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| The few, the proud, the crazy couch racers of Silverton, Oregon. |
Last year I finally got to watch the “Davenport Races” – one of the quirkiest highlights of the Homer Davenport Days celebrated each year in Silverton, Oregon (also known as the “couch races”). If that weren’t fun enough, I had the pleasure of watching my husband – who had been skillfully recruited by the band of merrimakers you see here – be an active participant.
While watching the davenport races, three things became apparent to me:
1. Anything can go fast, really fast, on bicycle wheels.
2. Bicycle helmets, and football pads, have their place in some community events.
3. It’s hard to take pictures when you’re laughing so hard that you cry.
We had a great time at the races, and the kids are still proud of their dad for keeping up with that couch on Main Street. Sadly, we will miss the Davenport Races next Sunday, but if you will be in Oregon next weekend (August 6th & 7th), it’s just one more reason to make a stop at one of America’s “Top 10 Coolest Small Towns.” The nearby Silver Falls State Park is also not to be missed. You can read more about Silverton’s upcoming events here.
Planning a trip? Click here to see a list of related Silverton and Oregon posts.
Readers of Travels with Baby may have already come across my recommendation for this site, but it has been truly awesome to watch CiaoBambino.com continue to grow and evolve as a go-to source for finding high-end family-friendly vacation rentals, hotels and resorts around the globe.
All content of this blog (c) Shelly Rivoli 2007 – 2011
Want to venture beyond Fisherman’s Wharf and the cable cars on your family’s vacation to San Francisco?
Here is a map I put together of a driving tour “loop” you can do with your family if you’d like to see the beautiful beach at Crissy Field I posted about over the weekend, and some other scenic and fun sights in north-central San Francisco, including two favorite parts of Golden Gate Park.
You can start at whichever of these points is most convenient and travel counter-clockwise, though my directions begin at the Palace of Fine Arts and Exploratorium (the picnic table and yellow building icons at 1 o’clock) and end at the original Mel’s Drive-In restaurant for dinner (where Katherine Hepburn orders the Oregon Blackberry shake in “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?” and the set inspiration for American Graffiti).
View Travels with Baby: North San Francisco Loop in a larger map
On this self-drive tour:
1. Palace of Fine Arts
2. Exploratorium
3. Crissy Field Picnic Area and Beach – Bayside
4. Golden Gate Bridge Overlook (camera)
5. Baker Beach – Pacific side
6. Stowe Lake with Boat and Bike Rentals – Golden Gate Park
7. Conservatory of Flowers and lawn
8. Mel’s Original Drive-In diner (hamburger and shake, of course)
Click here to get the larger map with driving directions between points.
Click here for more tips and recommendations for your San Francisco family vacation.
Safe journeys,
Shelly Rivoli
Author of Travels with Baby and the new Take-Along Travels with Baby http://www.travelswithbaby.com/ Travels with Baby on Facebook
All content of this blog (c) Shelly Rivoli 2007 – 2011
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| The sand beach and picnic area at Crissy Field, San Francisco. |
By the time we walked onto this beach at the Crissy Field picnic area (shown above), with the Golden Gate Bridge looming to our left, the lovely view of San Francisco with the Palace of Fine Arts dome and Marina District to our right, and stream of sailboats racing before us, I realized this is one place I simply have to bring everyone who comes to visit–including those of you reading this blog.
Crissy Field is near the Palace of Fine Arts, the Exploratorium (until it’s relocated later next year), the San Francisco overlook of the Golden Gate Bridge, and is bordered by the historic Presidio. There is a great walking and biking trail along the area, and you can stroll out onto that “Dock of the Bay” shown in the background if you like. Parking is free here but very competitive on the weekends, so visit on a weekday if possible during your vacation, or arrive early.
Also nearby is another of my favorite San Francisco beaches: Baker Beach, which is located just on the Pacific side of the Golden Gate Bridge (opposite of here). Both beaches can be windy and cold (note: this is not San Diego!), so be sure to bring jackets and hats unless you find yourself here on an unusually warm and gorgeous day such as we had.
Related posts and pages:
Exploring San Francisco’s Exploratorium with kids
To the Lighthouse: A visit to Point Bonita
Picnic at the Palace of Fine Arts
Go Dutch in Golden Gate Park at the Queen Wilhelmina Windmill
See all San Francisco tips and posts
Safe journeys,
Shelly Rivoli Author of Travels with Baby and the new Take-Along Travels with Baby http://www.travelswithbaby.com/ Travels with Baby on Facebook
There’s plenty to think about when planning and packing for a family camping trip with children under 5 years – especially if this is the first time you’ll be camping with your little one(s). I’ve covered the topic in detail in Travels with Baby, but I was recently reminded how location, location, location can make such a difference when camping with small kids.
