Western Pacific Railroad Museum

700 Western Pacific Way Portola, CA This pit stop submitted by fellow mom and Pit Stops for Kids reader Vanessa. Visit Vanessa's photography site, Second Spring. If you should find yourself somewhere between Reno, NV and Chico, CA along Hwy 70 you will pass through the little town of Portola, CA. There you will find this little gem of a pit stop, The Western Pacific Railroad Museum. One of … [Read more...]

A Pit Stop a Day (Day 22): Old Sacramento Historical District

We spent our last day, Day 22, driving from Laguna Beach to Sacramento CA on I-5, visiting Sacramento's historic Old Town and staying our final night on the road at the Embassy Suites Sacramento Riverfront Promenade. Sacramento's Old Town is a state historic park covering 28 acres along the Sacramento River directly opposite from downtown. Wooden sidewalks, false storefronts, and cobblestones … [Read more...]

A Pit Stop a Day (Day 20): Stops for Kids in Laguna Beach, CA

On Day 20, we drove from Zion National Park to Laguna Beach, CA, a route pretty devoid of pit stops! We were very glad to arrive in such a kid-friendly mecca of attractions, restaurants, and beaches! Having grown up in the area (and returning to visit relatives every year since), we are quite familiar with Laguna Beach and its surrounding areas, and we're convinced it's one of the best beach … [Read more...]

A Pit Stop a Day (Day 19): Hiking in Zion Canyon

We devoted Day 19 to morning hikes in Zion National Park and the afternoon to floating along the Virgin River behind our room at the Cliffrose Lodge. We began our day at the visitor's center, where we consulted the shuttle route (also found in the park newsletter) and planned our hike to the Emerald Pools on the Zion Lodge shuttle stop. The Emerald Pools is a great hike for kids because you … [Read more...]

A Pit Stop a Day (Day 18): Zion National Park’s The Narrows

On Day 18, we woke up in Cliffrose Lodge and Gardens with a full day of exploring in Zion National Park ahead of us. Our primary destination was Zion's 'Narrows', a hike up the Virgin River deep into the canyon. (Zion has many great hikes for families.) We walked the few yards from Cliffrose to the park entrance and visitor's center, where we paid our $25 park entrance fee (good for seven days) … [Read more...]

A Pit Stop a Day (Day 16): Cove Fort, Utah

On Day 16, we reluctantly left the Westgate Park City behind to enthusiastically set out for Zion National Park. We needed a pit stop en route, and found it in Cove Fort between Fillmore and Beaver along I-15. At first, we thought Cove Fort was a self-guided tour, but after eating our lunch in their large picnic area, we were greeted by a fort guide (docent) and told that entrance to the fort … [Read more...]

A Pit Stop a Day (Day 14): Grand Teton Horseback Ride

On Day 14, we treated Nate and Calvin to a horseback ride through the Tetons (something they'd been wanting to try since Glacier National Park). Luckily, Colter Bay Village has stables on-site, making it easy! We made reservations at the Activities Center near the Colter Bay Village store (be sure to sign up ASAP: we signed up the night we arrived and got the last three slots for the entire … [Read more...]

A Pit Stop a Day (Day 13): Hidden Falls Hike, Grand Teton NP

On Day 13, we set off from Colter Bay Village Resort to hike to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point on Jenny Lake. This two mile (each way) moderate hike culminates near the Jenny Lake ferry boat shuttle dock on the far side of Jenny Lake, where the trail climbs up from the lake, following swift-moving Cascade Creek to Hidden Falls. From there, hikers can continue .5 mile to Inspiration Point, … [Read more...]

A Pit Stop a Day (Day 11): Yellowstone National Park

Day 11, we drove the short distance on Hwy 191 from Big Sky Resort to Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone crowds swarm the Old Faithful hub of this massive park, so after entering at the West Entrance, we drove north from the Madison hub to Artists' Paintpots, then back-tracked to Firehole River for a wonderful swimming hole. At Artists' Paintpots, you'll find a well-maintained loop trail … [Read more...]

A Pit Stop a Day (Day 10): Big Sky High Ropes Course

Before we started our session on the High Ropes Course at Big Sky Resort, I wasn't sure whether it would be too challenging for my kids (ages 11 and 8)...and myself! The apparatus--a maze of ropes, logs, planks, and even tires suspended in the high alpine air--was certainly intimidating! But from the moment I saw Calvin and Nate shimmy up the rope ladder to enter the array of elevated challenges, … [Read more...]