What’s to Love: An overcrowded beach along the Sandy River filled with people throwing cigarette butts, trash, and being obnoxiously loud and rude? Is that the Dabney State Park you know and love? My expectations were pretty low going in, especially on a busy summer weekend. However, similar to Oxbow State Park, the rangers and clean-up crew do an excellent job of keeping Dabney clean, under control, and a great place for families.
Thank you to Jessica Cornelius who agreed to visit Breitenbush Hot Springs with her family and grant us an interview. Breitenbush is a bit off the beaten path (and the grid!) and perhaps, misunderstood as a family-friendly destination. Take a look through Jessica’s pictures and read her interview in its entirety at Portland Family Adventures.
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What’s to Love: Portland has some great burgers, and we’ve sampled many of them. Is “Little Big Burger” Portland’s best? I don’t know, but it’s currently my favorite spot to indulge in a burger and fries. My kids love it too, and even though very cramped, it’s a kid-friendly spot (two locations).
What’s to Love: I just published “Haldeman Pond” located on Sauvie Island, where I admitted I had not caught a single fish to this day. Still love the spot! However, if you want to drive a bit up near Mt. Hood, you will (most likely) catch a fish at the Rainbow Trout Farm. It’s almost impossible NOT to catch a fish. The facility is a welcoming place for families with small children.
What’s to Love: I feel rather ashamed that it has taken me so long to highlight our exceptional Portland Art Museum. It’s not like I haven’t taken my kids there in the past four years – I have…really! It’s just that with two young boys, a visit to an art museum is usually not high on the adventure list. I feel like you have to use this type of activity strategically; perhaps, visiting when there is an exhibit that appeals to children. That’s EXACTLY what is happening now at the Portland Art Museum!
What’s to Love: This is an awesome fishing spot! Didn’t catch any fish, but I won’t retract my first sentence. If you’re looking for the perfect spot to teach your kids how to fish, head over to Sauvie Island’s “Haldeman Pond,” which is stocked with trout, bass, crappie, and catfish. I can almost guarantee a positive fishing experience, if you’re prepared with all the necessary gear.
What’s to Love: We had heard good things about this hike from a close friend. Those sentiments were corroborated by Bonnie Henderson in her book “Best Hikes with Children in Western and Central Oregon.” After experiencing the Old Salmon River Trail, I must agree with these two sources – this is the perfect hike with children and a wonderful spot in general.
This event looks really fun! My band “The Toy Trains” will be playing from 11:15 – 12:05. We’ll have our debut CD for sale and new t-shirts!!! Please come and enjoy the festivities and listen to some great local music! I’ve always been a big fan of Trashcan Joe and Mad Science. Hope to see you there. Plus, ADMISSION AND PARKING ARE FREE!!! Here is the official announcement from the Port of Portland:
“Come join in the fun at THE most family-friendly, fun-filled day of adventure on the river this summer! Seaport Celebration, presented by Gunderson, will take you inside the fences of an active marine terminal to explore the working waterfront with activities and excitement for all ages.
You’ll enjoy live music and entertainment, interactive displays and demonstrations, face painting, a photo booth with costumes, free giveaways and prizes, $5 jet boat rides, carts selling international foods and much more! You’re likely to see trucks, trains, cranes, ships and heavy port machinery.”
Pre-register to bypass the lines at registration!
July 30, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Terminal 2, 3556 N.W. Front Avenue, Portland
Entertainment Schedule
11:15 a.m. The Toy Trains
1:00 p.m. Mad Science: What do you know about H2O?
2:15 p.m. Trashcan Joe
What’s to Love: The Mosier Tunnels are locate just outside Mosier, Oregon and are a couple of exits east of Hood River, Oregon. Located high up on bluff, they are part of what used to be the old Columbia Gorge highway. This roadway is now closed to cars for an impressive 4.7 miles, which will bring you all the way back to Hood River. This is a perfect destination for a family bike ride, especially when combined with so many other destinations nearby.
Hello Folks! I’m very excited about my band’s debut CD release, which will most likely be at one of our July shows. To get a feel for the music, I’ve included our first single “Mr. Sun.” Please take a listen and pass it on to friends and family. Let me know what you think!
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If you want to come to see the band, we’re having two great shows this month!!!
