An Active Family's Guide to Eugene, Oregon

Staying physically fit with young kids is tough.

2011-03-28T22:05:00.000-07:00

I was not born muscular. I am of average height and slightly above average weight. My genetics are not what you'd call naturally athletic. In spite of my genetic code's shortcomings I love being outside doing things that require me to maintain some level of fitness. I had in the past relied upon my bikes to keep me fit. I work on bikes for a living and I love riding so it was easy for me to spend countless hours riding back country roads burning off the previous nights' dessert(s). Having a family at home completely changed that.
I no longer have those hours to while away on my own. My time is much more carefully metered out to fit in all of the necessary functions of life and parenthood. We now are responsible for feeding someone that can't do it herself. We have to keep her clothed and read to her, and teach her that hitting the dog with a wooden spoon isn't nice.
My priorities have changed. Not only do I no longer have that time. When I do have it I would rather include her in my activities. We have taken her on lots of bike rides in our trailer, but she only has patience for about 30-45 minutes before its time to stop and run around. I started running just over a year ago because it was a great way to keep a level of fitness in a much shorter amount of time.
I ran the half marathon here in Eugene last May and I would strongly recommend that to someone that wants to set an attainable goal for fitness. There are multiple half and full marathon training programs available for free online. If you have a jogging stroller pushing your little one around is great resistance training. If you usually run with the stroller the times you are without it you'll feel like you're flying.
I got and stayed pretty fit with the running until I got sick last fall. After two weeks of thinking I might die if I ran, I had lost the motivation to keep it up. I began to steadily gain back the weight I had worked so hard to lose. Recently a friend of mine who is a swimmer and a new runner asked me to join him and train for a triathlon. I eagerly said yes. It seemed like a good idea until I realized that I cannot swim.
There now my inability to swim is public knowledge. Well, I can swim, like splashing around in the pool and dive in headfirst, I can even do a forward half gainer from a diving board I have video evidence of the gainer if you don't believe me, the first few attempts are awesomely hilarious failures but I did get it finally. However, I have never tried to lap swim. I did not grow up in a town that even had a pool, there was no swim team, no water polo, only one of my friends had a pool and it was 15 miles away, too small and almost always too crowded to actually "swim" in it. The Columbia River was close by but no swims in it like "swimming" swims. We had power boats and jet skis and life jackets so there was very little actual swimming.
Being who I am and doing what I do, I see a lot of people that are "training for a triathlon" I have always thought "phhshaw, whatever, you're doing a sprint, if you are healthy and reasonably fit you should be able to do that no problem." A short little swim, an hour on the bike and a quick jog, ain't no thang. WRONG. I have now joined the city pool and have been swimming laps three mornings a week. It is harder than I imagined. I owe the entire sprint triathlon competing populace an apology. I am sorry if I did not seem to take your training goals seriously enough.
I have been working out in the pool three mornings a week for three weeks and only now do feel like I am ready to "take the training wheels off" and really give it a go. It is my goal to stay healthy and fit and enjoy the outdoors with my family as much as possible. I want to pass on to my children the importance of our bodies, our health and our world. I don't want to be left out of the running and jumping and playing that our my daughter is just starting to really enjoy. Even if I have to learn to swim in order to do it then I swear I will.

Review: Yo Gabba Gabba! Live!

2010-11-19T23:51:00.000-08:00

Attending a live show is always a treat. The Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! There's a Party in My City! show last Monday was no exception. Unsure how Sweet Pea would react to the show before we went, I was a bit overwhelmed at first and so was she, but after the first few acts she settled in to enjoy it and danced along to the music at times. Overall, it was a fun experience for us all and a happy memory to look back on as our first live performance as a family.

The show producers, or planners, or whatever they are, included a few extras for the audience that really added to the experience for the kids. There was confetti that shot out over the crowd, a huge balloon drop, and free paper glasses styled after DJ Lance's. Getting a balloon was definitely a highlight for Sweet Pea and she looked through it and waved it around for the remainder of the show.

If you've seen Yo Gabba Gabba! on TV, you know that it consists of many short segments, mostly with songs and dancing, and some amazing guests. Highlights from the TV show include Weezer, Jack
Black, Mos Def, The Roots, Sal Masekela, and The Shins. The guests for the live show in Eugene were: Keller Williams with a sweet song about hula hooping, someone named Sunshine for a "dancey dance" number, and Biz Markie with "Biz's Beats." Keller Williams was awesome -- I would have paid to see him alone. Sunshine was a little off, but her dance was still fun. Biz's talents would be impressive no matter the setting, and it was really cute the way that he went into the audience and interacted with the kids, although he seemed a little wiped out by the end. I like that they have surprise guests for each location.

