Category Archives: Activities And Adventures

Activities and adventures

Wine-Making At Dunham Cellars

Oak wine barrels at the Robert Mondavi vineyar...
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Wine-tasting with children is tricky, they’re just not as interested in a fruity nose or a hint of blackberries on the palate as you or I might be. When my boys were younger, WanderDad and I typically tag-teamed while tasting with one tasting while the other played with the kids. Now that our boys are a little older, they self-entertain with books and games and by making videos of themselves with our Flip. For example, on our recent trip to Walla Walla, while we were sampling some truly awesome wine at Dunham Cellars, we had no idea they were making this little gem:

Wine-Making At Dunham Cellars from wandermom on Vimeo.

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Walla Walla Things To Do

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Family Weekend Getaways: Walla Walla Washington

walla-walla-vineyards

When the school schedules for my children’s schools synchronize so that they’re both out of school on a Friday, it’s an invitation for us to squeeze in a short break. I love these mini-vacations during the school year. Yes, it’s a pain to close the door on a pile of chores and have them waiting for me (and then some) when I get home, but it’s a great feeling to hit the open road and leave our normal routine behind even for just a few days.

Walla Walla Washington

This time we’re going to Walla Walla. A non-trivial four-hour drive from Seattle, it’s absolutely worth the effort. With our bikes strapped to the back of the car, a fun-filled but fairly low-cost weekend is pretty easy to organize.

Walla Walla Accommodation

As home to Whitman College and a host of excellent wineries and vineyards, Walla Walla has plenty of accommodation choices. From Bed-and-Breakfasts to luxury vineyard lodges to chain hotels, there’s something to suit every budget. On our cheap-and-cheerful weekend, we usually opt for a bare bones motel. If you’re planning a romantic weekend away, the Inn at the Abeja Winery is a perfect choice.

Family Activities in Walla Walla

There’s no question but that we’re drawn to Walla Walla because of the wine. This will be our fourth time to go wine tasting with children on bikes. For me, it’s a perfect family day out. We stop at the Farmer’s Market on Saturday morning to pick up picnic supplies, fill our backpacks and hit the long, fairly flat, fairly quiet road. We’ve cycled around wineries with a toddler in a trailer, one child using a ‘big kid bike’ which didn’t have gears and with a preschooler on a trail-a-bike. This will be our first trip where everyone will be on regular bikes. We might just all get to each stopping point at the same time. But if we don’t, that’ll be OK too because wineries are about so much more than tasting the wine. There’s rows of vines to walk along, machinery to examine and cool storerooms with oak barrels stacked high to explore (if the vintner allows, of course). And if the idea of bikes and wine-tasting with kids doesn’t work for you, downtown Walla Walla and Whitman College are both fun to walk around with younger children.

walla-walla-winery-map

Walla Walla Wineries

There are way too many wineries in Walla Walla to list here and far too many to visit in one day. We’ll plan on a 15-mile (or so) cycle and try to plan our route to hit 3-5 wineries along the way. Planning to finish at the Walla Walla Regional Airport is always a good idea since there are a cluster of tasting rooms in refurbished WWII buildings in that area. If you think that sounds a little crazy remember that this is where you’ll find Dunham Cellars, Tamarack Cellars and Buty.

Other wineries in the area include K Vintners, Seven Hills, L’Ecole No. 41 and Woodward Canyon – to name just a few.

Walla Walla Fine Dining

Now that our boys are a little older, WanderDad and I will be able to feed them early in the evening (kid-friendly food in a kid-friendly environment) and leave them watching a movie in our hotel room while we treat ourselves to a sumptuous dinner at Whitehouse Crawford.

After an active day’s cycling, great wine and great food, there’s usually a satisfied bunch in our car on the drive home to Seattle.

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Walla Walla Things To Do

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National Trails Day at Glendalough

Glendalough

October 4th being National Trails Day in Ireland we took ourselves off to Glendalough, Co Wicklow to support this worthwhile event and to give the Small Boy more practice in his new backpack.

glendalough-church.jpgWe chose Glendalough because it ticks a number of boxes for walking/hiking with an infant. For one thing It is an easy commute from Dublin,  so there’s no real interruption to sleeping schedules if your infant takes a nap en route. There is ample parking as well as good baby-changing/diapering facilities in the Visitors Centre. The trails are also well marked with plenty of rest areas and benches for quick pit-stops and feeds. Finally, though some trails ascend the hills either side of the lakes you can, if you are feeling less energetic, just walk the paths between the two lakes and admire the views.

