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Archive for the ‘Water Fun’ Category

Cool Places to Beat the Heat

Posted on: August 3rd, 2012 by Sylke Neal-Finnegan No Comments

Looking for cool places to go to when temperatures rise in Oregon’s Washington County? We’ve got some ideas that fit that bill.

Hit the Water

Henry Hagg Lake, located in Gaston, approximately 45 minutes west of downtown Portland,  is the perfect watering hole for swimming in Oregon’s Washington County.  Visitors can water ski, jet ski, swim and fish (angling license required).

If a leisurely boat ride along a tranquil river is more your speed, then the Tualatin River may be your go-to spot. The river provides cool and calming recreation opportunities, and kayak and canoe rentals are available on a drop-in, first-come, first-served basis. Read more from an earlier blog post.

Shop Tax-Free

As hard as it is to believe, the start of the school year is just weeks away. Why not take this opportunity to take advantage of the back-to-school sales at Washington Square? Shop tax-free and save even more with a Shopping & Dining Visitor Rewards Book, chock-full of savings! Simply show your out-of-area identification at the Guest Services booth and start saving.

Play Some (Indoor) Sports

Bowling is a fun family sport, especially during days when you’d rather stay indoors. Oregon’s Washington County has several bowling centers filled with arcade games, food and snacks and more. Sunset Lanes and Big Al’s, both in Beaverton, have a hip, state-of-the-art vibe, while the Tigard Bowl provides a fun, no-frills bowling experience.

Want to try your moves on the ice instead? Don a pair of ice skates and head to the Sherwood Ice Arena. Try your best spin, or jump into a hockey pick-up game (check the public skating schedule for more information).

These are just some of the many indoor activities that will help you stay cool in hot temperatures.  Want more ideas to plan an Oregon’s Washington County getaway? Read our digital visitors guide for helpful tips.

Kayaking and Canoeing: No Reservations Required

Posted on: August 1st, 2012 by Angie Marsh 2 Comments

The Tualatin River provides cool and calming recreational opportunities–especially in the summertime. Best of all, no advance planning is necessary for a boat trip, as rentals are available on a drop-in, first-come, first-serve basis at two different locations within Washington County.

The Tualatin Riverkeepers have a colorful assortment of cool kayaks (funded, in part, by a WCVA tourism grant)

The Tualatin Riverkeepers are renting canoes and kayaks at Tigard’s Cook Park boat launch on Saturdays and Sundays through September, with no reservations required. Cost is $30 for up to four hours, with each additional hour $10, and includes life vests. Choose which block of time you’d like to paddle the scenic waterways; rental hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days.

For expanded options, check out Alder Creek’s Tualatin rental location, also on the Tualatin River, but in Browns Ferry Park. Canoes and single and tandem recreational kayaks are available for rental Wednesdays through Friday from noon to 7 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.–through Labor Day weekend (continuing on weekends only Sept. 8-9 and 15-16, 2012). Cost is $20 for two hours, $25 for four hours and $40 for all day.

If you’re looking for more guidance along the waterway, Tualatin Riverkeepers also has two upcoming paddle events. Family Paddle Day is Saturday, Aug. 11 at Cook Park, and offers two-hour guided canoe trips complete with a shuttle. On Sunday, Aug. 26 they’re offering a Westside Family Paddle Trip at Rood Bridge Park in Hillsboro. Both of these events require reservations. Happy paddling!

 

 

What’s a Teen to Do?

Posted on: August 31st, 2011 by Sylke Neal-Finnegan No Comments

Tree to Tree Adventure Park is one of several attractions in Oregon's Washington County that your teen will enjoy.

Traveling with teens can be a frustrating experience. Attractions that adults may find inviting, such as museums and art galleries, may be boring to the average American teenager. And kid-friendly spots can be too “babyish” for the finicky teen. As a parent to a teen, here is a handy guide of places that are fun for adults and are teen-friendly, too. (Although they will never acknowledge that they’re having fun, you know they are and will.)

For the Teen with a Sense of Adventure

Hands-down, Tree to Tree Adventure Park remains on the top of the list for teens when it comes to outdoor adventure. The thrill and excitement of playing in the trees while navigating a course of obstacles can bring out childlike enthusiasm in even the most jaded teenager.

Kayaking and canoeing is also a good pastime for teenagers, whether it’s a leisurely ride along the slow-moving Tualatin River, or a family race to an imaginary finish line. Boat rentals are available from the Tualatin Riverkeepers or Alder Creek Kayak and Canoe.