The performers engaged the audience and had us standing up, sitting down, calling things out, dancing, and then timed an intermission perfectly for a diaper change for Sweet Pea. The pacing was good for our nearly-two-year-old, but I know some families did go home early due to tired or overwhelmed kids. The volume of the performance was pretty high, too loud for some kids, and the flashing lights of the stage were a little uncomfortable at times. My only other complaint would be the over-prevalence of the sponsor.

One of the best parts of attending public events is meeting other families. We were lucky enough to sit behind a super nice woman who offered to take pictures when our camera battery died before the show even began. Thanks to Jenny for all of these photos!

Yo Gabba Gabba T-Shirt Giveaway

2010-11-13T00:15:00.000-08:00

#1, Tracey. is the t-shirt winner!
Our daughter drew the number out of a bowl. Congratulations, Tracey!

We were recently offered free tickets to the live Yo Gabba Gabba show in exchange for a review. It's this Monday, November 15, at the Hult Center. We can't wait!

The show promoters have also offered us some t-shirts, one for each of us to keep, and an additional 5 to give away. I'm hosting a giveaway on my other blog as well, for two of the shirts, and giving away three of them here. You may enter both, and up your chances. I will email the winner from each blog and the first to reply gets first choice on the colors and sizes.

To give away, I have either pink or grey in size kids 3, pink or grey in size kids 5/6, and grey adult XL.

To enter here, just comment below with your email address!

You can enter extra times by doing any or all of the following:

1. Publicly follow this blog and comment for one additional entry.

2. Follow @eugeneactivefam on Twitter () and comment for one additional entry. You may also tweet once a day for an additional entry. Leave separate comments with the permalink each time.

3. Comment on any previous post and come back here and comment which one. Limit 5 extra entries.''

Open to U.S. entrants.

The pink shirt front:

The pink shirt back:

Mt. Pisgah Arboretum Mushroom Festival

2010-10-29T00:18:00.000-07:00

An annual event that is the arboretum's primary fund-raiser, the Mushroom Festival is a classic fall Eugene activity. This will be my fourth year going, and every year I enjoy it more. Mt. Pisgah arboretum is a beautiful park (or living tree museum, as described on the website), cris-crossed by trails covering a variety of terrain, but it really comes alive at the Mushroom Festival. Held this year on October 31, Halloween Day, from 10-5, the festival includes the largest mushroom display on the West Coast, and "also features a huge plant sale, a scarecrow contest, children’s activities, hayrides, craft vendors, incredible mushroom-inspired food, fresh apple cider, wine, great music by popular local bands, and much more."

I took a few photos with my phone last year.

A table full of mushrooms

They lay down straw to prevent mud. It's great for dancing to the live music, too!

Peppers!

Our little sweetie checking out some gourds


An amazing leaf sculpture. Notice the people clapping.

Tips for Festival-Goers

Leave the stroller at home. The terrain is a bit bumpy, so a baby backpack or sling would be better.
Bring an appetite. The line for the mushroom soup may be ridiculously long but it moves quickly and the soup is worth it!
Bring cash - the suggested admission donation is $5 for adults, and you won't want to miss out on the tasty treats.
Plan to spend at least 2 hours, to see the scarecrows and the mushrooms, snack a bit, and enjoy some music. Allow lots of extra time for getting to and from you car, as you may have to park a ways off, but there are shuttles available.

Family Activity Rating
Mt. Pisgah Arboretum - Mushroom Festival
* time: 10 AM to 5 PM, October 31, 2010
* location: outside of Eugene/Springfield, near Glenwood. Go to I-5 Exit 189 and turn onto Seavey Loop Road. Follow the signs.
* atmosphere: outdoor fun, lots of families
* safety: nothing more than the typical outdoor and festival risks - lots of people and food. Just make sure your kids don't eat any display mushrooms!
* amenities: porta-potties and some flush toilets, lots of food for sale, free shuttles from down the road, where you'll likely have to park unless you arrive pretty early or get lucky
* cost: suggested $5 donation for adults. Free for children.

