Sunset Bay State Park

April 25, 2010 By

Sunset Bay State Park on Oregon’s beautiful scenic coast is one of our family’s favorite destinations. Situated between the tourist hot spots of Bandon to the south and Cannon Beach to the north, it works as a wonderful pit stop along Hwy 101, whether for a picnic, a whole afternoon, or an overnight (or two).

sunset-bay-yurt

If you plan to stay only a short while, park at the picnic/group camping area and enjoy one of the most scenic beaches on the pacific coast. Explore the tide pools if you’ve timed your arrival right, or let your kids play on the huge pieces of driftwood or run along the sand. If they (or you!) are daring (or just crazy like my kids), take a dip in the cold Pacific. If time permits, take the Oregon Coast Trail right from the beach to Cape Arago State Park to see their stunning gardens over the ocean (4 miles). If you want a shorter hike, follow the signs from the mouth of big creek to the viewpoint overlooking Sunset Bay (1/2 mile).

If you’re staying overnight, consider booking a yurt. Oregon state parks are well-known for these unique accommodations. One part tent and one part hut, state park yurts are heated, wired with electricity, and come furnished with comfortable bunkbeds (sleeps 5 easily), a table and chairs, coat pegs, and covered porches.

We’re not usually campground campers (preferring to backpack far from the crowds) but given coastal Oregon’s lush landscape, the sites felt very private (and the yurts are located on their own loop). Hint: come in the off-season when prices drop and the campground is nearly a ghost town! You’ll have the run of the place! Read more about our yurt adventures!

yurt-exterior

Distance off the interstate: 15 minutes from Hwy 101.

Date Last Visited: November 2009

Hours and Admission Prices: Day visitors pay only $4 per car. Open sunrise to sunset. Nightly camping fees range from $12 for a tent camp site to $27 for a yurt in the off-season to $19 for a tent site to $36 for a yurt in the peak season (starting May 1st). Full RV hookup sites are available as well. To book, start at Oregon State Parks.

Bathrooms: All very clean, well-lit, and heated. While we visited in the off-season, there were no lines for showers and plenty of hot water.

Dogs: Select yurts are dog-friendly (as is the case in most Oregon coast state parks). Check for the dog-friendly ‘paw print’ when reserving your yurt online.

dog-friendly-yurt

Food Services: None at the state park. You’ll want to stock up on supplies in nearby Coos Bay (10 miles), where you can find a Fred Meyer or Charleston (no major grocery stores, but a few decent mini-marts). Coos Bay also has fast food and casual dining.

Directions: From Oregon Coast Hwy/US-101, take the 1st left onto W Beaver Hill Rd, then a slight right at 7 Devils Rd. After six miles, turn left at Walker Ave, then take a slight left at Cape Arago Hwy. Stay on Cape Arago Hwy for 2.5 miles, and the state park will be on the left.

Sunset Bay State Park

Umpqua Discovery Center

April 20, 2010 By

Photo courtesy of the Reedsport chamber of commerce.

409 River Front Way
Reedsport, Oregon

Set along a boardwalk on the Reedsport Riverfront, The Umpqua Discovery Center is a cultural and historical museum designed to teach visitors about daily life in the town back when it revolved around whether the tide was coming in or going out. (This story not only applies to Reedsport but also to any number of river towns along the Oregon Coast.) From the official site: “As you enter the exhibits, you hear the sounds of the river rushing and feel nature surround you as you journey back through history.”

Great for all ages, the center serves as an educational starting off point as you drive up the Oregon coast. Interactive “Tidewater Community” exhibits and programs illustrate how land, water and people have shaped each other over time.

Distance off the interstate: Five minutes from Hwy 101.

Hours and Admission Prices: Open 7 days a week. Summer hours (June 1 through September 30) are from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Winter hours (October 1 through May 31) are from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Admission ranges from $2.00 for kids under age 5 to $8.50 for adults, and group rates are available.

Bathrooms: Located within the center.

Food Services: Try lunch at the Schooner Inn Cafe, located adjacent to the center on the river front. Called ‘the best restaurant on the Oregon Coast’ by many TripAdvisor reviewers, it’s well worth the stop!

Website: http://www.umpquadiscoverycenter.com/

Directions: From Hwy 101, take Hwy 38 (Umpqua Highway) into Reedsport. Umpqua Highway turns into Fir Avenue. Take Fir to River Front Way. Turn left and continue to the center entrance.

