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Camassia Nature Preserve: Wildflowers & Family-friendly Hiking

May 15 By Renée 3 Comments

The Camassia Nature Preserve is a 26-acre natural area known for its beautiful wildflowers, abundant wildlife, and easy, family-friendly trails. [West Linn, Oregon]

Short, easy, family-friendly wildflower hike - Camassia Nature Preserve {West Linn, Oregon} | The Good Hearted Woman

This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.

For a few brief weeks every spring, wildflower fields along the Columbia River burst forth in a rhapsody of blue.

It is Camas Season.

Though it closely resembles a lily, the Camas plant (“Camassia quamash”) is actually a member of the asparagus family. It was unknown to science before Lewis and Clark made their Voyage of Discovery. The flowers grow in clearings along the Columbia River, and were once so abundant in the Pacific Northwest that that non-indigenous travelers would mistake the blue covered fields for distant lakes.

The quamash is now in blume and from the colour of its bloom at a short distance it resembles lakes of fine clear water, so complete is this deseption that on first sight I could I could have sworn it was water.

~ Meriwether Lewis, Personal Journal, 1806

Short, easy, family-friendly wildflower hike - Camassia Nature Preserve {West Linn, Oregon} | The Good Hearted Woman

It’s becoming more difficult to find those wide blue meadows in these modern times. Many are secreted away in elusive alpine meadows along the Columbia River Gorge, and you must do the work to find them. (And by work, I mean Hike, with a capital H, as in up-Hill.) 

There is, however, at least one place you can go to easily experience the camas lilies in bloom, along with a host of other wildflowers, native plants, and animals – at the Camassia Nature Preserve in West Linn, Oregon.

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The Camassia Nature Preserve is a 26-acre natural area owned and maintained by the Nature Conservancy. The nature area is renown for its beautiful wildflowers, abundant wildlife, and easy, family-friendly trails.

Named for the common blue camas that blanket its meadows each spring, the preserve holds something for visitors to experience year-round.

DID YOU KNOW? Camas was an important food source for the indigenousness peoples of Northwest. Bulbs could be fire-roasted and provided a nutritious, sweet-tasting, high-protein staple.  

Short, easy, family-friendly wildflower hike - Camassia Nature Preserve {West Linn, Oregon} | The Good Hearted Woman

The rocky plateau upon which the nature area sits was originally formed by ice-age, glacier-fueled floods. It now provides a habitat for more than three-hundred plants, and is home to a myriad of meadow, tree, and pond dwellers as well; including deer, raccoons, skunks, hummingbirds, wood ducks, raptors, newts, osprey, salamanders, and a choir of songbirds.

I managed to get a super-short clip of a little red-headed woodpecker in action. ⬇️ (You’ll see him right under the arrow is when you hit Start.)

https://thegoodheartedwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/20190505_130006.mp4

The 1 1/2 mile loop trail is well-maintained and family-friendly. Most of the trail is covered with bark chips, and some potentially muddy stretches are also lined with a composite boardwalk. Hikers are asked to stay on the trails to protect and preserve the wildlife.

If you are planning to hike the park with little ones, be aware that there are a couple of places where you are going to want to be extra vigilant, particularly on the short stretch of the trail that overlooks the river: there is a wide berth between the edge and the trail, but there are no guard rails. Also, while we’re discussing cautions, be sure to watch out for poison oak at the trail edges. We didn’t see any on our visit, but there are warnings about it all over the preserve.

Short, easy, family-friendly wildflower hike - Camassia Nature Preserve {West Linn, Oregon} | The Good Hearted Woman

When we visited, we saw hikers as young as two and as old as eighty. Despite the warning about the “big hill up ahead!” that we received form one particularly helpful five-year old as we passed her on the trail, there were only a few very slight uphill climbs, but nothing remotely demanding. (Note that while the hike rates an “Easy” in my book, the trail is not wheelchair accessible.)

The park os located directly across the Willamette River from downtown Oregon City, behind West Linn High School. The Conservancy partners with high school ecology students, who use the nature area as an outdoor classroom and help keep it litter-free.

Short, easy, family-friendly wildflower hike - Camassia Nature Preserve {West Linn, Oregon} | The Good Hearted Woman

More family-friendly hikes can be found on our Pacific NW Hikes page. (Always check trail conditions before going out in the PNW. Things change quickly sometimes.)

Short, easy, family-friendly wildflower hike - Camassia Nature Preserve {West Linn, Oregon} | The Good Hearted Woman

Short, easy, family-friendly wildflower hike - Camassia Nature Preserve {West Linn, Oregon} | The Good Hearted Woman

Short, easy, family-friendly wildflower hike - Camassia Nature Preserve {West Linn, Oregon} | The Good Hearted Woman

Did you happen to notice the cool lens-ball image at the top of this post? I bought an inexpensive photo-sphere last fall, and since then I’ve been have been having so much fun with it! 

