Archive for the ‘Water Fun’ Category
August 10th, 2010 by Sylke Neal-Finnegan
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.
Tags: Canoeing, fishing, kayaking, paddle trip, Tualatin Oregon, Tualatin River, Tualatin Riverkeepers
Posted in Nature, Water Fun | No Comments »
July 22nd, 2010 by Sylke Neal-Finnegan
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
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.
Tags: Forest Grove, Gaston, Hagg Lake, Willamette Valley
Posted in Family Fun, WCVA News, Water Fun, Wineries | 2 Comments »
September 23rd, 2009 by Angie Marsh
Get out and enjoy unique events this weekend!
SATURDAY, Sept. 26:
Medieval Market Day
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
Join 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:
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 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.
Tags: beaverton, Beaverton farmers market, live music, mcmenamins, Tualatin, Tualatin Riverkeepers, uwajimaya, washington county oregon
Posted in Arts & Culture, Events, Family Fun, Nature, Water Fun | No Comments »
July 24th, 2009 by Allison George
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.
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'.
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!
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.
Tags: Canoeing, Tualatin River, Tualatin Riverkeepers, vounteering
Posted in Events, Family Fun, Nature, Seasonal Fun, Water Fun | 3 Comments »
June 25th, 2008 by Rhiannon
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.
Posted in Seasonal Fun, Water Fun | No Comments »
June 13th, 2008 by Rhiannon
We start off our day with our complimentary deluxe full breakfast in Hayden’s Lakefront Grill, there is nothing better than enjoying the early morning sun lakeside with a yummy warm breakfast. After breakfast we pack up and head out to Meyer Airpark for a Pacific Peaks hot air balloon adventure. We signed up for the family fun package, which means we will be cruising the sky’s over Washington county on the most beautiful clear day imagined. The kids get a cool flight certificate and photo souvenir, and we all toast together with our post flight celebration beverages! The kids’ stomachs are starting to grumble and whining has commenced so it is a dash to some good grub. We stop at McMenamins Cedar Hills and the kids pick from some great choices off the kids menu and I grab a tasty, yet hearty salad. After our fantastic morning it is warming up and the kids are getting restless so we head to the Somerset Swim Center for an afternoon swim in the open session offered. The kids are able to swim around, play with the water cannon and cool off, while I lay out and get some much needed sun from the long increasingly white skinned winter. From there it is time to head home, it is so sad that our fun weekend cruised by so fast….let the countdown begin only five more days until the next Washington County Weekend!
Posted in Food & Drink, Seasonal Fun, Water Fun | No Comments »