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Raptor Reef Indoor Water Park

April 15, 2010 By

Wave pool at Raptor Reef

175 W. Orchard
Hayden, Idaho

Located in Hayden, Idaho as part of the Triple Play Family Fun Park, Raptor Reef is a massive indoor water park that’s easy to miss if you don’t realize it’s there. Stopping here makes for at least a half-day pit stop, but it’s well worth mentioning because of its availability to the public (unlike many other indoor water parks attached to hotels such as nearby Silver Mountain Resort, where you must be spending a night to enjoy the waterslides).

Says a member of the parent review site Trekaroo, “This is a great place for my 7,4,2,and 6 mo. old to play. It’s small enough that I feel comfortable letting my 7 year old go on the slides, and I can play with the other children in the kiddie area. The facility is clean, and I think the lifeguards do a good job of watching the pools.”

Raptor Reef houses a wave pool, multiple slides of varying lengths, hot tubs, and a climbing structure/aqua-play. Note that there are height restrictions for the bigger slides. Don’t forget to bring towels (or be charged $2) and swim diapers (required for all guests under age 2).

Date last visited: March 2010

Distance off the interstate: 10 minutes off I-90, one minute of Hwy 95.

Hours and Admission Prices: Raptor Reef is open Monday through Thursday: 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.,
Friday and Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m

Over 42″ is $17.00
Under 42″ is $11.00

AAA and other discounts often apply, so check local media or call for best rates! (1-877-770-PLAY).

Bathrooms: Locker rooms and bathrooms located inside.

Food Services: None. The town of Hayden has plenty to offer in the way of fast food.

Website: http://www.raptorreef.com/RaptorReef.htm

Directions: From I-90 past Coeur D’Alene, take Hwy 95 to Orchard Avenue, directly south of the Super 1 Foods and Hayden Center in Hayden, Idaho.
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Tillamook Cheese Factory

April 13, 2010 By

Tillamook Factory Visitor\’s Center

4175 Highway 101 North,
Tillamook, Oregon

Located conveniently along scenic Highway 101 between the tourist towns of Cannon Beach and Lincoln City, the Tillamook Cheese Factory makes for a great pit stop and picnic lunch spot (1-2 hours max). You can take a self-guided tour of the production floor (viewed from above), then sample all the cheese you want (yes you read that right!). Definitely try the curds (they’re surprisingly great!) and stop by the store, too!

From the official website: “See our cheesemakers and packaging staff at work. Hear about our history and the cheesemaking process. Touch the interactive kiosk screens to learn about our cooperative and our products. Smell the delicious aroma of freshly baked waffle cones. And best of all, taste our award-winning cheeses, 38 flavors of ice cream and the hearty meals available in our Farmhouse Cafe!”

Date last visited: We were last there in July 2006.

Distance off the interstate: Directly off Hwy 101.

Hours and Admission Prices: Free. Hours are: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Labor Day through mid-June)
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Mid-June through Labor Day).

Bathrooms: Bathrooms are clean and spacious, and have changing tables.

Food Services: The Farmhouse Cafe offers lots of kid favorites, such as grilled cheese sandwiches, cheeseburgers, and more. Ample tables are also available for picnicking.

Website: http://www.tillamookcheese.com/VisitorsCenter/

Directions: You can see the factory directly off 101!

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Mesa Verde National Park tips

April 6, 2010 By

In honor of upcoming National Parks Week, today’s Off the Beaten Path post features beautiful Mesa Verde, Colorado.

Mesa Verde National Park tips:

Mesa Verde National Park is located in the southwestern section of Colorado, one hour from the town of Cortez, off I-160. With so much to see, families can easily plan to spend 2-3 days exploring this park!

Why it’s worth the drive: Mesa Verde is home to the ancient cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Pueblo people who made it their home for over 700 years, from A.D. 600 to A.D. 1300. The park protects over 4,000 known archeological sites (including a staggering 600 cliff dwellings), most of which are open for viewing (and exploring) by the public. These sites are not hands-off experiences: kids can hike right down to the ruins (some self-guided, some in group tours) and walk through ancient doorways, climb wooden ladders, and see how Mesa Verde’s first inhabitants lived firsthand. (General Tip: don’t let the high desert landscape fool you; Mesa Verde is at high elevation. Be sure to bring jackets and watch for altitude sickness when spending the day out in the elements.)

