Fall pit stop: Upper Rogue River Trail

November 18, 2015 By

The Upper Rogue Trail outside of Prospect, Oregon offers several starting points for beautiful hiking in Southern Oregon. In the perfect location if you’re traveling to or from Crater Lake National Park or Bend, Oregon, this ‘off the beaten track’ pit stop takes you through scenic woodlands and stunning river views. Best of all, the weather is ideal in late fall.

rogue river trail

Take the trail downstream for rockier vistas and steeper grades, or the trail upstream for a more moderate hike through dense forest. We went this way, and in several places, the river was accessible (which the dog loved!). Watch the current; its best to let kids enjoy the river from the sandy banks. Both trails continue for 3+ miles, so you may want to turn around prior to the end or take two cars to avoid back-tracking (the upper trail ends at the River Bridge Campground on Forest Road #6210). On the lower trail, we turned at about the 2 mile mark, and the kids had no problem with the moderate terrain.

rogue-river

Date last visited: October 2009

Distance off the interstate: A few miles off Highway 62.

Hours and Admission Prices: None.

Bathrooms: None. The nearby River Bridge Campground is your best option when it’s accessible in the summer months.

Food Services: Hands down your best option: Beckie’s, known for their fresh berry pies. Located just a bit further down the road at 56484 Highway 62. Call for hours: 541-560-3563.

Website: This one gives a fairly good overview of the upper hike and general driving directions.

Directions: From Prospect, travel north on Highway 62 and turn off at the sign for the Woodruff Bridge Picnic Area (Forest Service Road 68). Proceed under 2 miles to the picnic area. The actual address is 47201 Highway 62, Prospect, Oregon.

Bonus Pit Stop! Six miles south of the Upper Rogue Trail, also directly off Highway 62, is Mill Creek Falls and the Avenue of the Boulders. Only a half mile walk, this is a good option if you have less time (and affords stunning views!).

PCT section hiking with teens

August 12, 2015 By

We’ve been wanting to backpack on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) long before it was cool. This summer, my 16-year-old and I finally set out, tackling almost 70 miles of the PCT in Central Oregon. We built up to this trip with years of family backpacking, including several 3-4 night trips, starting when my son was just a toddler. How did we fare? We had one of our best backpacking trips ever!

hiking-PCT

Our PCT section hike spanned over 65 miles from Central Oregon’s Mckenzie Pass by Sisters to Olallie Lake, outside Detroit, Oregon. It took us through the Jefferson National Forest and Jefferson Park, past the three Sisters peaks, Broken Top, Three Fingered Jack, Mount Washington, and Mount Jefferson. Every day brought new scenery, from forests depleted by fire to mountain meadows still filled with wildflowers, to rushing creek crossings, to mountain ridge lines, saddles, and peaks.

Jefferson-peak

My son and I felt a keen sense of accomplishment as we navigated landmarks along the trail with our PCT data book and topographical maps, found our own water resupplies, made and broke down camp every night and morning, carried everything we needed on our backs, and relied entirely upon each other for basic survival. This trip was a chance for my son to shine as a young man, for me to let go a bit as a mom, and for both of us to bond. We met amazing people on the PCT, both fellow section hikers like us and thru-hikers going to Canada. The community spirit was uplifting, the scenery breathtaking, and the uninterrupted time in the wilderness invigorating.

A day in the life of a PCT section hiking with teens:

PCT-hike

Each section hike will look different, depending on where you start and end, of course, but a typical day on the PCT for us looked something like this:

7 am: Wake up. Stumble out of sleeping bags on stiff legs, retrieve the food bag (hung in the night to discourage critters from nibbling), and start boiling water for coffee and oatmeal (assuming we had enough water to spare for a hot meal).

8 am: Change into hiking clothes (our only hiking clothes), doctor any blisters on our feet, and tear down camp. This involves washing any dishes (we quickly learned to have as few as possible), putting away our stove and cooking pot, stuffing our sleeping bags and pads, taking down our little tent, and filling our water bottles for the day.

8:30 am: Hit the trail. Depending on the day, we hiked between 10-15 miles. Some days, we took a break mid-morning at a water source to cook a meal if we hadn’t had enough water to do so earlier, other days we hiked straight until lunch. When is lunch? When we were hungry. Regular rules about meals and routine don’t matter on the PCT: our bodies very quickly adjusted to a natural rhythm of eating when we were hungry and sleeping when we were tired.

Mid-day stop at a vista, lake, stream, or otherwise interesting landmark: Some days, we’d go for a swim in a lake if one crossed our path, other days we washed our clothes in a creek or sat on the saddle of a ridge, taking in the view.

Late-day stop: We’d always stop at least once or twice per day to filter more drinking water as the opportunity arose. We had to keep a steady eye on our drinking supply and the water sources listed in our data book. Every day, we ran into others on the trail, and we always stopped to talk a bit. We met wonderful people, all on the PCT for essentially the same reasons as us: to commune with nature, to challenge themselves, and to live deliberately and peacefully.

lake-on-PCT

5-6 pm: Arrive at the night’s camp. Where was camp? Wherever we could find one. We always had an ‘ending mile’ planned (aka, mile 14 of the day, for instance) that was near some landmark desirable for camping, such as a lake or stream. However, campsites didn’t always appear on cue. We sometimes stopped shy of our goal, but more often hiked further, in order to come to a good campsite.

7 pm: Set up camp, make dinner (usually mashed potatoes or noodles, as we always craved carbs), and filter water, unless at a dry camp. If we had wet clothes we’d washed in a lake or stream, we hung them to dry.

8 pm: Do any dishes (remembering to follow Leave No Trace practices), string up the food bag, make sure all our supplies are tucked away in our bags, get in our sleeping bags. Once in our sleeping bags, we’d study our topographical map to get a preview of the next day’s hike, then read our books until we fell asleep (usually as the sun went down around 9 pm).

campsite-on-PCT

How to plan:

Readers of Pit Stops for Kids may remember we started planning our PCT section hike months ago, using information gleaned from PCTA.org. Click on our post, ‘How to plan a multi-night PCT hike with kids’ for details on how we chose when and where to hike.

Since that post, our section hike plan changed a few times. We lost some participants, making the trip a mother-son endeavor, and gained support via car in the form of a trailhead drop-off on Day 1, a check-in and resupply late Day 2, and a pick-up on Day 6.