Glendalough Round Tower

Glendalough History

Glendalough which derives its name from the Gaelic, Gleann Da Lough or Glen of the two lakes, is one of my favourite places because it is beautiful in any weather and because it is rich in geography, history, myth and legend. The valley was carved out by glaciers during the last Ice Age with the two lakes emerging when the ice eventually thawed. It boasts one of Ireland’s earliest Christian monastic settlements built in the 6th Century by St. Kevin about whom there are a host of legends, not least that he lived as a hermit in a cave above the lakes, was pursued by a blue eyed woman called Kathleen and lived to be 120! The remains of the monastic city are nonetheless impressive, and include a 30 meter round tower, priests’ house and “cathedral”.

Favorite Hike At Glendalough

For our National Trails Day walk, we stuck to the lake paths and wandered around the shores of the upper lake for a while before the Small Boy started to let us know he had had enough. For those with older children used to walking, our favourite hike is the 5k Glendalough Miners Walk. This is a popular trail which loops around from the upper car park past the deserted miners settlement. Not only has this trail the best views back down over the two lakes and the monastic city there is also a herd of wild deer which we’ve been lucky enough to see from time to time!

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Photo credits: mattandkim

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Family Skiing: Three Cost Saving Ideas

PowderPigs

I love my junk mail at this time of the year. It seems like every day there’s another glossy photo of mountains and powder with promises of deals and bargains – all of which I read in detail. Hey, a girl can dream, can’t she? Seriously though, the deluge of ski-themed junk mail did make me realize that I owe it to other folks who are interested in family skiing to share some of the cost-saving strategies I’ve been using to get my family out on the slopes without completely breaking the bank.

Gear
Skiing is an expensive sport. Skis, boots, poles and bindings for just one child can make a hefty dent in any family’s budget. I’ve saved a fortune by using ski swaps. In the Seattle area, the best of the bunch is the Newport Ski and Snowboard Swap held annually at Newport High School (Nov 13-14, 2009, Fri 5pm-9pm & Sat 8am-6pm). Much of the gear on sale comes from individuals or families but local ski shops also participate and provide most of the technical sales assistance. Online classifieds and stores which sell or trade used gear are also a good source. I’ve used craigslist and PlayItAgainSports. If you’re in Utah, you can check out the awesome winter gear section on the Snow List classifieds.

Your munchkins will be champion grumblers rather than champion skiers if they’re cold on the slopes. Layers of warm undies and fleece under insulated, waterproof outwear are a must. There are great deals available right now in the Sale + Clearance section on REI.com – and if you’re a member, they’ll even give you more money off (20%) with the member’s only Fall Coupon Sale. Lands’ End is another good source for reasonably-priced winter clothing. (You can get brand-name, gently-used outerwear at ski swaps, but understandably size selection can be hit-or-miss).

Finally, October is a great time to check out ski shops in your area for sales of last season’s gear and ex-rental equipment. In the Seattle area, I’ve had success with Seattle Ski and Snowboard and Sturtevants. If you’re buying for an older child and expect to use the gear with younger siblings, this is option may be best for you.

Mt Bachelor Cillian

Lift Tickets and Passes
Now is the time to snag early season deals on ski lift tickets. Sales of annual passes for many resorts are heavily discounted if purchased before October 31st with savings still available through Thanksgiving. Similar deals are common on multi-day passes and vacation packages if you book early also. For example, Washington state and Canada residents can pre-purchase lift tickets for Whistler Blackcomb at a 30% discount until November 23rd. If you’re thinking of California, there’s deals on packages at Mammoth and The Village At Squaw Valley (which, btw, has an awesome mountain village feel and great family skiing).

Accommodation
If you’re traveling to ski, accommodation at resorts can be pricey especially during winter vacations. If there’s a resort you’re interested in visiting this season, check out their website now and see if you can sign up for a newsletter or special offer emails. I have consistently found this a reliable source for worthwhile offers. If you’ve rented a house or condo from an individual during a prior season and you plan to return to the same resort this year, contact the owner and ask about discounts for returning visitors.

I realize that some of my fair-weather friends think I’m more than a little nutty about winter sports. But hey, who wouldn’t want one of these:

Mt Bachelor Brendan

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Photo Friday: Wicklow Way

WicklowWay

MT’s mention of the Wicklow Way in her recent post made me realize that I really don’t write about Ireland enough on this blog. So today I thought I’d redress that a little by sharing some photos of the scenery along this 127km trail which winds through the Dublin and Wicklow mountains.