Saturday, July 30th at The Port of Portland’s “Seaport Celebration” Terminal 2, 3556 N.W. Front Avenue 11:15 to 12:05.
and…
Sunday, July 31st at Sellwood Park Festival (Movies in the Park)
6PM – 8PM (Two Sets!) FREE!!! With “Vince Schreck & The Expendables doing a set from 8 – 9PM!
What’s to Love: My band for kids and families (The Toy Trains) recently had a show at The Curious Comedy Theater with other local “Kindie” artists Johnny & Jason and Mo Phillips. Check-out the video clips below in the text of the article. I wanted to do a short write-up about this wonderful little (non-profit) theater that provides a wide variety of comedy shows and special shows just for kids and families.
What’s to Love: I have to confess – I’ve spent most of my 42 years not caring too much about soccer, and I still don’t know much about the game. However, when the Portland Timbers joined the ranks of Major League Soccer and the old PGE Park was renovated (becoming Jeld-Wen Field), I found myself drawn into the Timbers’ incredible fan base. I watched footage from the first game on YouTube and now find myself listening to the games on a little radio I purchased. As I listened, my curiosity kept growing – I needed to know more about what was going on inside that stadium!
What’s to Love: ”Functional Fitness” is a trendy term these days. What does it mean? I’m sure I could gather many definitions from practicioners, teachers, and students. To me, it means exercising in dynamic/non-linear ways like rolling, tumbling, climbing, twisting, turning, jumping, leaping, grasping, etc. Most importantly, the movements have to be done with a mindful intent on the technique. Oh yeah, it MUST be fun! It’s the type of fitness that makes you feel like a kid again. Revolution Parkour houses one of the first Parkour Academies in the country and after experiencing a course first-hand with my 7-year old son, I can certainly attest to the “having fun” aspect.
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What’s to Love: The weather is getting nice! If you’re looking for a relatively-flat, straight, paved, bike path for a nice family cruise, the Marine Drive section of Portland’s “40 Mile Loop Trail” is a good option. The roughly 12+ miles of paved path parallels Marine Drive in North Portland, right alongside the Columbia River.
What’s to Love: Open just a couple of weeks now (Grand Opening on Tuesday, March 29th, 3PM to 9PM), we spent nearly 3-hours at John’s Incredible Pizza playing games, enjoying the rides, and eating. This place is HUGE (46,000 square feet) with over 110 games, but it’s the little things that actually make John’s worth a visit.
What’s to Love: Love art at home but hate the mess and clean-up? Simple solution – turn your kids loose inside the Art Factory of the Children’s Healing Art Project. It’s sort of like being inside Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory but with paint, brushes, push carts, and colorful smocks. Don’t be afraid to make a masterpiece or a mess. All the while, know that your dollars are helping fund an innovative nonprofit that helps ailing children and their families.
What’s to Love: Free admission! And, your kids will freak out when they see a 6-foot White Sturgeon at the fish hatchery. I wouldn’t rate this high as a family destination on its own, but it’s in the perfect location for a side trip while out and about in the Gorge. Definitely a good bet when mixed with “Wahclella Falls.”
I was just at a conference on teaching and learning in Chicago, IL (July, 2010). The keynote speech had a profound and urgent message. The message was that “play,” not as a concept, but an actual act, especially imaginative/creative play, is vital to our well being. The speaker said, “There are consequences of play deprivation…” and cited some truly disturbing examples that I won’t get into here. I think the fear-based culture has ultimately led to a decline in play. TrackersPDX offers some innovative and unique summer camp programs that will take your kids on wonderful journeys both in their minds and on their feet (usually at the same time).
What’s to Love: Playdate PDX features a 7500 square foot indoor play space for kids, which is certainly one of the nicest I’ve seen in the last three years of Portland Family Adventures. The facility is perfect for parents who want to both interact with their kids and relax a bit. The business model is another home run in a town that offers so many great opportunities for families.
What’s to Love: Over the course of three+ years, I haven’t used a single expletive in an article. If there ever was a time to use one to describe the sheer awesomeness of a place, it would be reserved for Sky High Sports. Because this is a family site, I’ll leave it out, but WOW! This place is absolutely amazing!!! Sky High Sports has several areas (e.g., kids’, foam pit, dodge ball, private, main, etc.) of interconnected trampolines (even up the walls!) that will put a big smile on your face and push your heart rate to 175+ in a matter of seconds!
