Northwest Thematic Waterfall Road Trip

The summer of 2016 was a hot summer and my family wanted to stay close to lakes and rivers. Our summer turned into a thematic waterfall adventure.  We discovered 5-6 waterfalls around the Inland Northwest.  Most of the waterfalls described below are accessible by car, except for Horseshoe Lake.  Horseshoe Lake is only accessible by boat. 

Horseshoe Lake: To access the water at horseshoe lake you will need a small boat. Most people use canoes, kayaks, and small fishing boats.  The lake sits approximately 30 miles north of Spokane, Washington.

This map contains many possible day trips for your family.

© 2016 E.B. Hoxie

Douglas Falls Grange State Park

 










Sweet Creek Falls, Pend Orielle County

Crystal Falls, Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge


© 2016 E.B. Hoxie



Myrtal Falls, Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge

Palouse Falls State Park

 
© 2016 E.B. Hoxie

Map

Keeping our Kids Out of the Winter Time Blues

Days are short and dark.  Our little kids feel as if their afternoon nap robs them from daylight playtime.  Preschool through sixth graders sometimes have indoor recess on sunny days.  The temperature needs to be high enough to eliminate the risk of frostbite.

I do not have all of the answers, but I am trying to make this January-February time full of wonder and fun. Exercise and food can make a big difference.  Our children lose focus in school when these two areas are lacking. 

Exercise:

• bike: make the garage a fun place to peddle.  
• keep taking walks in the snow. Getting outside in the winter is important.
• go to a local gym and just run.
• go to a kid exercise class.

Healthy Food Time: Many kids do not want to eat carrots, nuts, and other healthy food during lunch time.  I am trying to identify some creative times during the day to introduce foods with essential vitamins.

Snack time:  put out little bowls of food to snack on. Sometimes in different locations.

• carrots
• nuts
• fruit

Nap time: Kids are bored during this quiet time.  Hopefully they will snack on the following items to wind down.

• supply a little bowl.
• nuts
• soy nuts
• peanuts
• carrots
• broccoli
• red bell peppers
• onions
• corn
• eggplant
• Fruit
• prunes
• raisins
• blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, rasberries, and cranberries
• plums
• oranges
• red grapes
• cherries
• kiwi
• cup of milk or soy milk
• vitamin D-
• site 1