[Travel Guide] A Family Guide To Bellingham

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When planning our summer I envisioned tons of camping and hiking however Neil’s new job and the travel that comes along with it has required us to be a bit more flexible with how we use our time. Since work required him to be in Seattle for a large chunk of the summer, we decided to join him and use it as an opportunity to explore more of Washington. We had three nights free and had the choice of staying in Seattle or setting off on an adventure in a nearby area. Due to hotel costs we landed on Bellingham.

Prior to our trip, I didn’t really know much about Bellingham besides that it is about 1.5 hours (more like 2.5 with rush hour traffic) north of Seattle and is surrounded by nature. Going on that alone (and an inexpensive room on Hotwire) we decided to embark on an adventure to a new place. What I didn’t imagine is how much we would fall in love with Bellingham. Edith and Alder are already asking when we will be returning and I have to agree I am looking forward to going back as well.

Stay

We used Hotwire to find our hotel. My basics for choosing is it must be at least 3 stars, liked by 90% of people and have a 4+ review on TripAdvisor. With the kids in tow, I wanted a pool as well. Luckily Hotwire was able to find a hotel that fit our wants and we ended up with the Four Points by Sheraton Bellingham Hotel & Conference Center.

Overall it was a nice hotel within walking distance to Whole Foods and Fred Meyer. It was close to the downtown area and it had a restaurant and a pool. I would say the only two cons that this hotel had for us was that the pool as only available for those under 18 years old from 10am-8pm. I know not a huge deal we just had a few times where we would have liked to use the pool in the morning or around 8pm after returning from our adventures. The one pro with the pools however was that they had small soaking pool perfect for non-swimmers like Alder.

The other con that we found was that there were absolutely no kids channels on the TV. Again not a huge deal at all but sometimes mama and dada need a break, especially after a full day of activities. Instead of including the kids channels you had to pay extra for them. In the grand scheme of things neither of these cons would prevent us from staying again.

Eat/Drink

Rocket Donuts – There is a rocket ship out front and donuts and ice cream inside. Basically it’s a kid’s dream come true. If you’re vegan, like us, just ask for the vegan selection of the day when you go in. I highly recommend the maple donut.

Electric Beet – Juice, smoothies, smoothie bowls, toasts and the most amazing cacao pancakes you’ll ever have.

Pepper Sisters – Southwestern food at it’s best. They have a wide selection of food options but I highly suggest the enchiladas and the rice and beans. The sopapilla and hominy that came with the entrees were great additions as well.

Boundary Bay Brewing – We grabbed a veggie burger and a beer here just as a snack but it has a pretty good looking menu. The thing that sold us was the outdoor picnic table area complete with a play structure for kids and a relaxing spot for us.

Camber – We may have visited Camber every day on our visit. It’s some of the best coffee in the PNW and it has a great simple breakfast selection including a variety of toasts, breakfast potatoes and pastries. Tip: stop in and grab a coffee before heading across the street to grab a few donuts from Rocket Donuts.

Leaf & Ladle – Before heading to the beach stop in and grab wrap, quesadilla, salad or panini. We loved the vegan tempeh caesar wrap and the vegan panini.

Big Juice Love – Another great spot of Juice, smoothies, acai bowls and a huge toast selection. We highly recommend the artichoke cream toast – it was amazing.

Do

Bellingham Farmers Market – Farmers markets are a great way to experience anywhere you visit. We found vendors selling all kinds of artisan products from ceramics to body care to clothes. We came across the most incredible olives, snacked on berry popsicles, sampled chocolates, sauerkraut, bread and beer. We listened to incredible young people sing and play their instruments and were able to feel like we were a part of the community.

Larrabee State Park – I am not sure if it is or not but this spot felt like a hidden gem. There is a day use beach that is a short hike down from the parking lot and it is one the most beautiful beaches. So clean, clear and the view is incredible. We went around lunch time and despite the warm, sunny day it was fairly quiet. Opposite the path to the beach is a short hiking trail that promises beautiful views of its own and back up by the parking lot are picnic tables, restrooms and a playground.