A photo sphere / lens ball is one of the most inexpensive, easy-to-use photo hacks around, and the results are just so cool!

Camassia Nature Preserve

Check out how the photo sphere magnifies and highlights the flowers in the field in this image.

Glass Photo Sphere | Lens Ball Tips

blankWhen you take a picture through a glass sphere (i.e., lens ball), the image will appear inverted, much like the image you see when looking at yourself in a spoon.

Many times, fixing this is as easy as simply rotating the whole image upside-down, as I did in the first image in this post. (You probably didn’t notice it, but all of the background foliage in the title image is upside-down! )

Other images require a bit more finessing. For example, this small image is the original shot for the image above. Note how the ground inside the sphere appears to be at the top of the sphere, which looks weird no matter how you turn it.

To correct this visual dissonance, I cut out the original sphere image using a circle frame, flipped it 180°, and layered it back onto the original image.

The result is a complete image in which everything appears right-side up. This little trick doesn’t require any special skill, knowledge, or expensive software – I skipped Photoshop this time and just flipped it on PicMonkey.  

Short, easy, family-friendly wildflower hike - Camassia Nature Preserve {West Linn, Oregon} | The Good Hearted Woman

Camassia Nature Preserve

5000 Walnut Street
West Linn, OR 97068
Map

  • There are several entrances to the nature area. The main trailhead is located in a small neighborhood parking area at the end of Walnut Street. There is also an entrance at West Linn High School, and another entrance in a nearby neighborhood.
  • Parking is limited to a small lot at the trail entrance at the end of Walnut Street. This can be very congested at peak times of the year.
  • During the spring and summer, volunteers lead guided hikes and teach visitors about the ecology of the preserve.
  • Hikers are required to stay on the trails in order to avoid disturbing the wildlife.
  • Dogs, bicycles, horses, camping, hunting, littering, fires, and motorized vehicles are prohibited on the preserve.

Wildflower season: Mid-April through early May.

Additional locations where you may find camas fields seasonally in bloom include: 

  • Round Lake Trail in Lacamas Park, Camas Washington
  • Bush’s Pasture Park, Salem Oregon 

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THANK YOU so much for being a faithful reader and supporter
of The Good Hearted Woman. 🌻 Be sure to PIN this post!

Short, easy, family-friendly wildflower hike - Camassia Nature Preserve {West Linn, Oregon} | The Good Hearted Woman    Short, easy, family-friendly wildflower hike - Camassia Nature Preserve {West Linn, Oregon} | The Good Hearted WomanWavy Line

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they do help keep this site up and running. As always, all opinions and images are my own. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

Filed Under: Hikes, Oregon, Pacific Northwest, Travel Tagged With: family fun, flowers, Oregon, Pacific NW

Things to Do in El Paso: One Day of FREE FUN!

April 24 By Renée 5 Comments

There are so many things to do in El Paso, and the city abounds in FREE FUN! Explore the historic Plaza Theater, discover the Museum of History, take a scenic drive; even visit the downtown pool where live alligators once frolicked! 

Discover El Paso: Free Things to Do in El Paso - One Day Itinerary of completely free activities, plus Good Eats | The Good Hearted Woman

This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.

El Paso is abundant in FREE FUN!  You can enjoy an entire day exploring this thriving city for just the price of lunch! If you have one day to spend in El Paso, and you don’t want to spend a lot of money, you have come to the right place! 

Discovering El Paso: Top FREE Things To Do - El Paso Museum of History | The Good Hearted Woman

NOTE: Sometime during your day, you’re probably going to need to buy lunch and/or dinner, which are not free. To that end, be sure to visit our El Paso Restaurant Reviews, where you’ll find reviews of a must-try, a sentimental favorite, and a Texas Institution. 

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ONE FREE DAY IN EL PASO

  1. Take a Self-Guided Walking Tour of Downtown El Paso.
  2. Explore the El Paso Museum of History.
  3. Tour the Plaza Theater.
  4. Check out the El Paso County Courthouse.
  5. Grab some lunch at Rosa’s Cantina or Salt & Honey.
  6. Wander through Concordia Cemetery.
  7. Cruise up El Paso’s Scenic Drive & Overlook. 
  8. Drive El Paso’s historic Mission Trail **
  9. Treat yourself to a dinner at Cattleman’s. (Be sure to go early and explore the grounds!)

** El Paso’s historic Mission Trail is well worth your time, and if you are visiting town for only one day, you can see it all in a couple of hours if you are dedicated. However, if you have more than a day in town, I suggest that you reserve an entire morning or afternoon for the Mission Trail and just take it casual. 

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Take a Self-Guided Walking Tour of Downtown El Paso

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One of the best ways to explore a new city is boots on the ground. Get out there and walk!

This map illustrates our walking route through downtown El Paso, and will take you by all of the locations listed above.

Take a Self-Guided Walking Tour of Downtown El Paso

If you take this route, plan for at least two hours, especially if you are lucky enough to score a tour of the Plaza Theater! This is an easy, level walk that covers just under one mile one way.

