeling defeated.

On my last trail run after just a mile or so climbing, my mind was out of the game. It wasn’t that my body couldn’t continue. That would have made more sense. My head was the one telling me to stop running, and just hike for a while. I started making excuses. Not enough sleep. I must not have properly fueled even though I’d enjoyed 2 big pieces of toast, an egg, orange juice, and coffee before heading out. Maybe that beer after the soccer game the day before was too much.

I just wasn’t that into it.

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March 6, 2014

Travel Snapshots: Poolside at Phoenix’ J.W. Marriott Desert Ridge Resort

Do you ever feel the post-travel blues? You get back from a trip, and just feel down in the dumps, wishing you were back exploring that fantastic place with perfect weather? Yes? What’s more, the feeling doubles when the day after you return home, it’s your birthday!

Instead of having a pity-party though, I’m reminiscing.

Poolside at Phoenix' J.W. Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa | WildTalesof.com

My 2.5 year old couldn’t get enough of the water.

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March 4, 2014

Trip Planning with Kids: Building Background Knowledge with Books

What’s your favorite way to plan and research for upcoming travel? Do you involve your kids?

With Bergen (2.5 years old) talking and understanding more and more, I’ve been anxious to get him involved in some of our traveling planning. While I love that two of us (Mom & Dad) can still ultimately do all the deciding, its fun to see what types of things that really peak his interest.

Built into two different books (both reviewed on the blog), one a family travel handbook, one a memoir, is a tip I couldn’t wait to try with Bergen. Both authors suggested visiting the public library with kids before a trip to explore the available books and resources on the locale. Travel guides, non-fiction books about the landscape, fictional stories set in the location, maps…you name it, they all have a place in getting kids excited about travel and loading them up with information.