March 5, 2013

Date Night on the Road: Tips for Securing Child Care and Babysitters while Traveling

My husband Slaed, a seasoned traveler, has no shortage of advice when it comes to hitting the roads, rails, skies, and even waterways. Fatherhood did throw him for a loop, but since become a dad in 2011, he’s come up with some creative ideas and some gems of advice he wants to pass along to you fellow travelers out there.

Sometimes parents need a break…even on vacation.

Who doesn’t love a good date night or time away from the kids? I sure love them as much as the next gal, but Slaed is always the one reminding me to set them up when we travel, and has played a part in securing each and every caretaker. It might be a little bit of a hassle to prepare, but once you’re out the door, the relaxing, “take-a-breather” benefits are worth the extra coordination.

Don’t feel guilty. When we travel, just by nature, there is so much more hands-on, quality time with the kids, so it’s okay to get away for a bit. Most likely, they’ll be asleep for the majority of the time you’re away anyway!

There are certainly others, but here are three (plus a bonus) ways that we have incorporated a date (or two) into our vacations and travels:

1. Family. Bring the grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc along with you or include a visit to family in your trip. This is our best and cheapest option. We try to make it easy on our family members by sneaking out for a couple of hours while Bergen is taking a nap, or after he goes down for the night. Note: No, we aren’t paying our family members an hourly rate for watching over our precious little one, but we do try to repay them in other ways with little gifts, tokens of appreciation, and of course, many, many thanks!

2. Nanny or Babysitting Service. Before we left on our trip to Kauai last November, we researched well-respected and reasonably priced nanny/babysitting services. We found a great company that fit our needs, and reserved a caretaker for two nights during our stay. It was nice to have this lined up ahead of time so that we were not scrambling (or just putting it off) once we arrived, away from the comforts of home.

3. Local Sitters. Probably the most time consuming of methods, unless you get lucky right of the bat. However if you find someone you trust, it’s often the more cost effective option than going with a service. We found a local sitter during our recent visit to Orcas Island through the island’s community center, but it’s also helpful to talk to fellow travelers or consult your local mom/parent network. Ask around! You never know who might have a few connections up their sleeve!

Bonus Tip: Never underestimate the power of a good baby monitor. While on Kauai, our rental house was just steps away from Kapa’a’s Baby Beach. We did some investigating and discovered we were still able to hear Bergen from the beach (and if he needed us, we could get back in a flash)! We weren’t truly “out on a date”, but it sure felt like it! We were able to spend quality together over lunch and dinner while Bergen slept. On another trip quite by accident, we booked a room directly across from the spa area of the hotel. We took advantage of the location, and, thanks to the baby monitor, kept an ear on Bergen while we soaked away in the hot tub.

Have you used childcare while traveling? Please share your experience and tips!

Need more? Go visit Travel Tips Tuesday on WalkingOn Travels and Suitcases and Sippy Cups. For tons of great travel tips, check out their sites!

Don’t miss a thing from Wild Tales of…in 2013: Follow us on all of our adventures by “liking” our facebook page and following us on twitter!

March 1, 2013

Lake Chelan Wine Tasting with Toddler in Tow

When my husband, Slaed, mentioned he’d need to travel to Lake Chelan for work last weekend, I jumped at the chance for Bergen and I to tag along. Being just a little over 3 hours, in North Central Washington, by the car makes it the perfect roadtrip, and a good opportunity to get away, even if it would only be for a couple days. I was also hoping to take advantage of the 300 days of sunshine that Lake Chelan boasts.

The weekend had it’s ups and downs. Thankfully more ups than downs, but the downs had us questioning why we were traveling with our rambunctious toddler yet again. Were we pushing it? Should we have just stayed home where he’s comfortable and has a routine?

Our first full day greeted with a sky full of clouds and a forecast for rain after a rough night of little sleep, but we were determined to make the most of it. Slaed worked in the morning while Bergen and I went on a nice long walk (despite the weather) and explored town. During Bergen’s nap, we hatched a wine tasting plan. Thanks to Chelan’s Chamber of Commerce, we were armed with a map of Chelan Wine Country and a slew of recommendations with our unique needs in mind. The wineries need to be open, family-friendly, and not too terribly far away.