 

Bonding Time

Hagg Lake, located at Scoggins Valley Park, is one of several fishing spots perfect for a day of parent and teen bonding. Horning’s Fishing and Picnic Hideout also is another popular fishing hole, stocked with rainbow trout. As an added bonus, after a day of angling, try a game of disc golf at each of these locations.

For many, myself included, a great deal of bonding happens while shopping; however, we parents of teens know that this often creates some short-lived drama, so shop ’til you drop at your own risk.

 

Friendly Family Games

Washington County is chock-full of teen- and family-friendly hands-on activities: laser tag at Laserport, bowling at Big Al’s, outdoor go-kart racing at Malibu Raceway or indoor go-karting at Sykart Indoor Racing Center. For less competitive sports, try trampolining at Sky High Sports or rock climbing at Stoneworks Climbing Gym. (Some attractions are open during evening hours, which will keep your teen happy after the sun goes down.)

 

Teen-Friendly Dining

So you’ve hiked, biked and climbed your way to an appetite, and you ask, “Where can we go for dinner that has food my teenager will like?”  Here are some local places that teens will enjoy, for the food, and the ambiance:

For the complete list of restaurants in Oregon’s Washington County, visit our dining page.

 

So, there you have it, a quick quide to exploring Oregon’s Washington County with teenagers. My own teenager helped me compile this list, so it has an unofficial stamp of approval. There are hundreds of other things to do and see while here, more than what’s on this list. Whatever you choose to do while visiting, we’re sure you (and your teen) will have a blast.

 

 

Are We There Yet?

Posted on: July 26th, 2011 by WCVA 1 Comment

Tree to Tree Adventure Park offers four courses of varying difficulty, each with a variety of tree-top obstacles.

Summer soon will be winding down, and the inevitable conclusion of the season is fast approaching — much to the chagrin of school children everywhere. If you haven’t planned your summer family vacation yet, or even if you have, Oregon’s Washington County is an ideal destination for an end-of-summer getaway. Mild temperatures and long days are perfect for planning a day’s worth of adventure. Biking, kayaking and zip-lining are examples of what a typical day in Washington County offers.

Bicyclists have plenty of options when it comes to exploring Washington County. The 21-mile Banks-Vernonia State Trail is just one of many scenic routes to explore by bike (or by foot).  The Washington County Visitors Association (WCVA) has resources to help plan your route, including bike maps and downloadable maps, bike rental information and more. High-flying adventurists will enjoy swinging through the trees at Tree to Tree Adventure Park, the only public aerial ropes course of its kind in the Pacific Northwest.  The aerial obstacle course is not for the faint of heart, but it is a great adventure for kids and adults of all abilities (must be able to reach a five-foot wire; visit Tree to Tree’s site for complete list of rules and requirements). Water lovers have a few options to spend the lazy days of summer. The calm and meandering Tualatin River is the ideal location to launch a kayak or canoe. Rentals are available at a couple of launch points from Alder Creek Kayak, Canoe & Raft and the Tualatin Riverkeepers. Located in the western region of Washington County is Henry Hagg Lake, which is open to swimmers, boaters, jet skiers and for fishing.

While the last thing on the kids’ (and your) minds is to start school shopping, but with tax-free shopping and sales galore, it’s hard not to pass up the great deals in Washington County.

The European-style Bridgeport Village is an open-air shopping, dining and entertainment center with a unique blend of clothing stores, specialty shops and restaurants. A first-run movie theater is located at the village – a great respite for tired shoppers. For the largest selection of stores under one roof, Washington Square boasts more than 170 retail shops and five anchor stores, including Oregon’s largest Nordstrom department store. Shops include teen-friendly choices, such as H&M, Forever21, Aéropostale, Abercrombie & Fitch and more. Another option is The Streets of Tanasbourne, a lifestyle retail center with more than 50 specialty shops, including clothing for children, teens and adults, as well as a Macy’s department store, and a variety of well-known restaurants. In addition to these retail centers, the area boasts a multitude of boutiques, brand-name fashion clothing stores, consignment shops, antique shops and other specialty shops (see the complete list).

It’s Time for an Oregon Adventurecation in Washington County!

Posted on: April 7th, 2011 by WCVA No Comments

When it comes to outdoor adventure, Oregon is tops! In Washington County, miles of beautiful countryside are waiting to be explored. From kayaking and cycling to birding and hiking, and so much more in between, the options are endless.

Activities and attractions such as Tree to Tree Adventure Park, the state’s only public aerial ropes course of its kind; Banks-Vernonia State Trail, a 21-mile trail open to hikers, cyclists and equestrians; and the Tualatin River, which is perfect for kayaks and canoes, are just a sample of the dozens of adventures to be discovered in Washington County.

