Ever since the first mention of this year’s Thanksgiving, the girls have been anxiously awaiting their next trip on what they are calling “The Thanksgiving Train (exclamation point).” I can relate. When I was young, my family traveled by train over many Thanksgiving weekends from Oregon to Seattle to visit relatives. For my brother and…
Newport, OR – The Oregon Aquarium is one of the best sightseeing values to be had on the Oregon Coast, and a half-day visit should top the list of any family’s priorities for activities while vacationing on—or road-tripping through—the Central Oregon coast. The aquarium may keep you entertained and exploring for hours, which makes it…
Silver Falls State Park, OR – Within moments of entering Silver Falls State Park, I had to wonder how I’d managed to stay away for so many years. It’s not only the largest State Park in Oregon, but it has waterfalls that rival any I’ve seen in Hawaii or Yosemite National Park. I had my…
You should know that I have been camping in Oregon since I was an infant. After relocating to California, it took some time to adjust to “bear camping” and the terrible inconvenience of using “bear boxes” and certainly “bear bags.” I mean, there just aren’t any bears in Oregon–or so I like to think. In…
Newberry National Volcanic Monument, OR – Approximately 10 miles south of Bend, Oregon on Highway 97, you’ll drive past one of the most newly named national monuments in the U.S.: Newberry National Volcanic Monument. As it happens, one of the best sites for viewing and accessing the monument is also a terrific place to stop…
Practice makes perfect – we hope! Whether you’re gearing up for your first camping adventure with your baby or toddler, or you’re pondering how best to do it now that your child’s a toddler or a preschooler, you may all be happier campers on your trip after a little practice run at home. Sure, pitching…