The end of June brought on a record-breaking heatwave that won’t soon be forgotten. If it has inspired you to find new ways to cool off, then you might want to consider taking up kayaking with kids. How does an afternoon paddling across a local lake with your family sound? If you’ve never seen the inside of a kayak, don’t worry we’ve put together the essentials for you. Here’s how to get started kayaking with your family in and around Portland.

Kids kayaking
via Portland Kayak

The Basics

The beautiful thing about living in Portland (one of them, at least) is that you don’t need to buy a lot of gear to try out kayaking. There are plenty of outfitters in and around town who rent out kayaks, paddles and any additional gear you might need for your day of exploration.

Kayaks can be rented for a per hour or per-day rate. If you are just starting out, this is most affordable rout to go. Depending on on the size and type of kayak, hourly rates range from $30/hr to $80/hr. Daily rates range from $60 and up.

If you choose to buy, youth ride-on-top kayaks and inflatable kayaks can be found for $100 and up, and adult and 2-seat kayaks cost $600 or more. For a few quick paddles on your favorite lake, an inflatable kayak might work for a much lower price point. Ask the experts at your outdoor store for tips on what works for you and your family. If you spend time on the water, doesn’t hurt to buy your own flotation devices. Make sure they’re Coast Guard certified and appropriate for your planned activity.

You can rend or buy new and used kayaks at the following locations.

Next Adventure
426 SE. Grand Ave. Portland
Online: nextadventure.net

Portland Kayak Company
6600 SW Macadam Ave. Portland
Online: portlandkayak.com

Your Little Duffers

Junior can come along on kayaking trip as a paddler or a “duffer.” Duffers are just along for the ride in the center compartment and don’t help propel the boat. This is a role most children play until age eight. Experienced paddlers can start using their own single kayaks around age ten or so.

Christian Bowen via Unsplashed

Where You Can Play & Learn

You’ll want to get started on your kayaking adventure in calm, protected waters first — that means lakes and protected bays without much current or wind. Lakes without motorized boat traffic make for easier paddles, as you won’t need to avoid wakes.

Scappoose Bay is a gentle start for beginners, with the friendly outfitters Next Adventure’s Scappoose Bay Paddling Center providing rentals and lessons or tours. You might even spy some river otters playing.

Trillium Lake has no motorized boat traffic as well as camping and beautiful views near Government Camp on Mt. Hood.

Alder Creek’s classes allow kids 10 and up to attend their Learn to Kayak tours with parents. Check to see which class would be best for your family. (Note: rentals are currently offered, however tours and classes are on hold due to COVID restrictions.

Portland Kayak’s classes are suspended for 2021 due to COVID, however your family can schedule small group private instruction. What a great way to bond! . (Currently open by appointment only.)

The Lower Columbia Slough in North Portland can be a lovely place to set in, but you’ll want to check the tide schedule to keep your trip focused on bald eagles and herons, not hard paddling against the current.

What You Need to Know

Of course, safety is the first priority when it comes to water sports. That means you too, parents! Modeling safety goes a long way. Those personal flotation devices should fit and be properly secured. Wear closed-toe sandals or water shoes, plus plenty of sun block (Bring extra on the kayak with you. You’ll probably be out long enough to need to re-apply.) Don’t take your kids paddling unless you have a lot of experience with advanced moves under your belt—like rolling your kayak, for starters—or you have a very experienced person in your party. Plan snack times and bathroom breaks ahead of time and be sure to bring lots of water for everyone. Then have fun!

—Annette Benedetti

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After a long year of sticking close to home, families are starting to dust off their travel clothes, pack up their cars and hit the open road in search of family fun somewhere other than their backyard. If you’re on the hunt for a little bit of adventure and are excited to explore somewhere new with your family, Springfield, Missouri might just be the ideal destination for your next family trip!

Springfield, known as the gateway to the great outdoors by both travelers and locals alike, is a well-loved destination for those seeking easy access to both indoor and outdoor recreation and a wide variety of family-friendly attractions and experiences. 