Create your own Washington County journey via the Create Your Adventure Video Series, interactive videos that allow you to choose a couple’s Washington County adventure.

Don’t just sit there! Plan your Washington County Adventurecation today!


Newfound Paradise: Paddlin’ Down the Tualatin River

Posted on: August 10th, 2010 by Sylke Neal-Finnegan 2 Comments
The Tualatin Riverkeepers have a colorful assortment of cool kayaks (funded, in part, by a WCVA tourism grant)

We were riding in style in the colorful kayaks provided by the Tualatin Riverkeepers (which were funded, in part, by a WCVA tourism grant).

Over the weekend, the Washington County Visitors Association (WCVA) threw a summer social at Tualatin Community Park, located in the heart of downtown Tualatin (and one of the locations of this week’s Crawfish Festival). It was an ideal summer day in Oregon, and a perfect Saturday to take a leisurely trip down the serene Tualatin River.

With some quick instruction and guidance from the fine volunteers of the Tualatin Riverkeepers, and after being suited up with life jackets, my daughter and I –and the rest of the guests at the summer social– set out in the kayaks for an hour-long paddle trip down the Tualatin River.

The quiet calm of the river was amazing. Trees flanked both sides of the river, and the only clues that we were in a suburban area were the occasional overpasses we floated under, which also served as makeshift habitats for nesting birds who make the river their home.

Along our slow journey, we passed a young man and his brother fishing, presumably for the largemouth bass that thrive in the Tualatin. Other folks enjoying the river passed us slow-poke kayakers on their kayaks and canoes, each sharing a smile and saying a pleasant “hello” as they paddled past us.

It wasn’t just river dwellers of the human variety that were enjoying the Tualatin River that day. Plenty of birds were enjoying the sunny, cool afternoon. Wood ducks, green heron and other birds indigenous to the area were swimming and flying alongside the kayaks, with some stopping for a quick bite to eat.  Although we didn’t see any river otters or beavers during our excursion, we did see evidence that at least one beaver makes the river its home.  Sue, one of the fabulous guides from the Riverkeepers, found a recently gnawed piece of bark floating downstream, an artifact left behind by a busy beaver.

Why I waited three years to try kayaking down the Tualatin River, I don’t know. What I do know, however, is that I can’t wait to get back out on the river and spend another lazy Saturday with the birds and beavers.

Read more about the Tualatin Riverkeepers and their mission to protect Oregon’s Tualatin River system.

Forest Grove Named One of ‘America’s Summer Lake Towns’ for 2010

Posted on: July 22nd, 2010 by Sylke Neal-Finnegan 2 Comments
Boating is just one of many water activities available at Hagg Lake

Boating is just one of many water activities available at Hagg Lake

Locals have known for years that Forest Grove, Ore., is a hidden gem in Oregon’s wine country, and now this quaint diamond in the rough is getting its time in the spotlight.

The city of Forest Grove, Ore., recently was named as one of America’s Top Summer Lake Towns of 2010 by Budget Travel magazine. Noted for being “laid-back and outdoorsy with a healthy dose of quirk,” the small city with a population of approximately 20,000 was recognized for its historic downtown, classic ice cream shop, unique lodging, and, of course, its  proximity to Hagg Lake, which is in the neighboring town of Gaston. Hagg Lake, located nine miles from Forest Grove’s city center, is locally recognized as a spot for “serious fishermen,” and for its water activities, such as kayaking and waterskiing.

“It’s quite an honor for Forest Grove and Hagg Lake to earn recognition from such an influential publication,” said Teri Koerner, executive director of the Forest Grove Chamber of Commerce. “Hagg Lake provides a wide array of outdoor recreational opportunities for all ages, for visitors and local residents alike, and it helps make Western Washington County a great place to live and play!”

David Hill Vineyard and Winery, situated on a hill in Forest Grove, provides grand views of the Tualatin Valley

David Hill Vineyard and Winery, situated on a hill in Forest Grove, provides grand views of the Tualatin Valley

Forest Grove, approximately 45 minutes west of downtown Portland, boasts a growing wine industry. This area, part of the famed Willamette Valley wine region, includes some of Oregon’s most revered wineries:  Apolloni Vineyards, Montinore Estate, David Hill Vineyard and Winery, Purple Cow Vineyards, Shafer Vineyard Cellars, Tualatin Estate, and SakéOne, the world’s only American-owned and operated saké brewery.

A short drive down Highway 47 leads visitors to Gaston, where four wineries —Elk Cove Vineyards, Patton Valley Vineyards and Plum Hill Vineyards—and the new Tree to Tree Adventure Park are located.

