Destination: Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge

There is a natural treasure tucked into the landscape of Silicon Valley.  In the shadow of Levi's Stadium and the NASA Ames hangers, lies the country's first urban national wildlife refuge.  The Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge is a great stop for families interested in the flora and fauna of the San Francisco Bay.

Photo Credit: Jeffrey Yung

There are two ways to access the NWR.  If you are coming up from the South Bay, you can start at the Environmental Education Center, in Alviso.  From the East Bay, you can start from the Visitor Center in Fremont.  The two areas of the refuge do not currently connect via any trail, but from new trail construction, it looks like that is the future plan.

The extensive trail network was what drew us to the refuge on a beautiful spring morning.  We started our visit from the Alviso side, at the Environmental Education Center.  We were traveling by bike, with kid trailers in tow, so we were quite surprised to find that all of the bike-accessible trails are actually dirt.  However, they were wide and flat so we fared well.  If you plan to travel around the refuge by bicycle, I recommend a mountain or trail bike, a true road bike might not fare too well.  It is also important to check the weather - the trails are impassable in wet conditions.  We did a long loop around the Mallard Slough Trail and the Alviso Slough Trail.  Here were our highlights:

• Views of Levi's Stadium and NASA Ames hangers
• Wildlife sightings including Canada geese, mallard ducks, and black-necked stilts
• Wildflowers in bloom along the levees 

Our kid-passengers were also very excited to see the Amtrak train roll by us on the trail - TWICE!  Lil' H told me to "catch the train" so she could wave at the "captain."

Photo Credit: Ambarish Goswami

On our next visit, I plan to explore on foot/stroller.  I would start at the parking lot just outside the Refuge gate, and walk up the Marsh View Trail to the Environmental Education Center.  From there, you can wander through the Butterfly Garden, or visit the Center.  The Center is open seven days a week, excluding federal holidays.  Then take the New Chicago Marsh Trail for a kid-friendly half-mile walk.  The Trail is mostly wooden boardwalks over the marsh and there is plenty of educational signage to help identify the flora and fauna.

We plan to do a visit to the Fremont side in the near future as well.  In fact, I look forward to many visits in the future!

Please note that pets are not allowed in any part of the refuge.  Even though it is nice to walk with our animals, they scare off the birds in their natural habitat so please leave them at home on your next visit to Don Edwards.

Everybody's Free ... To Wear Sunscreen

The 90's taught us all one important thing - wear sunscreen (thank you Baz Luhrmann).  With so many options on the market, how do we know what is best for us and our kids?  Here are some tips.

Avoid Aerosol/Spray Sunscreens

In 2013, the FDA officially warned that some aerosol sunscreens are flammable and can cause serious injury.  They are also very ineffective - we tend to miss large areas of skin when we use spray-on sunscreens.

As an aquatics director, I have really come to despise aerosol sunscreens over the years.  Parents tend to think that "spray on" means that you don't have to rub it in at all (which is how large sections get missed).  They spray their kids, don't rub it in, and let their kids jump in the pool.  Without time to absorb into the skin, the chemicals bond with hypoclorous acid (used to disinfect pools) and form a smelly gas that hovers just above the surface of the water.  This gas bonds to the skin of all swimmers and causes eye, skin, and lung irritation for anyone breathing it.

So the next time you leave a pool with scratchy eyes and smelling like "pool", blame spray-on sunscreen!

Chemical vs. Physical Sunscreen

There are two main types of sunscreen.

• Chemical Sunscreens (oxybenzone, avobenzone, octinoxate, etc.) absorb the sun's rays.  They offer more coverage against UVA and UVB rays, but can sometimes cause skin irritation.  It is important to wait 20 minutes after applying the sunscreen before sun exposure for maximum protection.

• Physical Sunscreens (titanium dioxide, zinc oxide) work by deflecting the sun's rays from your skin.  It is effective immediately after application, but it is generally thick and harder to rub in.  It also needs to be reapplied more frequently.

Understanding SPF

SPF, or sun protection factor, indicates a sunscreen's effectiveness at preventing sunburn.  Although widely misunderstood, it's actually a simple formula.  You take your natural skin protection (low for individuals with light skin, higher for individuals with darker skin) and multiply it by the sunscreen's SPF and you get your total period of protection before you need to reapply.

Lil' H inherited my fair skin, so let's say her natural skin protection is 10 minutes.  If I use SPF 15 sunscreen on her, her period of protection is 150 minutes (this would be shortened if she was swimming).

