Home (Away) for the Holidays: Sierra at Tahoe ski resort

December 24, 2010 By

We’re a family who loves to ski. We’ve visited many ski resorts, including a large sampling of what the Lake Tahoe area has to offer. During our Home (Away) for the Holidays vacation week, our rental home is right at the base of Sierra at Tahoe resort, so we checked it out. In a word:

Wow.

family ski resort

We don’t say that lightly, but Sierra at Tahoe has so much going for it, we were floored. It is, without a doubt, the most family-friendly mid-sized ski resort we’ve ever visited. What makes it so great?

It’s in the details. Sierra at Tahoe is like the host or hostess who thinks of everything to make your stay convenient and enjoyable. If you ski with young kids, you know how the experience can either be great…or terrible. And it can turn in an instant. Long treks from the car to the lodge, long lift lines, difficult terrain, expensive tickets…it can all add up to a miserable time. We know; we’ve been there. But Sierra makes the extra effort to ensure families have an easy time of it. How?

Preferred family parking and drop-off lines. For a small fee, you can enjoy parking right up front…not a lot to pay when you’re lugging not only your own ski gear but likely your toddler’s. And if that’s not in the budget, just use their drop-off zone. Let the kids and one adult unload with all the gear, go park, and meet back up!

Groomed trails and powder...the perfect combination!

Affordable ticket prices. Skiing is an expensive sport, and Sierra is cognisant of this fact. Ticket prices here are lower than the Tahoe average, and deals abound. If you plan to ski more than one day, consider buying their 3 Pak, which saves you over $20 a day for adults and $5 a day for kids. And there are no blackout dates. They’ve also bundled lift tickets with ski or board rentals and lessons for those families who need them with their $35 Learn to Ski or Ride packages.

Extra ticket options perfect for families: Sierra at Tahoe is the only resort we’ve visited to offer Parent Predicament tickets and Fast Pass tickets. How do they work? Parent Predicament: if two parents are visiting with a non-skiing child or baby, this ticket allows you to buy just one ticket to share instead of two (to waste). Just ask for it at the ticket booth, and you’ll be able to ‘tag team’ ski all day long! Fast Pass: Part of Sierra’s Vertical Plus program, families can add Fast Pass privileges to any ticket for $20. We used this feature, and let me tell you, on a busy holiday day or weekend, it’s worth its weight in gold. Instead of waiting in the regular lift lines, we accessed the Vertical Plus line (marked with a yellow banner), and didn’t wait more than one minute all day long. We more than made up for the price of the upgrade in increased ski time! Insider Tip: If you pair this upgrade with a 3 Pak, which saves you $20/day, you essentially come out even!

Professional children’s programs and features. When it came time to hire a children’s ski school staff, Sierra went looking for childcare professionals, not babysitters. Their children’s programs are run by experienced early childhood learning instructors, with an emphasis on both skiing and riding fun and education. We loved that there are several ski school areas across the mountain so that children (and adults) can learn with peers in their own age group. And if your kids aren’t taking lessons, there’s still great features on the mountain for them. Look for Sierra’s Adventure Zones, designated on the trail map by a paw print. Our kids had fun trying to spot the mine shaft, bear cave, and more…all located in various spots on the mountain.

A unique terrain. Sierra’s layout is unique in several respects. Firstly, the mountain is designed in a way that allows families to split up and meet back up easily. Lodges and restaurants are located for easy access, and runs feed into a central ‘bowl’, making it easy to ‘meet at the lodge’. The mountain’s groomers even go so far as to consider beginning skiers and riders when shaping the runs, ensuring less hiking, stopping, and frustration. More importantly to us, easy, intermediate, and advanced terrain are seamlessly intermixed, allowing family members with different ability levels to ski together. Toby (age 6) loved that he could ride the chair to the peak of the mountain with his brothers, and still find a fun, easy way down while they tackled moguls and powder.

sierra-at-tahoe

A great location. Because Sierra at Tahoe is located in Eldorado National Forest, skiers and riders are surrounded by wilderness…not condos and excess parking lots. The only area in Tahoe with an old-growth forest, the powder and tree skiing is awesome. Advanced skiers and riders will love Huckleberry Gates, a section on the far side of the mountain with back-country style access to trees, powder, cornices, and drop-offs. Experts can be highly challenged but still meet up with beginners in the lift line!