Be sure to see:

  • San Jacinto Plaza
  • Los Lagartos [Gator Statue] (in San Jacinto Plaza)
  • DIGIE – Digital Information Gateway in El Paso
  • El Paso Museum of History
  • Fray Garcia de San Francisco [Statue] (Right outside the Plaza Theatre)
  • Plaza Theater
  • El Paso County Courthouse


NOTE for Nervous Travelers: El Paso often gets a bad rap for its proximity to Juarez, Mexico; however, it actually has a crime rate significantly lower than the national average, and ranked as the 7th safest metropolitan city in the United States in 2018. 

SAN JACINTO PLAZA 

Discovering El Paso: Top FREE Things To Do - San Jacinto Plaza | The Good Hearted Woman

San Jacinta Plaza opened in 1883 in the heart of downtown El Paso as a place where visitors could relax amid a walled pond and gazebo, seventy-five Chinese elm trees, and a small congregation of alligators.

Discovering El Paso: Top FREE Things To Do - San Jacinto Plaza | The Good Hearted Woman
Because yes: there were alligators.

Live alligators.

Alligator Pool, San Jacinta Plaza, El Paso, Texas [postcard, circa 1913]

Alligator Pool, San Jacinta Plaza, El Paso, Texas [postcard, circa 1913]

From the beginning, the alligators were the central attraction of the plaza, and at one time, the walled pond that served as their home held as many as seven of them.

Discovering El Paso: Top FREE Things To Do - Pile o' Gators Statue (Plaza de los Lagartos) | The Good Hearted Woman

The alligators were moved to the El Paso Zoo in 1965, and after a brief, failed attempt to bring them back in the mid-70’s, their pond was permanently removed.

 

Discovering El Paso: Top FREE Things To Do - Pile o' Gators Statue (Plaza de los Lagartos) | The Good Hearted Woman

The plaza is still fondly known to locals as “La Plaza de los Lagartos,” or Alligator Plaza. Today, a fiberglass sculpture by nationally acclaimed El Paso artist Luis Jiménez honors the original alligators.

Discovering El Paso: Top FREE Things To Do - San Jacinto Plaza | The Good Hearted Woman

Many interesting and historical building are just steps away from San Jacinto Plaza.

SAN JACINTO PLAZA TRAVELER NOTES 

San Jacinto Plaza is located on the corner of Oregon and Mills in the heart of Downtown El Paso, Texas. Visitors should be aware that (to my knowledge) there are no restrooms in the Plaza. At the time of our visit, the nearest restrooms appeared to be the ones at the Starbucks across the street. 

Discovering El Paso: Top FREE Things To Do - Murals| The Good Hearted Woman

EL PASO MUSEUM OF HISTORY

The El Paso Museum of History is a small but interesting local museum that promotes the understanding and significance of the rich, multicultural and multinational history of the border region known as “The Pass of the North.”

Discovering El Paso: Top FREE Things To Do - El Paso Museum of History | The Good Hearted Woman

Like all the attractions on this itinerary, the museum is free. It is also clean, air-conditioned, and has a public bathroom – making it a bargain at twice the price, as my dad used to say. (Especially on a hot day in August!)

The museum is very kid-friendly, especially on the ground floor, where you will find a number of interactive displays. We spent about forty minutes there, which is about all you will need.

Discovering El Paso: Top FREE Things To Do - El Paso Museum of History | The Good Hearted Woman

We probably would have spent longer at the museum, but we didn’t know that there was a second floor. This, I came to learn after the fact, is where much of the historical information and artifacts are found. That brings me to my only complaint about the museum: it would be helpful to visitors to have clear directions or discovery paths so they don’t miss half the exhibits. But really, that’s on us for not exploring more. 

Discovering El Paso: Top FREE Things To Do - El Paso Museum of History | The Good Hearted Woman


Discovering El Paso: Top FREE Things To Do - El Paso Museum of History | The Good Hearted Woman

DIGIE – Digital Information Gateway in El Paso

Immediately outside the entrance to the El Paso Museum of History, you will find The large touchscreen digital wall. Known as DIGIE [Digital Information Gatewayin El Paso] it is the second digital wall in the world and the first in the United States.Discovering El Paso: Top FREE Things To Do - El Paso Museum of History Digital Wall | The Good Hearted Woman

The wall is made up of five huge touch screens that offer an interactive view of the history of El Paso, with images, video, and information covering from present day back through the 1600’s.

Discovering El Paso: Top FREE Things To Do - El Paso Museum of History Digital Wall | The Good Hearted Woman

This display is extremely well researched and curated, and we all enjoyed interacting with it immensely. (I definitely should have taken video. Next time!)