Right now, families can save big on a trip to Springfield! From April 1- June 27, visitors who spend at least two nights in a hotel, spend time at three attractions in Springfield and enjoy a meal or a drink at three different Springfield establishments are eligible for a free night of accommodations in Springfield!  

One of the city’s most popular destinations is the Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium. As you walk through the aquarium, you’ll enjoy exploring unique habitats filled with an expansive variety of animals and learning all about the creatures that call the aquarium home. You’ll also have the chance to learn about the role that conservation plays in improving marine habitats across the world and, if you’re lucky, get up close and personal with penguins or sharks during an encounter that your little ones will never forget!

If your family is interested in outdoor recreation, you’ll also be excited to visit the world’s first and largest Bass Pro Shop, Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World—with over 500,000 square feet immersive shopping space. Your family can learn about Missouri’s native fish at one of the store’s seven intricate aquariums or visit with the turtles and alligators who live in the in-store swamp. Adults and big kids will enjoy the archery and shooting ranges while even the littlest visitors will get excited about the full-service on-site restaurant known for its delicious fudge. 

Once you’ve hit up Bass Pro Shop Outdoor World for gear, you’ll have to decide between hiking, biking, paddling or floating your way through the Ozarks. With more than 90 parks in the Springfield-Greene County Parks system that feature playgrounds, pools, tennis courts, a farm, an ice arena and more, it won’t be hard to find a park with something for everyone in the family to enjoy. 

Opportunities to get on the water and float through the Ozarks abound and, if you book a float trip through one of the many float companies in Springfield, your guide will be able to point you in the direction of the best post-floating dinner and drink options in town! 

While there’s lots of fun to be had on land and on water, nothing says adventure quite like going underground: Missouri has over 7,000 caves. Explore a former underground speakeasy or a cavernous venue for country music, and discover 200-year-old cave drawings, fossils and stunning geological formations!

No matter how you choose to spend your time in Springfield, you’ll head home already looking forward to coming back to experience more of the Ozarks!

Don’t wait to book your next trip: From April 1- June 27, visitors who spend at least two nights in a hotel, spend time at three attractions in Springfield and enjoy a meal or a drink at three different Springfield establishments are eligible for a free night of accommodations in Springfield!  

After weeks at home, the days are starting to blur together. Abundant family time is beautiful and challenging. Can you relate?

I’m moving more slowly. No need to rush, no hurry. Life has become relatively simple. I’ve been doing plenty of rolling around on the floor with my 6-month-old. We listen to the birds, gaze at the trees, watch for butterflies. My mind wanders.

Part of me feels guilty. An inner voice admonishes, “Stop being lazy, you should be making progress, get back to doing (fill in the blank).”

“Shhh!” I respond to that nagging voice. “Be quiet, I’m daydreaming!”

I’ve learned from experience that this slowing down is valuable, it’s prime time for letting the dreams flow. This is where the magic happens. We have been gifted a mindfulness pause. We have an opportunity to go slower and explore our wild ideas; to visualize a new future. This unusual time may allow us to reconnect with our imaginations, individually and as families. Daydreamers aren’t limited by geographic restrictions, we can go anywhere!

“Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere,” said Einstein.

Our family business began as a daydream over a decade ago. Just prior to rolling up our sleeves and building our jungle lodge, we embarked on a two-month kayaking adventure on Baja’s Sea of Cortez. My father, brother, and I spent 8-to-10 hours a day paddling on a journey of nearly 1000 miles of wilderness. Though our arms moved rhythmically and our bodies were confined to the kayaks, our minds were free to roam.

We had an abundance of family time. As we paddled hundreds of miles of pristine coastline, I unleashed my daydreams, opened to vast possibilities. I lost myself in the peaceful dance of the water currents and ripples. With each mile of coastline, our eco-lodge dream morphed. “Questions and answers shot through my head like arrows. Some hit the target, others missed by a mile. Bull’s-eyes were collected and safeguarded in my mind.” My brother became my devil’s advocate; poking holes in my wild ideas, ultimately making our shared vision stronger.

With this abundance of time at home, why not open our minds and teach our kids the power of daydreams? So many children are told to get their heads out the clouds. Now is an ideal time to rewire that thinking.