This activity gets five out of five stars from me on the fun, family-friendly activity scale. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Pumpkin Patch Re-Post

2010-10-16T16:11:00.000-07:00

This post originally went up in October 2009.

Last weekend we took our baby to Lone Pine Farms, located North of Eugene on River Road, to visit the pumpkin patch. This was my first time to Lone Pine for something other than the corn maze, and we were not disappointed. We went on a Saturday, and there was a festival feel to the experience (or a zoo, depending on your opinion of crowds). Apparently this is a very popular place for a weekend family outing in October. The parking lot was more than half full, and the line to purchase produce was fairly long. Lone Pine has many employees, though, who were able to keep things moving smoothly and point us in the right direction when we didn't know what to do next.

Even with tons of people, there were still hundreds (thousands?) of pumpkins for us to choose from, and we found seven pumpkins that were perfect for our carving plans. There were plenty of other activities to enjoy while there, but we were fairly focused on getting our pumpkins and some apple cider, and getting back home to start the carving. If you wanted, you could easily make a day, or at least an afternoon, out of the trip. The offerings include: helicopter rides for only $25, draft horse hayrides, a "cow train trail," the corn maze, a petting barn, the haunted hotel, and a fresh produce market. It's amazing how this farm has grown since its inception in 1985 - you can read about it on their About page here.

Advice for pumpkin pickers at Lone Pine:
1. grab a wheelbarrow on your way to the pumpkin patch if you plan to get more than one pumpkin
2. allow plenty of time to find just the right pumpkin and enjoy the other aspects of the farm
3. try the apple cider
4. bring your camera because a pumpkin patch is a great family photo op!
5. check your pumpkin for mold or buggy spots that will shorten its life

Family Activity Rating
Lone Pine Farms - Pumpkin Patch
* time: open 9 AM to 7 PM daily for the pumpkin patch, other activities have different hours
* location: between Eugene and Junction City on River Road
* atmosphere: outdoor fun, lots of families
* safety: each activity has its own risks, from next to none for the pumpkin patch, to some for the petting barn
* amenities: plenty of porta-potties, lots of food for sale including sandwiches and ice cream cones
* cost: free to visit. This year, pumpkins are $.28 per pound, and horse drawn rides are $3.50 per person (Friday through Sunday), while tractor drawn rides are $2.50

This activity gets five out of five stars from me on the fun, family-friendly activity scale. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Other local pumpkin patches are listed here. Scroll towards the bottom of the page for the Lane County listings.

Camping in Oregon

2010-07-28T12:27:00.000-07:00

As a child, Rose went camping with her family every summer. Sometimes, several times in a summer. These are some of her favorite family memories. There are plenty of camping spots close to Eugene, and last year, we took our first "family" camping trip to one of those lovely spots. Some friends came down from Portland to see us and ride mountain bikes at the Middle Fork trail.

Camping as a family requires only a little bit of extra packing. We took care to have every one of our cloth diapers clean for the start of the trip. Of course, you could also use disposable or compostable diapering options, but we generally stick with cloth. One of our aunts has even been known to wash cloth diapers by hand while hiking! We made sure to bring about twice as much clothing as we thought our little one might need. She is still quite small so it still didn't amount to a lot of mass. Other than that we just took the regular items needed for camping in the Cascades, and clothing options for cold, cool, warm and/or hot weather. The weather can be unpredictable; it is wise to be prepared for almost anything. Once, on a backpacking trip in the Cascades I was snowed on in the middle of August. I was the only one on the trip that hadn't thought to bring even a light pair of gloves let alone something capable of dealing with snow. I ended up hiking out wearing a pair of my cousin's 4-day-old dirty socks as mittens. I now almost always carry gloves, and usually two pair just in case some hapless soul is left in that miserable situation I can come to their rescue and redeem myself.