Whatcom Park – We found this thanks to google and our desire to see waterfalls. This was a wonderful easy hike that featured waterfalls and bridges. There is also a playground and picinic tables near the parking area.

Ruckus Room Arcade – Not something I thought I would have added to the list but I promised Edith a trip to the arcade during our time away and this is where we ended up. We had low expectations and we all ended up having a great time playing arcade games.

Have you ever visited Bellingham? What are your favorite things to do/see/eat/stay?

Where in the PNW should we visit next?

Only have 48hours in Bellingham? Find out what we would do over on Naturally Lindsay.

The Magic Of Camping With Children

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As a child my parents would pack us up and we would head out each summer to camp in our pop-up camper. These camping adventures took me all over the North East and even on a trip down the East Coast to stay at Disney World’s Campground (and visit Disney of course). As I got older and my parents sold our pop-up camper we stopped camping as often (although that’s all they do these days – #thatretiredlife) however my love for camping and exploring stayed with me.

 

 

 

As a new couple Neil and I used camping as a way to explore the North East together on a budget. We would stay at state parks and explore the great outdoors and nearby towns and cities. From this our love of hiking and outdoor life grew and as our family has grown our desire to share the world and explore with them has intensified. For us camping is a way to for us to connect as a family, to spend more time outdoors, to explore places on a budget and to help grow a deeper love and appreciation for the world around us. 

Camping has taken our family to the edges of the Pacific Ocean, the mountains of central Oregon, to heritage sites, on hikes around the PNW, to towns and cities, big and small and most recently to the majestic waterfalls of Silver Falls State Park.

We have splashed in streams, been sprayed by cascading waterfalls, hiked the Oregon coastline, witnessed rock climbers descend of cliffs at Smith Rock State Park, learned more about this beautiful part of the world that we have chosen to make our current home. Better yet though we have gained confidence in ourselves, a deeper love for nature and connected with each other in a way that only time away from the city, busy lives, and the constant buzz of electronics just don’t allow.

As time goes on I hope that our children remember these times, and cherish them. That they see the beauty and benefit of living a bit simpler even if it just for the weekend. That they never stop being curious about what is out there in this beautiful world.

So share with us. Why do you love camping? What is magical about it for you? 

[Travel Guide] Cabin Camping at L.L. Stub Stewart State Park

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We recently took our first camping trip of the season to L.L. Stub Stewart State Park and our first camping trip as a family of five. After a year off from camping and regular nature exploring it feels so good to be back at it again. With it being early May we decided to snatch up the one cabin that we could find instead of tenting which just seemed a bit intimidating to do with three kids for our first trip of the year.

The cabins at L.L. Stub are all situated together up on top of the mountain which you can see from cabins 9-13. We booked our cabin too late so we ended up over in number 7 which had no view and honestly was one of my least favorite cabins for location, privacy and set up (the picnic table is across the path from the cabin). Basically the mountain view cabins are ideal but if you want a bit more privacy cabin 8 is off in the corner and has a ton of privacy as well as cabin 15. That  being said if you don’t mind a lack of privacy and want to have a bedroom and living room set up cabins 4-6 offer you two rooms.

Cabins aside there is a ton of camping including full hook-up sites, walk-in tent sites and primitive camp sites.

In addition to great spots for camping L.L. Stubb offers a variety of activities including hiking paths, mountain biking paths, a disc golf course and a welcome center where you can find items that you may have forgotten like water bottles and helmets, maps and much more.

We arrived late to camp and were only able to get a cabin for one night so we didn’t get to enjoy the amenities to the full extent but we did get out for a short hike. I will say this although this was our second visit to L.L. Stub as a family and third for Neil and the bigger kids we that we knew what to expect but hiking these days is totally different than two years ago. Neil and I both had expected hiking to be a breeze with all three kids but as soon as we started to hit some steeper hills Alder just wasn’t having it and wanted to head back to camp.

So note to all you parents out there hiking with two kids in carriers two years ago is not the same as hiking with two kids not in carriers and a baby. If you have small children you may want to seek out alternative hiking opportunities in the area because the trails near the cabins are fairly steep. That being said there is a great path over to the day use area that leads you to some nice open spots perfect for running, playing and tossing a frisbee.

