Kidding Around the Gorge

The Hood River Area's Ultimate Guide for Family Fun

By: Jody Barringer and Ruth Berkowitz
Copyright 2003, paperback, 128 pages
Book dimensions: 5.5" x 8.5"

Looking for things to do with kids when you're in the Columbia Gorge? Look no further. Written by two Hood River moms, Kidding Around the Gorge provides the inside scoop of places to go and things to do with kids. Rain or shine, the Gorge is full of opportunities for fun -- whether you want to hike, windsurf, swim, pick fruit or eat ice cream.

There are a total of 15 chapters describing more than 150 kid-tested activities and places to go with young children. The activities are mostly in and around Hood River, but there's also information as far west as Multnomah Falls, as far east as Roosevelt Washington, south around Mt. Hood and north to Trout Lake. Although the book is geared for young children, older kids and adults will also enjoy the book.

Kidding Around the Gorge is illustrated with photographs of children taken by parents and local photographers Peter Marbach, Jim Semlor and Clint Bogard.

Ch. 1: Monkeying Around the Playground
Ch. 2: Hikes with Tikes
Ch. 3: Rockin' Rock Throwing Locales
Ch. 4: Swimming Spots for Mermaids & Manatees
Ch. 5: Alpacas, Goats and Sturgeons, Oh My!
Ch. 6: Hanging Out in the Orchards
Ch. 7: Promising Picnic Places
Ch. 8: Exciting Expeditions
Ch. 9: X-treme Sports for Kids
Ch. 10: Windsurfing Spots for You & Your Tots
Ch. 11: Indoor Fun Not Dependent on Sun
Ch. 12: We all Scream for Ice Cream
Ch. 13: Kid-Friendly Restaurants
Ch. 14: Happenings Around the Hood
Ch. 15: Childcare and Babysitting
Appendix A: Local Maps
Appendix B: Kidding Around by Area