Lake Chelan and the surrounding area has long been famous for it’s apples, but only in the last 5 years or so has it’s wine scene picked up, and become quite a destination for tasters. According to the chamber of commerce, in 2009 it was designated as an American Viticulture Area (AVA), and now has over 20 wineries to explore.

Our tour started at Vin du Lac just outside of the town of Chelan. Upon arrival we immediately noticed the view and the spacious patio area. We were also put at ease when we spotted another couple with their older toddler enjoying a glass of wine inside. After sampling a red and a couple whites, we decided it was best to choose a full glass, and enjoy it outside where Bergen was free to explore. We settled on the Les Amis (75 % Riesling, 10% Gewurztraminer, 15% Muscat). Fresh, not too sweet, not too dry, perfect for sipping as we soaked in the Vitamin D and took in the view.

For our next destination, we were torn. We knew we would continue around the lake towards the town of Manson, but with our limited time and toddler patience, we couldn’t make any mistakes! Luckily, we quickly found out one of two choices was closed making our decision easy: Benson’s Vineyards. This time, we put Bergen on my back in the ergo. Again, we sampled just a couple wines, and then noticed the nice back deck. The two of us decided on another full glass so we could enjoy the sunset as Bergen meandered around the fully enclosed area. Their 2009 Sangiovese was the right choice. I liked it’s balance with just a touch of raspberry fruitiness. We loved not worrying about him wandering off, discovering stairs, or some other way out. Sure it was a little chilly, but we were prepared, and the view made it all okay.

We were ready and looking forward to our last winery: Wapato Point Cellars. We heard from multiple sources that not only was it a great place to taste wine, but a great (and family-friendly) place to have dinner. There’s even a playground on the property! After one or two samples, we quickly realized we needed to move on to our meal for Bergen’s sake. I knew exactly what to order and was not disappointed with their burger. Flavorful and cooked just right with just the right amount of melted cheese. We went home with a bottle of 2011 Harmony: a refreshing blend of Pinto Grigio and Riesling.

We appreciated the laid back atmosphere of the Lake Chelan wineries, and while winter may not be ideal for most visitors, I was thankful for the lack of crowds, and blown away by the pleasant, family-friendly experience. And as for those questions above about traveling once again with our young toddler…I think we made the right choice, don’t you?

Where is your favorite wine region? What makes it the best?

Info to Know:

Before starting your wine tasting journey, take some of the guess work out of it, and head to the Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce for a winery map and recommendations that suit your needs. Up-to-date information on hours and tasting times are available as well.
- 102 East Johnson Ave Chelan, WA 98816
- Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm
Vin du Lac of Chelan
- 105 Highway 150 Chelan, WA 98816
Benson Vineyards
- 754 Winesap Ave. Manson, WA 98831
Wapato Point Cellars
- 200 Quetilquasoon Road Manson, WA 98831

Also read about wine adventures in Sonoma County, plus 9 Tips for Wine Tasting with Kids!

Don’t miss a thing from Wild Tales of…: Follow us on all of our adventures by “liking” our facebook page and following us on twitter!

February 20, 2013

A Visit to San Juan Island: When a Day Turns into a Morning

We planned a whole day on San Juan Island as an excursion for us from our week-long stay on Orcas. However, we quickly realized that while we might like touring around the island by car getting in and out to look at various natural awes and historic sites, Bergen was not such a fan. He made this glaringly obvious.

By our first stop after a ferry ride and breakfast, he’d had it with the car seat. Even though he never had to be confined for all that long, just having to go back again and again was frustrating him. I was also used to the nice schedule we had going on days previous: one hike or exploration in the morning, back to the cabin for lunch and nap, back out for more exploring & dinner. Nap time had become just as relaxing for me as it was for Bergen, and I wasn’t ready to give it up.

Time for a change of plan.

Instead of taking the 5:00 pm ferry back to Orcas, we would scrap the day for a morning, and take the 11:30 am. We’d only see a couple of sites, but we were okay with that sacrifice, and Bergen could get his usual 2 hour nap as opposed to a 45 minute (at best) car nap. Changing plans is not easy for me. I get so excited about the upcoming events, I get my heart set on what I’ll see and experience. This was necessary though, and it paid off in the long run.

