Category: Outside of Portland
Posted July 12th, 2010 in Outside of Portland, travel | Tags: cascadia kids, long beach washington, Lora Shinn |
We recently returned from a trip to the Long Beach Peninsula in Washington state. Recently, we sat down via electronic magic with Lora Shinn of Cascadia Kids to talk about our trip and our recommendations for families visting the area:
“Tony and Jennifer Fuentes of Portland, Oregon went with their children (Mila, 8 and Gael, 3) to the Long Beach Peninsula of Washington, about 90 minutes west of Oregon. It’s right on the Pacific Ocean – a perfect way for shopowner Jennifer (she runs the excellent
Milagros Boutique in Portland) and family to relax. Jennifer often returns to the Long Beach Peninsula to stay in a beach rental; she loves the…”
Posted March 25th, 2010 in Outside of Portland | Tags: long beach washington, road note |
Milagros is OPEN but the Fuentes Family is on the road. We are exploring the vast peninsula that is Long Beach, Washington.
It is a lovely and delightfully laid back part of the world. A quick list of highlights so far – in addition to general beach-combing fun:
- Hiking and exploring at Willapa National Wildlife Refuge: The unique mix of tidelands and forest that characterizes this area really comes to life here. The hiking is easy and family friendly and the scenery often breathtaking. Seeing a bald eagle in flight while on a sandy beach is not unusual in this part of the world.
- Discovering the world of kites and making some kites of our own at the World Kite Museum: The exhibits aren’t high tech but seeing kites from around the world was more compelling than I would’ve imagined. Fighting kites from India and Afghanistan, hand painted kites from Japan, old dime store kites from the US, musical kites from Thailand and much more is there to explore and learn about. A small kite-making station was the icing on the cake for the kids.
- A ride on the beach with Back Country Wilderness Outfitters: Mila had her own steed and Jen and Gael doubled up on a draft horse named Dugan for a gentle one-hour ride on the sand.
- The bizarre world of Marsh’s Free Museum: Jake the Alligator Man is the main attraction but I loved their collection of antique penny arcade games.
- Taking a break from the lovely ocean side of the peninsula for a bay side day trip. We took in historic and charming Oysterville and enjoyed a picnic lunch from Bailey’s Bakery.
Posted July 8th, 2009 in Events, Family Outing, Outside of Portland, music | Tags: farms, music |
Thank you Multnomah County for approving the concerts at Kruger’s! Here is all the nitty gritty via Kruger’s Farm:
“We just got and read the decision on our updated Farm Stand Permit. Music lovers, the news is good and the summer harvest festivals complete with music will start next week on July 16th!… We’re committed to doing them this summer and we’ll keep you posted on the schedule. Join us next week for our big celebration! Come early! Stay late! Savor our victory!”
Link to more information on summer events at Kruger’s Farm
Posted June 17th, 2009 in Milagros News, Outside of Portland | Tags: Art and Crafts, artists, Events |
There will be a lot of wonderful artists at the next Crafty Mamas Bazaar!
Erin Maidlow makes delightful dresses for girls. You can find many of her items at Milagros.
And this event we will also have a Crafty Papa in the mix…
He asked nicely and we figured why not?
Bill from House of Six Cats makes is a fine photographer who turns his work into eye catching jewelry, night lights, and more!
Check out the full House of Six Cats creations on-line.
Come see both of these crafters and many more this Saturday at the Crafty Mamas Bazaar! Inside and outside Milagros 11 am – 3 pm!
Posted May 26th, 2009 in Outside of Portland, Wildlife | Tags: oregon coast |
If you are in the Newport Area, want an aquarium experience or just want to stretch your legs indoors check out the Hatfield Marine Science Visitor.
The center is operated by Oregon State University and has a series of exhibits about marine life and science. Many of the exhibits are interactive including a tide pool where kids (and adults) can touch sea stars, anemones, urchins, a skate and more.
Admission is free, although a donation is very welcome. It is a nice alternative to the nearby Newport Aquarium if you have only an hour or less to spend due to schedule or wiggly little ones.
Posted February 9th, 2009 in Outside of Portland, snow play |
One of our favorite winter activities is to head up Mt. Hood for some snowplay – this includes sledding, snowshoeing, igloo building, angel making and so on. There are countless areas to go in Hoodland but we tend to head out to the snoparks that serve the Barlow Trail and Trillium Lake basin.
We don’t believe in paying to sled – because we’re old-fashioned and cheap – so we park at the Government Camp Maintenance Station Sno-Park and sled on the hill right at the Hemlock trailhead. After some runs on that hill, we head down the trail to a meadow for snow angel making and then to another hill shortly past the junction of the Barlow Trail and Hemlock trail. This is where our Extreme Ergo Sledding took place.
You can continue down the Barlow Trail to Summit Meadows and onto the Trillium Lake Loop, which is very level and great for family snowshoeing.
