My in-laws visit the Portland area often from Bend, always seeking the right mix of city and outdoors when here. Though we get along wonderfully and our guest room remodel is complete, they always stay in a hotel and always stay in Washington County. A recent visit ended up being the ideal outdoor weekend for us. 

After picking them up Saturday morning, we started the weekend by paddling the Tualatin River in kayaks. Right in Tualatin rentals are available at Alder Creek, in Browns Ferry Park. It was my mother-in-law's first time in a kayak, and the Tualatin River's smooth water was perfect for letting her quickly become proficient. We paddled up and down the river, looking for fish and enjoying the lush green landscape along the banks. Around was a buzz of activity by birds of all types, including a momma mallard and six small ducks who disinterestedly watched us paddle by at one point.

Wanting to see more wildlife, we decided to visit the nearby Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge after our kayaking. Great walking trails, wetland views and lots of birds - including the heron that landed not far from us After lingering over coffee near the fountain in Tualatin Commons later that afternoon, we pondered dinner. And we also made plans for a couple of music shows - one jazz, one salsa - in the Commons later this summer.

We decided on a favorite for dinner - Hayden's Lakefront Grill in Tualatin. They use local ingredients and we love their Northwest chowder, which is made with smoked Chinook salmon. Later, we enjoyed some Dungeness Crab Louis salads and a zesty Pizza Arrabbiata. Fully satisfied, we called it a day.

On Sunday morning, we once again set out - this time with our bike rack fully loaded. We first fueled up at Maggie's Buns in Forest Grove with some of the best cinnamon buns and lattes to be had anywhere. We then headed off to western Washington County - Banks - to ride the Banks-Vernonia State Trail. It was one of Oregon's first rails-to-trails projects. Along with incredible views of the Coast Range, we were taken with dozens of colorful wildflowers and a towering train trestle along the trail. The trestle apparently once supported rail cars loaded with freshly cut timber, and we almost felt we could still hear the trains rolling by. We pedaled through the woods for miles, really working up an appetite.

On the way back to the hotel, we eagerly stopped for dinner at the Rogue Pub in North Plains. Smoke-free and family-friendly, the place has live blues on Friday nights. And the building has loads of history, we learned - it has housed a saloon-pool hall nearly uninterrupted since 1915. Legend has it that it was a favorite stop of lumberjacks. After my wife volunteered to be designated driver, the rest of us cooled down with chilled bottles of our favorite Rogue beers - mocha porter and chocolate stout. We each quickly devoured our veggie burgers, nicely grilled and served with great fries.

We laughed upon saying good-bye later on that that we were as full as the weekend had been! Fabulous kayaking and biking, wonderful food, loads of family fun and no hassles. We'll be back to Washington County for more very soon.