Why is it that daydreamers have gotten a bad rap, while visionaries are celebrated? Visionaries like Yvon Chouinard (Patagonia founder) or Steve Jobs (Apple co-founder) were daydreamers long before they took action. Einstein was a classic daydreamer, yet consider all that he achieved! Daydreaming is an essential prerequisite to action.

Let’s take this opportunity to pause, surrender to our daydreams, and see where they take us—as parents and as children. May the family daydreams flow! Be realistic (we are all beholden to the laws of gravity), but don’t hold back.

As we unleash our daydreams, may we have the strength and courage to embrace inevitable change, transition, and whatever comes next. We will boldly reach for the next trapeze bar of life.

“Sometimes, I feel that my life is a series of trapeze swings. I’m either hanging on to a trapeze bar swinging along or, for a few moments, I’m hurdling across space between the trapeze bars. Each time I am afraid I will miss, that I will be crushed on unseen rocks in the bottomless basin between the bars. But I do it anyway. I must. It can be terrifying. It can also be enlightening. Hurtling through the void, we just may learn to fly.” Danaan Parry

 

Known as “The Jungle Mama”, Tamara Jacobi is the author of Wildpreneurs:A Guide for Turning Passion into Business (HarperCollins Leadership, Feb. 2020) and founder of the Tailwind Jungle Lodge on the Mexican Pacific. Tamara is loving the adventure of motherhood! Her son Zephyr was born on Oct, 2019. 

As someone whose dad was a hard-working CEO, I grew up thinking it was normal for at least one parent to miss games, recitals, and the like. It didn’t seem odd that my father couldn’t be around for every function or event—that was just the way the world worked.

I only recall complaining once (when I was 4 years old, mind you) about him being absent on weekends. To his credit, that youthful chastising spurred him to rearrange his hectic travel schedule to free up most Saturdays and Sundays.

Today, the tables have turned. I’m the CEO, raising daughters without a partner or nearby family. I see the world in a different light because I’m on the other side. Like my father, I struggle with the guilt that comes from knowing that I can’t be everywhere at once. Am I ignoring my kids because I have to attend a late-night meeting? Have I neglected my executive duties to attend an afternoon soccer practice?

There aren’t any clear-cut answers, and that’s probably why working women (especially those in leadership positions) are so hard on themselves. But children thrive when they see their parents being human, honing their talents, and realizing their dreams—all while making mistakes.

Instead of carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders, don’t be afraid to ask for help. It doesn’t mean you’re weak; it means you have the confidence to know where to focus your attention at a given moment.

The Ups and Downs of Balancing It All

Co-workers, clients, bosses, and friends might call you “superwoman” because you’re raising kids and taking on the corporate world. In reality, you’re like a duck in a pond: You might seem calm and collected on the surface, but you’re paddling frantically beneath the water. It’s all about reaching and maintaining that elusive thing called “balance.”

Take it from me when I say balance is a journey rather than a destination. It’s OK to give those webbed feet a rest while you float for a change. Better yet, let others see beneath the surface by showing that you’re less perfect than they assume.

Sound scary? One of the biggest realizations I’ve made is that it’s safe for me to be honest about my daily work-life juggling act—particularly with my kids. I want my kids to know that when I’m not out having fun while I’m away from them. Sure, I enjoy the occasional work trip, but they’re hardly vacations.

In the same vein, I’ve started to bring some of my most effective work habits home to make more time for my kids—and show them valuable skills. Delegation is the most important tool in my arsenal. I don’t hesitate to delegate tasks to experienced team members, so why shouldn’t I do the same thing at home? Whether my daughters or someone else takes on added responsibilities, the important thing is making room for more together time.

My “tribe” of women friends, many of whom I met through female-focused groups such as the Women Presidents’ Organization, helped me realize the importance of delegation. We all face similar challenges, and these groups enable us to share tips and troubles. A group like that can talk you down when you feel like you’re a terrible parent because you missed a track meet. It’s much healthier to cry on a sympathetic shoulder than it is to run yourself into the ground, after all.

