Winter Day Trips

Posted January 7th, 2009 in Family Outing, Milagros News, Outside of Portland

Now that the snow seems to have subsided – for now – and everyone in the family is healthy – for now! – we can get back to some kind of routine.  My own a favorite ritual is enjoying a family outing (or two!) on the weekend.
We have been hitting a lot of old favorites lately. Last weekend we headed to Bonneville and the Gorge.  This Saturday we headed north to Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge.
The wetlands and other areas of the refuge provide habitat for hundreds of bird species.  The variety of birds changes every season as birds migrate in and out of the area. In addition to the birds, there are many other animals that reside at the refuge.
We did the auto tour and got out to stretch our legs at the beginning of the tour and at the viewing blind along the tour.  This time of year you aren’t allowed to walk on the route or partake in the Kiva trail.  However there was no shortage of things to see.
When we do the auto tour, we let the kids be out of the car seats and open up the windows so they can take in the full view. Yes, I know even though we are only traveling at 5 mph or less they should still be buckled and what not but, come on, man…
Anyhoo, we saw trumpeter and tundra swans in flight and afloat on the seasonal ponds. We also saw countless herons, hawks, kestrels, coots and sparrows.  A couple of unusual sightings – for us at least – were a bittern and a half dozen river otters frolicking in the water and on the ice.
We spent a couple hours at the refuge but apparently still needed more. After a stop for lunch, we headed to another wildlife area closer to home: Smith and Bybee Lakes.
On Sunday, our original plan was to do some west side exploring and then connect with family in Beaverton. Unfortunately, the family connection didn’t happen because of illness (them, not us! thank my lucky estrellas) but we headed west anyway.
We headed to L.L. “Stub” Stewart State Park near Vernonia.  Stewart park opened just last year and although it is only thirty-odd miles from PDX, this was our first trek there.
How was it? Awesome! Mainly because it was covered in snow and we weren’t expecting that. We weren’t really equipped for snow that didn’t slow us down. We had a snow ball fight, collected icicles, make snow angels, and stomped around the trails until we are too cold and wet.  Next time we will come prepared with sleds and snowshoes.
It is pretty clear that Stewart park is very family friendly. There is a growing network of trails including access to the Bank-Vernonia Trail which is perfect for family bike riding. The park terrain is forested and hilly with some noted vistas at the hilltop day use area. There is also year-round camping in the cabins on site.