Where to Stay: The town of Cortez is too far away for most families to consider lodging there (although it does offer a variety of motels). Instead, we stayed in Mesa Verde National Park at their Morefield Campground. You can camp in an RV or tent, or rent sites already equipped with 10″x12″ canvas pole tents complete with cots (which is what we did!). Even with over 400 sites, the campground (the only one in the park) fills up fast in summer, so reserve early. If camping is not for you, The Far View Lodge offers deluxe accommodations, and is located closer to the cliff dwelling sites.

What to see: A good place to start is the Far View Visitor’s Center on the mesa top, where you’ll learn the history of Mesa Verde (and can purchase tickets for group tours…the only way to view the major dwellings). You don’t want to miss Cliff Palace and Balcony House where rangers lead small groups through the cliff-side ruins. (Be adviced that extensive climbing and even some crawling is required…if you’re active people, it won’t be a problem: our four-year-old did fine, as did our set of grandparents.) If you have time, walk the short trail to the self-guided Spruce Tree House, where kids can get an up-close view of the ancient people’s kivas and other religious artifacts. Tip the adjacent Spruce Tree House Museum is a good place to find needed Junior Ranger trivia answers!

Date last visited: July 2009

Distance off the interstate: 1 hour.

Hours and Admission Prices: The National Parks charge $10 per vehicle. Hours vary by season.

Food Services: Several restaurants are available within the national park, but we did the majority of our grocery shopping in Cortez before entering the Mesa Verde area, and made our own meals. A camp store is available in the Morefield Campground.

Website: http://www.nps.gov/meve/index.htm

 

Cave Campground California

April 1, 2010 By

Creek running through Cave Campground

Junct. of Hwy 89 and Hwy 44
Hat Creek, CA

Part of the Lassen National Forest, Cave Campground near Hat Creek makes for a nice pit stop along Hwy 89, especially if you only have time for a bathroom break and maybe a picnic lunch. (If you have more time at your disposal, consider hiking to the falls at nearby McArthur Burney State Park.)

The campground, open with full services April through October, was empty of overnighters when we stopped in March. The larger restroom facilities at the front of the campground were locked, but pit toilets were available at the end of the loop (a few hundred yards away). With no fee for day use, Cave Campground was a great spot to picnic, with easy access to the highway and a stream (rushing in springtime) with a footpath bridge the kids enjoyed exploring. We just pulled into an empty campsite and used the picnic table! (During the busier summer months, day use visitors can use the picnic tables near the front of the campground.)

Date last visited: March 2010

Distance off the interstate: Directly off Hwy 89.

Hours and Admission Prices: No day use admission fee. Overnight fee from April to October is $11 per night.

Bathrooms: See above.

Food Services: None. Closest convenient food is Susanville (another 1.5 hours south).

Website: None.

Directions: Directly off of Hwy 89 just before the junction of Hwy 44 (driving south).

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When Pit Stops are Far and Few Between

March 30, 2010 By

Photo taken on the valley floor of Death Valley, CA

When we first planned our recent spring break trip to Death Valley, CA (more on that to come!), I knew pit stops en route would be in short supply. I’d noted the lack of places to stop and play on Google Maps, and I thought I’d planned accordingly. Even so, I was concerned anew once we’d turned onto lonely I-95 shortly after our overnight in Reno, NV. For hundreds of miles, there’s simply…nothing. Nowhere to stop. Next to nowhere to eat.

At least, no place that we could consider…’family friendly’. Traveling down the center of Nevada, the only colorful landmarks we passed were, shall we say, very colorful indeed. (It did prompt one lively conversation that started like this: “Mom, why is that motel called a ‘playmate house’? Who plays there?”)

The boys and my dad standing under I-50\’s \’Shoe Tree\’ during a long car trip.

In a nutshell, not exactly where you want to pull off the road to let the kids run around.

So what do you do when confined largely to your car on long stints, whether due to weather conditions, lack of eminities (or lack of non-‘adult’ fare, as was our case)?

1. Plan ahead when possible. If you know you’ll be driving a particularly desolate stretch of highway, plan accordingly. For this trip, we bought car adaptors for the kids’ beloved Nintendo DS consoles to ensure hours of game play, and I brought along a bag of hands’-on activites, including the kids’ favorite action figures and a My Busy Kit, which was worth its weight in gold. (More on that in an upcoming review!) I helped myself to the hotel ice machine before pulling out in the morning, dumping a copious amount into our cooler filled with drinks and snacks. We also packed a loaf of bread, some cheeses and lunch meats, and a selection of chips, veggies, and hummus (all in the cooler) so we would not be reliant on restaurant fare on the road.