Taking Time for Family

If you spend hours fretting about the way your career hinders parenting, it’s time to rid yourself of the “I should be able to do it all” mindset. Instead of concentrating on the perceived negatives, capitalize on the positive aspects of your working lifestyle.

My guess is that you may have more work-related or financial flexibility and freedom than you realize. Don’t be afraid to ask for opportunities to spend time with your family. Perhaps you can work from home on occasional snow days, or you could maybe take time off to go on an “unplugged” trip with your family. More importantly, you probably don’t have to answer those emails or Slack messages immediately. I know it’s hard to permit yourself to unplug, but I’ve found that most communique can wait while you enjoy a family dinner or go to a swim meet.

At the end of the day, my kids don’t think I’m a horrible mother. They love me even though we sometimes have to rely on FaceTime to say goodnight. Plus, they seem to get a kick out of being able to spot my company’s products on the shelves or in their friends’ houses. Rather than a hindrance, I’ve come to see my work as a source of pride for my family.

Remember, there’s no shame in asking for help. Delegating tasks can take extra work off your shoulders. Even better, it can give you more time to spend with the people you care about. Your children know much you love them—it’s time to show them that you don’t have to be superwoman to be a super mom who’s dedicated to balancing work and family.

Alison Gutterman is the president and CEO of Jelmar, the family-owned cleaning products manufacturer of CLR and Tarn-X products. She began her career at Jelmar in 1993 without a title or a desk, and she was named president in 2007. She balances work with parenthood as a single mother of two children.

If your little beach bum has been attempting to ride the waves that are really your sofa cushions, it may be time to give him a real surf experience. Surf Diva, a surfing school that welcomes kids as young as five years old, is an iconic part of the San Diego surf scene. While your sofa will get a break, the skills your little gremmie learns will last much longer than a 15-minute thrill ride. Here’s what you need to know before you dive in.

Surf Diva teacher kids groovy SD web

Grab Your Boards

Founded in 1996, Surf Diva is one of the biggest and most well respected surf schools in the world. Their expert instructors work with surfers of all levels and ages, though the youngest little surfers must be at least age 5 and able to swim 10-15 yards in a pool.

To start the lesson, Surf Diva expert instructors will take the kiddos (and adults alike) out on the beach with some shore education. There, your little surfers will learn to respect the beach and wildlife all while in the water (read: doing the stingray shuffle). Then, the instructors will jump into the surf basics: paddling, board positioning and popping up to standing. After perfecting the techniques on land, it’s time to hit the water.

SurfDiva - instructor with kid in waves

Surf’s Up! (Where It’s At)
Surf Diva teaches their lessons at La Jolla Shores Beach, the widely agreed “Best San Diego Beach to Learn Surfing.”  The Shores are known for their mellow waves and the soft, sandy bottoms that keeps little toes happy. If your young ones need any further enticing to get out there, this beach is also known for its wildlife sightings. On calm days, dolphins, stingrays and seals share the waters with surfers.

The beauty of La Jolla Shores beach are the waves. Surf Diva will take the kids to a tame, mellow and shallow area and keep your little surfers within their comfort zone. When your little dude or dudette rides his or her first wave, it just might become the best day of your little one’s life.

Insider’s Tip: Parking can be tricky in the area, especially on weekends. Your best bet is to park near the shop to start as there is a 90-min limit. Go in, sign your documents, pay and get your wetsuits (thankfully, boards will be down at the beach waiting for you) before driving down to the beach. There you can park without a restricted time limit.  Because you and your kiddos will be having the time of your life, the last thing you want to worry about is having to move your car in 90 minutes.

SurfDiva - thrilled surfer

Catch a Wave! (When to Surf)

As we know, what passes as winter here in San Diego is quite tropical compared to the rest of the country. Even though the air may be a bit cooler, surfing is a year-round sport. Equip your kiddos with a wetsuit and they will barely know it’s winter. Surf Diva will rent you one for $5. Rent it without hesitation – this is a vital component for happy surfing kids.

The best bet to launch your little surfers is a private one-on-one lesson. A one-on-one instructor to kid ratio is the best way to ensure ample riding and devoted attention. This investment is for a fun skill and a lifetime of fun. They also run after school surfing programs, camps and much more.