I usually carry a small saw when we camp, fallen firewood is abundant but often connected to a piece that is much too large to move. I once went camping when all we had was a small hatchet... it took what seemed like hours to chip away at a very medium sized log to make a few small enough chunks for the fire-pit. Not that a hatchet is a bad thing to have, but my saw is much faster cutting logs and there are lots of small branches and twigs to use for kindling. Tecnu is another favorite of mine for camping, it lifts and washes away the oil from poison oak which we have plenty of in the spring and summer seasons, here in Oregon. A must-have in our camp kit is Dr. Bronner's all-in-one castile soap. It can be used for just about anything, from doing the dishes to brushing your teeth. An added bonus is the label of the soap bottle (read it and see what I mean). We have a "kitchen box" that is stocked with our pot, pan, dishes, cups, silverware, propane cylinder, first-aid kit, a few non perishable food items, paper towels and an old piece of window screen for keeping food remnants from going onto the ground or into rivers and streams when we wash our dishes. We have, over time, assembled this kit and refined it down to a very nice amount of stuff that fits neatly in a rubbermaid tote, which doubles as a washing station for the dishes. Keeping all of these things together ahead of time makes for quicker packing. It's hard enough to get out of the house with little ones in tow, having your things in easy to carry and load sized containers can make this daunting task easier.

Our larger tent is perfect for the two of us with a little extra room and Sweet Pea doesn't take up much room. Our warm weather bags zipped together made a great nest for the three of us.

Camping is a wonderful family activity, a great opportunity to "unplug" from busy day-to-day life, and a way create lasting memories.

Some sites with information on Oregon camping spots:
State Parks
Willamette National Forest
Trails.com

What are your favorite camping spots? Advice for other families?

Blackberry Jamboree and bRamble

2010-07-20T00:22:00.000-07:00

We have been missing out on new posting on the blog for a long time, but there are still many fun family activities going on in the Eugene area!

Here is one coming up soon:

2010 Blackberry Jamboree-bRamble Weekend

Check to go to the above website to learn how you can join a group bike ride, either around town with your family or a longer ride in the country, then eat some delicious blackberry pie with ice cream, the weekend of July 31.

Kidical Mass

2010-02-20T19:13:00.000-08:00

We enjoyed a fun family bike ride through Eugene today with Kidical Mass. We started at the Monroe Park, and ended at Prince Puckler's. It was so great to meet other bicycling families and spend time outdoors together. What is Kidical Mass? The website describes it as:

". . . . a legal, safe and FUN bike ride for kids, kids at heart, and their families. All types of bikes, trailers, trail-a-bikes, Xtracycles, longtails, bakfiets, Long Johns, tandems, folders, trikes, and whatever rolls are welcome! Come hoot it up with us. Why do the ride? To celebrate the fact that Kids are Traffic Too. For family fun on vehicles that don’t hurt the future! Another excuse to pedal with your family."

Bicycling is great for your mood, your health, and your wallet. We are so happy to be able to travel by bike, as a family, now that we have a trailer for our baby to ride in. What's your favorite family bike route?

Family Night at Cozmic Pizza

2010-01-15T22:54:00.000-08:00

Here's how Cozmic Pizza describes their Wednesday weekly family night on their online calendar: "Parents, take a load off. Have a beer or glass of wine and sit back knowing that your family will be entertained, fed a delicious and healthy meal, and Cozmic Pizza will take care of the dishes. There will be a diversity of entertainment that parents can even enjoy. No annoying purple dinosaur here folks! The new kids menu is educational and engaging with facts about space. On the back kids are encouraged to draw a picture of their favorite planet, and write a story explaining why. Meals include pizza, carrot sticks, juice and even cupcakes from our local vegan bakery, The Divine Cupcake. Kids meals range from $4.50-$6.75."

We have tweeted (@eugeneactivefam) about this event several times, and we finally attended this week. The official description sums it up pretty well. Our little one is young enough that she doesn't get to order food for herself, so I can't back up the claims about the kids' menu, but the pizzas are delicious, and they have a great variety of toppings (I love kalamata olives!) You get your choice of regular of whole wheat crust, and non- or dairy cheeses. They also have calzones, sandwiches, salads, and soups, and all their menu items are organic. Different performers come through, bringing a variety of entertaining styles and music. The environment is very relaxed, with kids running around or dancing. Basically, as a fellow attendee said, "This is a great service for parents" because entertainment is provided at no extra charge, and it is a comfortable place for families to let their kids do what kids do.

I have been to events at The Strand, the building that houses Cozmic Pizza, before, and it is always a pleasant, relaxed place to enjoy a slice of pizza, a beer, and some music. The atmosphere is decidedly informal, but for popular events such as this, seating can be at a premium so you might want to consider arriving early. Check out their website for other scheduled events. It is located at the corner of 8th and Charnelton in downtown Eugene.