BUT if you are interested in something more scenic and remote, head over the river to the Old Man Pass area of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. They have a series of scenic and level loops that are groomed and perfect for family snow play. They also have a great sledding hill just off the parking lot.
Travel time wise, getting to Old Man Pass is about as long as getting to Government Camp from Portland. But viva las diferencias…you will find way fewer people at Old Man Pass, and easy to access snow play area for sledding that is right off the parking lot of the Old Man Pass Snopark, and a great family-friendly system with tons of groomed trails for cross country skiing or snowshoing as well as plenty of ungroomed options.
You easily create trail loops that range from any length – only 1 mile to more than 10 miles. If you are feeling ambitious, the Hardtime Loop is 12.7 miles and has a defined viewpoint that offers some wonderful views of Mt. St. Helens. A friend and I did the Hardtime Loop a couple of weeks ago on skis, it was quite something.
Travel Tips: If you head up to Old Man Pass, make sure you have all your gas and food needs covered before you leave Stevenson, WA – this is the closest “major” town. Go prepared for changes in weather conditions – bring chains and a shovel just in case you need to dig the car out.
Oregon Sno Park Passes are valid in WA. You can pick up a Sno-Park pass at REI in Portland, or hit Multnomah Falls on the way on the weekend, on weekdays you can get a pass at the Visitor Center in Stevenson on the way. Enjoy!
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.
Posted November 30th, 2008 in Family Outing, Hiking, Milagros News, Outside of Portland |
We are in Nevada visiting family for the Thanksgiving holiday. Milagros IS OPEN!
Yesterday we headed up to the mountains. Mila and Gael’s great-grandmother has always wanted to see Crystal Peak, so we decided to load-up (5 adults and 4 kids) and head out.
It took some effort trying to figure out how to get there. We did some searching on-line and finally pieced together directions from three different sources. For one thing, Crystal Peak is actually in California – not Nevada – and is generally known on maps as Crystal Mine.
Once you are off the highway you pass from sagebrush desert up to pine forest. We encountered a lot of families cutting Christmas trees in the forest. Eventually you pass through Dog Valley.
Dog Valley was named for packs of wild dogs that use to roam the area. The defining characteristic of Dog Valley these days are the groves of aspen trees which provide a striking contrast against the surrounding conifers.
After about 9 miles from the main highway on dirt roads, the turn-off to Crystal Mine emerged. Then it was up the hill to the parking area.
We didn’t know what to expect, we figured maybe there would be some rocks found but at a minimum we would enjoy a day in the woods. But it turns out that Crystal Peak is appropriately named, there is quartz EVERYWHERE. No digging needed.
The area had been blasted extensively during World War II to ensure that there were plenty of crystals for radios needed for the war effort. What remains is an exposed peak of quartz veins, boulders, and crystal rock of all variety of sizes and coloring (rose quartz, smoky quartz, clear crystals, you name it). The views from the top of the peak are very lovely as well. The kids – and adults – had a great time rock collecting and hiking to the top of the mountain! Enjoy!
Getting there from Reno:
- 395 North to Bordertown (Exit 83)
- After you exit, go back over the highway (toward the Bordertown Casino) and take a right at the stop sign.
- Travel past the Bordertown Casino to another stop sign. Continue past the stop sign and follow a sharp left over the railroad tracks onto Long Valley Road (the map shows the terrain from this point).
- It is advisable to set your trip odometer at this point so you can note your progress. You will travel about 9 miles from this point until the turn-off to Crystal Peak.
- Continue to follow Long Valley Road into the National Forest where it becomes Forest Road 002. Stay on 002 – you will go through Dog Valley which is not marked but you will see aspens! – until the junction with Forest Road 033. This junction is marked.
- Take a right onto 033 and head up the mountain to the Crystal Peak parking area. Happy rock hunting!
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Posted October 7th, 2008 in Family Outing, Milagros News, Outside of Portland |
If you are a regular reader of this blog – actually, are there people who read this on a regular basis?…I really do hope so…
Anyhoo, we have a tendency to find a new place we like and go there again and again and again…consider Yachats…
What is our latest family outing obsession? Champoeg State Park! Why? Because it is lovely and only 45 minutes from home – minimal car time to an awesome place always rules!
dressed in period garb making apple pie and apple crisp over an open fire in a dutch oven – delish! Live old-timey music filled the barn where kids and adults took turns making cider making using traditional person-powered apple presses. Fresh apple butter was being made an sample by the gallon and there was a great selection of fresh heirloom vegetables from the 19th century “kitchen garden” they maintain at the park. Actually, fresh vegetables from the garden often available in the visitor center, just take what you want and leave a donation.
Another plus, the bike paths in the park have just been repaved. So riding is wonderfully smooth. They are still plenty of blackberries to be enjoyed through-out the park as well.
Still on the to do list for Champoeg is to kayak in the Willamette from the park, see the inside of the Mother’s Cabin, and play a round of frisbee golf. So this is more than a crush. We will be back!