SurfDiva - girl on board
 
2160 Avenida de la Playa
La Jolla
Online: surfdiva.com
 
 
 

Have you taken your kiddos surfing? Tell us about the experience in the comments below! 

— Kathleen Berkson

Photos provided by Surf Diva 

Does paddling your way across Europe in a kayak for two sound like the world’s most amazing vaycay? If it does, the Denmark-based nonprofit GreenKayak wants to make your travel dreams come true—and for free!

GreenKayak started giving away free paddling trips in April of 2017 and the offer, which started in Denmark, has since spread to Ireland, Norway, Germany and Sweden. So how can you get a kayak-packed trip for free?

All you need to do is pick up some trash! As long as you agree to help clean up the waterways in the areas GreenKayak serves, the organization will give you a green kayak (obviously) built for two to use. You’ll also get lifejackets and equipment necessary for collecting waste.

GreenKayak’s first efforts resulted in the collection of three tons of trash from Copenhagen Harbor in one year. Since its inception in 2017, volunteers have collected a total of nearly 11 tons of garbage from the waterway.

Tobias Weber-Andersen, GreenKayak founder and CEO, told USA Today, “The feedback from volunteers is amazing; people have been wanting to join in the fight against ocean pollution and be very hands-on.” Weber-Andersen added, “We had hoped to have 30 kayaks this year, but most likely we will have around 50 spread across all of our locations.”

To book your GreenKayak, visit the organization’s website here.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: GreenKayak via Instagram

 

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When we become parents, we often can’t wait to share our favorite childhood books and cartoons with our kids. But how many times have you pulled out an old book, blown the dust off it, and discovered that it’s a little . . . outdated? A lot has changed in the past 30 years: Pluto is no longer a planet, the Brontosaurus is actually an Apatosaurus, and cartoons featuring stereotypes of different races or cultures are not okay.

Many of us remember Richard Scarry’s work from our childhoods; his work is classic. Kids have loved Lowly Worm, Huckle Cat, and the other residents of Busytown for decades.

But when Scarry’s books were first published, political correctness and tolerance for others wasn’t exactly common. In 1991, Scarry realized times had changed, and so had his readers. As a result, he made it a priority to update the oh-so famous Best Word Book Ever — updates you probably didn’t even know existed unless you happened to have purchased a new copy.

The once dated book can now be shared for generations to come with timeless references. Check out some of Scarry’s before and after pictures below.

 

Before, a Native American Mouse was paddling the canoe. Now, just a regular mouse is paddling because canoes are not limited to just Native Americans.

Before, Christmas appeared to be the only winter holiday. Now, Chanukah is also recognized.

In the original book, the cat crying for help was referred to as a “beautiful screaming lady”. In the re-edit it is simply a “cat in danger”.

In the 1960’s “women’s work” was limited to the kitchen. In the updated version both Mother and Father are seen in the kitchen cooking.

All Photos Courtesy of Flickr user alan taylor

Did you notice the updates to Richard Scarry’s books?

—Francesca Katafias

A canoe or kayaking adventure might sound like an adventure too big, but with all the waterways around us, it’s easier than you think. Blow little minds with undulating water fun at these five Portland spots. They offer a variety of options, from rentals, lessons, events and even multi-day canoe trips. Go forth and find the perfect stream for an unforgettable day.

photo: Dark Dwarf via Flickr

Alder Creek Kayak and Canoe
Alder Creek, located along the Port of Portland harbor at the east tip of Tomahawk Island, offers a variety of options at its Hayden Island location, from two-hour to weekly rentals to private lessons to youth programs for kids 10-14 years old. While you’re there you can row out along the challenging Columbia River, or opt for the more placid waters of the Tualatin River at Alder Creek’s boathouse at Brown’s Ferry Park in Tualatin. Alder Creek also rents canoes at its Southeast Portland boathouse, on SE Water Street, near OMSI and just steps from the Willamette River.

