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Oregon's Wine Country

 

Who knew that Oregon even had "wine country" but it does. So wine connoisseurs out there can take a different tour by traveling to Oregon to check out the some 400-plus wineries that process the fruit of about 20,000 acres of grapes. Napa Valley and France are the places typically associated with wine and champagnes. Turns out Oregon can holds its own. There are wineries in Washington, Yamhill (dozens in Yamhill) and Polk counties among others. You might consider starting in Yamhill county since the majority of the wineries can be found here. Work with your travel agent to map out the best tours, places to stay and sights to see.

 

Rock 'n' Roll

Here is a quick travel tip if you have trouble lifting stuff around. It's one thing if you're traveling by car to take a roll-along suitcase to solve the lifting of the apparel and sundries, but what if you have gear and you can't lift it in and out of your car. You should go to Office Max or Staples and invest in one of two things. Either purchase a roll- along crate that you can load full of your gear and other totes and drag it behind you along with your suitcase or you can invest in a lightweight dolly. Now this works especially well if you are driving and going in and out of hotels along a specific route. Or it just works well in general to make loading and unloading so much easier. Even better, you can pack the equipment and totes right in the box and leave it until you're ready to haul it. 

San Gabriel Bike Trail

Southern California weather combined with a fantastic bike ride along the San Gabriel trail from Lakewood to the Pacific ensures a great afternoon of exercise and fun. Many consider the stretch between Long Beach and Seal Beach the prettiest stretch of the entire river trail. The reason, the concrete river lining is replaced by rocks and plans as the river nears the ocean. You can stop for a picnic or a rest at any number of the parks along the trail, including El Dorado or Liberty Park. You can also branch off on one of its many connections including Coyote Creek trail. Overall, it makes a great family outing. 

Three Things to Make Flying Easier

Always keep your confirmation number on hand -- with e-ticketing, it's best to keep your confirmation number for your ticket handy. Sometimes during check-in you may run into glitches with your credit card and/or their system. The confirmation number makes everything easier to research and rectify.

Always make sure your name on your driver's license matches your ticket. They will send you back to the ticketing counter if this doesn't match. This will not only stress you out, but also delay your ability to get through security and get on the plane, as you may have already stood in line once.

Always make sure you carry only two bags -- the airlines have tightened up on how many carry-ons you can bring on the plane. If you have a bag, small suitcase and a purse, be prepared to stuff your purse in the bag. They will not let you have all three. Don't press it either -- it guaranteed they will stop you as far back as security.

Great White Water Rafting -- Middle Fork River, Idaho

If you have older kids, a great excursion is to try some white water rafting in some of the best river to do so. One of the best is located in Idaho. The Middle Fork River, a tributary of the Salmon River, which is also the main tributary of the Snake River, which in turn is the main tributary to the Columbia River, offers one of the most exciting white-water raft experiences in the U.S. You must plan well in advance for the trip, as a permit is required to travel down the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. Caveat: getting a permit is not very easy, and you should work with your travel agent to figure out how to jump through the hoops. But once approved, this trip promises one of the most exciting white-water adventures you could ever experience. It has 300 rated rapid, and among them are Dagger Falls, Sulphur Slide, Velvet Falls, the Chuts, Power House, Pistol Creek, Tappan Falls, Red side, Weber, Cliffside and dozens of others.

Three Great Things for the Beach

 

It's slowly turning into fabulous beach weather. Within another month, crowds of beach lovers will flock to their favorite ocean side paradises. So, for the beach lover at heart, here are three things you should bring with you to the beach to make your visit more enjoyable.

Big Hat -- for the sun sensitives, bring plenty of sunscreen and protect your face with a great beach hat with a wide brim. Not only does a great hat protect your face from the harsh ultra-violet rays of the sun, but also it makes great shading on a book if you chose to bring one. 

Bottled Water -- do not forget to bring bottled water. Some beaches do not have drinking fountains nearby, and you will want to stay well hydrated in that harsh summer sun. You also don't want to have to walk way back to find a drinking fountain, so don't forget the bottled water. 

Flip-Flops -- hot sand in warm weather burns feet. Flip-flops are much easier to manage than sandals that often have buckles. You can also get plastic flip-flops, which makes it easier to rinse sand off them. Try this: put your flip-flops on the ground and rinse your feet off and then easily slip them back on your clean foot. Works every time!

 

Best Campground - Hendy Woods, California

Hendy Woods located in the middle of the Anderson Valley wine district near Sonoma Valley is a nice off-the-beaten path campground. The 845-acre park is warmer and less foggy then other redwood campgrounds and parks along the California coast. The Navarro River runs the length of the park and offers some great water activities for the family to enjoy in the warmer summer months. Plenty of hiking trails such as Big Hendy, an 80 acre, self-guided discover trail, will keep the family occupied exploring and discovering the beauty of the region. The park is also famous for a fallen redwood stump that was home to the Hendy Woods Hermit.

Best Regional Mountain to Climb -- Mt. Shasta

If you want to find a mountain to climb that you and your teenagers can conquer, try Mt. Shasta in Northern California. Many experts consider it one of the best treks in California. You can take one of the most popular routes to the 14,179-foot summit rise more than 7,000 feet from the trailhead. Do be aware you will be challenged by rocky terrain, snowfields and glacial features. The challenges mean small children should no participate in the fun and be left with a caregiver. For older children, the challenges will be a lot of fun. Physically fit families are advised to give this one a go.

 

Best Lazy River Pool -- The Grand Wailea

Nothing is more fun or relaxing than a chance to lazily float in a tube or raft down a manmade lazy river. While many hotels nationwide have some great lazy rivers, nothing beats the The Grand Wailea lazy river and pool. The resort offers a 25,700-square-foot, 2,000-foot-long pool complex comprised of nine pools connected by river that takes floaters from lazy to rapids. It also features four jungle pools, a Tarzan rope swing pool, six waterfalls, a baby pool, five water slides, three hot tubs, and the world's only water elevator. You will not find another water recreation area -- especially on Maui -- with so much diversity and water fun to be enjoyed.

Best California Hiking Trails: Lower Lola Montez Lake

The snow will soon melt from the Sierras and open hiking opportunities. Nothing is more beautiful than hiking up into the mountains when the greenery is at its greenest and the spring flowers have bloomed. If you live in the greater Sacramento area, you should consider one of the best regional hikes to Lower Lola Montez Lake, which is off I-80 west of Truckee where you take the Soda Springs exit. You will start your hike near Castle Creek at a flat, open meadow where the road eventually ends. Caveat: the trail is initially difficult to follow because of overgrowth. When you reach a fork in the meadow, go right to the lake, which is about a half-mile up the trail. Hikers can bring tents to pitch and plan to fish at the at the lake. Most hikers consider this an easy six-mile trek round trip, so it's perfect for beginner backpackers and children, as the whole family can keep up and will not be overwrought upon arrival at the lake.