Discovering El Paso: Top FREE Things To Do - El Paso Museum of History Digital Wall | The Good Hearted Woman

El Paso Museum of History
510 N Santa Fe St
El Paso, TX 79901-1145

Phone: 915.212.3120

HOURS

Tuesday-Saturday: 9 am to 5 pm
Thursdays: 9 am to 9 pm
Sunday 12 pm to 5 pm
Closed Mondays & City Holidays

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More than a hundred brightly-painted murals can be found throughout El Paso. Reflecting a rich Mexican storytelling tradition, these pieces of public art depict El Paso’s history and community pride.

FRAY GARCIA de SAN FRANCISCO MONUMENT

Fray Garcia Monument honors the priest who founded the El Paso area’s first mission. Located the corner of El Paso and San Francisco Streets just outside the entrance to the Plaza Theater.
Discovering El Paso: Top FREE Things To Do - San Jacinto Plaza | The Good Hearted Woman
Sculpted in 1996 by El Paso native John Houser, the 14-foot bronze sculpture is a testament to the great legacy of this Spanish missionary who was known for his kind heart.

PLAZA THEATER

{Officially, The Plaza Theatre Performing Arts Center}’

Discovering El Paso: Top FREE Things To Do Plaza Theater | The Good Hearted Woman

The Plaza Theater is one of El Paso’s most iconic landmarks. This grand monument to old world elegance hosts two theaters: the 2,050-seat Kendall Kidd Performance Hall, and the smaller 200-seat Philanthropy Theatre. The Plaza hosts concerts, Broadway shows, individual performers, and the annual Plaza Classic Film Festival. 

The ladies working at the theater that morning seemed almost excited to show us around.

Discovering El Paso: Top FREE Things To Do Plaza Theater | The Good Hearted Woman

Tours for the public are held every Tuesday at 12pm, and if you can work your schedule around that, by all mean, do so. Unfortunately, we were there on Friday morning, with no Tuesdays in sight. However, when my BFF Jenny asked at the ticket booth, we were immediately invited us inside.

From the outside, you would never know what awaits you beyond the doors. Once you enter, the opulence and grandeur of the space is stunning.

Discovering El Paso: Top FREE Things To Do Plaza Theater | The Good Hearted Woman

The Plaza Theater first opened September 12, 1930, with advertisements touting it to be the largest theater of its kind between Dallas and Los Angeles. Over the decades, it presented everything from burlesque shows to stage plays to movies.

Discovering El Paso: Top FREE Things To Do Plaza Theater | The Good Hearted Woman

In the 1950’s the theater began to fall into disrepair, and at one point in 1989 was scheduled for demolition before the community support was able to raise enough finds to save it. The theater was completely refurbished, with great attention and care given to preserving both its structure and history, and reopened in 2006. 

Discovering El Paso: Top FREE Things To Do Plaza Theater | The Good Hearted Woman

One of my favorite spaces at the Plaza was the ladies lounge.

Discovering El Paso: Top FREE Things To Do Plaza Theater | The Good Hearted Woman

Discovering El Paso: Top FREE Things To Do Plaza Theater | The Good Hearted Woman

Discovering El Paso: Top FREE Things To Do Plaza Theater | The Good Hearted Woman

Additional Information

The Plaza Theatre
1 Civic Center Plaza
El Paso, TX 79901-1153

PHONE: 915-534-0600

Weekly public tours on Tuesdays at 12:00 pm. For information on tours of the Plaza Theatre, please call 915-534-0660.

Discovering El Paso: Top FREE Things To Do Plaza Theater | The Good Hearted Woman

EL PASO COUNTY COURTHOUSE

While I don’t typically make it a point to stop at the county courthouse when I visit a new city, in El Paso’s case I made an exception. Because their county courthouse is exceptional. 

Discovering El Paso: Top FREE Things To Do - El Paso County Courthouse | The Good Hearted Woman

The mural inside the atrium of the El Paso County Courthouse are simply beautiful. Spanning three walls and protected by a glass ceiling, “Our History” depicts artist Carlos Callejo’s vision of  El Paso’s history in a vibrant, dynamic blend of past, present, and future.

Discovering El Paso: Top FREE Things To Do - El Paso County Courthouse | The Good Hearted Woman

Discovering El Paso: Top FREE Things To Do - El Paso County Courthouse | The Good Hearted Woman

Discovering El Paso: Top FREE Things To Do - El Paso County Courthouse | The Good Hearted Woman

Discovering El Paso: Top FREE Things To Do - El Paso County Courthouse | The Good Hearted Woman

Justice in the life and conduct of the State is possible only
as it first resides in the hearts and souls of the citizens.

~ Inscription over the entrance to the US Dept of Justice, Washington, DC.

Discovering El Paso: Top FREE Things To Do - El Paso County Courthouse | The Good Hearted Woman

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CRUISE EL PASO’S SCENIC DRIVE & OVERLOOK

“Not many cities have a mountain range right in the middle of their city,
and still fewer have a spectacular drive around the rim of their mountains.

El Paso has both.”