Plenty of on-mountain dining. We ate at The Pub and Aspen Cafe during our visit, both of which were delicious. We loved that nearly every on-site restaurant offers affordable kid meals, and that outside food is permitted. No one wants to spend all their vacation money on lunch!

More than just skiing: If you’re not sure whether downhill skiing is for you and your family (or if you just need a break from skiing on an off-day), Sierra also has a full tubing and snow play park and over three miles of snowshoe trails. Tubes are available on-site, and snowshoes can be rented in the ski and board rental center.

snowshoeing-with-kids

Date last visited: March 2016

Website: www.sierraattahoe.com

Distance from the Interstate: Two minutes from US Hwy 50. 15 miles from South Lake Tahoe, and 80 miles from I-5 near Sacramento, CA.

Directions: From South Lake Tahoe, just take Hwy 50 over Echo Summit to the Sierra at Tahoe entrance!

Check out the Pit Stops for Kids’ Kid Cam for a sneak peak of Sierra at Tahoe!

As I disclose with all compensated reviews, Sierra at Tahoe generously hosted us for this portion of our Tahoe Holiday review series. While we greatly appreciate their hospitality, this compensation came with no expectation of a positive review. Read all our articles in our Home (Away) for the Holidays series!


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Home (Away) for the Holidays: A Tahoe winter wonderland

December 22, 2010 By

This friendly welcome greeted us at the door of our HomeAway rental.

Only two days into our Tahoe Holiday vacation, and we’re convinced: if you’re looking for a winter family getaway in the South Lake Tahoe area, you can’t do better than to rent a HomeAway property such as this one we’re currently enjoying near Twin Bridges. (It’s easy to rent the perfect vacation home at HomeAway.com!) Nestled in the snow right at the base of Sierra at Tahoe ski resort, this cozy vacation cabin has all the comforts of home in a high Sierra setting.

We arrived for our holiday week vacation amid a December snowstorm. The snow was piled to the upper deck in true Tahoe fashion, but inside, every amenity we could ask for awaited us, including wireless wifi, a full washer and dryer, a complete kitchen including dishwasher, all cutlery, dishware, and pots and pans, two full bathrooms (one with a tub/shower, one with a shower), and sleeping arrangements for up to 10 people.

How the home normally looks in winter…

…and the winter wonderland that awaited us this week!

And best of all for those of us wanting to get away from it all without any additional worry: the home has a generator for when the power goes out (and it has!) and snow removal plans for when the roads fill with that wonderful white stuff (which they have), all thanks to our home’s competent and detail-oriented owner, who works hand -in-hand with HomeAway to ensure every guest’s needs are cared for; everything, from extra linens to tupperware to emergency supplies, were stocked and ready for our arrival.

Who wouldn’t want to spend the holidays curled up with a good book here?

Our property’s efficient and modern kitchen, complete with many cozy touches!

The kids quickly claimed the upstairs loft with three beds, a bathroom, and a folding-bed/couch, and we settled into one of the two downstairs bedrooms with King beds. While I started dinner our first night (one of the many benefits of renting a vacation home is the ability to eat in your own home), the kids got busy on a snow fort and my husband checked out the game on TV (of which there are two).

Toby gets cozy by the fire after a long day of car travel.

The property’s location couldn’t be better: just yards from the entrance to Sierra-at-Tahoe, it’s also right down US-50 from a great snow park with sledding and snowshoeing, Echo Lake with hiking trails in the summer, and only 15 minutes from South Tahoe. We love that we’re only minutes from restaurants, ski resorts, and attractions, but feel completely and totally away from it all.

Outside our back door, fresh powder and woods are at the kids’ command, and down the quiet street, a lovely meadow beckons. We could easily spend our full week exploring and playing right at the property!

Nate pauses for a photo op while sculpting his fort!

Note: Obviously, this is snow country. If you rent a vacation home in this area, be prepared for winter driving, have emergency supplies on-hand, and if your stay coincides with a winter storm, plan to be flexible. Itineraries sometimes have to be adjusted, but that just means more time for hot cocoa! During our visit, snow removal has been slow-going at times, and the extra effort has to be made to shovel and de-ice, but with drifts as high as several feet, it’s to be expected!

Distance from the nearest interstate: Right off Hwy 50.

Weekly rates: $1000-$2500, depending on the season. Consider a spring or fall visit to explore Tahoe without the high price tag!

