For families looking for a budget-friendly Tofino excursion or are simply low on time, Remote Passages offers a 1.5 hour round-trip Vancouver Island hiking adventure of Big Tree Trail on nearby Meares Island. Hiking in Tofino: Located just a few fun Zodiac boat turns from the Remote Passages boat dock, Meares Island is uninhabited and protected by a local First Nations land conservation … [Read more...]
Tofino whale watching with Remote Passages
August 20, 2012 By
I'd heard the West Coast of Vancouver Island called the Galapagos of the Northwest, and never is that more apparent than while on the water, whether families are exploring tide pools, kayaking, or in this case, on the open ocean on a Remote Passages whale watch in Tofino BC. Tofino whale watching: Our Tofino whale watch with Remote Passages just may have been the crown jewel on the treasure … [Read more...]
Kayaking the Vancouver Island west coast with Majestic Ocean Kayaking
August 17, 2012 By
Families don't have to venture far into the Pacific or spend a whole day (and a whole lotta cash) seeing nature up close on a Vancouver Island west coast kayaking tour. When we joined Majestic Ocean Kayaking on their half-day harbor tour, we hadn't even pushed off from the boat dock before Calvin spotted a massive sea star glowing purple and pink under the shallow water. "What, that little thing?" … [Read more...]
Top 10 family hiking trails in Utah
August 2, 2012 By
It's difficult to select only ten great family hiking trails in Utah, but the trails in Utah's national parks are especially good places for families to explore the natural wonders of the world together. These are my family's favorite trails from each of Utah's national parks. I use two criteria for determining whether a hike is family-friendly. First, the hike must be easy enough for a … [Read more...]
How to plan a multi-day backpacking trip with kids
July 28, 2012 By
Yes, kids can backpack! And yes, it's a bit more work than traditional tent or RV camping with kids, but twice as rewarding. We've backpacked annually with our kids since Nate (now age 13) was 13 months old, and while older kids make for the best backpackers, even backpacking with babies and toddlers is possible. To ensure a successful backpacking trip with kids, most of the work will take place … [Read more...]
Exploring Vancouver B.C.: Sewell’s Sea Safari
June 26, 2011 By
Ready for a wet and wild way to spend a day in Vancouver, B.C.? Sea Safari tours of the beautiful Howe Sound and adjacent fjords are conducted by Sewell's Marina, located right on the water west of the city. A full service operation, visitors can rent various sized boats to tour the bay on their own, join charter fishing trips, or sign up for the wildly popular (and with good reason) Sea Safari. … [Read more...]
Exploring Vancouver B.C.: Capilano Suspension Bridge
June 23, 2011 By
Only ten minutes outside of the city center, Vancouver offers family-friendly outdoor attractions kids will go crazy for in Capilano and Grouse Mountain. The first stop (and an easy free shuttle ride from Canada Place), is Capilano Suspension Bridge, an engineering marvel stretched 450 feet across a high river gorge in thanks to nineteenth century Vancouver settler and builder George Grant Mackay. … [Read more...]
Home (Away) for the Holidays: HeliTahoe Helicopter Tours
January 10, 2011 By
If you're looking for a truly unique experience during your winter family vacation in the South Lake Tahoe area, book a helicopter tour with Tahoe's only helicopter sightseeing operation, HeliTahoe! With tour prices starting at just $70 per person, this breathtaking tour of the lake is no more extravagant than a day of skiing or afternoon of snowmobiling, and it's a treat no one will … [Read more...]
Home (Away) for the Holidays: Zephyr Cove Resort Snowmobiling
January 3, 2011 By
During our week-long stay in our HomeAway vacation home in South Lake Tahoe, we were only minutes away from skiing, snow play, and other area attractions. On Christmas Eve, we took the opportunity to try a snowmobiling tour with Zephyr Cove Resort, located just past the Nevada border on Tahoe's South Shore. Our tour was scheduled for 2 pm (they offer 10 am, 12 pm, and 2 pm tours daily during … [Read more...]
A Pit Stop a Day (Day 18): Zion National Park’s The Narrows
July 14, 2010 By
On Day 18, we woke up in Cliffrose Lodge and Gardens with a full day of exploring in Zion National Park ahead of us. Our primary destination was Zion's 'Narrows', a hike up the Virgin River deep into the canyon. (Zion has many great hikes for families.) We walked the few yards from Cliffrose to the park entrance and visitor's center, where we paid our $25 park entrance fee (good for seven days) … [Read more...]
