Okay, we swore we would never post this photo showing our daughter getting her first motorcycle ride earlier this summer on my uncles bike… wearing only a bicycle helmet. Even though it was only a short ride around the campground loop, we thought it would make us look like bad parents. But with the tragic death of my uncle this past weekend, on that very bike, we thought it would make a great photo of the week. My uncle was a great man, loved by many, and probably our websites number one fan. He will be missed!
Archives for August 2012
Photo of the Week: Airport Geometrics
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This was shot on our last trip to the Portland International Airport. I really like the geometric shapes converging together in this photo. When we leave for our round-the-world trip in a couple of months, we will be driving to visit family in various states before catching a plane to Paris, France, which will probably leave from Denver. So, this may have been the last time we will see the Portland International Airport for a very long time…
What Makes Portland Oregon So Bicycle Friendly?
Portland, Oregon is renown for being the 2nd best bicycle city in the World, with Amsterdam taking the number one spot. During rush hour droves of people can be seen commuting back and forth from work on bicycles and many larger companies will pay their employees to bike into work. Even our daughter Sydney enjoys riding her bike and several days a week we will ride together to school. Being one of the best bicycle friendly cities means that there are miles of bike boulevards throughout the city, great family friendly bike paths, such as the Springwater Corridor, and the opportunity for biking regattas throughout the year. Portland recently had one such biking regatta, the Providence Bridge Pedal.
The Providence Bridge Pedal, which occurs each August, is the 3rd largest organized bike event in the nation with approximately 19,000 riders and just celebrated it’s 17th annual ride. During the Bridge Pedal, one has the opportunity to bike over six, eight, or ten of Portland’s bridges that cross the Willamette River. What makes the Bridge Pedal so unique is not only the sheer number of bicycles but that 2 of these bridges are interstate highways and only open to bicycles once a year. The ride can range from 13 to 35 miles, depending on what course is chosen. Though 13 miles may seem like a lot, it is relatively flat course and the pace is overall slow due to so many other bicycles. All ages and types of bicycles can be seen during the ride. We have seen people on unicycles and one year we even saw a small child ride the Bridge Pedal on a brakeless strider bike. The Bridge Pedal is an event that I eagerly await each year and since moving to Portland have rarely missed. The views are phenomenal from the bridges and I get to ride on two interstate bridges the Marquim and the Freemont, which is closed the rest of the year to bicycles. At the end of the ride we are always rewarded with yummy chocolate milk and ice cream, which Sydney has proclaimed one of the best parts of the ride.
Another fun family bicycle event in Portland is the Sunday Parkways. The Sunday Parkways occurs monthly during the summer and highlights a different Portland Neighborhood each time. During the Sunday Parkways, the streets are opened up from 11 am to 4 pm for bicycles, walking, roller-skating or any other type of active transportation. Cars are banned. Along the route there is the opportunity to stop at different parks in the featured neighborhood and each park will have informational and food booths along with activities for everyone such as a rock climbing wall, bicycle obstacle course and bouncy houses. The route is usually around 8 to 9 miles long. But this is not a race, one can go at a leisurely pace and enjoy stopping by each of the parks. Sydney always has a blast going from one activity to the next and playing on the play structures at the different parks.
This last winter we discovered the Worst Day of the Year Ride. The Worst Day of the Year Ride occurs each February on the statistically worst weather of the year, hence the name of the event. There is an 18 mile or 45 mile loop that winds through Portland to choose from. The 18-mile course is relatively flat and is excellent for all ages and types of bicycles. What makes the Worst Day or the Year Ride unique is the costumes. Most of the riders wear costumes and many are outlandish. Prizes are handed out for the best costume including a category for the best penguin. Last year Sydney went as a penguin, and if I may so say myself, I thought she was one of the best-dressed penguins. Along the course are several rest stops with food to help one warm up and at the end of the course is hot soup and bread rolls for everyone. We lucked out this year as it did not rain and was on the warmer side for being February. We had a blast looking at all the different costumes and enjoyed the soup at the end.
If you like biking, then Portland is the city for you with miles of bicycle paths and fun events through the year.
Photo of the Week: Middle North Falls
After we dropped our daughter off at summer camp two weekends ago we decided to go hike Silver Falls State Park. Of course, we can never go for a hike without a tripod and camera gear and we got this great shot of Middle North Falls.
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Summer Adventure Breaks for All the Family
The Lake District is a haven for families searching for adventure, with qualified and accredited groups offering a huge variety of adventure holidays. With such diverse and spectacular scenery, outdoor activities and sports are the best way to experience the countryside up close and personal. Adventure holidays are, in turn, the perfect way to ensure that you can experience the thrills of such activities while keeping things safe – essential for any family break.
Many of the groups offering family adventure breaks can also devise a series of events to last the length of the holiday and provide an itinerary of recommended activities, taking into account different ages, ability levels – and even the desire to take part in any or all of the activities on offer. There are even groups that have arrangements with some of the best Lake District hotels and neighbouring farms to enable many of the adventure activities – such as archery, horse riding, fishing, water sports or quad biking.
If the facilities and service of the best Lake District hotels does not suit your rugged image of what an adventure holiday should all be about, there are “rougher” options, such as a stay in a yurt, a wigwam or traditional camping. Of course, there are different levels of comfort to be had here as well, such as “glamping” in state-of-the art tents, complete with fridges and air conditioning, to the sumptuous and spacious interiors of some yurts. It all depends on the families in question what is right for them.
But enough, to the adventures themselves! The activities that can be found on Lake District holidays are staggeringly diverse, encompassing abseiling, archery, canoeing, dinghy sailing, gorge walking, kayaking, mountain biking, pony trekking, raft building, rock climbing, ghyll scrambling and trail cycling. Whether you are an old hand at these, or trying them for the first time, there will be a group to ensure you get the most out of your experience. And when you return footsore and aching but glowing to your room at one of the best Lake District hotels at the end of the day, you’ll know you deserve that pampering hot bath and slap-up meal!
Photo: Leon Wilson