Once we knew where we wanted our hike to start and end, and how many days we had to accomplish our goal, it was a simple task to break down the trip in miles per day. We then cross-referenced this information with the possible ‘drops’ along the trail (places we could be met by others who could give us aid), and determined to have just one drop during our 6 days out. To do all this, we used the Pacific Crest Trail Data Book and the topographical map dedicated to Central Oregon’s section of the PCT (available at outdoor stores or online).

three-fingered-jack

The data book will tell you where along the trail water will be available (in the form of a creek, stream, pond, or lake), but does not tell you where to find campsites (though some GPS programs do). In many sections of the PCT, hikers are permitted to camp anywhere they find an established campsite. You can tell an established site because the ground will be packed down and there may be a small spur trail leading to it from the PCT. Often, other hikers will mark good campsites with cairns (piles or rock), handmade signs using sticks for arrows on the dirt, or trail marking tape.

How to pack:

When we backpack for a weekend or up to three days, we like a few luxuries in our packs, such as hammocks, camp chairs, and java presses. I know, I know. But when we section hiked the PCT, we went bare bones, in order to be as lightweight as possible. Here was what was in our packs (and nothing else), for a total of about 25 pounds per pack:

Clothing:

  • 1 set of hiking clothing (quick dry pants, t-shirt)
  • 3 pairs wool hiking socks
  • 2 pairs underwear
  • 1 set of base layers (long underwear, preferably wool)
  • 1 down or down-alternative jacket (lightweight, easily stuff-able)
  • 1 rain jacket
  • 1 pair of lightweight sandals
  • 1 pair hiking boots
  • sunglasses
  • sun hat
  • thin gloves

Equipment (divided between two people):

Food (again, divided between us):

We have a tendency to over-pack food, and we managed to do this again, even though we meticulously planned our meals. We have much smaller appetites than we anticbackpacking-foodipated, given how much we worked on the trail. We could barely manage to eat about 300 calories each during the evening meal, and we calculated double this amount. Whoops.

Breakfasts:

  • instant oatmeal packets (mix the hot water right into the paper sleeves if they’re the lined kind)
  • instant coffee (for us, only Starbucks VIA will do)
  • handful of dried fruit

Lunches:

  • protein bar of your choice
  • dried fruit
  • veggie chips or pita chips
  • tube of peanut butter to spread on chips
  • envelope of tuna
  • beef jerky
  • snickers bar or M&Ms to snack on

Dinners (one of the following):

  • instant mashed potatoes (we like Idahoan)
  • Top Ramen
  • dehydrated backpacking meal
  • mac and cheese
  • instant soup
  • envelope of smoked salmon or jerky to add to the carb-heavy meals

We essentially rotated these basic foods over and over. And yes, we got tired of them.

Tips we learned on the trail:

Look for trail signs: while many places along the PCT are not officially marked with mileage and other helpful tidbits, other hikers have often left signs to follow. Look for cairns that will direct you to the correct trail, or hand-scratched ‘pct’ letters in logs or even rocks. During one lucky moment, someone just ahead of us on the trail had made an arrow of sticks to indicate a hidden spur trail to an excellent camping site. When we met her later, we thanked her! Another time, we were almost out of water when we ran across a stick with these words in Magic Marker: “Washington Pond: 1/4 mile, muddy but if desperate?!” We were!

sign-on-PCT

Stop to talk with other hikers. They’re awesome, down to a person.

Let your kids have responsibilities. During our hike, my son was pretty much an equal with me, making important decisions and partnering in all the tasks and work. We both loved this. He’s preparing for bigger and longer hikes in his future, and I will know he’s prepared.

Stop to rest when it feels right. A few times on the trail, we pushed ourselves for no reason other than to ‘make good time’. When the only task of the day is to hike to the day’s destination, don’t be afraid to spend the whole day doing it.

Eat when you’re hungry. Once, we stopped at a creek mid-hike and decided to get out the stove and make a big bowl of chowder at 3 pm. It was supposed to be our dinner, but we wanted it then. We didn’t regret it.

Don’t duplicate equipment. It seems silly now, but we brought two stoves (very small and lightweight) and two pots (not so lightweight). We thought we might want to convenience of boiling two pots of water simultaneously (to have coffee and oatmeal at the same time, for example). We ended up preferring to have patience rather than carry the extra weight.

Issues to be prepared for:

When hiking most of the day, every day (regardless of mileage), certain physical issues may occur. It’s not fun to talk about, but…

rain-PCTChaffing: Skin rubbing against skin for hours at a time can cause major discomfort in sensitive areas. The solution: antibiotic ointment or Vasoline applied before hiking. It can also help to change underwear.

Diarrhea: Lots of water, plus lots of physical exertion, plus exposure to the elements and different food than usual can wreak havoc on the digestive system. Give it a day or two before worrying, making sure you continue to hydrate. Of course, make sure to filter or boil all water.

Bad moments: There will be low moments. Maybe the incline in the trail will seem endless, or a wind and hailstorm will beat down. Maybe you’ll be thirsty or hungry or your feet will be in agony. It’s good for kids (and adults) to remember that pain, discouragement, and suffering can be temporary, and that they can get through these times. Truly.

Blisters: AKA, the bane of my existence on the trail. I always get blisters, no matter what preventative measures I take. Bring lots of moleskin and athletic tape, use skin-tac to make your skin around the blister tacky before applying moleskin or bandages, and make sure your shoes fit properly. If you have tips for avoiding or fixing blisters on the trail, please let me know.

Dehydration: Ask your hiking partner when he or she peed last. Trust me, it’s an acceptable question on the trail.

Was it all worth it? Absolutely. Would we do it again? We definitely will, in-between more 2-3 day backpacking trips with all the kids.

Weekend Guide to the CA Redwoods

June 15, 2015 By

We’re a family who loves spending our vacation days in the wilderness, and few places are as wild and beautiful as the Northern California and Southern Oregon Redwoods. However, we prefer hiking into isolated backcountry sites to campgrounds, and while the Redwoods feature some of the most stunning scenery I’ve seen, the trails are short in length, without ample backpacking options.

CA-Redwoods

Because of this technicality, we passed over this region far too long. At the end of May, we decided to rethink the Redwoods, creating an itinerary for ourselves that included multiple short day hikes sandwiched by a fun cabin stay at the Crescent City/Redwoods KOA.The Redwood groves in this area pocket coastal forests between Eureka, California and Brookings, Oregon. If they had a ‘Redwood capital’, it would be Crescent City, California, which can be accessed either from the coast along Highway 101 (from north or south) or via the scenic Redwoods Highway (Hwy 199) from I-5 in Southern Oregon.

Redwood Trail

Either route will drop your family into increasingly beautiful scenery. Along less than 20 miles of coastline, the Rogue, Smith, and Chetco rivers all flow into the ocean, all of which feed Redwood groves with nutrient rich flood waters. The forests here are damp, with a ground cover of ferns and moss and nurse logs that invite kids to explore and parents to breathe deep and feel rejuvenated.