While things didn’t go seamlessly on this first trip it was still a fun trip and we have learned so much about ourselves and ways that we can better prepare for our next trip.

Where are your favorite places to camp? What are you camping tips? 

[What We’re Reading] Grandma Gatewood Hikes the Appalachian Trail

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When we moved to Vermont ten years ago, I embraced the area and really got into hiking.  Ever since, it’s been one of my goals to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. Hiking and getting outdoors in nature is a passion of mine that we’ve shared as a family.  So, when we received a copy of the book for review we were all excited to read it.

The book tells the story of a determined 67 year old grandmother and her journey to hike the Appalachian Trail all the while striking a good balance between being educational, lighthearted and inspiring. The book starts out with a great illustration detailing the path the trail takes as well as the states and mountain ranges that make up the trail. The kids were thrilled to know that the trail passed through Vermont over the Green Mountains, asking how close it got to their grandparents house.

After 67 years, raising 11 kids without much help from her husband, Grandma Gatewood decided to set out to hike the Appalachian Trail alone.  She was motivated to hike the trail after reading that no other woman had ever hiked the trail.  As she progresses in her journey along the Appalachian Trail, the book details the different legs of the trail in detail.  Showing maps detailing the states, mountain ranges and points of interest along her journey.

The story shares the many different challenges that might make someone less motivated leave the trail and go back home.  Despite facing negative gender stereotypes, wearing through her clothes, encountering bad weather, hard to cross obstacles and bear Grandma Gatewood pushes through with the help of some unexpected friends.

The appendix of the book goes into more detail about Grandma Gatewood’s story, her repeat hike of the trail and the trail itself allowing interested readers to find out more about Grandma Gatewood.

Grandma Gatewood’s story is an inspiring and empowering one.  It shows that no matter your age and despite all the obstacles in your way that if you’re motivated, you can accomplish anything you put your mind to.

Where you can find this book: https://amzn.to/2Klm6Zc

Age Range: 5-7y (although our almost 4 year old loved the story as well)

Publisher: ABRAMS

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It’s A Gorges Day For An Adventure | Rowena Plateau, Hood River, Fort Cascade Historical Site

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We have our first family adventure of the season in the books! After a year off from big nature adventures (or really adventures at all), it feels so good to get back at it. While I think everyone is excited for the adventures….the driving however not so much. Edith asked no less than four times if we were there yet/how long is it going to take to get to our final destination. She also went on to talk about how we never drive this far and do lots of long driving and my initial response was to say ‘what are you talking about we have done tons of long drives like these’ until I remembered that I spent the whole of 2017 either pregnant or recovering from childbirth. Time is a funny thing. It feels like all our crazy adventures from 2016 were so recent but then you have your five-year-old remind you how long ago that was – at least for them.

Our first adventure took us to Rowena Plateau, a spot we had stopped at briefly on a drive through three years earlier but hadn’t actually explored. Our plan was to do the short hike and see all the wildflowers and the view. While we did get to enjoy the wildflowers and the view our hike was cut short by the overgrowth of poison oak and the threat of rattle snakes which I swear I heard two of them rustling near the path. Either way when the path turned into one skinny, rocky, poison oak infested lane we turned back and decided to head to Hood River for lunch before adventuring on to another location.

I’m happy to report that none of us ended up with poison oak even though I was certain that one of us would. I had terrible flashbacks to playing in the woods next to my elementary school when I was in third grade and ending up with a face full of itchy blisters due to a run in with poison oak; a moment I hope that my family and I can avoid. Also I am now researching rattle snakes in Oregon and what to do if we were to run into one – taking an tips or suggestions for resources.

We found our way to Hood River and decided to try to a new to us spot for lunch – Farm Stand In The Gorge. This little market was filled with everything that you could need as well as a wonderful cafe serving up breakfast and lunch. The menu consisted of wraps, sandwiches, salads, smoothies and a lengthy list of kombucha on tap. Neil and I both ended up ordering the vegan reuben which was delicious, Edith ordered a make your own sandwich complete with vegan mayo, marinated tempeh and a ton of fresh veggies and Alder and Ingrid went the a la carte route and had a few items we picked up from the market. We are definitely planning to return on our next trip and I’m ordering the kale salad because not only was it massive but it looked incredible.

