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 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...]

A Pit Stop a Day (Day 9): Zipline and Bungee Trampoline!

We were all excited to wake up at the Big Sky Resort's Summit Hotel and get going with an activity-packed day…without getting in our car for a change! We grabbed a quick bite to eat in the Mountain Mall, then arrived at BaseCamp (located right next door on the plaza) for our first two activities of the day. If you're a guest at Big Sky Resort (or a day guest), you're going to want to spend … [Read more...]

A Pit Stop a Day (Day 5): Swiftcurrent Lake Cruise

Day 5 found us lucky enough to wake up once again at the Many Glacier Hotel in Glacier National Park. We spent the morning hiking nearby trails, then boarded Chief Two Guns for a Swiftcurrent Lake Cruise offered by the Glacier Park Boat Company. What a great way to combine sightseeing, a guided tour, hiking, and boating! We departed from the dock of the Many Glacier Hotel on Swiftcurrent Lake … [Read more...]

A Pit Stop a Day (Day 1): Portland Spirit River Cruise

Tom McCall Waterfront Park Portland, OR Our Day 1 route (see map) took us from our home in Southern Oregon four hours north on I-5 to beautiful Portland, where we were fortunate to embark upon the Portland Spirit for a cruise down the Willamette River. The Portland Spirit is a 150' yacht with three public decks, two of which are enclosed and climate controlled. We were met at the dock by … [Read more...]

Whale Watching in Crescent City, CA

1001 Front Street Crescent City, CA Crescent City, CA has long been a favorite location for whale watching year-round, but the best time to get a glimpse of a gentle giant or two is in May! If you find yourself traveling along scenic Highway 101 this spring, it's well worth a pit stop on your family vacation! Check in at the Cultural Center (1001 Front Street) first in order to see if any … [Read more...]