Dining options: Our home’s owner helpfully provided information on area grocery stores before our arrival, allowing us to shop en route to the house from the Sacramento area. We opted to buy most our groceries ahead of time and prepare meals, but South Tahoe has dozens of excellent restaurants to choose from.

Website: View this rental here.

Directions: From Sacramento, follow US Highway 50 past Echo Summit to Twin Bridges. (85 miles from I-5.)

As I disclose with all compensated reviews, HomeAway hosted us  for the majority of this review. While we greatly appreciate their hospitality, this compensation came with no expectation of a positive review. Read all our articles in our Home (Away) for the Holidays series!

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Regional Snow Parks: Winter’s Best Pit Stops!

December 2, 2010 By

Pit Stops’ kids enjoying winter recreation while on the road!

If you’re traveling by car this holiday season, or have a family vacation road trip planned for this winter, don’t forget that snow parks can offer a cheap, fun, and festive alternative to traditional play spaces or restaurant pit stops. Often free (or requiring only a parking permit available locally), snow parks are almost always located directly off regional highways and usually include such luxuries as groomed snow trails, ready-made sledding hills, warming huts, and bathrooms. Not a bad way to spend that hour or so out of the car on a winter afternoon!

Our family’s favorite snow park is located at Union Creek Oregon, right off Highway 62 en route to Crater Lake National Park. (By the way, if you haven’t seen this natural wonder in winter, what the heck are you waiting for?!) Adjacent to the cozy Union Creek Resort, this full-service snow park offers the best sledding around. A rope tow is operational most days, but you’ll still work up enough of an appetite for a bite at Becky’s, serving up the best pie and hot cocoa around. If you’re crossing from coastal Oregon to central Oregon, be sure to circle this spot on the map! (50 miles from Medford on Hwy 62.)

Will you be traveling across Washington State this holiday? A Pit Stops for Kids reader favorite is Lake Wenatchee State Park, north of Leavenworth on Highway 2. In addition to sledding hills, you’ll find miles of cross-country, snow-shoeing, and even dog sledding trails. And the quaint Bavarian village of Leavenworth is only 25 minutes away!

Need to find a snow park along your winter driving route? The best place to start is with the National Parks Service. Look up state parks by state or region to find parks offering winter recreation. Toss gloves, coats, and a sled or two into the car, and you’re ready to go!

Happy (and safe) winter driving!

Mt. Hood Railroad Polar Express

November 26, 2010 By

A very special guest on the Polar Express!

110 Railroad Avenue
Hood River, OR

It’s that time of year…when everyday roadside attractions become magical! The Mt. Hood Railroad offers scenic tours through the Hood River Valley and the Columbia Gorge, and during the holiday season, they take a detour to the North Pole! Let your kids read along with the Polar Express story as the train makes its journey to the North Pole, meet Santa, and then enjoy caroling, hot cocoa, a treat and a special gift (for each child). Kids can wear their pajamas; be ready for some very cute photo ops! Everyone is dressed up to capture the feel of the story, and the train is beautifully decorated.

Distance from the nearest interstate: Right off I-84 in Hood River, Oregon. (Approximately 1 hour from Portland, OR down the beautiful Columbia River Gorge.)

Hours: Departures at 2 pm, 4:30 pm, and 7 pm nearly daily until December 23rd.

Ticket Prices: $26 per adult, $18 per child (age 2 and up).

Dining options: Cocoa and cookies are included in your ticket price, but no other food or drink are sold on the train. Passengers are welcome to bring their own bottled water and snacks. If you’re looking for a place to eat before or after your ride, I suggest either Hood River’s Andrew’s Pizza (107 Oak St), or, if time permits, a meal at the Multnomah Falls Lodge dining room in Cascade Locks on the way to or from the train ride.

Website: http://www.mthoodrr.com/Polar_Express/polar_mt_hood.html

Directions: From I-84, take the US-30 exit toward W Hood River/Westchill Dr. Turn right at US-30 E, then arrive at 110 Railroad St.

Coeur d’Alene Resort’s Fantasy Cruise to the North Pole

November 11, 2010 By

Photo credit: Coeur d\’Alene Resort

Bet you never knew the North Pole is in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho! Celebrate this holiday season while in the Eastern Washington/Northern Idaho area with a family Fantasy Cruise to the North Pole, hosted by the Coeur d’Alene Resort.