It's not necessary to spend extra money on sunscreens with an SPF higher than 30.  SPF 30 is rated to block 97% of UVA/UVB rays, while 50+ (the FDA maximum) is only rated to block 98%.  Additionally, new research shows that too much SPF interferes with the body's ability to convert Vitamin D into calcium for bone growth and development.

Protecting Itty Bitty Baby Skin

For kiddos under six months old, it is best to skip the chemicals in sunscreens.  Use blankets, long-sleeves, hats, etc. to minimize sun exposure.

For kids over six months, it is still a good idea to limit sun exposure but if you do use sunscreen, stick to physical sunscreens instead of chemical.  The main ingredient (usually zinc oxide) is the same as diaper cream, so you know it's safe!

A lot of parents like the Badger Baby Sunscreen, but personally, I find it VERY difficult to rub in and it has a funny smell.



I prefer the Babyganics Mineral-Based Baby Sunsceren.  It has a light, fresh, smell and it is easy to apply.

Gear Review: SylvanSport GO - Coolest. Camper. Ever.

The GO Trailer at Uvas Canyon County Park

I never thought we'd own a recreational vehicle.  We always judged people at campgrounds with their RV's, and their electrical hookups, and their satellite dishes... we called it "Kamping" (and don't even get me started on this new trend of glamping... sheesh!).  But with a kid in the picture, we were looking for an option that made a quick weekend camping trip doable.  We also needed something that could hold all our gear for our triathlons.  We also needed something that we could tow for road trips.  The "Must Have" list was getting long, would we ever find the perfect thing?

After some searching, we found something that fit the bill and now we are proud owners of the coolest toy.  No, really! National Geographic Adventure called it the "Coolest. Camper. Ever." And I can attest, it's true!

The GO Trailer in towing mode

The GO trailer by SylvanSport is a very unique product.  It's an ultra-light, extremely versatile trailer designed by outdoorsy people for outdoorsy people.  It can be used to haul bikes, ATVs, boats, gear, refrigerators, IKEA flat-packs... you get the idea!  But see that cool grey box on top?  That becomes a house on wheels for camping.  It has multiple interior configurations, and depending on how you set up, it can sleep 1-5 adults easily.

Mr. H opening up the tent cabin on the GO trailer

Our first trip with the GO was a total success.  On our first attempt, we were able to set up the tent cabin in less than 15 minutes.  It was great to have so much space to move around in the tent.  Lil' H loved it so much that she BAWLED when we took it down at the end of our camping trip.  All of us are looking forward to taking to GO on more adventures soon!

 If you have any questions about the GO, or want to see it in person, please let us know!

(Disclaimer: I am a GoGetter for Sylvan Sport, a group of happy owners who share their love for their GO trailers and advertise for the company.  However, I was not paid for this review and my opinions are my own.)

Furry Children: Hiking With Dogs In California

In November 2013, we were driving back from a vacation in San Simeon (more on nature experiences there in a future post!), and we decided to take the long route home.  We love the curvy roads of Highway 1 as they hug the rugged coastline of California.

Four hours was too long in the car for us, Lil' H, and our furry child - Toby, so we decided we'd stop at one of the famed California State Parks in Bug Sur along the way to stretch our legs and take a hike.

Our first stop was Limekiln State Park.  Limekiln has a well-deserved reputation for breath-taking views of the Big Sur coast, towering Redwoods, and the four enormous kilns that give the park its name.  We pulled in, paid for a day pass, then noticed the sign that every dog owner dreads:

The woman at the gate kindly gave us our money back and we continued up the road to Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.  This time we asked at the gate before paying - are dogs allowed on trails?  The answer was, sadly, no.  Moving north along Highway 1, we got the same answer at Andrew Molera State Park as well.  

A helpful ranger explained to us that at Andrew Molera, like most California State Parks, dogs are allowed in campgrounds and on roads, but not on trails.  He was kind enough to point out that we could back track just a few miles down the road to the Pine Ridge Trailhead at Big Sur Station to access the Ventana Wilderness trail network.  The Ventana Wildnerness is managed by the United States Forest Service so their policies are different.  Dogs had to be on leash but were allowed on trails.  

Hiking in the Ventana Wilderness, dogs welcome!

We were glad to finally have an option to stretch our legs, and we learned some important information.  California State Parks has more information about visiting parks with your dog on their website.  It's always a good idea to call whatever campground, park, or even hotel, your are visiting with your dog to be clear on their policies.  