With our day whittled down to just a couple of hours, we chose what was most important for us to see.

First a bit of history to get us oriented. At the San Juan Island National Historical Park on the Southeast end of the island, we learned how the islands that belong to the United States were acquired. Back in the 1800’s there was joint occupation between the Americans and the British with both sides believing they had a right to the land. Two camps were established with the American Camp at this location, and the English Camp about 13 miles away on the Northwest side of the island.

The disagreement was eventually settled through third party, Kaiser Wilhelm I of Germany. Many call it the Pig War because, though there were no other casualties, the hostility between the two parties began after an American shot and killed a British pig who was digging around in his garden.

Laundress Quarters

View from San Juan Island National Historical Park

View of Griffin Bay and Mount Baker from the Redoubt

Following our history lesson, we could only make one more stop before we had head back to Friday Harbor to catch our ferry. Lime Kiln State Park was at the top of my list. It’s noted as one of the best whale watching spots in the world (though we were unfortunately off-season), has a beautiful lighthouse, and of course an actual Lime Kiln.

Whale Lime Kiln State Park San Juan Island

Closest to a whale sighting as we were going to get!

Lime Kiln: Lime Kiln State Park (San Juan Island, WA)

This Lime Kiln was renovated after the parks acquired it in 1996.

Lime Kiln Lighthouse: Still operational today though the inside is used for Orca Whale research.

Whale Watching Point Lime Kiln State Park

Norman doing his best to spot a whale.

No, not what we planned. There were more harbors, a lavender farm, the English Camp, a whale museum, restaurants, wineries and shops to check out, but we had a nap to get home to.

Info to Know:

Breakfast: We recommend the Bakery San Juan. It’s a bit out of town (about a mile away from Friday Harbor), but worth the drive for the cinnamon rolls! They also serve the best brewed coffee (no espresso) on the island.
- 775 Mullis Street Friday Harbor WA 98250
San Juan Island National Historical Park is located on the Southwest part of the island. It’s American Camp visitor center is open year round though hours are limited in the winter.
- 4668 Cattle Point Road Friday Harbor WA 98250
Lime Kiln State Park on the West side of the island is 36 acres and and features whale watching, the lighthouse, lime kiln, and about 1 1/2 miles of hiking trails.
- 1567 Westside Road Friday Harbor, WA 98250

Have you visited Washington’s San Juan Islands? How did you spend your time?

Don’t miss a thing from Wild Tales of…in 2013: Follow us on all of our adventures by “liking” our facebook page and following us on twitter!

For more travel inspiration, check out Budget Travelers Sandbox.

February 14, 2013

Orcas Island in a Song: The World Is Big, The World Is Small

Bergen and I visited the library today, something we do often, but not often enough. I’m thankful for the various board books that each branch offers as unfortunately, our little reader can get a little carried away, and ripped pages in a book is just tragic to me. Along with our board books, and a few select paper books that we are “extra careful” with, we also picked up a couple of CD’s.

One of them in particular really caught my eye: “Songs and Rhythms from Near and Far” by Ella Jenkins. The very first song on the album is titled, “The World Is Big, The World Is Small“. As I listened to the lyrics, I was brought back to our recent week on Orcas Island…

What music has inspired you in your travels? Has a song brought back memories for you? Share.

Don’t miss a thing from Wild Tales of…in 2013: Follow us on all of our adventures by “liking” our facebook page and following us on twitter!

February 7, 2013

Favorite Orcas Island Hike: Mountain Lake in Moran State Park

During our week-long stay on Orcas Island we hiked nearly everyday. That is a dream come true for me. The majority of our hiking adventures took place in Moran State Park, which is located on the East side of the island, and boasts over 30 miles of trails. It’s probably most famous for Mount Constitution and the amazing views (spanning from Vancouver, B.C. to Mount Rainier) complete with the look-out tower. While we hiked to the top (not to miss), and also saw lovely waterfalls, lakes and lush forests, the hike that sticks out the most was the Mountain Lake Loop. Despite the drizzle and moderately chilly temperatures, everything just fell into place for some reason.