Advice for families going to Cozmic Pizza:
1. order your pizza right away - once a line builds up it can be quite a wait
2. street parking may be hard to find but if you can get a spot, meters are free after 6:00!
3. the menu says the large pizza feeds four, but three of us ate the whole thing
4. no beer pitchers, but you can get four beers "for the cost of a pitcher"
5. make sure your order number is prominently displayed on your table to get your food more quickly

Family Activity Rating
Cozmic Pizza - Family Night
* time: begins at 6:00 PM, lasts roughly an hour
* location: inside The Strand, the corner of 8th and Charnelton
* atmosphere: casual, lots of families
* safety: safe for all ages, but try to keep your kids from running onto the stage
* amenities: great food and drinks; sometimes there is a wait for the bathroom, and there may not be a changing table; high chairs available

This activity gets four out of five stars from me on the fun, family-friendly activity scale. ★ ★ ★ ★

Lone Pine Farms Pumpkin Patch

2009-10-15T13:40:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we took our baby to Lone Pine Farms, located North of Eugene on River Road, to visit the pumpkin patch. This was my first time to Lone Pine for something other than the corn maze, and we were not disappointed. We went on a Saturday, and there was a festival feel to the experience (or a zoo, depending on your opinion of crowds). Apparently this is a very popular place for a weekend family outing in October. The parking lot was more than half full, and the line to purchase produce was fairly long. Lone Pine has many employees, though, who were able to keep things moving smoothly and point us in the right direction when we didn't know what to do next.

Ridgeline Trail

2009-10-05T12:26:00.000-07:00

Ridgeline Trial in South Eugene has several points of entry, some flat sections and some steep hills, and a large portion of it is open to bicycles. This is one of our favorite trails in Eugene, largely because of the quick, easy access to the trailheads. It covers a wide variety terrain, from meadow to dense forest to rocky outcropping, and many portions of the trail are wide enough for a trail-style baby stroller. Just last week my husband and I met up on the trail at the Fox Hollow to Dillard section and he biked with a friend, while I hiked with our baby and dog. I encountered another couple with a baby, and a few people with dogs as well. This is a very well-used trail, so expect lots of other hikers, especially if you go on a sunny evening or a weekend.

This page has a detailed description of the trail itself and its history, so check there for more background information. Here is the City of Eugene map that includes the trail overall. And here is a City of Eugene page that gives some more great information, but the maps for the specific trailheads are all .pdf documents. On that page, click on the links under "Ridgeline Park Trailheads," on the right side, to get the detailed directions, with photos, for each trailhead.

One of the most popular hikes in the Eugene area is to the summit of Spencer Butte, which is part of the Ridgeline Trails. From the top, there are great views of the valley and surrounding hills.

Advice for day hikers/bikers on Ridgeline Trail:
1. don't leave any valuables if you park your car in a trailhead lot: you'll often see glass on the ground as a sign of a recent car break-in
2. at the Spencer Butte trailhead, the trail to the left is much steeper, but shorter
3. check the maps to see which trails are designated for bicycles
4. bring water, snacks for kids, and a camera
5. the trail can be quite muddy after rain, so wear sturdy shoes that you don't mind getting dirty

Family Activity Rating
Ridgeline Trail
* time: close to Eugene, and possibly even inside the city limits on some sections, so a short trip to get there. You can hike all day, or only a few minutes, it's up to you!
* location: South Eugene, several points of entry
* atmosphere: outdoor fun
* safety: generally a safe, wide trail. Stay on the trail, and follow general hiking safety guidelines.
* amenities: mostly stroller accessible, but no bathrooms, water, etc.
* cost: free!

This activity gets five out of five stars from me on the fun, family-friendly activity scale. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cafe Lucky Noodle - Restaurant Review

2009-09-28T23:24:00.000-07:00

Since we have become parents, we have been looking for high quality restaurants that are open late in the evening and still allow minors. Our baby tends to stay up late-ish at night, and sleep later in the morning, which works well with my personal internal clock, and also makes it easier to maintain an active social life with our friends who don't yet have children. Even when our baby gets sleepy in the evening, we usually have success getting her to fall asleep in the ERGO baby carrier, regardless of the noise level of the surroundings. So, when we find a restaurant that meets our standards for a good atmosphere, service, food, and drinks, that we can go to as a whole family, we get pretty excited!
The first Eugene restaurant up for review is Cafe Lucky Noodle, located at the Northeast corner of 5th and Pearl in downtown Eugene. One of our long-time favorite spots for cocktails, desserts, and occasionally dinner, the menu is a mix of Thai and Italian and most of the dishes have a noodle base - hence the name "Lucky Noodle." Joe usually orders the sesame chicken tempura appetizer, peanut sauce curry entree, and the espressotini, while I have tried a variety of specials. My favorite drink is the Thai me up, a cocktail made with Thai iced tea and Stoli vanilla. Cafe Lucky Noodle is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and has delicious gelato as well. I've heard that the same owners run Ring of Fire, which offers similar cuisine.