US Forest Service wilderness areas, forests, and campgrounds usually have more flexible dog policies, so aim for those properties when traveling with your dog.  Also, local governments have their own policies, so do your research before planning a trip to county parks, city parks, national wildlife refuges, open spaces, and national parks as they all have their own rules and policies.

Also, please remember that it is NEVER a good idea to leave a dog locked in a car when you want to go somewhere that dogs are not allowed.  The American Veterinary Medical Association has a helpful chart to help you see how warm it can really get inside your car, even in just a few minutes.  

What are your favorite trails and campgrounds that are dog friendly?

Campground Review: Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Big Basin Redwoods, located in the Santa Cruz mountains, is California's oldest state park.  One quick look around and you can see why lawmakers were quick to designate and protect this area in 1902.  The park is filled with beautiful redwoods, a plethora of wildlife, and over 80 miles of trails.

Hiking on the Redwood Loop Trail

While Big Basin is definitely worth a visit, it's not among our favorites.  The park is so large and spread out that you actually have to get in to your car to drive to the Visitor Center, General Store, or Nature Museum, or to the other trailheads and campgrounds.  You could walk or ride bikes, but the highway runs through the center of the park so there is a lot of traffic in the busy summer months.

The Redwood Loop Trail, which starts just across from the Visitor Center, is beautiful and the landmarks are well labeled.  The trail is smooth and wide and although it's only a half-mile, you'll want to budget at least 45 minutes to take pictures and let your little ones take it all in.  Dogs aren't allowed on the Redwood Loop Trail, or any other trails in the park, but they are allowed on the North Escape Road which is a combination hard-packed dirt and asphalt access road heading north through some of the picnic sites along Opal Creek.

Toby and Lil' H can't wait to get up and go hiking, unfortunately dogs aren't allowed on trails in most California State Parks

We visited the park in July 2014, when Lil' H was 20 months old.  The park was busy and crowded, even though we were there during the week (we couldn't get weekend reservations, everything was reserved).  We stayed in the Blooms Creek Campground, and we had enough room in our campsite to set up one large tent and a small pop-up trailer.  (Note: If you are driving to Big Basin Redwoods SP with a trailer, following Driving Route #1 through Boulder Creek, it's the least windy)

Lil' H enjoys her first S'more at Blooms Creek Campground

The Blooms Creek, Huckleberry, and Sempervirens Campgrounds all have potable water, restrooms, and showers (pay-showers only).  The Wastahi and Jay Campgrounds are for through-hikers (backpackers) only.  Fires are only allowed in the metal rings at the campsites, and you can purchase firewood from the general store if you don't bring your own.  Camping is available year-round, but not at all of the campgrounds.  Reservations are available online, and be sure to make reservations well in advance if you plan to camp at Big Basin Redwoods on a summer weekend!

Overall Impression:
This campground is best for families who have flexibility to camp mid-week but who don't want to travel far from home and want access to a lot of amenities.

Pros:
Short distance from Bay Area
Variety of camping options, including primitive campsites, group sites, and tent cabins
General Store and Gift Shop on site
Nature Museum and Ranger-led hikes and activities
Redwoods, everyone loves redwoods!

Cons: 
Windy roads to the park aren't recommended for camper trailers or carsick kids
Rustic/dated bathrooms and pay-showers only ($0.25 for 2 minutes)
Weekend reservations are difficult in the busy summer months, try for weekdays for more availability.
No hook-ups for RVs
Dogs not allowed on trails (true for most California State Parks)

If you have any other questions about this campground, or any others, let us know!

Camping 101: Where Do I Start?

If you've never been camping before, or you haven't been since your days as a happy camper at 'Camp Wannahockaloogie', it can be intimidating to put together a camping trip.  Here are some tips for pulling of a successful camping trip for your family!

1. Go with friends!  Specifically, go with friends who have been camping and can help you.  There are a lot of advantages to going camping with friends.  You can split up meal planning responsibilities.  You can bond around the campfire together.  And best off all, you can share gear!

2. Try before you buy!  If you've never been camping, and you're not sure you're going to like it, don't invest in a lot of expensive gear.  Instead, borrow gear from friends or rent it from local gear shops.  If you end up loving camping, you'll already have a good idea of what type of gear you like and don't like.  When you are ready to invest, check out geartrade.com for great deals on outdoor clothing and equipment.