For one, the distance was just about perfect: Almost 4 miles.

Next, the terrain had just a slight elevation gain and loss making it quite easy to traipse around with Bergen on my back in the ergo.

Now, we weren’t hiking to the top of something for a hard-earned view, but instead we had picturesque views nearly every step of the way. The pristine Mountain Lake was always by our side, old growth Douglas Fir trees towered above us, and the forest floor was blanketed with bright green moss. To top it off, we got to cross a little stream with a dam creating a waterfall. We also had the trail to ourselves just seeing one fellow hiker along the way.

One last reason for this hike being our favorite. Not a moan, groan, cry, protest or meltdown from Bergen (almost 1.5 years). He was just happy to be along for the nature-filled ride.

Info to Know:

The Mountain Lake Loop is located in Moran State Park on Orcas Island, WA. Parking, restrooms, boat launch, and even camping are all available at the trailhead.
Hike is 3.9 miles, designated as easy, and has just a slight elevation gain and loss. Other hikes linked to the trail include the Twin Lakes Trail & the Mount Constitution Summit trail.
Hiking boots are a good idea, though not completely necessary. Running shoes would work just fine.

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A little trail hiking fun courtesy of our super-sniffer dog, Norman!

More Orcas Island Hikes:

February 5, 2013

Quick Travel Tip from a Dad (#3): Smile for the Camera

My husband Slaed, a seasoned traveler, has no shortage of advice when it comes to hitting the roads, rails, skies, and even waterways. Fatherhood did throw him for a loop, but with almost a year and a half of travel with a little one under his belt, he’s got some creative ideas and some gems of advice he wants to pass along to you fellow travelers out there.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, toddlers are unpredictable. Smiling and laughing one minute. Laying on the ground and screaming the next. Even when you catch them in a good mood, capturing a great shot with the camera can be extra challenging and tricky to pull off. Sometimes Bergen (17 months) sees the camera, and walks in the other direction while other times, we wants to grab it out of my hands. No standing still for this guy, so holding him for a posed shot doesn’t always work out. Even if he’s strapped to my back in the ergo, he’s more likely to check out the scenery than look in the direction of the photographer. Times are tough around here.

Solution Found.

While scrambling along the trails, beaches, and sidewalks of Orcas Island, Washington, Slaed discovered a great new trick to get our little guy grinning, and as a result we got some pretty sweet snapshots of him on our adventures. The trick was discovered quite by accident when Slaed lost his footing at the top of Mount Constitution. He slid in the gravel, and Bergen just thought this was hilarious. Of course we tried it again to see if these pretend falls and clumsy maneuvers would get him going again. It did indeed work! We realized we were on to something.

A Bit of Warning.

Now that you know this great trick, don’t go falling all over the place all the time. You can have too much of a good thing, and if you try the trick too many times, the novelty will be sure to wear off. Keep the idea in your back pocket and only bring it out when you really need it! Also, the trick is best if you work as a team. One person tripping and flailing around, and one person at the ready with the camera so you don’t miss an adorable crack-up.

What are your tips and tricks for taking great photographs of your kids? Share with us.

Need more? Go visit Travel Tips Tuesday on WalkingOn Travels and Suitcases and Sippy Cups. For tons of great travel tips, check out their sites!

Don’t miss a thing from Wild Tales of…in 2013: Follow us on all of our adventures by “liking” our facebook page and following us on twitter!

Date Night on the Road: Tips for Securing Child Care and Babysitters while Traveling

Lake Chelan Wine Tasting with Toddler in Tow

Where is your favorite wine region? What makes it the best?

Also read about wine adventures in Sonoma County, plus 9 Tips for Wine Tasting with Kids!

A Visit to San Juan Island: When a Day Turns into a Morning

Time for a change of plan.

Orcas Island in a Song: The World Is Big, The World Is Small

Favorite Orcas Island Hike: Mountain Lake in Moran State Park

Info to Know:

More Orcas Island Hikes:

Quick Travel Tip from a Dad (#3): Smile for the Camera

Solution Found.

A Bit of Warning.

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Where is your favorite wine region? What makes it the best?

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