We started feeling the effects of the magical Redwoods as we drove down Highway 101 past Gold Beach and Brookings, watching the Pacific crash from the car windows. For our introductory hike in the Redwoods, we detoured to drive six miles inland up the Chetco river to Alfred Loeb State Park to try the Redwood Nature Trail. We hiked several looped miles, gaping at the tall trees, pointing out banana slugs and salamanders, and climbing over root systems, then piled back in the car to check out our digs for the next two days: a deluxe cabin at the Crescent City/Redwoods KOA.

KOA-cabin

As a family who prefers isolation to crowds, we’ve been unsure about KOAs in the past…until we started trying them in earnest a year ago. What we discovered: KOAs have changed since I was a kid. Each location is different, but most now offer a combination of resort amenities paired with natural offerings like pretty campsites and rustic lodging that can be perfect as a ‘base camp’ for an outdoor-focused trip.

The Crescent City/Redwoods KOA is situated on a grassy field and Redwood grove (yes, really!) just a few miles from the hikes we’d planned. The RV spots and check-in area are in the open field, but drive down the narrow dirt roads that weave among the Redwood grove, and you’ll find lovely tent camping sites and rustic cabins that are on par for beauty with the best state park campgrounds in the area.

KOA-redwoods

We stayed in a deluxe cabin, which upgraded us from the standard amenities of the rustic cabins (electricity and heaters) to include a full bathroom with shower and a kitchenette (with microwave, sink, mini fridge and coffee maker). The main room included a queen bed, and a cozy annex housed a built-in bunk bed. We also had a TV (not necessary) and WIFI (very convenient for writing down thoughts for this review!). Our little patio included an outdoor fire pit and picnic table, plus covered porch.

KOA-amenities

Unlike the standard cabins, deluxe cabins are located in the RV loop, which made me long to be tucked away in the woods. However, the kids liked being steps away from the bike rentals and game room (with ping pong and fusbol), and we had a nice field to look out over. We spent our first night settling into our cabin and grilling dinner, then the subsequent day hiking additional Redwood trails, playing in the ocean, and walking along the Smith River. Every trailhead and beach was within 25 minutes of the KOA. Every time we returned to the campground, the kids scattered to play ping pong, explore the wooded loop, where they climbed on nurse logs and Redwood stumps, and visit the goats and chickens in the KOA petting zoo.

Redwoods Hikes:

  • redwoods-weekendRedwood Nature Trail: This trail is actually a trail network of multiple loops that wind upslope of the Chetco River. You see multiple redwoods and other pines, as well as a clear, cold creek. Be sure to pay attention to which turns you take in order to find your way back to the start, as it’s not as well marked as we would like. Directions: from Highway 101, turn east at Constitution Way to North Bank Chetco Road. Go 7.5 miles to Alfred Loeb State Park. The trailhead is half a mile past the entrance.
  • Simpson Reed Grove Trail: One of the most stunning trails through old growth redwoods, this trail is less than one mile and is easy to follow and well-marked. There’s an extra loop, the Peterson Memorial Grove, that extends the hike if desired. Also nearby is Stout Grove, an even shorter trail with breathtaking views. Directions: from Highway 199 (Redwood Highway), find the trailhead just before Jedediah Smith State Park, right off 199.
  1. Boy Scout Tree Trail: One of the longer hikes in the area, the Boy Scout trail is 2.8 miles. It passes through the Valley of the Giants to conclude at the Boy Scout Tree and Fern Falls. If you have a full day to explore one trail, this is the one. Directions: From Highway 101 South, take Elk Valley Road to Howland Road to the trailhead. The drive is 25 minutes from the Crescent City/Redwoods KOA.

Nearby beaches:

            Head just a few miles north from the KOA on Highway 101, and you’ll be in Oregon. Our favorite beaches include:

  1. Harris Beach State Park: this beach is characterized by plenty of beach access and sandy space with large rock formations. There are picnic areas as well. Find it right off Highway 101 north of Brookings, Oregon.
  2. Whaleshead Beach: Whaleshead is just a bit further north of Harris Beach, with parking on the east side of the highway and a pedestrian tunnel to the beach. Kids love the creek that runs into the ocean and lots of rock formations.

River Access worth exploring:

Head up Highway 199 just past Jedediah Smith State Park, and swim (in summer) in the Smith River. Families will find swimming holes directly off the road at pull-outs. The Chetco River also offers great wading and swimming at Alfred Loeb State Park east of Brookings. Look for the day use area at the campground.

No matter what you do in the Northern California and Southern Oregon Redwoods, plan to stay at least 2-3 days to get a feel for this region.

Win a KOA stay!

There are KOA campgrounds all over the US, and they all differ in personality, setting, and amenities, which makes each stay actually more interesting and adventurous. Read more stories of KOA stays. Want to have your own KOA adventure? Enter to win a stay at Trekaroo!

KOA-giveaway

Disclosure: This post was written in partnership with KOA. All activities were planned by us, and all opinions are our own.

Sanctuary One farm stay

June 5, 2015 By

The following review was submitted by Pit Stops for Kids grandmother Julie Hagstrom.

Located on 55 acres in Oregon’s beautiful Applegate valley, Sanctuary One was established in 2007 as the nation’s first care farm. It provides a safe home to rescued farm animals and house pets. And that’s what makes its farm stay experience unique. Sanctuary One is a member of U.S. Farm Stay Association and wants to show you what care farming is all about!

sanctuary-one

My grandson, age 10, and I took advantage of this farm stay opportunity on April 18, 2015. I made my reservation on line and received a phone call from the farm’s director the same day. He wanted to know what time we planned to arrive, how long we were staying and what our expectations were. Because my grandson wanted as much hands on time with the animals as possible, he encouraged us to arrive in time for the evening chores. Kyler was in the office when we got there and gave us a tour of the house.

The farm stay “suite” is a large room with a private bath in the main house. No meals are served but there is a fully equipped community kitchen. The room was neat and clean with a queen bed, but Kyler offered to bring in an extra mattress if we wanted it.