Optimal times for canoeing this summer are in the mornings when the weather is cool and there’s not a lot of canoe and kayak “traffic.” Before heading there, pack a lunch, a camera and a hat. What’s good about canoes — especially for parents — is you can toss your camping gear, two kids and dog inside and not be cramped like you would be in a kayak.  A two-hour canoe rental costs $30 or an all-day rental $60. Call to reserve a canoe before you get there, especially on hot, sunny days.

If you’d rather discover canoeing with an experienced guide, the Learn to Canoe classes are a 2-for-1 value at $59: You can explore Tomahawk Island (at the tip of Hayden Island) and pick up basic canoe rowing skills. Alder Creek also donates and loans canoes/kayaks for special events for the Tualatin Riverkeepers and Portland Audubon Society.

200 NE Tomahawk Island Dr.
503-285-0464
Online: aldercreek.com

photo: Kathy and Sam via Flickr

Portland Kayak Company
Don’t be fooled by their company name. Portland Kayak Co. is about canoes, too! The Willamette River access is just behind its shop on Macadam Avenue, but you’ll need a roof rack to transport your family canoe. Here you can find classes and multi-day kids and teen camps on the Willamette River for kids as young as 10. They also offer private lessons with canoes as well as rentals and tours. Rentals are $20 per hour for two; all-day rental is $85 if you want to load up the canoe and take the family to Bybee Lake, Vancouver Lake or a lake on Mt. Hood.
The store offers guided trips to Ross Island.

6600 SW Macadam Ave.
503-459-4050
Online: portlandkayak.com

photo: Tualatin Riverkeepers

Tualatin Riverkeepers
Families floating down the Tualatin River — one of the most family friendly waters in the state — can spot osprey, hawks and herons. Tualatin Riverkeepers offers canoe classes, tours, rentals and adventures at the Cook Park boat launch on the Tualatin River in Tigard.  From July 3 through September, canoes and kayaks are available for four-hour rentals for $30. To make it more affordable for repeat customers, the Riverkeepers have offered a membership deal. TRK members receive one free rental and $10 off each additional rental. Memberships start at $35.

Tualatin Riverkeepers hosts a Family Day Paddle on Aug. 16 at 1 p.m. Check out their website for Autumn River Paddle Trip and free rental River Cleanup Days too. The group also offers private Spanish-speaking guided canoe trips.

11675 SW Hazelbrook Rd.
Tualatin
503-218-2580
Online: tualatinriverkeepers.org

photo: Jason McHuff via Flickr

Willamette Riverkeeper
Connecting families to the true Willamette River is the goal of Portland-based Willamette Riverkeeper’s River Discovery Program. The nonprofit group has its own fleet of canoes and offers camps where families can learn about the river habitats and water environment. From May to October, WRK hosts monthly River Discovery paddling adventures up and down the mainstem Willamette River, its tributaries and sloughs. The trips are offered free of charge but donations are gratefully accepted.

WRK’s signature trip, Paddle Oregon celebrates its 15th year with an Aug. 17-21 trip. Cost of the journey is $749 for adults; $699 for youth 17 or younger. Registration includes food, baggage shuttle, safety paddlers, camping accommodations, showers, T-shirts and more. In the fall, keep an eye out for Willamette Riverkeeper’s Our Great Willamette Cleanup on Sun., Oct. 4.

1515 SE Water St. # 102
503-223-6418
Online: willamette-riverkeeper.org

photo: Columbia Slough by Katrinket via flickr

Columbia Slough Watershed Council
7040 NE 47th Ave.
503-281-1132
Online: columbiaslough.org

While they don’t offer regular canoe rentals, the Columbia Slough Watershed Council does host an annual group paddle Regatta, this year on Aug. 2nd from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Multnomah County Drainage District at 1880 NE Elrod Drive. The suggested donation is $8 and boats are provided, although participants can bring their own. No one will be turned away.

The CSWC also hosts regular, nature-based events at local parks and provides local schools with free field programs and classes.

Where do you take your kids when you want to float under the clouds in a canoe? Tell us in the Comments!