2. Be wary of rest stops in very rural locations. Once, while traveling solo with my three kids, I stopped at a clean (but empty) rest stop. Everything was fine until another person pulled into the complex…and the lone driver sat in the idling car watching us for too long for my comfort. Suddenly, I felt volnerable in the isolated location, and hustled my kids to our vehicle. Since then, I don’t rule out simply pulling over on a safe road-side turn-out. I let the kids take that much needed potty break (shield them with a beach towel if you must) and at least stretch their legs, all while I’m very close to my car.

3. Think outside the box. What may not look like a good pit stop to you might be your kids’ idea of heaven. We’ve stopped at fish hatcheries, dams, off-season state parks, and even a tree filled with shoes (a local landmark) when traditional pit stops have been in short supply.

4. And when all else fails, just focus on getting to your destination. The kids have all gone to the bathroom? Have enough snacks to last the distance? Have their books or games at the ready? Just GO. And don’t look back. We all know the feeling! (Just watch for speed traps!)

Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa

March 28, 2010 By

3800 South Virginia Street
Reno, NV

On our long drive from Southern Oregon to Death Valley National Park, my family and I had the pleasure of  pit stopping’ for one night at the Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa in Reno, NV. We’ve made it a point to stay in Reno in the past, praising Reno’s all-season outdoor recreation opportunities and increasingly evident family atmosphere, but this time, the city also fell conveniently halfway through our road trip to southern California.

Atlantis hotel Reno:

(As I disclose with all compensated reviews, I received the two tower rooms we stayed in and a meal at the Manhattan Deli at no cost. This compensation came with no expectations of a favorable review.)

We arrived at the Atlantis in the late afternoon, and were more than happy to hand our car over to the valet parking attendant (valet parking is complimentary for Atlantis guests). The front desk staff were friendly and efficient, and we were quickly directed to our 20th floor adjoining tower rooms. The downside for us was the necessity of walking across the casino floor to reach the elevators (why is smoking still legal indoors?) but the upside was the elevator itself. A glass design situated on the outside of the building, it was tons of fun for the kids (and I might as well admit it, me too) to shoot up over the downtown Reno with snow-covered Mt. Rose in the distance.

Soon the kids were expending some much needed energy in our rooms, which started out looking like this:

Luxury tower room at the Atlantis Resort

And ended up looking like this:

Sword fight! That’s what these decorative pillows are for, right?

And then we hit the swimming pool.

Or should I say pools? We were especially excited to stay at the Atlantis because of its indoor/outdoor pool deck, and we weren’t disappointed. The main, indoor pool is located in a sunny, spacious atrium right off of their day spa. The d’cor is fun with a rock fade and waterfall. The second pool (open seasonally) and large hot tub (open year round) are located on the outside deck (actually the 3rd floor rooftop). It was quite satisfying to risk the breezy March air to reach the steaming hot tub and back into the warm atrium again and again.

Calvin hits the water in the indoor Atrium Pool.

My kids are so strange…Toby poses under the waterfall facade.

Unfortunately for me, another family in the pool area made my kids aware of the Atlantis’ Fun Center (arcade), so after swimming, we just had to go check it out. I’ll be the first to say I’m not a huge fan of these types of centers filled with video games, flashing lights, cheap prizes, carnival-type mechanical claws hovering over overpriced plush toys, and the like. (I didn’t even enjoy myself in The Great Wolf Lodge’s upscale version!) But as far as arcades go, Atlantis’ was pretty top-notch. One cavet (which might be viewed as a positive by some) was their fun card’ system. Instead of quarters or tokens, guests must buy cards loaded with pre-paid amounts. Kids then swipe the card at each game (which are all clearly marked by price) and the amount is deducted from the card. It’s easy to add money to cards, and at the end of play, whatever tickets a child wants to redeem are recorded onto the same card. The attendant only needs to swipe it again to know how much credit he or she has in the redemption center’ filled with the foresaid cheap prizes. It’s easy to see why Atlantis adapted this system: it’s efficient, it’s easy for kids and parents to keep track of, and it’s certainly easy to spend money in the arcade. Since we were simply sampling what was on offer, we bought just one card for $15, and let the kids share.

Nate and Calvin try out the arcade’s roller coaster simulator.