When picking your family’s campsite, avoid these locations if you can:
1. Next to water – The lakeside view might be lovely, or the sound of a trickling stream, but how many changes of dry clothing did you bring for this weekend getaway? You may end up constantly chasing your toddler out of the creek throughout your stay, and of course with small kids it could be a serious safety hazard. What’s more, being closest to the water may also put you in the thick of mosquitoes come dusk.
2. Next to the restroom - In the case of pit toilets, the reason may be obvious. But the constant traffic to the john, flushing noises, conversations, and lights can be very disruptive to young sleepers who are already excited enough about sleeping in the tent. Even with a potty trainee along for the adventure, you may rest better a comfortable distance away from the restrooms (and keep your training potty in the tent if you’re nervous about a potential midnight run).
3. Next to the garbage / recycling – Sure, if someone asked you if you’d prefer to be in this site, you’d probably say, “No thanks!” But if it’s one of the last campsites left when you arrive on a Friday evening, just think of those investigative raccoons and skunks that might traipse through your site en route, and the college students who may unload their case of beer cans at an unsettling hour. Try for a different space if possible.
So where does that leave you to pitch your tent or park your campervan? Hopefully at the farthest end of the loop where the bulk of campers, once settled, will be less likely to pass by on their way to the general store, or restrooms, or garbage bins. There will be plenty of time to make new friends when you’re in the mood for a stroll.
For more help planning camping trips with babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, see Chapter 2 of Travels with Baby, and check out some of the related posts and pages below. And if you’ve got your popcorn ready, here’s my segment from View from the Bay.
Pack this! DEET-free mosquito repellent wipes
Tip #34: Fall in Love with Silver Falls State Park, Oregon
Tip #35: Scorpions, Ticks and Bears—oh, my!
Tip #31: Practice Camping
Review of the hands-free Beam N Read LED light
Ask Shelly: What to do with car seats at Yosemite?
Quick List for Camping with Babies and Toddlers
Shelly Rivoli
Here’s a favorite photo from our hike through Arenal Hanging Bridges near Lago Arenal and the Arenal Volcano in central Costa Rica. With 25 lbs. on my back, it was a good workout, but what a fantastic place to explore with the kids!
This post is part of Photo Friday at DeliciousBaby.com – a happy weekend to all!
Related posts and pages:
5 Ways to Ease your Arrival in Costa Rica with Kids
Review of Casa Vista, Manzanillo, Costa Rica
5 Best with Children Under 5: Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula
See all Costa Rica travel tips and posts from Travels with Baby
Safe journeys,
Shelly Rivoli
Save 20% on Travels with Baby and Take-Along Travels with Baby and qualify for FREE Super Saver Shipping when you buy direct from Travels with Baby!
www.travelswithbaby.com Travels with Baby on Facebook
All content of this blog (c) Shelly Rivoli
As discussed in the post “Will your car seat be allowed on the airplane?”, whenever boarding an airplane you should be ready and able to point to the FAA approval on your car seat (side or bottom label) or in your car seat’s manual in some cases. But even if you car seat is approved for air travel, you might suddenly find yourself in a situation known to many veteran family travelers – the same car seat that fit in the last airplane you took doesn’t fit this time around.
f. Operators Prohibiting CRS [child restraint system or car seat] Use. No aircraft operator may prohibit a child from using an approved CRS when the parent/guardian purchases a seat for the child. If an approved CRS, for which a ticket has been purchased, does not fit in a particular seat on the aircraft, the aircraft operator has the responsibility to accommodate the CRS in another seat in the same class of service. The regulations also permit an aircraft operator to use its discretion in identifying the most appropriate forward-facing passenger seat location, considering safe operating practices. For example:(1) A CRS with a base that is too wide to fit properly in a seat with rigid armrests can be moved to a seat with moveable armrests that can be raised to accommodate the CRS.(2) An aft-facing CRS that can not be installed properly, because of minimal pitch (distance between seats) between rows, can be moved to a bulkhead seat or a seat in a row with additional pitch.
Safe journeys,
Shelly Rivoli
Author of Travels with Baby and the new Take-Along Travels with Baby
www.travelswithbaby.com Travels with Baby on Facebook
All content of this blog (c) Shelly Rivoli
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