No family nature outing is complete without a stop for a treat so we made our way to Gorge Ice Cream for some delicious non-dairy ice cream (they also have dairy options for those wondering). Edith and I went with the lavender honey, Alder with chocolate and Neil with coffee which he said tasted just like a latte. I went with a dish but stole a bite of Neil’s cone and instantly regretted not getting a cone for myself because it was probably even better than the ice cream.

With our bellies filled to the brim we decided to go one one last nature adventure before heading home. I searched on OregonHikers.com for something family friendly in the Columbia Gorge that was 2 miles or less and little elevation gain and had a number of hikes pop-up. However, due to the damage caused by last summers wildfires a number of the paths were still closed so we ended up deciding on the Fort Cascades Historical Site hike which brought us across the Bridge of The Gods over to Washington.

Having little clue as to what this hike was just that it checked all the boxes of what were looking for we were honestly a little skeptical. When we arrived at the trail head we were pleasantly surprised to find an interpretive map that would lead us on a historical self-guided tour of the old Cascades Township. Neil, Edith and I were totally geeking out and couldn’t wait to get to each post to read more about this historical spot. Alder however was more interested in climbing boulders and the set of train wheels and tracks that we found on the path. Ingrid, well, she just wanted to nurse and not be in the carrier.

Overall we were pleasantly surprised with this hike and would highly recommend it to anyone who is a historical nerd like we are and/or people with young families looking for a lush green, family friendly path to explore. It’s also the perfect spot for viewing the Bonneville Dam.

Highlights:

  • Edith getting to use her first aid kit from her adventure pack (don’t worry just a minor knee scuff).
  • Ingrid enjoying her first chocolate ice cream.
  • Alder asking if every plant we saw was poison after finding out about poison oak.
  • Finding a new lush green, family friendly path filled with so much history.

Tips:

  • If heading to Rowena Plateau come prepared with long pants and socks to protect again poison oak and make sure you are familiar with how to manage an encounter with a rattlesnake. Also there are no restrooms to take a pee break before you head up to check out the beautiful views.
  • Stop into Farm Stand In The Gorge for lunch and order the kale salad.
  • Take a visit to the Fort Cascade Historical Site, grab a map and enjoy the 1.5 mile loop. psst make sure you have $2 to cross the bridge if you are coming from Oregon. 

Places Mentioned In this Post:

The Wild Kratts LIVE | September 29, 2018 | #PDXKids

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Wild Kratts is a fairly new obsession for my kids but since they started watching the Kratt Brothers on a regular basis they have been a wealth of information when it comes to all things animals. They spend their days pretending to be Christ and Martin Kratt (or Zoobomafoo – a throw back to the early days with the Kratt Brothers) and they go on adventures right in our own home. They have been Thompson gazelles on an African savanna, Lemurs in Madagascar, and currently Alder’s favorite the Siberian Tiger.

We will be riding in the car or walking down the street and between Edith and Alder I will have a full lesson on the red kangaroo and how the boys are red and the girls are grey. I learn more from these kids and what they learn on Wild Kratts it’s just amazing to me. We then head to our local library and stock up on books about all the different creatures from Wild Kratts to read during our tea time.

So as Wild Kratts slowly takes over our home and playtime it only seemed natural to make plans to see The Wild Kratts LIVE this September here in Portland. Also Tickets Are On Sale Now! The Wild Kratts LIVE will be at Keller Auditorium with an all new show on Saturday, September 29th! Get Your Tickets here today!

So tell me – are your little ones also loving Wild Kratts? Who is planning to see The Wild Kratts LIVE whether here in Portland or in your city? 

 

#TravelTuesday | Road Trip – How To Prepare For The Worst

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Road trips are a great way to get out and see the world. There is so much to see and experience within driving distance of your own house but road trips can also have a few negative side effects (a few we are way to familiar with). So how can you prepare for these little hiccups without totally ruining your trip?