These 40 minute cruises offer spectacular views of the many floating holiday light displays decorating lovely Lake Coeur d’Alene. The most memorable point in the journey, at least for the kids, lies across the lake, as the boat momentarily pauses by Santa’s workshop, where the big man himself awaits amid a magical snowfall (although in Coeur d’Alene, chances are certainly good for the real deal)! Best of all, in the spirit of the season, children are FREE!

When my family and I attended this cruise several years ago, cookies and hot cocoa were served to all the kids in the boat en route, and holiday music was played. The atmosphere was festive, and my three-year-old had a great time!

Note: Be sure to bundle up! Even a mild night can feel chilly on the lake, and while the boat has an interior section, kids will want to spend time on deck to view the light displays. Expect wait time on the dock as well.

Distance from the nearest interstate: Right off I-90.

Hours: Departures are scheduled at 5:30 pm, 6:30 pm, and 7:30 pm nightly November 27th-January 2nd. (A special fireworks cruise kicks the season off on Nov. 26th!)

Ticket Prices:

Adults – $15.95
Seniors (65 yrs. & over) – $14.95
Children (12 yrs. & under) – Complimentary

Room rates: If you decide to make a trip to ‘Idaho’s North Pole’ an overnight (highly recommended!), The Coeur d’Alene Resort is offering several Fantasy Cruise packages, starting at $155.

Dining options: Our family’s favorite area restaurant is Tito Macaroni’s with their make-your-own-pizza for kids (210 Sherman Ave).

Website: http://www.cdaresort.com/activities/holiday_lights

Directions: Fantasy Cruises depart from the Coeur d’Alene Resort dock, located at the back of the resort (just ask in reception). The resort is located at 115 S. 2nd St., Coeur d’Alene. From I-90, take the Northwest Blvd. exit and drive into the city. Turn left on Sherman Ave. and right on 2nd.

 

 

Sunriver Resort, Oregon

November 8, 2010 By

Toby kicks back and relaxes in the snow at Sunriver.Located thirty minutes from Bend, Oregon along Hwy 97, Sunriver, Oregon is an outdoors-lover’s paradise four seasons out of the year. The Pit Stops for Kids family has visited in winter, spring, and summer, and had so much to do and see each time that we definitely need to go back!

Sunriver is a vibrant resort community of vacation homes and a village center of shops and restaurants centered around a main lodge, all nestled among the pines of central Oregon and in the shadow of Mt. Bachelor. The lodge often runs special packages ideal for families and weekend getaways, but if you’re looking for a magical place to spend your winter holiday vacation, Pit Stops for Kids recommends one of Sunriver’s vacation home rentals, such as these listings currently offered by HomeAway.

We were fortunate enough to spend a Christmas week here, and the kids (and I!) have never forgot it. Right in the Sunriver community, you have it all: snow outside your door (most of the time, anyway!), a sledding hill within walking distance, a year-round pool and hot tub (at the lodge, free access with most home rentals), cross-country and snow-shoe trails (doubling as walking and biking trails in the summer months), a village center with outdoor ice skating rink, award-winning restaurants, and kids’ activity clubs.

Holiday lights at the Sunriver Resort.

During the holiday season, there are tree-lighting ceremonies, cookies with Santa, The Night Before Christmas readings, bonfires, and more. We ate a delicious and festive Christmas Eve dinner at one of the lodge’s several dining rooms before returning to our cozy rental to hang the stockings and leave out cookies and milk for Santa. Christmas Day, we spent most our afternoon sledding, sipping cocoa, and playing board games. It really couldn’t be beat!

If you’re a skier, Mt. Bachelor ski resort is only twenty miles away, (arguably) offering the very best downhill experience of the area. Check for bundled ski/stay rates with Sunriver!

Distance from the nearest interstate: Right on Hwy 97 (30 minutes from OR Hwy 20).

Date Last Visited: December 2009

Rentals and Room Rates: Vary. Check the above links for room rates from the source!

Dining options: There are many, but our favorites are The Grille at Crosswater (for fine dining) in the lodge and Goody’s in the Sunriver Village. There is also a grocery store in the village, but for better prices, you might want to head into Bend, where you’ll find a Trader Joe’s, Albertson’s, and the like.