After a busy hour in the arcade, we walked downstairs to the casino level to try Atlantis’ Manhattan Deli, one of the resort’s moderately priced restaurants (for a four star experience, try their Napa Bistro¦I had a very good pomegranate martini there later in the evening). As the name would suggest, the Manhattan Deli was themed after the famed New York delis, and was very good. Our server was quite busy when we arrived, but we were quickly served small plates of pickled vegetables which Calvin especially loved. The menu consisted of sandwiches, burgers, soups, and salads, and all our portions were very large (too large, in fact!). The kids ordered hot dogs, which got good reviews (minus Toby; the dogs were more like sausages, and it just wasn’t what he expected). I ordered the Greek salad, which was wonderful.

(In addition to the pools, the Atlantis also offers a fitness center for their guests, which I did not have a chance to try out. We also did not try their casino floor, so cannot comment on the gambling aspect of the resort.)

Find more Activities For kids around Lake Tahoe on Trekaroo!

Date last visited: March 2010

Distance off the interstate: Just a few blocks off I-395.

Room Prices: At the time of this review, hotel rooms at the Atlantis range from $60-$80 per night.

Website: www.AtlantisCasino.com

Directions: From I-395, continue through Reno to the S. Virgina Exit. Turn right at the light (onto S. Virginia). Continue two blocks to the Atlantis.
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Kid Time! Discovery Experience

March 23, 2010 By

Kids are both chef and waitstaff in the play cafe.

Kid Time!, previously K.I.D.S, is a great place to stop and play while driving I-5 or just visiting the Rogue Valley, especially if the weather isn’t cooperating. A large, hands-on kids’ museum and play space, Kid Time has lots of imaginary place areas, including a store, a kitchen, a lemonade stand, a full stage and costumes, a camping set-up complete with tent, picnic table, and camping supplies, and more. They have a jungle room for climbing and playing (it even has a low rock wall!), and a large art area, water play area, and outdoor section for when the weather is nice.

Date last visited: March 2010

Distance off the interstate: 5 minutes

Hours and Admission Prices: Monday- Saturday 10:00-5:00,
Sunday 11:00- 4:00. $3.00/adult, $6.00/children (under age 1 is free).

Bathrooms: Two bathrooms are situated on opposite sides of the museum.

Food Services: The ‘Break Away Cafe’ is currently closed, but due to open again soon. When it was last open (under different management), it featured many healthy options at decent prices, and even foods adults like!

Website: http://www.discoveryspace.org/

Directions: Kid Time is located at 106 N. Central Avenue, Medford, OR. It’s less than three minutes from I-5.

Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium

March 18, 2010 By

Polar exhibit at Point Defiance

5400 N. Pearl St.
Tacoma, Washington

If you’re looking for a zoo that’s easy to access off the freeway but rivals the big names, stop at Tacoma’s Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium. Exhibits and sections include an Asian forest, marine discovery center, aquarium, polar exhibit, and red wolf sanctuary.

The newly added Kid Zone is a great place to let kids run around and explore. From the official website: “The new Kids’ Zone is a bright, colorful environment designed for the way children learn: through touch, exploration and movement. Here, children can explore the Magical Movement area where they can climb and move in ways that mimic how animals move. The kids can then spy on live animals that move in very cool ways, such as wallabies, stingrays and millipedes.”

Recent reviewers at popular parent-travel site Trekaroo have been impressed by all Point Defiance has done to make this zoo on par with the best. Read Trekaroo reviews.

Date last visited: February 2010

Distance off the interstate: Just a few minutes off I-5.

Hours and Admission Prices: Opens at 9:30 am daily. Closing hours vary depending on the season.

Admission:
Adults (ages 13-64) $13.50
Seniors (ages 65 & older) $12.50
Youth (ages 5-12) $11.50
Tots (3 & 4) $7.50

You might consider a family annual pass if you think you might visit more than twice a year! (There is also a AAA discount available.)

Bathrooms: Several located within the zoo.

Food Services: There are three cafes located within the zoo (two only open seasonally). Try the Plaza Cafe for the greatest selection (open year round).

Website: http://www.pdza.org/

Directions: Take Exit 132 (Highway 16 West). Exit at 6th Avenue (exit #3) and turn left. Take the next right on to Pearl Street. Follow Pearl Street into Point Defiance Park. Directional signs will lead you to the Zoo parking lots. Parking is FREE!

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