After exploring the property, we met Danni on the porch for evening chores. This was where the fun really began. She called it “putting the animals to bed” and it took us almost three hours to take care of them all! From the dog kennel to the cat cottage, the chicken coop (where we collected eggs) to the bunny hutch we followed Danni. She not only encouraged Tobias to help her with feeding and rounding up the animals, but she shared with us the various animals’ stories and what brought them to Sanctuary One.

sanctuary-one

Most of the animals come from animal shelters, police investigations/rescues or people who can no longer care for the animal. They have been either severely neglected or abused and no longer trust people. Danni’s love for the animals and her commitment to their recovery was inspiring. This is what sets Sanctuary One apart from other farm stays—they want their guests to interact with the animals by talking to them, petting them and playing with them in order to gain back their trust. After the bunnies, we brought in the pigs, llamas, alpacas, horses, cows, ducks, and geese for the night!

Once we were done with evening chores, we put our take-and-bake pizza in the oven, Tobias took a luxurious bath and we went to bed. But there was a television in the common room if we had wanted to stay up longer.

We met Sansa at 7:30 for the morning chores after indulging in our cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate. The morning routine with Sansa was the reverse of the evening routine, the animals bounding out of their enclosures and gobbling down their breakfast. As we went through the morning chores, Sansa pointed out things that Tobias and I could do once the animals were fed. She suggested walking one of the dogs or just playing with them in the agility yard. There were chores to be done in the cat cottage and bunny run as well as plenty of horse poop to clean up!

volunteer-tourism

We decided to walk Banjo, a rescued dog, along a trail through the beautiful pine forest that led to a look out. Then Tobias played in the cat cottage after washing the cat dishes. There was list of things volunteers could do in each habitat and always on the list was “play time”—Tobias’ favorite. We even cleaned the corral before we left for the day.

Again, what made this farm stay experience unique is that it is a rehabilitation farm for all kinds of animals and pets, not a working dairy or sheep farm, and visitors are encouraged to interact with the animals. Because of its location, swimming in the Applegate River or kayaking on Applegate Lake are good daytime options as well as wine tasting in the Applegate Valley.

farm-stay-us

Date last visited:

April 2015

Distance from the interstate:

Sanctuary One is about 25 minutes from I-5.

Rates:

$75/night for double occupancy. $10 for additional people. The suite is designed for two people, but in summer months, many more can be accommodated with tents (bring your own)!

Directions:

Sanctuary One is located at 13195 Upper Applegate Road, Double Oak Farm, Jacksonville OR.

 

Wet Planet Whitewater adventure rafting near Columbia River Gorge

May 25, 2015 By

Julie Henning runs Road Trips for Families, a resource for families love to get out on the open road and let their adventures unfold. 

Fed by underground aquifers and the glacial melt of nearby Mount Adams, the second-tallest mountain in Washington State, the White Salmon River never runs dry. A brisk 40 degrees, anyone venturing out on the river encouraged to wear a wetsuit, booties, fleece, a splash jacket and anything but cotton.

white-salmon

Running fast and high in the spring melt, the river was generating between Class I and Class IV rapids when I embarked on a half-day rafting adventure with Wet Planet Whitewater in mid-April. Wet Planet Whitewater is a rafting and kayaking outfitter located in Husum, Washington just off the Columbia Gorge Natural Scenic Area near Hood River, Oregon.

After receiving safety instruction and practicing paddling techniques on terra firma, our group of four women and one guide dropped into the middle of the rapids six miles upstream at the BZ Corner launch site. Thrilling as much as invigorating, we passed under majestic pines and along waterfalls tumbling into the river canyon that was once a lava tube (in fact, we made a brief stop into a shallow basalt cave formed by lava as it cooled millions of years ago).

wet-planet-whitewater

Depending on the time of year the White Salmon River runs faster or slower (but never dry). In the summer months, groups may have the opportunity to make a 10-food drop down Husum Falls. Too dangerous during our visit, we gladly made a small portage around the falls as the rafts were roped downriver—a group of kayakers received our collective cheers as we watched them plummet through this rocky passage.

At this point in the trip, true thrill seekers may opt to jump into calmer waters from atop the Husum Street Bridge. If you decide to mark this off your bucket list, keep in mind the water temperature and know you might be chilly until the sun dries your clothes.

river-rafting-oregon

Immediately following Husum Falls and the bridge jumping is “the rattlesnake,” a series of rapids where Rattlesnake Creek runs into the White Salmon River. It’s here where rafters have the opportunity to “ride the bull,” a maneuver where everyone moves to the front edge of the raft and plunges feet-first into a concave wave of whitewater. Our guide described this experience as nature’s nasal cleanse and I ended up swallowing and then spitting out a giant gulp of the river.

Wet Planet Whitewater photographers meet up with the rafts at different points along the river and capture groups mid-adventure. The sequence of before/during/after shots of our group “riding the bull” were my favorite (for a laugh, click through some of the shots posted on the Wet Planet Whitewater flickr stream).

The remaining two miles of the eight-mile run remained scenic, but a bit calmer (more waterfalls, majestic pines, red tail hawks circling from above). Our guide explained how the area was impacted by recent flooding and talked about the history and controversy around the removal of a dam that transformed Northwestern Lake into Northwestern Park (and, consequently, led to a resurgence of salmon and steelhead populations in the White Salmon River).

Traveling back to Wet Planet Whitewater by van, we changed into dry clothes and reviewed the photos of our trip. Visitors in the summer months are encouraged to linger over a burger and a beverage on the shaded deck of the Wet Planted Whitewater café. Day-trips include a riverside lunch, but it’s still fun to linger and recount the day’s adventure.

Worth noting is the minimum age requirement for the half-day trip (rafters must be ten and older, and sometimes sixteen or eighteen depending on the trip). That said, Wet Planet Whitewater offers outdoor programs, adventure camps, and youth kayak camps specifically designed with kids in mind.

Please enjoy this video, embedded with photos and sound from our adventure on the White Salmon River. Special thanks to our Instructor and Trip Leader Giani Benevento for his interview and insight.

 

 

 

 

Date last visited: April 2015

 

Distance from the interstate: 15 minutes from Highway 84/downtown Hood River, Oregon. Note: You will need $1 to cross the Hood River Bridge between Oregon and Washington.

 

Pricing: Pricing varies based on the length and duration of the trip (note the minimum age requirements). I participated on the $65/person Half Day trip on the White Salmon River. Food is available seasonally at the Wet Planet Café.

 

Accommodations: Lodging is available in Hood River. For families, the best bet is the Hood River Inn or a vacation home available through the Oak Street Hotel.

 

Directions: Wet Planet Whitewater is located at 860 Highway 141 in Husum, Washington. From Oregon Highway 84 take the Button Bridge Road exit and cross over the Columbia River on the Hood River Bridge. In Washington State, take the first left onto State Highway 14 (Lewis and Clark Highway) and then turn right onto State Highway 141. Continue 6 miles on 141. Wet Planet Whitewater is located on the right-hand side of the road.