Website: Sunriver Resort

Directions: To get to the resort from Bend, take highway 97 to the exit at Cottonwood Road. Take a left at S. Imnaha Rd, then another left at E Cascade Rd. At the traffic circle, continue straight to stay on E Cascade Rd, then turn left to stay on E Cascade Rd. At the next traffic circle (yes, it’s confusing!), take the 3rd exit onto Abbot Dr, then turn left at Summit View Dr to the resort entrance.

Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park

October 28, 2010 By

There are few places as stunning as the California Redwoods.

The summer tourist crowds have left beautiful Northern California, leaving near-empty (and ever inviting) state parks and recreation areas behind. If you’re looking to take an off-season road trip or family weekend getaway this autumn, consider a stay (or day trip) in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.

We love this state park (located right along Highway 199 and not far from Highway 101 and the coast) for its unsurpassed beauty, spacious campsites hidden away under towering redwoods, fun hiking trails, and proximity to both wooded terrain and the rugged Pacific. Our favorite activity: walking the shores of Smith River and wading in the chilly water!

But this fall, there’s another reason to pack up the car and visit a California State Park: budget cuts have put the state park system at risk. On November 2nd, Californians will have the opportunity to vote on a proposition that will make a significant difference for California State Parks, while at the same time giving Californians greater opportunities to explore California’s natural wonders. Proposition 21 adds an $18 vehicle license fee for all vehicles registered in the state of California. In return, California drivers will receive free unlimited day use admission to the California State Parks. This is huge! Imagine if every state offered such a perk to its residents!

Learn more about Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park here.

One of many ‘tucked away and out of sight’ campsites at Jed Smith!

Date Last Visited: August 2010

Distance off the interstate: Nine miles from Hwy 101 (the CA/OR coast), and approximately 1.5 hours from I-5.

Hours: Open year-round, sunrise to sunset.

Camping: JSR State Park offers camping, and the easiest way to reserve a spot is through their online system at Reserve America. If you want to spend time on the coast as well, consider staying an extra night in a yurt at nearby Harris Beach State Park in Oregon. If you are coming from I-5, your whole family will love adding a night in a tree house at Out ‘N About Treesort in Cave Junction, Oregon!

Website: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=413

Directions: Nine miles east of Crescent City on Highway 199. If you’re coming from I-5, take the Redwoods Highway exit at Grants Pass, then follow Hwy 199 to JSR State Park!

 

Spooky Pit Stops: Harmon’s Tree Farm

October 21, 2010 By

Harmon’s offers seasonal fun all year long!

3152 Augusta Highway (US Highway 1)
Gilbert, South Carolina

Looking for a family-oriented fall festival in a beautiful setting? Want to add a haunted house, corn maze, and spooky hay ride to liven things up? Harmon’s Tree Farm, located half an hour outside of Columbia, SC has it all! Their ‘Boo House’ is tame enough that most young kids can have fun touring the spooky exhibits (the haunts will not jump out and startle you), while older kids will love the challenging corn maze and haunted hay ride.

Dates offered: Harmon’s has farm events for all seasons, but their fall attractions are open now through October 31st.

Distance off the interstate: Ten minutes from I-20 (directly on US-1).

Hours: Monday-Friday 1 PM-6 PM, Saturday 10 AM-6 PM, Sunday 1:30 PM-6 PM

Dining options: None on site.

Website: Harmon’s Tree Farm

Admission: Prices are reasonable, and vary by activity. Check their full list of fall activities and Halloween events for exact pricing.

Directions: From Columbia SC, follow US-1 N/Us Highway 1 to destination near Windy Hill Road.

While you’re in the area: Check out nearby Riverside Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo!

Not in South Carolina? Be sure to check out our other Spooky Pit Stop picks: Salem, Massachusetts. Or if you’re looking for something truly scary (not for the faint of heart, young or old), check out this directory of haunted houses listed by state!

Out ‘N About Treesort

October 6, 2010 By

Hanging out in the trees in the Swiss Family tree house!

Last weekend, the Pit Stops for Kids crew had the opportunity to stay in one of the most unique locations we’ve ever experienced: a tree house high in the air! At Out ‘N About Treesort near Cave Junction, Oregon, guests have their pick of one of 15 tree houses, elevated yurts, cabins, and tree ‘gazebos’ in which to spend the night. Each one is different, offering different views, different features, and different amenities (or as they say there, ‘amenitrees’).

