Hayden’s Spring Break Toddler Adventures
Before I have even opened my eyes most mornings, Hayden climbs on top of me bright-eyed and bushy-tailed demanding adventure.
“I hike in the woods!”
“Woodpecker – peck peck!”
“Deer poop!” (that’s my little tracker – loves searching for deer poop!)
And, the ones that warm my heart, “I paddle Double Joy?” or “I paddle little kayak?”
This past week being spring break, most tot classes and activities were cancelled and Brandon was in Florida visiting his Dad. It was a perfect excuse to plan some high adventures at some new places and some of our favorite stomping grounds!!!
Here are a few highlights every kid would LOVE to check-out!
First off the paddling…
We floated in my surfski at Marine Park and paddled my Pygmy Arctic Tern on Lake Whatcom. Hayden sits on my lap, holding my wing paddle, mesmerized. When he is ready to move on, he dips the paddle blades, left, then right, left, then right. When he actually wants to get somewhere, he lets me paddle.
We also took Hayden’s little kayak to Lake Padden. We looked at trees and branches along shore, fish under the surface, birds flying above us, and ducks and geese floating on the water.
Lots of hiking…
At Washington Park in Anacortes we hiked the headlands taking in views of the islands while enjoying all the spring flowers scattered along the bluffs. Then we stuck around to play at Washington Park’s waterfront playground, which tops the list as Hayden’s all-time favorite playground ever.
To top off our Anacortes adventure, we visited the summit of Mt Erie! The views are spectacular… and Hayden loves the rock hopping and hiking. Keep in mind….there are very exposed drop-offs! Watch those little ones like an eagle!
Padilla Bay…
I have been to Padilla Bay several times but had not yet brought Hayden. We started our day with a visit to the Interpretive Center. Then hiked the trails and checked out the view of the bay from the overlook. After refueling with a picnic at the waterfront park, we spent the next few hours looking under rocks along the beach.
A New Beach…
The GEM of the week, no doubt about it, was Point Whitehorn Marine Reserve. A ¾ mile hike through the forest leads to a beautiful rock and driftwood beach. It is like we had popped out of the forest and landed on the Olympic Peninsula. Hayden and his buddy Hans climbed driftwood logs for hours.
Two-wheeled Adventure…
A week wouldn’t be complete without at least one bike adventure. A minute from home there is a wonderful, flat gravel loop around Lake Louise in Sudden Valley. Although no adult bikes are allowed, it is perfect for tot scoot bikes and hiking and exploring.
Flowers, flowers everywhere…
Then, for something different, the Skagit County Tulip Festival is happening all month. We visited Schuh Farm, who had triplet baby lambs you could pet, chickens to feed and a playground amidst a pasture of cows and a friendly goat grazing by the slide. We also pet an alpaca at Country Time Alpaca Farm.
There are dozens of things to do at the Tulip Festival … I just chose a few I thought Hayden would like.
Our own back yard…
We have been ending most days with an after dinner walk in the woods. We go to Stimpson Family Nature Preserve, because we can walk from the house. But there are countless other parks to choose from in the area! Once we have the climbing, jumping, and running out of our system, we walk quietly, listening for deer and woodpeckers, feel the moss on the trees, pick-up pinecones, and look at little bugs.
Yesterday we spotted an owl perched high in a tree. The day before we followed the loud pecking of a pileated woodpecker until we found him busy at work on a tree less than 10 feet from where we were standing.
There is a world of adventure out there for toddlers! Have fun and keep charging life!
Heather, Brandon and Hayden