Well, when it comes to kids and road trip traveling there are two things that I can think of that could go totally wrong.

  1. Car sickness. This is one we have experienced far too many times.
    • First off if you know your child has a sensitive stomach make sure that they eat at least 45 minutes before you head out on the road. This give them enough time to digest their food and hopefully reduces the risk of you all seeing it again.
    • Second, avoid snacks if possible. I know with small children this isn’t always possible especially when your road trip is multiple hours so if a snack is a necessity then plan it into your trip and stop at a park, nature area or rest stop so you can enjoy a snack, move your body and hopefully again prevent any stomach upset. Also stick to foods that are light and easy to digest such as bananas, apples and crackers.
    • Third, prepare the carseat with a piddle pad just incase sickness can’t be prevented. This will help in the cleaning process later (psst best to have a back up just in case).
    • Fourth, TOWELS! Yes, make sure you have towels and a trash bag to do a quick clean up.
    • Fifth (and totally optional), have essential oils such as lavender, digestive blend, or ginger on hand. These are incredibly helpful in reducing feelings of nausea. You can breath in from the bottle, apply to the bottoms of your feet (I recommend diluting with fractionated coconut oil) or pick up a car diffuser.
  2. Potty Break or Baby Blowouts.
    • Bring a portable potty. This is great for when your little ones need to use the bathroom but there just isn’t anywhere to stop. You can pullover put in one of the potty bags, they can do their thing and you are back on the road without any accidents.
    • Blowouts and babies seem to just go together so have a little station prepared so when a blow out occurs you are prepared. Make sure you have diapers, wipes, an extra outfit (or two), and little trash bags to make the process super smooth. I am thinking that we might need one of these caddy‘s for our upcoming summer travel – if you have tired it let me know in the comments below.

What are your prepare for the worst travel tips?

Have you ever had an ‘oh no’, ‘ugh, gross’ or ‘why me?’ travel situation? How did you deal?

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#FollowFriday | Have Airstream Will Travel

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I have dreams that we will sell all our belongings, buy and Airstream and travel the country. However, I don’t know if that is totally realistic for us but maybe we could sell our big things, put our most prized items into storage and rent an Airstream for a month or two – sounds reasonable right? Well until then I can dream and live vicariously through these families who make Airstream living look easy.

#PDXKIDSEVENTS | Wild Kratts, A Year With Frog & Toad & Red Yarn

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The sun comes out and suddenly Portland just bursts to life and the list of things to do seems to be never ending. We are already making our Spring, Summer and even Fall bucket lists and I’m not sure how we are going to fit everything in! There are a few noteworthy events coming up that I thought I would share.

The first of which is Wild Kratts Live! I can’t even fully express how excited I am to take my two oldest to to see Chris and Martin live and in person at Keller Auditorium. Currently if my kids aren’t watching Wild Kratts they are pretending to be Chris or Martin or Zoboo (from the Kratts late 90’s/00’s show zoboomafoo); it is Wild Kratts all day every day around here. The show isn’t until September 29, 2018 but tickets go on sale Friday, April 27, 2018 at 10am. I can’t wait to get our tickets and to surprise Edith and Alder!

Another event that I might be more exited about than my kids is A Year With Frog and Toad at the Oregon Children’s Theatre. I spent much of my childhood reading about Frog and Toad and so they hold a very dear spot in my heart and memories. I am thankful that Edith and Alder are both finding their love for Frog and Toad as well. we just purchased our tickets and can’t wait to see it!

This one I am excited to share but so sad that we won’t be able to attend [insert crying face]. Red Yarn has come out with another incredible album and will be having a big release party/performance at the Aladdin Theater this Saturday, April 28, 2018.  We are wishing Andy, Ms. Jesse and The Critters all the best and can’t wait to see the album preformed live. If you can’t wait to see the songs preform you don’t have to check out Red Yarn’s newest music video Barn Dance from his newest album Old Barn.

What events are coming up that are on your bucket list?