It only took us approximately ten minutes to reach the resort from Highway 199 (which runs between I-5 and the Oregon coast), or 40 minutes from I-5. When we arrived, we were greeted by the friendly resort staff and shown around the beautiful property of mountain meadows, sugar pine trees, pasture, and hillside. It didn’t take us long to realize that Out ‘N About is all about making guests feel at home: in addition to the main lobby with couches, games, TV, freshly brewed coffee, and wireless, a ‘Central Amenitrees’ cabin is situated adjacent to a communal fire pit housing a full kitchen for guest use, a spacious bathroom with shower for those guests without plumbing in their tree house, and numerous BBQs, dishes, wood, charcoal, and the like.

Exploring the rope bridges at Out ‘N About!

Further exploration of the resort yielded elevated tree platforms, rope bridges high in the air, a rope swing the kids couldn’t get enough of, stables, an expansive zip line course, and a swimming hole beautifully landscaped and fed by the nearby Illinois River. Put simply: this is kid paradise.

Of course, we were anxious to see our tree house. We stayed in the ‘Swiss Family’ complex, which comfortably slept the five of us in two distinct tree house cabins: the upper two-story adult unit has a double bed along with a child size single and rocking chair on the landing and large covered open deck below. ‘The kids’ unit, connected by a swinging bridge, has a bunk bed and a small table with chairs like the playhouse all kids want. We used the bathroom facilities in the ‘Central Amenitrees’ (only 75 feet away), but had electricity and heat.

The older two kids loved having their own ‘place’ connected by the bridge, and Toby was more than happy to curl up on the cozy bench bed in the main unit. And while this was a tree house in the truest sense of the word (we had to climb a ladder to enter our unit by a trap door), it was comfortable and all our needs were met: fresh towels and sheets awaited us, and we had plenty of warm blankets to accompany our heater. We even had a fridge and the kids had a fire pole to shimmy down to the ground! (See more photos of the tree houses and even virtual tours of the interiors!)

Bridge from the Swiss Family kid suite to the main complex and lower deck.

Date Last Visited: October 2, 2010

Distance from the Interstate: 40 minutes from I-5.

Room Rates: Tree house rates range from $120-$250 per night.

Dining Options: ‘Central Amenitrees’ is stocked with everything you need to cook or BBQ a meal (minus the food), and breakfast is served daily (included in the price of your tree house). We found the breakfast to be delicious (in fact, the kids went back for a ‘second breakfast’ about an hour later!). Completely homemade, during our stay we had our pick of quiches, egg dishes, french toast, muffins, fresh fruit, and cereal. If you want to dine elsewhere for lunch or dinner, nearby Cave Junction offers several choices. Our pick: Wild River Pizza on Hwy 199.

Calvin listens to final instructions before zipping across the meadow.

Activities: There’s plenty to do at Out ‘N About. In addition to simply letting your kids have the run of the place (kids under 8 need to be with an adult while exploring), families can sign up for a number of activities and classes on the grounds, all listed daily in the main lobby. During our visit, horseback rides were offered, in addition to a mosaics and felting class and the activity my kids were most looking forward to: the zip-line.

Out ‘N About has an extensive network of zip-lining courses on their property, designed to put a smile on the face of both novices and experts. We signed up for their ‘Basics Course’, which gave us five long zip-line experiences over the meadow and through the trees. The zip-lines soared over 70 feet over the ground in some places, and we had an absolute blast zipping from tree platform to tree platform high in the air.

The Out ‘N About zip line staff were professional, capable, and very friendly, putting the kids (and us) instantly at ease and making the afternoon all the more fun. We felt very safe in their hands as they suited us up in harnesses and taught us the basics on a practice line. Even Toby (only 35 pounds) was able to join the fun (and had a blast!). After completing the Basics Course, guests have the option of more zip-lining fun on their more advanced lines.)

Toby soars through the air!

Zip-lining starts at $45 per person, and you don’t have to be a guest to give it a try. If you are driving along Hwy 199 and have a few hours to spare, it’s well worth the pit stop! (Call ahead to reserve a spot!)

Other Attractions in the Area: There’s a lot to do in Southern Oregon, from swimming in the Illinois River in the summer to picking blackberries in the fall. We combined our stay at Out ‘N About with a day trip to Oregon Caves National Monument, located approximately 20 miles away on OR-46. Check out our review of Oregon Caves and consider making it a stop!