The worst part about dining at Lucky Noodle with a baby is the restroom, shared with the other businesses in the building. It has no changing table, there is often a wait to use a stall, and it has gotten dirtier and dirtier over the years. The best part is the quality food and drinks. But what really sets this place apart from other Eugene restaurants is the modern decor, always attractive wait-staff, and fun music on weekend nights. It's open until midnight and doesn't have limited hours for minors. We've been there twice with our baby; one time we used a high chair, and one time we had a booth and our baby was able to sit in the corner leaning against the lovely pillows. We have seen other children there, but it's not your typical family dining experience (not exactly a Red Robin).

Advice for family diners:
1. be ready to weather some dirty looks from patrons that might not approve of a child in "their bar"
2. avoid busy dining times if you don't want to wait for a table
3. dress up a little if you want, everything from formal to weekend casual fits in
4. park for free in the 5th st. Public market lot located diagonal across 5th and Pearl
5. the noodle entrees are often big enough to split, the specials usually aren't

Family Activity Rating
Dining at Cafe Lucky Noodle
* time: breakfast, lunch or dinner. Open Mon-Fri 11:00am-Midnight Sat-Sun 9:00am-Midnight
* location: Downtown, NE corner of 5th and Pearl
* atmosphere: posh restaurant/bar
* safety: public restaurant, the most dangerous part might be having an overworked server run over you with a tray of noodles and drinks
* amenities: full service bar, extensive menu, comfortable booths and sub-par restroom
* cost: a bit on the expensive side, expect to pay $40-75 including tip for dinner and drinks for two. depending on how many people you have ordering and how many drinks it might be more

This restaurant gets four out of five stars from us on the fun, family-friendly activity scale. ★ ★ ★ ★

Disc Golf/Frisbee Golf/Frolf

2009-09-19T22:40:00.000-07:00

Picture this: spending an hour outdoors, strolling around a park-like setting with your family, engaged in a competitive (for some), no-fee game. This is disc golf, also known as frisbee golf, or frolf.

We are not avid frisbee golfers, but have been a handful of times, and found that it fits well with our ideal for a family activity. While there are many people out there who take frisbee golf seriously, we are not those people. We own one disc each, push our daughter in a stroller, and next time we go may take our new puppy as well. In my experience, the majority of disc golfers you'll see on the course are young men, and some have bags filled with a variety of types of discs, from "putters" to "drivers." However, this level of commitment is not necessary to enjoy the game, and it is an activity that is accessible for all ages. I have seen other groups with a baby in a stroller, as well as people walking their dogs around the edge of the course, or bringing their pooches along with them as they play. The sport may remind you of a game that you invented with your siblings on a boring summer day. It certainly felt that way to me, and the game WAS possibly invented this way, as it apparently sprang up in many parts of the country somewhat simultaneously (according to the Wikipedia page).

The only course we have used so far is the one located off of 18th Street, near Chambers. Known as the Westmoreland course, it is a nine-hole no-fee course, open to the public year-round. We have been there on gorgeous summer evenings, and never waited more than 5 minutes to get started. The is also a larger, 18-hole course at Dexter Reservoir, and according to some vague internet references (anyone want to clarify this for me?), an unofficial course near Laurelwood Golf Course in South Eugene, with an official one in some kind of planning stage.

Want to learn more about disc golf as a sport, or attend a tournament? The Eugene Disc Golf Club sponsors local events.

