Category: Swim

Ten Things to Do With Kids at Olympic National Park

Ten Things to Do With Kids at Olympic National Park
Here’s our Top Ten Things to Do with Kids at Olympic National Park! Before you visit the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state, you should know that Olympic National Park is big.

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Sequoia National Park Then and Now

In 1920, the National Park to Park Highway inaugural tour visited Sequoia National Park to see the largest trees in the world. Their tour brought them through Visalia in late October and unfortunately was cut short due to an unexpected snow storm. Still, their experience at Sequoia National Park has some similarities to what we experienced at this historic place.

 

National Park to Park Highway tour on Auto Log, 1920
Logging
Giant sequoia trees take thousands of years to grow. I have little doubt that if early national park advocates hadn’t acted to save the giant sequoia trees they would’ve been cut down and used for boring things like houses and firewood. Thanks to the foresight of previous generations, I get to see these beautiful wonders. 

More than in any other National Park, I felt a gratitude to people who came before me. I’m proud that at some point in our American history we made the good decision to protect these amazing natural wonders. Being in the giant forest reminded me that humans are just a small part of the natural world, even though our impact can be massive.
 
Auto Log
Why is driving through/on a tree so fun? In the 1920 National Park to Park Highway tour, the drivers parked on Auto Log for the iconic photo seen above. The massive Sequoia Log doesn’t allow cars on it anymore thanks to a car partially falling through on a rotten spot in the 1930s, but I still stopped to check it out. We loved Tunnel Log, the only tree you can drive through in Sequoia National Park. The Ultimate Adventure Vehiclebarely fit – the life jackets scraped through on the top.

Crystal Cave
The 1920 National Park to Park Highwaytour had planned a trip to Crystal Cave but was forced to change plans when an early snowstorm rolled in. We got to visit this unique subterranean space and really enjoyed it. The formations are truly impressive, some still shiny with the crystals that gave the cave its name. Some parts of the tour had tight spaces (nothing like at Mesa Verde) so baby carriers weren’t allowed, but Baby L did great in my arms.

Swimming

Our favorite part of Sequoia National Park was swimming in Crystal Creek. I doubt the 1920s National Park to Park Highway group even considered this as an option since they visited in October. For us it was the highlight of the trip, even though it was a bushwhacked scramble to get there. The natural water slide empties into a clear cold pool. The creek flows over granite, tall trees grow all around and in the summer it’s a beautiful place to play.

Roughing it

Another similarity between the 1920s National Park to Park Highway tour and our stay at Sequoia National Park was the accommodations. The drivers on the inaugural trip mostly stayed in hotels and stopped in towns along the route, but here in Sequoia, the lodge was closed for the season so superintendent John R White gathered mattresses and blankets for the party to sleep on the floor. Our whole trip we’ve been sleeping on camp mats, so I can definitely relate.
General Sherman
Of course we hiked the General Sherman Trail to see the largest tree in the world. That’s the main attraction at Sequoia, and it’s definitely not to be missed. The General Sherman trail connects to several other hiking trails in the area. I was worried about crowds around the General Sherman tree, but the trails nearby circle other great trees so it seemed like the crowds were able to meander without becoming too thick. I loved that we each got to experience the peaceful forest together.

Me walking on Auto Log
Can You Feel It?
Visiting Sequoia National Park meant feeling awed walking under the largest trees in the world. Looking up takes on a new meaning when the trees seem to go on forever. Sequoia National Park was a special place back when the 1920 National Park to Park Highway tour visited and it’s a special place today. I’m glad I got a chance to experience it with my entire Mountain Family. People coming together for a cause can do great things. 

Go Jump in a Lake!

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If Mountain Dad had an outdoor super power it would be finding swimming holes in whatever place we go. Back on our practice trip to Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks we beat the heat by splashing in the Virgin River and exploring behind the waterfall at Mossy Cave. In Yellowstone we swam in the boiling river near Mammoth, the Firehole River swim area and found a secret spot just down river from Ojo Caliente hot spring.

Water is a main attraction on this National Park to Park Highway trip. For that reason I was glad when Safe Spash swim school approached me to review their program a month before we left. Big E and Little G have taken swim lessons before, but Safe Splash’s program is a little different. Instead of a two week intensive swim camp where your kid may or may not advance to the next level, SafeSplash offers weekly classes a lot like piano lessons. Kids go once a week and move up in levels once they’ve accomplished all the skills.

When walking into the swim lessons for the fist time Big E and Little g started complaining. “Why do we have to take swimming lessons?”

I immediately replied, “It’s a life skill.” Swimming is one of the five areas in which I choose to be a pusher parent. It’s a good skill for life, and given Mountain Dad’s love of wild swimming holes, one we will use a lot in our outdoor adventures.
I had to smile when we walked into the 24 Hour Fitness Center and saw the Safe Splash poster that said the exact same thing. See, I’m not the only one. Safe Splash gets it.