 

I received a complimentary half-day rafting trip on the White Salmon River from Wet Planet Whitewater for the purposes of this review. All opinions are my own.

 

 

 

Hotel Vintage Portland: Portland hotel review

April 10, 2015 By

I first visited Hotel Vintage Portland a few years ago, when it was known as the Hotel Vintage Plaza. If it was cool then, which it was, it’s even cooler now. This Kimpton hotel has undergone a major redesign, completely remodeling its common spaces and rooms.

hotel-vintage-portland

On our visit to conduct a Portland hotel review a few days after the relaunch, the Vintage Portland was pleasantly busy on a Saturday night with a young, urban (dare I say hipster?) crowd, yet our family fit in perfectly as well. Maybe that’s the magic of Portland at work, where various crowds seem to blend with ease, but I think it’s also thanks to Kimpton hospitality and charm.

Where the new Vintage Portland shines: the lobby has always been hip and modern, sharing its space with the friendly Bacchus Bar attached to Pazzo Ristorante, but now, the second floor business meeting room spaces have been remodeled to offer leisure space filled with comfortable yet trendy couches, bean bag chairs, flatscreen TVs, and and shuffleboard and pool table.

vintage-plaza-portland

Instantly deemed ‘way more cool’ than a teen club or kids’ play room by our kids, they spent a happy hour here, sharing the space with a few 20-somethings playing pool and sipping craft cocktails (the 20-somethings, not the kids). My husband and I settled ourselves right downstairs at the bar, where we could catch college basketball on the TV and still hear the kids, separated only by an open staircase.

Vintage-portland

As a family of five, we were put in a king suite, which features one bedroom with a king bed, plus a large living area with a corner couch that pull out to another bed. Due to the shape of the couch, it actually comfortably slept three (kids), which saved us from needing a rollaway (which was available should we have needed it). The bedroom was perfect for Mom and Dad, and in the spa king suite, the spa tub is big enough for most kids to swim in (seriously…young kids will scream with glee).

hotel-vintage-portland

In true Kimpton style, our room was decorated in fun and trendy artwork that reflected the local area. It immediately said ‘Portland’ to me, which made me happy, even though we were in the city only one night before flying out of PDX in the morning. For families not needing a suite for five, standard rooms are also redecorated and roomier than most. All rooms feature the famous Kimpton bathrobes and free wifi for Kimpton members (join for free).

Room rates are in the higher range by Portland standards, around $375 for a room or $425 and up for suites. But a Vintage Portland stay is a value if you’re seeking a full immersion in Portland flare during your stay in the city. Most downtown venues are in walking distance, and MAX lines are available. For a special occasion or to earn Kimpton rewards, it’s absolutely a great pick.

hotel vintage portland

Dining:

This is the category where Kimpton Hotels don’t fare as well for families; how I wish they offered some sort of complimentary breakfast! While the elegant Pazzo Ristorante is located on-site, it’s spendy for families (though excellent for a date night). However,  families are within a few blocks of many dining options from Vintage Portland, including fast food and coffee shops. In the mornings, Vintage Portland has a nice coffee spread of their own in the lobby. If you stop in the lobby bar as we did, try the Pear Sidecar cocktail; it uses local pear brandy, giving you a taste of Oregon to go with your Portland decor.

Parking:

You will pay for parking at Vintage Portland, as you will at any downtown Portland hotel, so budget accordingly. If you’re headed to the airport as we were, and will not have a car, you have the affordable option of riding the MAX (station is just around the corner) or taking a cab. Our flight was early enough that we opted to reserve a town car to ensure we stayed on schedule; the front desk staff was able to make this arrangement for us.

Want to read about more Kimpton Hotel options in Portland? Check out our reviews of Hotel Monacco Portland and RiverPlace (look for this one to be updated soon).

Distance from the interstate:

Located just five minutes from I-5 and 405.

Directions:

The Hotel Vintage Portland is located at 422 S.W. Broadway, Portland OR.

As we disclose whenever applicable, we were hosted at Hotel Vintage by Kimpton Hotels, for the purpose of reviewing their remodel.

The Riverhouse, Bend: a moderate hotel option

March 23, 2015 By

Bend Oregon is a four-season destination ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. We love to visit in winter to ski Mt. Bachelor and Hoodoo, snowshoe, and cross-country ski, and in summer to hike, mountain bike, and river raft on the Deschutes. Usually, a trip to Bend necessitates a 2-3 night stay, for which we recommend one of its top-tier resorts such as Sunriver, Black Butte Ranch, or Brasada Ranch. However, for a one-night stay, families don’t always need the extra amenities that add up, such as full kitchens, condos, and on-site activities like bike trails and golf courses.

Riverhouse

For a one-night stay in Bend for a moderate price, try The Riverhouse. Located right on Highway 97 very close to the Historic Mill District and right on the Deschutes River, Riverhouse offers families standard hotel rooms large enough to accommodate a rollaway bed and lots of included perks. The location is ideal and scenic, though not secluded, and while there are not extensive grounds, families will find a nice indoor, heated pool and hot tub, plus an outdoor pool and hot tub for summer months.

We stayed at Riverhouse for one night at the end of January for a weekend ski trip, and were only 16 miles from Mt. Bachelor Ski Area. In summer, it would be just as convenient to travel to the Cascade Lakes are for kayaking or hiking. There was enough space in our room for our boot bags and other ski gear, we had a nicely sized fridge, and while it was too chilly to use the large balcony, it’s good to know it’s there for summer visits.

When we checked in, we received a welcome amenity of $4 off two drinks at the hotel lounge (one per adult in the party), which we used while our (older) kids checked out the pool. The lounge, located in the Crossings Restaurant, was friendly and cozy, and also offers a full menu. Included in your room rate is a complimentary breakfast, which is also located at Crossings. The breakfast is highly rated online, and didn’t disappoint. For a hotel breakfast, it was very well done, with hot stations to include eggs, bacon, hash browns, and oatmeal, plus waffles, breads, fruit, yogurt, and granola. We definitely filled up before our ski day!

In addition to the pools and hot breakfast, Riverhouse room rates also include free WiFi and free parking. For a single night stopover or vacation during which lots of space and extra on-site amenities are not needed, why pay for them?

Distance from the interstate:

Right on Highway 97. Approximately 20 minutes from Mt. Bachelor and within easy driving distance to Crater Lake National Park.

Room rates:

At the time of our visit, we paid $134 for a single room with two queen beds and a rollaway. Check for exact rates. Bear in mind that Riverhouse is also a convention center, so it may fill up with groups from time to time.