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Discovering El Paso: Top FREE Things To Do - Scenic Drive | The Good Hearted Woman

El Paso’s spectacular Scenic Drive winds along the southern tip of the Franklin Mountains, affording visitors a stunning view of El Paso, Juarez, Mexico across the Rio Grande, and just a bit of New Mexico. 

Discovering El Paso: Top FREE Things To Do - Scenic Drive | The Good Hearted Woman

To get the most out of your drive, pull over at the small park and scenic overlook for a spectacular view across El Paso and Juarez. If you are driving, look for the US flag that will likely be flapping in the relentless wind – you will find a small parking lot at its base, and an extended viewpoint that is ideal for capturing that perfect panorama. 
 
Discovering El Paso: Top FREE Things To Do - Scenic Drive | The Good Hearted Woman

Discovering El Paso: Top FREE Things To Do - Scenic Drive | The Good Hearted Woman

Discovering El Paso: Top FREE Things To Do - Scenic Drive | The Good Hearted Woman

Discovering El Paso: Top FREE Things To Do - Scenic Drive | The Good Hearted Woman

Be aware that the drive is closed to cars on Sundays, making for a pleasant pedestrian stroll or bicycle ride. On hot days, you may welcome the ice cream truck that is often parked there. 

Also, and I cannot emphasize this strongly enough: dress for the weather. In cooler weather, it can be VERY windy! And for Pete’s sake, DO NOT (as I did) wear anything that even resembles a dress. (Thank goodness for leggings!!) We visited during the cooler months, but if you are there when it’s hot, be sure to bring sun protection. 

Discovering El Paso: Top FREE Things To Do - Scenic Drive | The Good Hearted Woman

Discovering El Paso: Top FREE Things To Do - Scenic Drive | The Good Hearted Woman

Discovering El Paso: Top FREE Things To Do - Scenic Drive | The Good Hearted Woman

Discovering El Paso: Top FREE Things To Do - Scenic Drive | The Good Hearted Woman

Visit El Paso – More Info

Union Depot Visitor Information Center
400 W. San Antonio

(915) 534-0661.

Mon-Fri 9 am-4 pm
Sat 9 am-2 pm

Airport Visitor Information Center
El Paso International Airport – Main Lobby

(915) 534-0658.

Mon-Fri 8 am-8 pm
Sat-Sun 8 am-5 pm

VISIT EL PASO APP: El Paso has a handy “Visit El Paso” app, available for Android or IOS. The app provides up-to-date information about things to see and do in El Paso, and you can also get more information on El Paso’s culture, attractions, hotels, and restaurants.

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If you’re visiting El Paso, be sure to check out these GHW travel posts: 

  • 3 Must-See Stops on the Historic Mission Trail
  • Concordia Cemetery: El Paso’s Boot Hill
  • El Paso Restaurants: Must Try, Sentimental Favorite, Texas Institution

Wavy Line

THANK YOU so much for being a faithful reader and supporter
of The Good Hearted Woman. 🌻 Be sure to PIN this post!

Discovering El Paso: Free Things to Do in El Paso - One Day Itinerary of completely free activities, plus Good Eats | The Good Hearted Woman      Discovering El Paso: Free Things to Do in El Paso - One Day Itinerary of completely free activities, plus Good Eats | The Good Hearted WomanWavy Line

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they do help keep this site up and running. As always, all opinions and images are my own. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

Filed Under: One Day in..., Texas, Travel Tagged With: family fun, Texas

The BEST Family Board Games for Family Game Night

November 13 By Renée 22 Comments

Our top picks for the Best Family Board Games for your next Family Game Night. {Plus gift-giving advice for everyone on your list!}

The Best Board Games for Family Gatherings | The Good Hearted Woman

This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.

Whenever we get together with Mr B’s side of the family, we inevitably end up playing games. We play marathon rounds of Mexican Train dominos and Farkle, and penny ante poker like there is no tomorrow; and of course, board games.

Lots and lots of board games. 

The benefits of a long-standing Family Game Night tradition are manifold. When we sit down to play a game with the family, we set aside our phones and screens.

We talk with one another. We find common ground. We make memories. 

Best Board Games for Family Game Night

If board games are something your family enjoys, check out our Best Board Games picks to learn what you might want to add to your games cabinet this year.

If family games is a tradition you’d like to kick-off, use our list to get you started on the right track.

Either way, here are our top picks for the best board games for family gatherings, along with a little gift giving advice for everyone on your list! 

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Ticket To Ride

Ticket to Ride is the newest addition our board game collection, and one of our very favorite for family gatherings. Not only is the play interesting and engaging, but the game often inspires intriguing conversations as well. 

In the simplest terms, the goal in playing Ticket to Ride is to build your own rail network to connect cities listed on your Destination. The game is easy to learn and provides hours of fun for families and experienced gamers alike. There are versions or expansion packs that cover just about any inhabited place on the globe, so hop on board! 