Advice for family disc golfers:
1. bring everything you need for your child to spend an hour or so outdoors
2. your first time, go with someone who knows the rules, or read up ahead of time
3. use a heavy disc made for the purpose, not your old frisbee
4. you can buy discs at Play-It Again Sports and REI among other places
5. if you're slow, offer to let the group behind you "play through"

Family Activity Rating
Disc Golf at Westmoreland
* time: you can go any time during daylight, and expect to spend about 45 minutes to an hour for nine holes
* location: South Eugene, 18th and Chambers, near Bi-Mart
* atmosphere: outdoor fun
* safety: keep your eyes open as discs sometimes go astray, yell "fore" if your disc may come close to another group
* amenities: definitely stroller accessible (rolling on grass), but no bathrooms, water, etc.
* cost: free to play, a starter set of disc costs $12 to $25.

This activity gets three out of five stars from me on the fun, family-friendly activity scale. ★ ★ ★

Baby Story Time at the Library

2009-09-14T23:51:00.000-07:00

Update (1/15/10): The Friday 11:15 Baby Story Time gets full and they will turn you away if the room is at capacity. Come early if you want to get a seat. Or, come to the 10:15 session, which is much less crowded.

As you can see on our (work in progress) calendar at the bottom of the page, the Eugene library offers near-daily "story times" for kids from babies up to six years old. We have only been to the baby story time, so can really only review that one, but I imagine the others are similar but with different content to match the kids' development.

Baby story time is one of my favorite activities to do with our daughter. She enjoys it, we enjoy it, we get to meet other parents of babies and have fun singing songs, and also learn little tidbits about parenting and child development. One of the leaders of story time even plays the ukelele, adding another dimension of fun to the mix. Typically, at least on days that we've been there, baby story time is a good mix of story books, singing, signing, movement, information, and play. The event itself is held in a spacious room, on the same floor as the children's wing of the library. There are blankets on the floor and you sit around in a circle with the leader in front. Some songs and books are used again and again, so after a couple times attending, you'll become familiar with the lyrics. Sometimes they even provide the written lyrics on a board next to the leader (a library employee). He or she will use funny voices, puppets, instruments, and movement to keep both you and your infant engaged throughout the 30-45 minutes.

We attended the Friday 11:15 group last week, and some highlights were the Uh-oh! book, dancing the hokey-pokey, and playing with the shaker eggs. We checked out several books from the display tables afterward, and have been loving having some new books to read with our baby. I have been getting a little tired of the ones we have, although Peek-A Who? is still fun, and nice and short (thanks Jen)!

Here are some of the books we checked out for our six-month-old, and some of our personal favorites at home:

Advice for story time attendees:
1. get there on time if possible - your child will get a name tag, you will get a good seat around the blankets, and you won't miss any of the fun!
2. step away from the group for a bit if your child needs a break
3. either bring quarters for meter parking, or park in the lot beneath the library where you can pay with a card
4. turn your imagination on and your cell phone off - participation is encouraged, while ringing phones are frowned upon
5. stick around to play with the other kids and meet some other parents afterward

Family Activity Rating
Eugene Library Story Time
* time: there are at least two times available for each age range, so hopefully you can find a time that works with your child's schedule
* location: downtown Eugene, and some at the Sheldon and Bethel branches
* atmosphere: excellent! fun, happy, educational, social
* safety: very safe - the toys are washed between groups, there are blankets on the floor, and lots of attentive parents and helpers
* amenities: the library has clean bathrooms, drinking fountains, and a coffee shop in the entryway
* cost: free, except for parking if you drive a car

This activity gets five out of five stars from me on the fun, family-friendly activity scale. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Boating at Coyote Creek

2009-09-12T01:02:00.000-07:00

When we had a baby, one thing I knew I was going to have to give up for a while (besides alcohol, uninterrupted sleep, and avoiding talking to strangers in the checkout line) was whitewater rafting. This was sad to me, because since I can remember I've been taking boating trips with my dad, and more recently with my husband. Well, we still aren't planning to go on any real "white" water, but have discovered that we can have a good time paddling around on still water, and feel comfortable doing it with a baby. At first, I thought that lakes would likely be our only option for still water, and that we'd have to wait a while for our baby to fit a life jacket. It turns out that there is at least one nice "canoe trail" very near to Eugene, and we found a life jacket that fits starting at 7.5 pounds, going up to 35 pounds.