Directions:

River house is located at 3075 US 97 Business, in the heart of Bend.

Photo courtesy of Riverhouse.

Three Oregon getaways to take without the kids

November 14, 2014 By

Yes, we’re all about traveling with kids, but let’s face it: sometimes, Mom and Dad need to get away…solo. If you’re looking for a parents-only getaway in the Northwest, it’s hard to beat Oregon. Not to toot my home state’s horn too loudly, but we do have it all: nature and outdoors pursuits, wineries and farm-to-fork restaurants, and city sophistication. If you’re ready to get away, pick a date, and enjoy any of the following Oregon getaways…without the kids.

couples-getaway

Hint: couples getaways make for great holiday gifts to a spouse!

Hood River:

We were lucky enough to experience Hood River, Oregon while on a LifeCycle Adventures customized cycle tour through the Columbia River Gorge. If the idea of biking along scenic byways past fruit stands in the shadow of Mt. Hood appeals to you, I recommend booking a tour. But you can experience Hood River via a short drive from Portland, too.

Where to stay:

villa-columbia

We called the Villa Columbia home. This B&B is situated at the edge of downtown Hood River, overlooking the impressive Columbia. From the patios, watch kite boarders ‘surf’ the waves of the river, or just relax in the cozy living room of this beautiful home. If you’re cycling or paddle boarding during your stay, the villa has a full downstairs storage area for your gear, and our suite had a large jacuzzi tub and great views.

Breakfast at Villa Columbia is artfully created and served by owner Bobba, who is inspired by her Eastern European roots in her cooking (though she tells us she does not use recipes…fresh, local ingredients are all that’s needed). During our stay, we ate yogurt and granola topped with local berries and melon, then a savory crepe filled with local heirloom tomatoes, avocado, and feta cheeses.

villa-columbia

Where to eat:

You cannot go wrong with a stroll through downtown Hood River…any restaurant you choose will be great. If you’re looking for a brewery, we had a nice casual meal overlooking the river at Full Sail Brewery, where we sampled flights of beer that paired well with artisan burgers and good old fashioned fries.

For a more intimate dinner, check out the 6th Street Bistro, which also serves a lighter lunch on its patio and in the upstairs bar area. The salads are excellent, as are the beers and ciders on tap. Speaking of which, if cider is your thing, stop by Fox Tail Cider en route to Hood River, where over 10 local ciders are on tap. You can get a flight here as well (for as little as $7) or pick one to sip while pursuing their fruit stand.

What to do:

cycling-my-hood

No trip to Hood River would be complete without a drive along the Fruit Loop. This network of fruit stands and orchards span across the Columbia River Gorge, and are open for business from spring through fall. Pick up a Fruit Loop map (available just about anywhere in town) and head out for a day of fruit sampling, picnicking, and generally having a leisurely time of it.

If you’re up for something more strenuous, take a walk or bike ride along the Historic Columbia River Highway. This pedestrian and cycling-only road was once the main thoroughfare along the Gorge, and is now the perfect route for cyclists, runners, and walkers looking for great views of the river and Gorge. If walking, we recommend the hike from the parking area at Mark O. Hatfield Trailhead (west) to the first observation area along the river. If cycling, it’s possible to do the whole highway to the tiny town of Mosier in about an hour (then an hour back).

Willamette wine country:

bergstrom-willamette-valley

If your idea of a perfect parent getaway involves a winery or two, head to the Willamette Valley. Meander through the towns of Newberg and Dundee, tasting wines throughout any afternoon (though weekends are best), then end up in McMinnville for the night.

Where to stay:

Hands down, you must stay at A’ Tuscan Estate. We’re not always sold on B&Bs, but a vacation without the kids is a good opportunity to try one. You won’t be disappointed with A’ Tuscan Estate. Located about five blocks from the downtown streets, this property is actually a pair of homes. We stayed in the smaller Craftsman home, where we had the entire downstairs floor. We had use of a full kitchen, living space, dining area, bedroom, and bathroom, plus access to an outdoor garden and sitting area. We didn’t need this much room, but had we so chosen, we could have made dinner in with ingredients from a farmer’s market instead of eating out. A nice touch.

a-tuscan-estate

Be ready to be wowed in the mornings, while enjoying breakfast made by owner Jacques, who has a long and storied career in the culinary arts. Jacques served us a decadent quiche, homemade pastries, and local fruit, and told us guests must stay at his property for 17 nights before the breakfast menu will be repeated.

Note: if a B&B just isn’t your thing, we highly recommend the boutique hotel Allison Inn, located nearby.

Where to eat:

When not being pampered by Jacques, head downtown in McMinnville to eat at La Rambla, a Spanish cuisine establishment with a great vibe. La Rambla is casual but intimate, which to me, means romantic without being stuffy. There’s a great bar at La Rambla, an extensive wine list, and great tapas. Before deciding, however, it’s a good idea to check the ‘board’ a block away at Thistle, the local farm-to-fork offering. Thistle’s chalk board menu is constantly revolving…during our stay, we preferred the offerings at La Rambla, but it could have just as easily gone the other way.

What to do:

bergstrom-winery

You’re in wine country, so the #1 activity during your weekend away will be wine tasting. (Yes, it’s a hard life.) Pinot Noir is the variety of choice here, and you’ll find the best offerings in Dundee, Newberg, and McMinnville. We headed out to the Chehalem Mountains region of the valley, where we could hit Adelsheim, known regionally for their pinot, then Bergstrom (right up the street). Each have a very different feel: at Adelseim, you’ll get detailed tasting notes at a sleek granite bar, and at Bergstrom, you can sit on the patio overlooking the vineyards and chat and laugh with friends.

Grape Escape tour guide Oregon wine country

If you’re just not sure where to go, I recommend hiring Grape Escape for the day. These guys know Willamette wine, and will take couples around the valley, making stops at suggested wineries (or your picks). We had a great day with Grape Escape, and can’t wait to do it again.

Portland:

Living in Oregon, we enjoy many Portland weekend getaways. Most of the time, we experience Portland with kids, but every once in a while, we need to get away solo. Our ideal Portland Oregon getaway…without the kids…looks a bit like this:

Where to stay:

hotel-monaco

When it comes to boutique hotels in Portland, everyone has their favorites. We are admitted fans of Kimpton Hotels, so our picks for a quintessential Portland experience with or without the kids include RiverPlace, Hotel Vintage Plaza, and Hotel Monaco Portland, all of which have been reviewed on Pit Stops for Kids.