DjouceMt

Mountains in Ireland are one of the reasons why it’s a fantastic family hiking destination. The mountains are old (literally, they’re ‘old fold mountains’ as opposed to ‘new fold mountains’ such as the Himalayas) and weathered and therefore perfect for hikes with young children who aren’t quite ready for steep inclines. Not to mention that in Ireland it’s hard to walk anywhere without having to pass a dell, glade or valley or even a pile of rocks which is named after a fairy, giant, prince or saint – all good fodder for young imaginations and a great way to distract from the efforts of hiking.

Powerscourt Waterfall

Powerscourt Waterfall with Djouce Mt in the background.

Wicklow Way 2

Powerscourt Grounds

And that photo, my friends, clearly shows why Ireland is called ‘The Emerald Isle’. If you’re planning a visit, make sure you have good rain gear because there’s a price for all that greenery, and yes, it means that it rains in Ireland pretty much in every season.

We stayed in this area on an extended visit to Ireland in 2000 and hiked around the Tibradden Mt. with our boys, then 4 and 6 months. The abundance of sheep was a fun distraction – especially when the sheep were looking in our kitchen window. For our trip, we rented one of these Dublin Cottages which I highly recommend.

Head on over to DeliciousBaby for more Photo Friday fun.

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Photo credits: pleeker, miert, martindo, don_quilty

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My Three Caballeros

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Dad, BigB and CAM at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah.

My boys had a fabulous time visiting this national park. They were still raving about their stargazing experience and their ride into the canyon when I met them a week later. Because they’re boys, I think they got the most fun out of seeing my reaction when they gleefully told me that they now really understand what it means to “be dusty as a cowpoke” and to “pee like a horse” (as well as other equine toileting details which I won’t bore you with). I tried to keep a straight face as I admired the photos they’d taken on their ride.

bryce-canyon-view

Don’t forget to check out some more fun travel photos on DeliciousBaby.

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When Weather Gets In The Way Of Your Road Trip

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Choosing A Kid-Sized Backpack

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I realize that with so many novel wheeled luggage products for children available in stores today a backpack review may seem a little misguided. But backpacks still have their place and it’s worth taking a moment to learn what to keep in mind when choosing one for your child.

We love to camp, but we don’t do a lot of backcountry camping and so I didn’t expect to find myself in the market for a kid’s backpack when my older son, CAM, turned six. His school had other ideas. Camp Orkila, a YMCA camp on Orcas Island, Washington, is a favorite location for overnight camping and outdoor experiences for the lucky students of many schools in this area. When the letter from the school came informing us that his 1st grade class would be taking an overnight trip, I just about held it together enough to read through the list of required equipment and fought back the “oh-my-baby-is-growing-up-too-fast” tears on my way to our local REI store.

deuter-fox-pack

On that shopping trip I chose the REI-brand youth backpack – and it’s been used regularly since. It wasn’t cheap, but it was a worthwhile investment. Now that CAM has outgrown it, it’s a perfect size for BigB and it’s still in great shape. REI’s current model is the Comet Pack for $89.50. The Deuter Fox 30 Youth Backpack is a very similar product and is available on Amazon.com for $98.95.

Tips For Choosing a Kid-Sized Backpack
1. Packs should be fitted so that the front point of your child’s hip bones hit at the mid-point of the waist strap. When closed, the waist straps should fit snugly, but should not be too tight.
2. Ideally, the shoulder strap harness should be adjustable so that the pack can “grow” with your child so that he or she can use it for as long as possible. Similarly, look for plenty of extensible strap on the waist band.
3. Zippered top, side and front pockets are very handy to keep necessary items such as toiletries, a good book and a flashlight within easy reach. One drawback of internal frame packs is that when full, it’s difficult to find what you’re looking for inside the pack. Still, these packs can feel more comfortable on little bodies.
4. External hooks and loops on which to hang stinky shoes and other beaten-about outdoor gear are great to have.
5. The biggest improvement in the current REI Comet Pack – over the earlier version of the pack which I purchased seven years ago – is that it has a zippered bottom pocket which is great for stashing dirty clothes and rocks and bird feathers and all the other random, ‘interesting’ things your child feels obliged to bring home just for you.

After six years of elementary school and three years of middle school I can honestly say that buying a good pack at the begining was a decision which saved time and effort for both me and my son on every school trip – and many family adventures also.