—Ty Adams

Most visitors to Oregon’s North Coast focus their attention in one direction: west. And while the ocean beaches, coves and tide pools definitely deserve the love, there are 800 miles of hidden treasures waiting for little water bugs and their families who cast their gaze just a bit to the east. There, you’ll find the Tillamook County Water Trails — creeks, rivers, marshes, lakes and bays that make up the five, wildlife-filled estuaries of Tillamook County.

photo: Paddling Cape Meares Lake with a child-seat insert by Ty Adams

You’ll have the chance to commune with nature, learn the unique human history of the area and get up close and personal with many kinds of critters, including harbor seals, otters, beavers, elk, and over 150 species of birds.

What’s more, because the ocean hogs the limelight, the secrets of the rivers, lakes and bays are mostly known only to locals, so visiting paddlers on these waterways can often find quite a bit of solitude even when the beaches are crowded. And the fall and winter weather can often be much milder than you’d expect.

Before You Go
When planning your trip, we recommend that you check in with the Tillamook Estuaries Partnership (TEP). This non-profit organization is one of the leaders behind the recent community push to publicize the water trails of the five estuaries. They have already published wonderfully detailed, waterproof guidebooks for four estuaries; the Nehalem Watershed, Tillamook Bay Watershed, Nestucca Bay Watershed and Sand Lake Watershed, and they’re planning to create a similar guidebook for the Netarts Bay Watershed by 2016. The TEP makes the guidebooks available online and can provide hard copies upon request by mail or in-person at their offices in Garibaldi.

For utter newbies and those without canoes or kayaks, a guided tour is the way to go. We went with Kayak Tillamook, LLC, which specializes in the waters of Tillamook County, though Columbia River Kayaking is an outfit that specializes in the Lower Columbia River but also advertises limited tours in the Tillamook area. Our guide, Marcus Hinze, the principal executive at Kayak Tillamook, was extremely passionate about the craft and knowledgeable about the area. While Kayak Tillamook can’t take children under 16 on their regularly scheduled tours, families with young children can book a private tour starting at $69.

photo: pixabay via flickr

Kayaks can be rented at Wheeler Marina Rentals, but if you’re not going with a guide, you’ll definitely want to get a tide table, available at local markets or online. Even if your family has the right watercraft and are experienced paddlers, unless you’ll be sticking to an enclosed lake unaffected by tides, Marcus stressed the importance of knowing the tides and understanding the nature of paddling in tide affected waters.

“Most people think that the tide just goes up and down, but [on the inland waterways], it’s a river coming in, and a river going out,” he said. “It’s a lot more complicated than just finding a place to launch.”

People who paddle the bays and rivers without an understanding of the tides could end up beached in mud, paddling against a strong current, or in the worst-case scenarios, pulled out to sea by an outgoing tide or dumped into frigid water by a strainer or other obstacle.  Safety checklists are available in the TEP guidebooks and a free safety course is available via the Oregon State Marine Board website.

As long as families are safe and geared properly for inclement weather, Marcus said that paddlers shouldn’t be afraid of setting out in the fall, winter or spring. In fact, he added that each season offers some distinct advantages over summer trips. “We’re right under the Pacific Flyway, so in the fall and spring,  you’ll get to see all kinds of migrating waterfowl that you don’t get to see in the summer,” he said. “And the light in the winter is the best for photographs. Because the dusk and dawn are closer together in the winter, that’s when we see all the wildlife activity. I love winter paddling, I really do.”

On our late-October trip, even though we drove through monsoon-like conditions with lightning and thunder on the way to the put-in, when we arrived, the clouds suddenly cleared and the rain stopped, making for a clear, sun-speckled cruise. That’s not uncommon, Marcus said.

“On our trips, we make the final decision to go or stay at the launch site, five minutes before [the planned launch time],” he said. “No matter what the forecast is, we ask customers to show up at the launch. Ninety-five percent of the time, we end up going out. It’s actually rare to cancel a trip, even in the winter.”

photo: The Garibaldi House via Yelp

While a day trip from Portland is certainly a do-able prospect, for those who want to make a weekend of it, there are plenty of accommodations close to many of the waterway launch sites. Kayak Tillamook recommends the Garibaldi House, where we stayed, which provides a 10% discount to KT customers. Garibaldi House owner/chef Gene Tish is also extremely knowledgeable about the history of the area, and quick to share information.

