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3 Quick Lessons Learned from our First Family Bike Ride

Bergen put his first bike helmet to good use this weekend on his very first bike ride!

Yepp Baby Bike Seat

As soon as Slaed received word that the Yepp Mini baby seat had come in at REI, he raced over with his bike to have it installed.  He was thinking it would take a couple of days or maybe even a week.  No.   20 minutes.

We just needed Bergen to wake up from his nap so we could take the seat out for a spin.  For our first family bike ride, we rode from our house to Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood with a quick stop at Gasworks park.

Yepp Baby Bike Seat

After dinner at the Red Door, which included their famous mussels, we headed home to ensure we wouldn’t be pedaling in the dark.    Bergen had a blast, from what we can tell at least.  He was all smiles, and seemed to feel like a celebrity waving at those walking by us on the trail.  He also liked it when I came up from behind to pass him, and the same for when he and Slaed raced past me to get ahead.  I can still hear the giggles now.

3 Quick Lessons Learned from our First Family Bike Ride

1. Just like if he was riding in the stroller, Bergen isn’t doing any work accompanying Slaed on his bike, which means he’s not working up a sweat and getting as warm as we are pedaling away.  Towards the end of the ride, Bergen started to fuss, and we realized it’s most likely because he was cold.  The sun was going down and the temperature dropped.  We should have brought a jacket for the ride home.

2. I had high hopes of riding all the way to Ballard (probably another 3 miles, 6 round trip).  Lucky for us, Slaed is a little more reasonable, and suggested we stop in Fremont.  It was smart to keep the first trip short and sweet.  I’m glad we didn’t push it and end up riding home in the dark (very unsafe if you are not equipped).

3. We are fortunate to live just 2 blocks from the Lake Washington Bike Loop, which links up with the Burke-Gillman Trail, a multi-use path for walkers, runners, skaters, cyclists, etc. that runs across the North end of the city east/west.  It’s important for the route to be safe and bike friendly.  I’m glad most of our ride was on the Burke-Gillman clear from motorists!

Yepp Baby Bike Seat

Other Cycling Related Posts:

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Washington Park Arboretum Waterfront Trail

Here in Seattle, we are coming close to setting a record, and this time it doesn’t have to do with coffee, grunge bands or precipitation.  It actually has to do with the lack of precipitation!  46 days (and counting) with NO RAIN to be exact, and we’re not complaining.

Slaed, Bergen, and I (and Norman: the dog, too) walk after Slaed gets home from work nearly everyday.  We enjoy all of our neighborhood walk routes, but our most favorite is our Arboretum loop.  We’re lucky enough to live just a few blocks from the entrance.  Most of the time when we visit, we take the paved route, and then circle back home through the neighborhood.  On rare, special days however, we continue past the visitors center, under the 520 highway, and on the Arboretum Waterfront Trail.

This walk is rare and special because 90% of the time, it’s too soggy and wet to get through without hip waders, rain gear, or no care in the world about getting completely muddy and gross.  We also need a little more time than our usual walks as the trail adds 30-45 minutes to our adventure.

So when Slaed got home early one afternoon this week, and I recalled our rain record, we jumped at the chance to introduce the trail to Bergen for the first time!  Upon reminiscing, it turns out we probably hadn’t visited for at least 2 years.

The trail first has you walking on a wood-chipped path, which ends after a few hundred feet leading you to a series of boardwalks, and the real highlight of the experience.  The first island is Foster Island, followed by Marsh Island.  These wetlands are some of the last in Seattle.

From the boardwalks, we actually took our time for a change noticing the construction to the University of Washington Husky Stadium, chatting with canoers, and trying our hardest to spot wildlife.  If we are lucky, we’ll catch a glimpse of blue heron, muskrats, and turtles, but this time ducks were the only creatures hanging around in our view.

Info to Know:

  • Washington Park Arboretum is located near the Montlake and Madison Park/Madison Valley neighborhoods in Seattle.
    • 2300 Arboretum Drive E
      Seattle, WA 98112
    • Map
  • If venturing onto the Waterfront Trail think about the weather conditions (past and present), and plan accordingly.  Bring your camera, sturdy shoes as you won’t want to hurt your feet on the holes in the boardwalk, and maybe even binoculars to help you spot the many species of birds that can be found within the area.
  • Strollers are fine for many of the trails within the arboretum, but you’ll need a baby carrier for the Waterfront Trail.

Go do some more Friday travel photo Daydreaming over at RWeThereYetMom?

Then check out the fun at Delicious Baby!

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Flying with Babies: Front or Back of the Plane?

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.

Flying with Babies: Front or Back of the Plane? | WildTalesof.com [Read more…]

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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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Running on the Road: Keeping up with Training while Traveling

While training for a half marathon this past spring and early summer, I realized that if I wanted to reach my goal of finishing around the 2 hour mark, I’d need to keep up with my training during our travels.  This meant thinking ahead, and not always going out for a run at my ideal time.  In the end though, I scored some (well-deserved?) alone time leaving me feeling refreshed and accomplished, and I also set a personal record for my half marathon time!

Here’s what helped me get going away from home:

  • Bring  your gear.  You’ll be sure to skip out on a run if you don’t have proper equipment.  You don’t need much for running, but the littlest things (like the right socks) can throw me off, so I go through a checklist of what I’ll need, and pack those first.
  • Research places to run.  Before you leave for your trip check out places that might work for the distance you need.  This gives you a chance to explore somewhere  new too.  In Denver, it was Cherry Creek State Park.  In Portland, I ran along the Willamette River.  On the Washington coast, Norman and I sneaked away for a 4 mile run on the beach.  If you are visiting family and friends, ask them for ideas.  Sometimes I even use “Map My Run” to calculate the mileage.
  • Plan ahead.  Look at your trip itinerary and your training schedule, and determine the best days and times to fit in your run.
  • Communicate with your travel companions. If I am traveling with Slaed, just before the trip or even on the plane or in the car, I go over my running intentions with him.  That way, he’ll know when he’s on “Bergen duty” while I’m off on a run.  I also make sure to plan the run around our activities.  This also keeps me honest! Solo travel with the baby or kids can be trickier, but while I was visiting my cousin in Connecticut (without Slaed), she was nice enough to watch Bergen while I went on a quick run.  I made it easy on her though, and went just after I put him down for a nap!
  • Think about destination environment and weather. The clothes you wear in your hometown may not work for wherever you are traveling, so make sure to bring gear that works for the climate and weather. Being aware of humidity and altitude levels is also important. I prepped a lot by drinking tons of water before our trip to Denver, and lowered my mileage expectations because of the thin air, and high altitude.
  • Consider waking up early.  Sometimes you just can’t fit a run in any other way.  In Portland, I woke up super early before Bergen was even awake, and got my run over with by 7:00 am.  Certainly leaves you feeling accomplished for the rest of the day!

Celebrating after a 2:05 finish!

What helps you keep up with your training while traveling? Share your tips!

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