If you’ve got a scout or girl guide who backpacks regularly with his or her troop, do leave a comment with a recommendation for your favorite kid’s pack.

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When Weather Gets In The Way Of Your Road Trip

If you follow me on twitter (@wandermom) or are one of my Facebook friends, you’ll know that I’m currently home alone. My husband and children packed up our car and headed south for the first great American Road Trip this family has ever really done. The map below shows the planned route with stops – an intended 3-day stay to camp and hike at Yellowstone National Park is not marked, but was on the itinerary.

roadtrip2009

What we didn’t bargain on was the weather. I almost feel like we should be obliged turn in our Irish passports for this. It’s utterly shameful that in planning a camping trip in August we didn’t even consider the possibility of rain. I say “we”, because although I’m not on the trip and my help was repeatedly refuted in the planning of the trip (as in: “No, it’s our trip, you’re not involved”!!), I was invited to assist with the packing.

The resulting photos from my family’s sodden adventures yesterday and today – with my husband’s witty comments – are just to good not to include as my Photo Friday post for this week. Enjoy!

irish-flag-butte

Day 1 started early, leaving Seattle at 7am to drive to Silverwood UT with plenty of time for a fun-filled day at Silverwood Theme Park. My boys are huge Garfield fans and by all accounts the park fulfilled all expectations. The torrential rain and thunderstorms, on the other hand, meant that my husband posted the following on his Facebook status: “Silverwood theme park with the kids.Seems today is torrential monsoon theme.Curious how much of our tent is still above mudline.

The net results of so much precipitation was that by the time my phone rang at 9am on Day 2, the boys were not – as planned – hiking in the Missoula area, but instead had been driving since dawn and were almost at Butte. I checked Facebook and this is what I read: “Missoula:Just drove through a 200 mile-wide sheet of rain (or maybe it was just a moving 12 feet-wirish-festivalide sheet).Looks like plenty more ahead.

An Irish flag on the street was a fitting welcome and at least raised their spirits as they dragged the wet sleeping bags into a launderette. Unfortunately, it was tinged with a little sorrow as they realized they’d just missed the annual Montana Irish celebration. Maybe we’ll all be back in 2010.

I was glad to hear that the sun was shining in Butte – until I saw the next photo my husband had posted for me of the tent draped over the car in a parking lot in Butte.

drying-tent1

The caption: “Bringing down property values wherever we go.” Lovely.

There’s really not much I can say to that. Although I guess when your tent is soaking wet and you plan to use it again that night, your options are fairly limited.

The odyssey is continuing. The road-travelers voted to continue driving until they’d left the rain behind. At last check-in they were in Salt Lake City. The original itinerary is now abandoned and a new one will be developed over breakfast tomorrow morning. Watch out for more photos and stories next Photo Friday.

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A Surprise Find On The Burke Gilman Trail

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We love weekend family bike rides – usually along the Burke Gilman trail in Seattle. On a recent Sunday cycle, we almost missed the micro-micro Gilligan’s Brewing Company. Always eager to support new local businesses, we stopped for a tasting. I can’t say it was the best beer I’ve ever tasted but it was definitely refreshing.

If you’re visiting Seattle and would like to take a cycle on the Burke Gilman you can find a list of area rentals (courtesy of the Cascade Bicycle Club) here. I recommend Recycled Cycles on Boat St. they have trailers, trail-a-bikes, kid’s and adult cycles available for rent – and they’re right on the trail.

Enjoy more Photo Friday fun at DeliciousBaby.

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Summer Family Fun In Seattle

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This summer we’ll be in Seattle and I’m looking forward to it. Seattle has a pretty well-deserved bad weather reputation for our damp and dreary Winter (and sometimes Spring and Fall too), but in the summer we have lazy, hazy days with the sun glistening off the waters of the lakes and the Puget Sound. The mountains east (Cascades) and west (Olympics) frame the horizon and Mt. Rainier, snow-capped, dominates the cityscape. With our northern latitude, we have long balmy evenings and glorious sunsets. I’m waxing poetical here, I know, but honestly, it’s hard not to.

This July we have guests coming to stay: relatives with three children ages seven, five and three. The’re coming from Portugal (to escape the heat of the Algarve) and they’ll be staying with us for two weeks. It’s the kids first visit to Seattle and I’m eager to help them make the most of their visit and so I spent some time this past weekend planning what I hope to take them to do and see while they’re here. Naturally, as with any family vacation, these are just a list of ideas and these plans could be turned upside down depending on temperament, tantrums, weather, interests or just plain kids-being-kids.