  • Number of Players: 2 – 6+ players; more with expansions or if played in teams. 
  • Time to Play: 30 – 60 minutes (according to the box). However, in our experience, the time can vary wildly based number of players and how much they like to visit with one another. 
  • Who Can Play: Everyone, although younger players may need to team up with an adult. (Be sure to check out Ticket to Ride: First Journey for ages 6+.) 

Gift Giving: Ticket to Ride makes a PERFECT gift for families, history buffs, travel enthusiasts, genealogists and genetic testing recipients (i.e., 23andMe, AncestryDNA, etc), and anyone who loves beautiful, well-conceived, entertaining board games.

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Ticket to Ride offers a number of game versions, as well as expansion packs to add to the original game. 

Ticket to Ride: Stand-alone Games

Each of these versions is a complete game and does not require the original version to play. 

  • Ticket to Ride: Days of Wonder [Original]
  • Ticket to Ride: First Journey [For ages 6+]
  • Ticket to Ride: Sails & Rails 
  • Ticket to Ride: Nordic Countries  
  • Ticket to Ride: Europe
  • Ticket to Ride: Germany  
Ticket to Ride: Expansion Packs

Expansion packs require the trains and train cards from an original copy of Ticket to Ride or Ticket to Ride Europe to play.

  • Africa 
  • Asia (+ Legendary Asia) 
  • Europa 1912 
  • France (+ Old West Map Collection)
  • India (+ Switzerland)
  • Nederland 
  • United Kingdom (+ Pennsylvania) 

If you already have a boxed set of Ticket to Ride and you’re ready to take it to the next level, check out this cool Ticket to Ride “Accessory Kit,” complete with Vintage Style Suitcase Storage Containers!

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Mad Gab

Technically, Mad Gab is a card game, not a board game, but I just had to include it here because when my kiddos were smaller, this was one of our favorite games to play at family gatherings. It’s super easy to learn, fast-paced, entertaining for all ages, and can be played in teams so an almost infinite number of people can play. 

One of the reasons we enjoy Mad Gab so much is because very young children (i.e., non-readers) can have an discernible advantage. Why? Because in Mad Gab, it’s not what you READ or SAY, it’s what you HEAR! 

Mad Gab is played by reading (or listening) to a string of unrelated words and trying to figure out what the secret phrase is. For example, your card might read, ‘Canoe Key Pace He Grit,” which when read quickly, sounds like ‘Can you keep secret?‘

***

Because non-readers are listening and not reading, they go into each round with no preconceived ideas about the outcome. Without “words” to confuse their brains, they can just listen to the other players reading the phrase, and often guess the target phrase before the readers on their team. Back before my youngest learned to read, she was always our most sought-after player when we chose up Mad Gab teams.

  • Number of Players: 2 – 12+ players/teams. 
  • Time to Play:  45 minute [box]; in our experience, a game can last 10 minutes up to an hour. 
  • Who Can Play: All ages. (Having a non-reader on your team is a plus.)

Gift Giving: Mad Gab makes a great gift for wordsmiths, lexicologists, etymologists, haiku writers, crossword puzzle doers, families with young children, and anyone who enjoys a little lively word play. 

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Spontuneous

Spontuneous is one of my personal all-time favorite best board games for parties and big gatherings. As in, if I could only play one game on this list for the rest of my life, this Spontuneous would be IT. 

Spontuneous is a simple party game that can be played by virtually all ages and musical tastes. A word is given and it’s a race to blurt out any song containing that word. For example: Can you think of a song with the word “COWBOY” in it? How about “HEART”? Blurt it out! Don’t worry about your voice, let it rip! 

Spontuneous is a GREAT GAME for big, cross-generational groups; the more diverse the better. I’ve played it with well over 20 people at a time on more than one occasion, and it is Hilarious! 

If you need yet another reason to get Spontuneous, check out all the awards it’s garnered: Music Teacher Approved, Mom’s Choice Gold Award, Dr. Toy’s Best Vacation Product, Parent Tested Parent Approved Seal of Approval, The National Parenting Center Seal of Approval, Mom’s Best Hot Product Award, Creative Child Magazine Game of the Year, and Play Advances Language Award.

  • Number of Players: 4 – 10+ players; I’ve played this with up to 30 people. 
  • Time to Play:  15 minutes [box]; 15 – 30 [our experience]. 
  • Who Can Play: Ages 8 & Up, 4-10 players/teams [recommended]. Spontuneous is one of the best cross-generational games I’ve ever played.   

Gift Giving: Spontuneous makes an excellent gift for anyone even remotely musical on your gift list: musicians, music lovers, car karaokeists, harmonizers, grandpas who play bass on the weekends, cowboys, campers, college students, Randy Rainbow fans, classic rockers, Broadway divas, and especially that person in your friend group thinks that it is perfectly acceptable to break out into song at any given moment. (↩︎ Me!)

IMPORTANT: No talent required!! You absolutely do not need to be able to sing to play Spontuneous! 

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Codenames

Codenames is easy to learn and play and can accommodate a wide variety of ages. Even people who don’t consider themselves “game players” will have a blast playing it. 