What I liked about the Safe Splash program were the small class sizes. No more than four students are allowed at once so that the teacher can give individual attention to each one. I especially liked that for Little G. At only four and a half she still is not trustworthy around water, we always have her in a life jacket at lakes or rivers. She had a watchful teacher that helped her learn to back float on her own, even though it was scary.

Safe Splash is serious about safety, with a deck supervisor on hand to act as a lifeguard and swim teacher assistant. I liked knowing someone else was watching out for my kids.

I thought the $65 per month price tag (less with each additional child) was a bit steep compared to the local rec center lessons we had last year, but the quality of instruction was good. I also would’ve preferred to schedule the lessons online instead of having a Safe Splash employee call to coordinate with my schedule. With that said, they were very adaptable especially when we had to schedule around our practice National Parkto Park Highway trip.

I’ve appreciated their swimming skills on this trip and thanks to one of our trip sponsors I’ve been able to record everything they’re doing. Intova sent me their entry level waterproof camera and I’ve enjoyed putting it to use.

The small Intova Duo Waterproof Camera fits inside a waterproof case that fastens with a wrist strap for gnarly adventures. The big buttons on the top are easy for even kids to use and the quality of the photos are decent. Plus the price can’t be beat – less than $40.

What I don’t like is that you have to open the waterproof case to change from photo to video mode. It’d be super easy to drop that tiny camera in the water while you’re switching modes. Also, there’s no zoom option so you have to move closer or farther from what you’re shooting – not always easily done while splashing in a river or lake.
Because of the big easy-to-use buttons on the Intova Duo Waterproof Camera, on our Zion trip I took thirty minutes of video of the inside of my pocket and had a dead battery when we got to the secret swimming hole we hiked to. That wouldn’t be a big deal except that the charge cord is Mini USB not Micro USB like the rest of the universe. I had to wait until home before I could charge it again.
Overall I’m grateful to have a waterproof camera, but with my smart phone being water resistant it’s not essential.

Water splashing, swimming, exploring is a big part of summer. With an ocean stop scheduled on this trip, I look forward to swimming with my tots in the water and I’m glad we can capture each moment.

Intova is a National Park to Park Highway tour sponsor. Click here to view all of our sponsors.

Babiators Submariners Review Plus 20% Off Coupon Code

This post is part of a series of weekly gear reviews. And this one has a coupon code for 20% off! Check back most Wednesdays for reviews of cool gear for outdoor families.

During swim lessons earlier this year Big E was a champ. He jumped in when asked, followed the teachers’ directions and learned new skills.
His younger sister, on the other hand, was the problem child of her group. Little G did not want to get her face wet, spent several class times ignoring anything the teacher asked and often sat on the edge of the pool asking for mom. I attribute part of this reaction to the fact that she was only three, but another part is the lack of good gear.
Swimming requires very little – a good suit, access to water and a good pair of goggles. Mountain Dad knows this first hand from his years on the high school swim team. I have never had much luck with goggles. Usually I end up with elastic indents on my face, water in my eyes and general frustration.

It’s even worse with kids. Whenever we swim, if goggles are in the equation, I spend a lot of time adjusting, repositioning, tightening or loosening straps for my tots and usually they just take them off anyway.
So when Babiators offered to send me some of their Submariners swim goggles to try out I jumped at the chance. I’m a big believer in the power of design and these goggles are designed with a kid in mind. The eye piece is one solid section with a generous gasket around the edge to keep the water out. No more worrying about getting each eye to seal. Having it all one piece means it’s easy for kids to put on themselves.
The straps are adjustable by a simple button on each side that easily locks into place when needed. And although they look a little like snorkeling goggles the lack of a nose cover is great for helping kids learn how to manage their breath while swimming. 
What my kids really liked were the cool submarines the goggles came in. They double as pool toys (we also play with them in the bath) but I wish there were some color on the case. We lost the front of one submarine and I can tell you it’s not fun searching the entire pool for a see through toy. 

The cost of $35.00 seems steep for a pair of kids goggles, especially with how often things get lost or broken in our house. This is where Babiators is genius. Their Lost and Found Guarantee means that if you lose or break your Babiators within one year of purchase they will replace them for free! Seriously genius.

Pros:
  • Easily adjustable
  • Kids can put on themselves
  • Solid eye piece 
  • Generous gasket around the eye piece prevents leaking
  • Cool submarine case that doubles as pool toy
  • Lost and Found Guarantee
Cons:
  • Clear submarine toy case is easily lost underwater
  • Price – $35.00 
With cold weather all around heading to the community pool is a great way to be active with kids in the winter. It’s fun for everyone, even Baby L enjoyed it. Kinda.

After trying out these goggles I once again realize that it’s worth it to have good gear, even for kids. These goggles were so much better than other kids goggles I’ve tried. They were designed for kids, not just adapted from the adult design. That makes them worth it in my book.

You can get 20% off your own pair of Babiators Submariners. Just use the code MountainMom20Off when you check out here. It’s good through December 23, 2015!