Website: http://www.treehouses.com/

Phone: 541-592-2208

Directions: Out ‘N About is located at 300 Page Creek Road, Cave Junction OR. From I-5, take Grants Pass exit 55. Take Hwy 199 28 mi. to Cave Junction. South of Cave Junction about 1/2 of a mile, take a left on Rockydale Road. Go 7.5 miles to the stop sign at Waldo Road and make a left. About a mile to next stop sign, make a right on Takilma Road. In 2.5 miles you will see Page Creek Road on the left; turn left and go about 1/4 mile. You will see mail boxes and 300 Page Creek Rd. Turn left on gravel road and take it to the end.

From the south on HWY 199, turn right just past the flashing light and old cop car at the O’Brien store onto O’Brien st. O’Brien street dead ends on Waldo Rd. Take a right onto Waldo Rd. Stay on Waldo for about 4 miles until you hit the stop sign at Takilma Rd. Make a right on Takilma Road, and in 2.5 miles you will see Page Creek Road on the left. Turn left and go about 1/4 mile; you will see mail boxes and 300 Page Creek Rd. Turn left on gravel road and take it to the end.

As I disclose with all compensated reviews, Out ‘N About generously compensated us for the price of our rooms and my zip lining adventure. While we greatly appreciate their hospitality, this compensation came with no expectation of a positive review.

Oregon Caves National Monument

October 4, 2010 By

Oregon Caves Chateau on a sunny October afternoon.

If you’re driving along Hwy 199 to or from the California or Oregon coast and I-5, a stop off the beaten path at Oregon Caves National Monument is well-worth a few hours of your time! A beautiful 20 mile drive from the highway (up OR-46), Oregon Caves offers cave tours of one of the few marble caves in the world, easy hiking trails, a gorgeous lodge with dining, and breathtaking scenery.

The cave is definitely the main attraction, but keep in mind that kids MUST be at least 42″ to take the tour. Our five-year-old was finally tall enough this fall, so we spent a beautiful Sunday here just last weekend. The tour is 90 minutes, and the cave temperature is approximately 45 degrees, so dress warmly even in summer! (Jackets are available to borrow in the Visitor’s Center, which we found to be a nice touch.) The tour, which winds its way almost a mile through the extensive cave system, was very interesting and kept all our kids’ attention despite its length. Our guide, Suzan, was very knowledgeable and great with the kids in our tour, and encouraged lots of questions. The kids loved climbing all the stairs, ducking in the narrow sections, and spotting bats! The tour is lighted, but at several points, they’re turned off to give visitors a feel of how dark it actually is in the cave. Our kids couldn’t get enough; even my youngest, who’s afraid of the dark!

Toby and Nate head into the interior of the cave!

Adjacent to the cave, the Oregon Caves Chateau is a National Park Landmark and a truly beautiful place to stay. We enjoyed looking around, checking out the gift shop, and taking in the view from the main lobby before returning to our tree house accommodations at Out ‘N About Treesort in nearby Cave Junction.

If caving isn’t for you, try one of the many moderate hikes in the area (trail heads start at the Visitor’s Center). And don’t forget: ask a ranger about their Junior Ranger program! Kids are rewarded with pins and an impromptu award ceremony upon completing their material! We can’t recommend this program enough: no matter what park you visit, your kids will come away from the experience with a better understanding of the area’s history and natural treasures after completing Junior Rangers!

Distance from the nearest interstate: On OR-46, approximately 20 miles for Hwy 199 and 50 miles from I-5.

Date Last Visited: October 2010

Hours: The monument is a seasonal attraction. Tours are offered spring, summer, and fall, from 9 am to as late as 6 pm.

Calvin and Toby earn their Junior Ranger badges in the Visitor’s Center.

Admission Prices: Admission to the monument is FREE. Cave tours are $8.50 for adults, $6.00 for children (under 17).

Dining options: The Oregon Caves Chateau offers both fine dining and a casual diner with fun atmosphere, which we recommend. Otherwise, several options can be found in Cave Junction (20 miles), including locally famous Wild River Pizza (on Hwy 199).

Website: http://www.nps.gov/pwr/orca/

Directions: From I-5, take exit 58 to merge onto NE 6th St/OR-99/Redwood Hwy. Continue to follow Redwood Hwy (3 miles), then turn right at US-199 to Cave Junction (28 miles). Turn left on OR-46 (a gas station is on the corner) and follow OR-46 for 20 miles to the monument.