Codenames is a social word game with a simple premise and challenging game play. Two rival spymasters know the secret identities of 25 agents. Their teammates know the agents only by their codenames. The teams compete to see who can make contact with all of their agents first. There is also a cooperative variant where a single team tries to achieve the highest score they can by playing against the game itself. 

  • Number of Players: 2 – 8+ players; more if played in teams. 
  • Time to Play:  15 minutes [box]; 15 – 30 [our experience]. 
  • Who Can Play: Ages 8+ [recommended]; however, we have played the Code Names: Disney in teams with great success with players as young four.  

Gift Giving: We highly recommend Code Names for families with young children, Potterheads, college students, Maxwell Smart fans, Disneyphiles, and anyone who loves an easy, fast-paced game that doesn’t require them relearn the rules every time they open the box. 

Codenames in available in these versions:

  • Codenames [Original]
  • Codenames: Duet [Cooperative Gameplay; for 2+ players]
  • Code Names: Disney
  • Codenames: Marvel
  • Codenames: Harry Potter
  • Codenames: Pictures
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King of Tokyo

King of Tokyo is just good clean fun, as my Daddy used to say. I mean, who wouldn’t want to fight mutant monsters, gigantic robots, and other aliens to become the one and only King of Tokyo, right?! 

The rules for King of Tokyo are simple and easy to learn, game play is quick, and even people that don’t think they like board games will jump right in. Roll the dice and choose your strategy: Will you attack your enemies? Heal your wounds? Improve your Monster? Stomp your path to victory!

Awards: Best Family Game, Best Children’s Game, and Best Party Game at the Golden Geeks 2012. 

  • Number of Players: 4 – 10+ players; I’ve personally played this with up to 30 people. 
  • Time to Play:  30 minutes [box]; 45 – 60 minutes [our experience]. 
  • Who Can Play: Ages 10+, 2 – 4 players/teams [recommended]

Gift Giving: King of Tokyo is great for families with kids, watchers of old Sunday afternoon movies, Robot Chicken fans, and anyone who is up for good game of robot wars with a space penguin. 

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Trivial Pursuit

OK, I just heard someone groan… I know, I know – Trivial Pursuit isn’t for Everyone. It’s just so… 80’s. But I have a head for trivia and a soft spot for this game, so it made the list. 

Trivial Pursuit was extremely popular during my college years, and at that time, my circle was heavy with engineering students. The rules we played by reflected that imbalance to an unfair advantage. Our modified rules of play required non-engineering students [me] to answer all six questions on whatever card was drawn card in order to earn a pie piece. Conversely, they [engineering students] only had to answer the green “Science & Nature” questions to earn a pie slice, no matter what color square they actually landed on. Nevertheless, sometimes our games went on forever, because not one of us could ever answer the orange “Sports” questions. Luckily, nowadays I have Mr B on my team, and he is a Sports Trivia Master, so we have all our bases covered. ? Good times. 

The Trivial Pursuit Classic Edition game features the classic gameplay that you know and love. Great for game night, this game contains 2,400 questions in six categories.

  • Number of Players: 2 – 6+ players; more with teams. 
  • Time to Play:  Game time can vary wildly, but a full game should take about an hour, give or take. 
  • Who Can Play: 8+ or 16+, depending upon version.

Gift Giving: Trivial Pursuit is a solid choice for trivia lovers, Star Wars fans, movie buffs, Beatlemaniacs, Potterheads, Millennials, and people who fancy themselves to be Smarter Than a 5th Grader.

***

In addition to the Classic Version Master Edition [ages 16+],there are plenty of Trivial Pursuit variations and subsidiary card sets for everyone on your list! Here are just a few that caught my eye: 

  • Beatlemaniacs – The Beatles Trivial Pursuit [Full game; 2592 questions]
  • Families – Trivial Pursuit Family Edition [ages 8+; Full game, faster paced, 1200 questions]
  • Movie Buffs – Silver Screen Edition [Subsidiary Card Set, for use with Master Game]
  • Potterheads – World of Harry Potter Edition [Full game; 600 questions based on the Harry Potter movies]
  • Millennials – 2000s Edition [Full game; 1800 questions] 
  • Star Wars Fans – Star Wars The Black Series Edition [Full game; 1800 questions] 

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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they do help keep this site up and running. As always, all opinions and images are my own. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

Filed Under: Cozy Living Tagged With: family fun, gifts

Greek Turkey Burgers & Raddish Kids {Sponsored}

March 28 By Renée 9 Comments

Kitchen. Table. Family.

There are a multitude of reasons to cook with your kids. Teaching kids to cook – and cooking with them – is an empowering experience. Being capable in the kitchen gives kids (and the adults they grow into) self-confidence and a sense of independence. Kids who cook are more informed about nutrition and healthy choices. Kids are more likely to eat something new if they have a hand in preparing it. What’s more, the skills a child gains in the kitchen reach far beyond the kitchen door.