Other well-reviewed lodgings near to the waterway ports include Three Arch Inn of Oceanside, Sea Haven Motel of Rockaway Beach, the Old Wheeler Hotel of Wheeler and the Craftsman Bed and Breakfast of Pacific City.

photo: Marcus Hinz of Kayak Tillamook points out Bayocean Spit by Ty Adams

5 Great Launch Spots for Families
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Cape Meares Lake
This freshwater lake is easy to overlook as just another inlet of Tillamook Bay, but it’s actually a body of water unto itself, with a unique ecosystem and history. It’s also a perfect place to start for those unfamiliar with tide affected waterways or those with toddlers who might not tolerate long stints out on the water. It was our chosen location for a first paddle, and turned out to be a great introduction for a two-year-old.

“One of the things I love about this lake is that the ocean is just on the other side of the spit,” Marcus said. “So you can hear the waves but stay in a protected environment.”

In addition to hundreds of waterfowl, the lake features an enormous beaver dam as well as access to the Bayocean Spit, which makes for a nice picnic spot and comes with a “tale of the lost city of Bayocean” as Marcus puts it.

The launch for Cape Meares Lake is located on Bayocean Drive, just before the town of Cape Meares.

photo: Dock at Lake Lytle, courtesy Kayak Tillamook

Lake Lytle
Lake Lytle (and adjoining Crescent Lake), in the town of Rockaway Beach is also a recommended launch for unseasoned families new to the sport, those with very young seafarers or those who are going the rental route. Though not quite as secluded as Cape Meares Lake, being directly off Highway 101, it’s extremely easy access and one of the few spots that gives you the option of disembarking, grabbing a hot meal or a drink and then continuing to  paddle. And there are still secluded portions of the two lakes that make for great bird watching, and the lakes are well stocked if fishing is of interest.

Access the Lake Lytle boat launch by turning right on NE 12th St. off of 101.

 

photo: Nehalem Bay kayak tour, courtesy of Kayak Tillamook

Nehalem City Docks to Wheeler
This is another water trail that blends a combination of the urban and the natural, but because of the potential for fast changing tidal and wind conditions, it’s recommended only for those with paddling experience and a knowledge of tidal conditions. For most of the water trails, the best rule of thumb is to leave two hours before high tide and spend no more than four hours on the water. While the direct route is only 1.5 miles, you can circumnavigate and explore a variety of nearby islands if you want to see more of the area. The Nehalem City Dock launch site can be reached in downtown Nehalem, following H Street off of Highway 101.

photo: Exploring the Hoquarton Forest near Tillamook, courtesy of Kayak Tillamook

Carnahan Park to Hoquarton Slough
Although the Carnahan Park boat launch is located just west of downtown Tillamook, you’ll never guess it once you’re in the water. The park launch places you in the Trask River, which is calm flatwater at this location. Though it is affected by tidal flows, there are much fewer hazards here than most of the other water trails. Follow the Trask out of town toward the bay, then take a right at the Dougherty Slough, and again at the Hoquarton Slough to take a short, 1.5 mile jaunt back to the north side of town where the Hoquarton Slough boat ramp makes for an easy exit. Though be aware that the ramp can be muddy and slick at low tide. This launch point would be a good one for learning the tides and taking progressively longer jaunts further toward the bay as your skills and knowledge improve.

 photo: Aerial view of the Nestucca River and Pacific City, courtesy of Kayak Tillamook

Bixby County to Three Rivers
If Pacific City is your North Coast hamlet of choice, there are plenty of paddling options, though some paddling experience is recommended for all of them. This run on the Nestucca River, from the Bixby County boat ramp to the Three Rivers take out, is not so strongly tide affected, but it does have moving water with some small riffles, and you’ll definitely be sharing the water with anglers from fall through winter. To access the Bixby County boat ramp, headed south on Highway 101, take a left (east) on Blaine Road in the town of Beaver. Turn right on Bixby Road and follow 1.3 miles to the dead end launch site.

Have you discovered the hidden jewel of the North Coast Water Trails or know of another good family paddling spot? Tell us about it in the Comments below.

–Ty Adams