If some of these days seem short on activities, it’s because I’ve found that when planning a family trip, it helps to just plan one activity a day and to allow ample time for just hanging out and having fun – time which we don’t always get during our daily lives.

Day 1: I’ll spend the day introducing our visitors to our neighborhood so that they can find important things like cafes, ice-cream stores and parks while we’re at work during the following week. This is Seattle, so it’s not too surprising that even in my almost-suburban neighborhood there’s at least eight espresso joints from which to choose. My favorites are Zoka Coffee Roaster and Diva Espresso – both local companies. For ice-cream, these kids are in for a treat since we’re lucky enough to have the original Molly Moon homemade ice-cream store just down the street and newcomer Fainting Goat Gelato in case the line at Molly Moon’s is too long (it’s a popular spot). I expect that choosing a park in which to play will be a daily occurrence for my young guests. There’s a long list to choose from, but those with wading pools will be high on the list – a perfect way to spend some quality outdoor time with younger children in Seattle in the summer.

international

Day 2: My boys love water play on hot summer days and having a picnic by the International Fountain at the Seattle Center has always been a fun day trip. Playing around the fountain as the water and starts and stops – in time to the music – is a big hit with kids of all ages. It’s not for the faint of heart though, it can get crowded and younger children should be with a parent. If the International Fountain is just too much, the quieter, more secluded Fountain of Creation is just a few steps away on the north side of Key Arena.

Before we leave the Center, we’ll take some time to check out some of the other onsite attractions including the Pacific Science Center, The Children’s Museum, Space Needle and EMP – not to mention the Fun Forest .

Day 3: Today will be a Mom’s day. At the very least we’ll go for a kid-free walk, run or bike ride. I’ll make some beautification appointments in advance at either Ummelina or Habitude and we’ll finish the day at the Summer Concert Series event at Chateau St Michelle with a picnic on the lawn.

Day 4: I’m not a fan of theme parks (too loud, too many people, too expensive), but I do make an exception for water parks. Wild Waves is just off the I-5, an easy 30 miles south of Seattle in Federal Way. For us, it’s always been a once-a-summer, special event – my kids are looking forward to this daytrip already! It is pricey: entrance tickets are $28.99 + tax, but this year, the City of Seattle is selling reduced price tickets ($21) at community centers through September 7th.

Day 5: I’m calling this “Downtown Day”. I’ll be giving my guests tickets for the Ride the Ducks city tour and guest passes for the Seattle Aquarium. I’ll be suggesting that they stop for sandwiches at Three Girls Bakery or Le Painier on Pike Place Market for lunch but to take their food across the street to Victor Steinbrueck park where they can enjoy the sunshine and watch the ferries as they ply the sound.

Day 6: If you’ve ever planned a trip with kids you’ll know that it’s important to schedule some downtime. A day or a morning where there’s nothing at all on the agenda. This day could get moved up or back or duplicated, but in all the time I’ve traveled with my boys, it’s served me well to always include a do-nothing-day as I plan our trip.

Day 7: Holiday viewings of ‘Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory‘ is a family tradition in my family. I can’t wait to see and hear what these kids think of the sights and sounds at Theo’s Chocolates. They may be too young to remember all they learn while taking the factory tour, but I expect it will be a highlight of the trip nonetheless.

Day 8: There are so many things to do at the Seattle Center that it only seems fair to add a second visit.

Day 9: Have you ever been a local who just never took the time to visit a prime tourist attraction in your city? I’ve never taken an Argosy Seattle Harbor Cruise but I do know – from other guests who’ve visited and taken the cruise – that it’s a fun 1-hour tour of Seattle giving a completely different perspective on the city and the harbor. (I have discount coupons from SeattleTourSaver which I can use – thanks alaskatravelgrm).

Day 10 and 11: No visit to Seattle would be complete without experiencing the great, great Pacific Northwest outdoors. So, we’ll be camping. I’m still considering where to camp, although old favorites like Salmon La Sac will always be a good choice and the Hood Canal is a fun spot for family camping. We’ll have fun introducing our guests to fine american camping traditions such as ‘smores :)

Is there anything you love to do with family or friends when they come to visit which you think I’ve missed? Do leave a comment.

If you’re looking for a family-friendly hotel in Seattle, check out my review of the Hotel Monaco.

Seattle summer skyline photo credit: rickz

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