But some things are much easier said than done, and that’s where Raddish comes in. Raddish is a subscription service that delivers a themed box filled with culinary adventures to your door every month.

Raddish Collage 4Each Raddish (Rad-Dish – get it!?!) Box includes everything you need for at least three separate kitchen adventures except the ingredients:

  • 3 family friendly recipe guides carefully designed so that even non-readers can take part.
  • 1 culinary skill card
  • 2 creative activities with all the necessary materials, aimed at getting your family sitting, talking, and eating together. Activities range from science experiments and art projects to oral histories and foodie games.
  • Your shopping list, which is also emailed to you the week your box ships.
  • A Table Talk card deck for facilitating mealtime converstion.
  • An adorable Raddish patch to be ironed-on to your Raddish apron (which comes free which comes free with a 3, 6, or 12-month subscription)

When our Raddish Box arrived this February, the first thing that hit me when I opened it was the careful attention to detail and the clear intentions of each component. On top was our Raddish apron.  Crisp white and embroidered with the Raddish logo, it was well-constructed, made of the heavy, easy-to-wash fabric, and sized to fit a wide range of kiddos.

By day, I am a certified teacher, and I was immediately impressed with the educational value of our Raddish Box: cooking lessons are designed to incorporate math, science, nutrition, reading and vocabulary, and geography and culture.  Each element was well thought out, and the kit as a whole provided enough activities for at least three complete family activities/cooking experiences.  I liked the clean, sharp-looking, laminated peripherals, the kid-friendly food choices and the intelligent integration of activities.
Raddish KidsI had four kids on hand to test-drive it (ages 3, 6, and two 13-year olds) and I was surprised that even the older kids really seemed to enjoy and appreciate the experience.  Our Raddish Box arrived in February and was themed to coincide with the Winter Olympics.  We started by making Olympic Torch Cupcakes.  The recipe was easy to follow, and I loved that the kids were learning that cake doesn’t always come out of a box.

Raddish KidsWhile the cupcakes were in the oven, we made Greek Turkey burgers and then the kids made Olympic medals with the included craft supplies.

IMG_1496I was a little concerned that our picky eaters might not want give them a try – what with all the weird feta cheese and all – but even our 6-year old “Selective” Susie” gobbled hers up with a smile.
Raddish Kids Collage 2After the cupcakes cooled, we made the frosting and everyone took a turn at frosting cupcakes.

In short, I loved our Raddish Box. Clearly, the philosophy that drives Raddish appears at the heart of every element: they believe that two of the greatest gifts you can give your children are a love and appreciation of good food, and a childhood enjoyed at the family table. Our day with Raddish almost made me wish I still had young kiddos at home. (As the mother of five, I can’t believe I actually had to “borrow” children for this review!) If I did, I definitely would be ordering a subscription.

Rad KidsIf you’d like to learn more about Raddish, visit their website. Subscriptions are as low as $20 a month.

Raddish Kids Greek BurgersWe all loved these burgers – they were flavorful and moist without being the least bit greasy.

Raddish Kits - Kids Cooking

Greek Turkey Burgers

Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time10 mins
Total Time20 mins
Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

  • For Tzadiki Sauce:
  • 1 cucumber
  • 1 small container plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1 Tbls lemon juice
  • 1 Tbls Olive oil
  • For Burgers:
  • 20 ounces ground turkey
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese
  • For Serving:
  • 6 hamburger buns*
  • lettuce leaves
  • tomato slices
  • red onion slices

Instructions

  • Grate cucumber, and then squeeze and drain in colander.
  • To make tzadiki sauce, conbine grated cucmber with the remaining Tzadiki ingredients: yogurt,salt, pepper, lemon juice and olive oil. Set aside.
  • For burgers, combine ground turkey, seasonings and feta in a medium bowl and mix (with your hands!).
  • Divide turkey mixture into six even balls and flatten. Using wet hands to do this makes the job much easier!
  • Fry burgers in a medium skillet over medium heat, or grill on barbeque.
  • Assemble burgers on bun with tzadiki, lettuce, tomato, onion. Enjoy!

Notes

(The ingredients list for this recipe is courtesy of Raddish. Instructions are unique to The Good Hearted Woman.)
Conveniently, prepackaged ground turkey comes in 20 ounce packages! I used Jennie-O Lean Italian Seasoned Ground Turkey. I really liked the extra boost of flavor that the seasoned ground turkey gave the burgers.
*The recipe in the Raddish Kit indicated that this makes four (huge) burgers or eight sliders. We split the difference and made six very generous, normal-sized burger with this recipe.
Tried this recipe?Mention @TheGoodHeartedWoman or tag #thegoodheartedwoman!

Disclosure: The product provided for the review was free of charge from the company. All photos and opinions are my own. For more information, please refer to my disclosure policy.

Filed Under: Main Dishes, Product Reviews Tagged With: barbeque, family fun, feta, Greek

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