Budget Travel’s list also included the lake towns of Chelan, Wash.; Grand Marais, Minn.; Dillon, Colo.; Rangeley, Maine; Leland, Mich.; Truckee, Calif.; and Oakland, Md. Read more about Budget Travel’s Top Summer Lake Towns.

Festivals & Celebrations Galore

Posted on: September 23rd, 2009 by Angie Marsh No Comments

Get out and enjoy unique events this weekend!

SATURDAY, Sept. 26:

Medieval Market Daymedieval2

The Beaverton Farmers’ Market hosts a one-day celebration of a time when all markets were open-air markets. So put on your medieval garb and join in the fun, including artisans demonstrating medieval crafts, children’s activities, music, cooking demos and sword tournaments.

This event is held in conjunction with the Washington County Chapter of the Society for Creative Anachronism – The shire of Dragon’s Mist, and is from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Oktoberfest at McMenamins Grand Lodge

grand-lodge_scaledJoin in a free gathering at McMenamins Grand Lodge in Forest Grove, complete with bands, beer, bratwurst and more in celebration of Oktoberfest!

Live music performances begin at 2 p.m.:

o CHERVONA (party troupe) 2 p.m.

o TRANSCENDENTAL BRASS BAND (marching jam band) 4 p.m.

o GYPSY CARAVAN (belly dancers) 5 p.m.

o DEER TICK (rock) 7 p.m.

o JACK McMAHON (folk/blues) 7 p.m.

SUNDAY, Sept. 27:riverfront_music09_360

Tualatin Riverfront Music Festival

Enjoy the unique bluegrass and gospel sounds of the Misty Mamas band at this new annual event in Tualatin’s Browns Ferry Park.
Paddle your boat to the festival or borrow a boat on site from Tualatin Riverkeepers, the beneficiaries of the event.
A special Tualatin River Oktoberfest beer, brewed by Fanno Creek Brew Pub, will be available, along with Oregon pinots, sausages, veggie dogs and dessert.
Cost is $20 for adults; kids are free. The event is from 3 to 7 p.m.

Both SATURDAY & SUNDAY:

Festival Japan

uwajimaya

Uwajimaya at 10500 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway in Beaverton, again hosts its annual free two-day festival, which includes Japanese food, music and art for all ages! It ranges from taiko drumming to martial arts. The fest is 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Volunteering and Canoeing with the Tualatin Riverkeepers

Posted on: July 24th, 2009 by Allison George 3 Comments
Putting in at Munger Farm, Tualatin Riverkeepers

Putting in at Munger Farm, Tualatin Riverkeepers

Paddling on the Tualatin River is a fun outdoor recreational opportunity during the summer months, and recently some of the WCVA staff and our guests went on a guided canoe trip on the Tualatin River led by the Tualatin Riverkeepers.  If you haven’t heard of the Riverkeepers, they are a terrific community-based nonprofit organization working to protect and restore the Tualatin River watershed through education, restoration, advocacy, and facilitating public access to nature.

The paddle trip was also intermingled with a good cause: habitat restoration.  Some of my coworkers started the day by helping the Riverkeepers hand-clear some invasive, non-native plant species.  Hand pulling weeds may be hard work, but it protects the nearby watershed and wildlife from herbicides and other chemicals, to give native, soil-stabilizing plants  a chance to recover.

Pulling invasive species for a good cause.

Pulling invasive species for a good cause.

We all had a great time on the river, and although I personally didn’t catch many glimpses of wildlife during our two hour trip, the little pirates in my canoe claimed sightings of Crocodiles, Chilean Sea Bass, and Harry Potter. 

The 'pirates'.

The 'pirates'.

Takin' in some shade before heading back.

Takin' in some shade before heading back.

After the paddle trip, we hit the South Store Cafe for a delicious lunch, and then headed across the street to shop and pet the goats behind the Smith Berry Barn. *Tip*: remember to bring some quarters for the goat-treat dispensing machine if you head back there. These cute little goats love their treats!

southstorecafe_sign-web

Resources:
The Tualatin Riverkeepers website  www.tualatinriverkeepers.org is chalk full of information, including a down-loadable paddler’s map of the Lower Tualatin River with river access points, hazard zones, and estimated paddling times.

Canoe Rentals
The Tualatin Riverkeepers has limited canoes available for participants on their organized paddle trips. Check their website for further information, including  their guided trips and events schedule. Other local canoe rental sources include:

Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe 503-285-0464 *Easy Alert*: They offer family friendly paddle-away boat rentals right on the Tualatin River from their location in Browns Ferry Park during the summer months.

canoes_mungerfarm_tltnrivfrkeepers

Gerald’s Washington County Weekend

Posted on: June 25th, 2008 by Guest Blogger No Comments

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.