On our most recent visit, we crashed at Hotel Monaco (our ultimate fave), in a king premiere suite. For the first half hour or so after checking in, we just basked in the luxury of it, from the jacuzzi tub to the plush robes to the sitting room area with downtown views. I adore Hotel Monaco’s high ceilings, quirky decor, and fun furniture.

hotel-monaco-pdx

We came to our senses in time to remember Hotel Monaco’s happy hour downstairs, and got ourselves a glass of Oregon pinot on the house, then played a game of giant Janga. Yes, that’s a thing. The Hotel Monaco lobby is more like a living room, with drinks set out, comfy sofas and a fireplace, and usually, a resident dog.

I love the mini bar offerings in Hotel Monaco rooms (and the ample mini fridge space for those dinner leftovers) and the doormen and front desk staff are exceptionally helpful with directions and reservations. Every time I’m here, I truly feel welcomed back and pampered…a feeling that’s rarer and rarer in travel.

hotel-monaco-pdx

In the mornings, I like to exercise at Hotel Monaco (the exercise room is on the 9th floor, so there’s no need to traipse through the lobby while sweaty), then grab Starbucks coffee or hot chocolate with all the fixings in the lobby. There’s coffee in the room, too, of course, as well as wifi. Just become a Kimpton member to access wifi for free…easy peasy!

Parking at Hotel Monaco is a valet affair, but reasonably priced for the city. If you drive a hybrid car, expect to pay half rate! We recommend leaving your car with the valet and taking MAX or walking through downtown Portland…no need to hassle with it again.

Where to eat:

Portland happy hour

We’ve rounded up a number of fun happy hour spots in the city. You can’t go wrong with any of the above, but should you not want to leave your hotel, the Red Star Tavern is attached to Hotel Monaco. They have a good happy hour menu of small plates, and inventive cocktails. Their bar is lively but chill, and couples can as easily cozy up in a booth instead up belly up to the bar.

Interested in comfort food? Check out Mother’s Bistro, located at . Mother’s is our go-to pick for soups, mac and cheese, and other wintery weather fare when Portland is experiencing its signature drizzle, and has a killer brunch on Sunday mornings (it will be crowded!).

Prefer to eat on the go? We love Portland food trucks! Located in designated pods around the downtown sector of the city, food truck fare ranges from gourmet pasta dishes to inventive burgers to ramen noodles. Grab something and eat it along the Willamette, on a bench overlooking the water.

What to do:

We love walking or hiking through Portland parks or enjoying a leisurely browse through Powell’s. This cavernous bookstore takes up an entire city block, and includes a coffee shop. You’ll need a map to navigate it all (available at the entrances) and without the kids in tow, you can expect to be there a while.

Portland Tom McCall Park

If you hit Portland during a weekend from spring through fall, the Portland Saturday Market is a must. Located under the Burnside Bridge, this outdoor market and street faire will keep you busy all day. Stroll through the stalls, people-watch, and sample local produce and artisan foods. Tip: start here, then spend your late afternoon at Powell’s.

On sunny days, a walk through Portland’s Pearl District or a drive out of the city through the Columbia Gorge can be a great day trip. Head out I-84 and stop at Multnomah Falls, then detour onto the historic river highway. After all, you’re in no rush!

Couples getaway: Oregon cycle tour with LifeCycle Adventures

October 22, 2014 By

At Pit Stops for Kids, we’re fans of adventurous travel for kids, so it will come as no surprise that when we want to get away for an adults-only vacation, my husband Charlie and I prefer an active, outdoorsy pursuit of our own.

mt hood cycling

We also love wineries, outside-the-box local lodging, and farm-to-fork dining, indulgences absolutely possible to enjoy with kids, but— if we’re being honest here —even more enjoyable as a couples getaway. How to combine everything we like into one getaway? We found LifeCycle Adventures, an Oregon cycle tour company that offers customized cycling getaways.

Check it out!

LifeCycle Adventures hosts tours in Oregon, California, Hawaii, and the San Juan Islands of Washington. Because their Oregon tour routes are in our backyard, we headed to Portland, where we overnighted downtown at Hotel Monaco PDX (our favorite Kimpton hotel) before meeting LifeCycle Adventures owner Tony Blakey for a three-day ride.

oregon cycling

Tony’s Oregon itineraries include a Willamette Valley tour, focusing on area wineries and featuring rolling terrain and quaint college towns, and a Columbia River Gorge tour, which takes cyclists around Mt. Hood before dropping them into the spectacular Columbia River Gorge at Hood River. We sampled a bit of both, so I could tell all you cycling parents out there which to book. As it turns out, we couldn’t decide which we liked better, so the good news is, you can’t go wrong.

Willamette Valley experience:

bergstrom-willamette-valley

LifeCycle Adventures’ Willamette routes take cyclists from the outskirts of Portland through Forest Grove to McMinnville or Newberg, both in the heart of wine country. I say ‘routes’ instead of ‘route’ because every tour is customizable. Before embarking, we had communication with Tony via email or phone, during which we outlined our cycling experience (not much) and our objectives for our trip (to work up just enough of a sweat to ‘earn’ nice meals each evening). From our information, Tony compiled three route options per day, all ending at the same lodging location but offering various mileage. We could then choose our route as late as the day-of, after assessing sore muscles.

forest-grove-oregon

We started our journey with a quite easy 20 mile ride from beautiful Stewart ‘Stub’ State Park along the Banks-Vernonia State Trail, which is a car-free bike path. At the tiny town of Banks, we transitioned to quiet country highways en route to Forest Grove. We had a great lunch at Maggie’s Buns, then transferred by van (hello, Tony!) to our accommodations in McMinnville. Along the way, we stopped at several Willamette Valley wineries, which we absolutely could have accessed on bike, had we wanted to ride all the way into town.

Along the way, Tony was only a phone call away, should we need him or the services of his passenger van, outfitted with bike racks, extra water bottles, the rest of our luggage, and plenty of Clif Bars.

a-tuscan-estate

We spent the night at A’ Tuscan Estate, a quiet and understated B&B located just a few blocks from downtown McMinnville. Quite possibly, A’ Tuscan Estate is the loveliest B&B we’ve ever experienced. Owners Jacques and Liz are perfect hosts, with a fountain of knowledge about food, dining, and the hospitality industry (just read any of the numerous books on these subjects authored by Jacques, all available for perusal in the living spaces).

We strolled the quaint downtown of McMinnville, stopping in at tasting rooms and concluding our night at La Rambla, a polished downtown eatery with Spanish cuisine. At A’ Tuscan Estate, we enjoyed an entire suite in the inn’s Craftsman bungalow, where we had a full kitchen, patio, garden, and living room should we need it. For breakfast, chef Jacques put together an amazing three-course feast, which included three kinds of juice, local fruit, a light-as-air quiche, and homemade pastry. Try getting on your bike and riding after that!