3. Keep it simple!  Maybe a nine-day backpacking trip over the Sierra Nevada's isn't the best place to start (although that was Mrs. H's first outdoorsy experience, and she was hooked!).  Instead, start with a one- or two-night camping trip at a campground that's close to home (in case you need to bail).  Go during warm weather so you don't need any special gear.  Keep meal time easy by bringing pre-packaged food like mac n' cheese, granola bars, and instant oatmeal.

4. What do I really need?  Surprisingly, not much.  Sure, there are families like us who devote half of their living space to gear storage, but you don't have to be a zealot about it!

• Somewhere to sleep: An RV, a trailer, a pop-up camper, a tent, or a hammock between two trees all work great
• Something to sleep on: Your rv/camper might have beds, or yu could use a blow-up mattress, a Thermarest, or even an inflatable pool raft
• Something to sleep in: If you are sleeping on a mattress, just bring sheets and blankets from home.  If you are going for the full camping experience, use a sleeping bag.
• Something to eat: Don't worry about a gourmet dining experience.  Just stick to pre-packaged foods in the beginning, you can graduate to gourmet dutch oven dinners over a campfire when you get more experience under your belt!  You might need to bring water for drinking and cooking, check your campground ahead of time to see if there is water available.  Don't forget graham crackers, Hershey bars, and marshmallows - what is camping without s'mores?
• Some safety essentials:  Even if the weather is gorgeous during the day, it's sure to turn colder at night so always pack a warm layer for every member of your group.  Also, make sure to bring a flashlight, headlamp, or lantern as well as a simple first aid kit.

We'll get into more specifics in future posts about campfire cooking, gear tips, and packing lists.  If you have specific questions, let us know!

Campground Review: Uvas Canyon County Park

This winter has been warm and dry so far.  Not great for our drought conditions, but great for winter camping!  When we lived on the east coast, I never wanted to go outside in winter, let alone camp.  I remember one snowy camping trip in West Virginia in October. I was pretty mad at Mr. H for that one.  But winter camping in the Bay Area of California is considerably more comfortable, even with kids!  We decided to take advantage of the nice weather and spend a night in the great outdoors.  We wanted to keep it easy - something near by.  SV Toddler was raving about Uvas Canyon County Park on her blog recently, so we were excited to see that there was a campground there as well.

Hiking the Waterfall Loop Trail

Uvas Canyon is definitely a hidden-gem.  Tucked a few miles off main roads in a canyon south of San Jose, the park features hiking trails, campsites, and beautiful waterfalls.

While we were there we did the Waterfall Loop Trail, an easy 1-mile trek with beautiful scenery.  We also completed the Knibb's Knob trail, even though the map warned us that the trail was "STEEP".  They were not kidding!  The trail goes strait up and down on a dusty, exposed fire-road.  I wouldn't recommend it for families. It was a pain hiking downhill with Lil' H in the pack, very hard on the knees!

Don't let the picture fool you, the Knibb's Knob trail was VERY steep!

The campground itself is rustic - there are no hookups for RVs.  However the sites are spacious and the bathrooms and showers are the cleanest I have ever seen at a campground.  If you do have a trailer or pop-up camper, aim for sites 19-22.  The rest of the sites are best for tents only.  All of the sites have a fire-ring and firewood is available for $7.60 per box from the rangers.  EDITED to add: There are several water spigots with potable water throughout the campsite, so you don't need to worry about bringing your own water.

Lil' H's favorite part of this campground was the rock retaining wall near our campsite.  She threw on her rain boots (which she called rock-climbing shoes) and climbed up the wall over and over and over.  The paths nearby were nice and smooth so definitely bring a bicycle to keep your kids entertained in camp!

Overall, I'd say this is an ideal campground for first-time campers in the Bay Area.  It's close enough to home that if anything goes wrong, you can be home in a few minutes.  But with so many great trails and things to do, who would want to go home?

Pros: Uvas Canyon is only a 45-minute drive from Silicon Valley.  The campsites and amenities (clean bathrooms and showers, fire ring in every camp site) are a great value for the price - only $12 per night!  Availability depends on the season - book a site in winter, spring, or fall to avoid the summer rush.  This place is beautiful year round.

Cons: It is a rustic campground with no hookups available.  Because the park is in a canyon, daylight hours are truncated, however this would be a Pro in the warm summer months.  The campground would stay shady most of the day.

Have specific questions about Uvas Canyon?  Let us know!