After doing some research online, calling friends for advice, and a trip to McKenzie Outfitters, we took our first boat ride as a new family this past weekend. The one mishap was when our friends in a canoe tipped over when they were disembarking, but we chose to float in the very un-tippy raft precisely for the stability. The size of our raft plus the oar reach made for some very tight squeezes on this route meant for canoes and kayaks, and we eventually had to turn around because we couldn't make it past some logs, but we still got in probably 2 hours on the water. Successful family float trip! We were so glad to find a way to still spend time outdoors on the water, even with a baby. Once she can swim on her own we plan to start trips on moving water, and once she is a strong swimmer (like 11 or 12 years old) we will probably be able to take her on longer whitewater trips. For those who are wondering, "why don't they just get a babysitter and take an exciting day trip?" we prefer to spend time together as a family and believe we can find activities that are inclusive.

For families looking for a relaxed, totally still-water canoe or raft paddle near to Eugene, Coyote Creek is a great option. We had a hard time finding information about local canoe trails online - even knowing the name, the only Google search result in the top 10 that is this actual place has very limited information, and recommends parking and putting in at a different spot than we used. Doing a general search for canoeing or kayaking trails yielded even less. So, here are directions to the put-in/canoe launch spot at Coyote Creek:

From Eugene, head West on Highway 126
Look for Fern Ridge Reservoir on the right
At the intersection with Central Road (there is a park on the right), turn left onto Central
Go less than a mile, turn left onto Cantrell Rd. (This is where the arrow on the map is pointing)
Drive about 1/2 mile and the canoe launch and parking area is on the left side, just before a bridge

View Larger Map

Advice for future Coyote Creek boaters:

obey the law and make sure you have a properly fitting PFD in your boat for each person
take a potty break before you arrive because there are no restroom facilities
bring drinks and snacks for in the boat
bring a camera
leave a change of clothes and towels in the car in case of tipping!

Family Activity Rating
Coyote Creek Canoe Trail

time: any time during daylight, but earlier in the spring/summer is probably best for higher water so less logs
location: just West of Eugene
atmosphere: there were other families boating at the same time, so friendly!
safety: you're in charge of your own safety on this one - know your water safety rules and bring proper equipment
amenities: there is a good place to park in the shade, a picnic table, and a nice spot to launch your boat, but nothing else

This trip gets four out of five stars from me on the fun, family-friendly activity scale. ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Are there other canoe trails in the area that you would recommend? Post a comment below.

Eugene Celebration Parade

2009-09-10T19:21:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday, September 5, we attended the Eugene Celebration Parade with our 6-month-old daughter and she (mostly) loved it. There was some rain, but we found a place to sit that was under an awning, and of course we had umbrellas and rain coats as well. I didn't bring anything to sit on, and was kicking myself for that once we saw lots of other families with chairs or blankets, but ended up being fine. I spent part of the time sitting on our baby's changing pad to keep my bum dry, and part of the time standing. Our baby wasn't interested the whole time, and spent some time nursing, but there were really fun moments where she was leaning forward trying to peer around people so she could see what was coming next! Sitting on the same corner as us (Pearl and Broadway, at Zenon) were several other families with kids between the ages of 3 and 6, and I also saw elementary and middle school students, teenagers, adults, and senior citizens watching and walking in the parade as well. There were so many great groups, floats, and routines: the Sheldon marching band and dance team, the Slug Queen float, the dragon, Latino dancers and bouncing cars, the 501st Legion Cloud City Garrison (Star Wars people), and of course Samba Ja, to name a few. This is clearly a great example of an event that people of any age can enjoy watching or participating in.

Advice for future parade-goers:

choose your location in advance, considering parade route, sidewalk space, and coverage
get there early to get a good spot
bring a chair or blanket to sit on
you might want some breakfast snacks
come with an open mind

Family Activity Rating
Eugene Celebration Parade

time: 9:30 AM, totally family-friendly
location: downtown, easy to get to, lots of places to park
atmosphere: fun, fast-paced, positive
safety: definitely safe as the streets are all blocked off and there are lots of police around
amenities: nothing specific to the parade, but there are plenty of public bathrooms and food nearby when you're downtown!

This event gets four out of five stars from me on the fun, family-friendly activity scale. ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Eugene is full of family-friendly events and activities like this, and our goal with this blog is to provide a guide for other parents who, like us, like to get out and do stuff. Our daughter is still an infant, and so we are learning every day what works and doesn't for family activities. If you have an event or location you'd like us to review, please make a comment! Future post topics that are already in the works include: baby story time at the library, local canoe and hiking trails, family-friendly restaurants, and the best places to shop for and with kids.