Columbia River Gorge experience:

cycling-my-hood

Cyclists opting to tour the Columbia River Gorge start in or around Government Camp, Oregon, at the edge of Mt. Hood. Those wanting to go further can start lower, and begin with a climb…no thanks! We coasted from Cooper Spur, picking up speeds up to 30 miles per hour on the steep decline from the mountain. Once deposited into the fruitful valley, we stopped for a picnic lunch at a fruit stand (there are plenty en route) and then geared up (pun intended) for a steeply rolling route into Hood River. We tackled closer to 30 miles on this day, and found that with just a few stops (once to try a flight of ciders at Red Tail Fox Farm, once to take in a view of the river and Gorge), the mileage was very do-able. We rolled into Hood River around 5 pm, and checked into Villa Columbia.

villa-columbia

This beautiful B&B is situated right off the Columbia, with views from just about every corner. The comfortable living room and dining room are available for guest use, as are the porches and an upstairs sitting room. We were in easy walking distance of Hood River dining, and decided that after our longer ride, we deserved a beer. Full Sail Brewing overlooks the river, where we could watch kite surfers while enjoying a flight and burgers.

columbia-river

From Hood River, cyclists can continue to follow the Columbia on day 3: we opted for the Historic Columbia River Highway, closed to cars, which parallels the river toward the Dalles. More ambitious cyclists could continue on the historic byway, but 20 miles was enough for us on Day 3!

What LifeCycle Adventures provides, and who it’s for:

We are on bikes about once a month at home, and do not consider ourselves to be serious cyclists. Because LifeCycle Adventures customizes all their itineraries, it’s a perfect getaway for anyone who is active and comfortable on a bike. For those who are ready to go out and kill it, Tony has routes for you, too.

During our trip, we came to think of LifeCycle— and Tony —as our personal concierge. He picked us up daily, transported all our luggage to our B&Bs, checked us in (so we could just jump into a shower the minute we arrived), provided us with lunch and dinner recommendations, and, best of all, provided us with detailed route instructions, tailored specifically to us.

Here’s an example of our itinerary. In addition to this, Tony offers many more maps and support documents. We felt safe and in control at all times.

lifecycle-adventures

This customization was perfect for us: we are familiar with the area and comfortable on bikes, but not familiar with biking the area. Every morning, we had a briefing with Tony, during which he showed us our route on a map, then —and this is the kicker —provided us with detailed step-by-step directions and maps, which we could keep at the ready on our bikes. We were equipped with bike pumps, directions, snacks, and phone numbers, so we never felt overwhelmed by routes or road challenges.

Before our trip, Tony meticulously created a customized tour book with our exact routes and mileage, plus town guides for each of our destinations. I’ve never seen such detail put into a customized itinerary. If you want to try an cycling adventure but don’t want to be responsible for planning out a complicated route based on abilities, traffic, and road conditions, absolutely leave it to Tony.

lifecycle-adventures

Included in a LifeCycle tour is use of bikes and helmets, full route planning, overnight accommodations, which are also customizable (you pick your price range), and full ground support. Our accommodations provided breakfasts, and we bought lunches and dinners on our own.

Can kids go?

Tony welcomes families with kids, and reports that older kids and teens do best. When deciding whether to bring the kids, keep in mind that while the riding can be modified to fit almost anyone, the general pace of a cycling trip is more leisurely than most kids enjoy. We lingered over meals, slept in (wow!) and spent most of each day on a bike or at a winery or fruit stand. Kids who are very into cycling will love it. Others may be looking for a more varied trip by Day 2. You decide!

How to book:

There’s a wealth of information on the LIfeCycle Adventures website, and I recommend doing a thorough reading, then calling the company to talk to someone in person. Tony and his team will be able to plan something perfect for your abilities, budget, and time frame.

As I disclose whenever applicable, we experienced our cycling itinerary as compliments of LifeCycle Adventures, for the purpose of review. All opinions…and sore muscles… are my own.

Educational Travel: End of the Oregon Trail Museum

April 9, 2014 By

Historic Oregon City marks the official end of the Oregon Trail. It’s also home to the best Oregon history museum you’ve probably overlooked. Only minutes from downtown Portland, Oregon City and its End of the Oregon Trail Museum is easy to access via car or MAX, but often becomes overshadowed by other excellent Portland attractions for kids. The museum includes a wonderful indoor exhibit hall, a country store selling pioneer-era toys, candies, and garb, and gardens in the summer months. Families can also get information on area historic home tours.

end-of-oregon-trail-museum

After checking in at the front desk in the country store, visitors are directed to the three main exhibit halls, where docents take you through the space. This is not a traditional tour, where guides are speaking to you all the time, but rather leading you and helping you along. In the first building, for instance, is a hands-on pioneer-era store, school, and wagon supply area, where kids are encouraged to play for a while. Young kids will like the school and store area, and older kids will love creating their own Oregon Trail supply list, then physically collecting the required items (bags representing flour, bacon, and coffee, medicines, tools, and the like) and fitting them into an actual wagon bed. All supplies must come in under 1000 pounds, so we kept track on our phone calculator.

end-of-oregon-trail

When they’ve played their fill in the first building, visitors are led to a hands-on activity (candle-making during our visit) and then to a 30 minute film depicting life along the Oregon Trail. All our school-aged kids were interested in the film, but very young children may want to opt out. The docents then lead families through to the third building, where the talking portion of the tour includes information on the Oregon City land office (where all Oregon Trail travelers had to ‘check in’ to get their land) and Oregon City history (it was the first capital of Oregon, and boasts additional firsts, such as the first hotel west of the Rockies, etc). The docents do a great job of keeping the talk engaging, with many questions directly to kids and many stories kids are interested in. You can stay here as long as you like (the docents will gamely keep answering questions) or can head outside to run around on the lawns, check out the gardens, and shop in the store. Free hot chocolate and coffee are offered in the store post-visit.

schoolhouse-end-of-oregon-trail-museum

Date last visited:

January 2014

Distance from the interstate:

10 minutes from I-5, right along I-205.

Admission:

$9 for adults, $5 for children 5-17. Kids under 5 are free.

Hours:

Summer: 9:30 am to 5 pm. Winter: 11 am to 4 pm.

Dining:

No food services are on-site. Pack a picnic lunch; picnic tables are available outside.

Directions:

The museum is located at 1726 Washington St., Oregon City. From I-5, take I-205 to Oregon City.