Our First Canoe trip with Kids!

We did our very first family Canoe trip during our Summer vacation! We were a little worried about how the kids would do on the boat but the water was calm and so were the kids, so we decided to just go for it!

We rented the canoe from Långbergets Sporthotell, the resort we stayed at for a few days on our recent staycation. The lake was just a short drive from the resort and you park on the dirt road and walk a short path down to the lake. You unlock the canoes when you get there so you don't need to worry about transporting a canoe anywhere. 

The rental included, paddles, life jackets, a middle seat and even a dry bag to keep a few items dry.

Out on the water, we made sure the heaviest sat at the back of the Canoe, and that the other parent sat with the toddler, while the preschooler sat in the detachable metal seat in the middle of the canoe.

When we arrived to unlock our canoe, it looked like there were a few people who had rented canoes that day but we didn't see any on the water.

The kids patiently waited on a log, and played with sticks, while we moved the canoe (you get a key that unlocks the lock for the Canoe). We moved it so the front part was in the water and then we each climbed in, making sure to keep low as we walked inside of it. I carried the toddler to the front of the boat, and my co-pilot sat in the back to steer. 

We weren't sure how long we would be out there, but we were sure to bring some snacks (nuts, chips, seaweed), lollipops and water. And we ended up being in the water for about 1.5h and even went under a small bridge. I'm so glad the water was really calm for our canoe trip. My co-pilot did most of the paddling and steering as well.

It was such a great activity during our summer staycation. And although it wasn't that long of a trip, we were all proud of ourselves for making it back from our first Family Canoe trip! 

Hope you are enjoying your summer, and remember don't forget your snacks!

Långbergets Sporthotell Canoe rental
You can choose a guided tour, minimum 8 people or

rent a canoe and go on your own (which we did).

Check out the website for more information.

Tips for Hiking with Kids

During our recent Staycation in Sweden, we stayed in a summer cabin in the mountains of Värmland at Långbergets Sportshotell. This meant some well needed peace and quiet. It also meant that there were many hiking trails and outdoor areas for walks with the kids. 

One trail, the Green trail, even had a Multiple Choice Quiz along the way. Each board would show pictures of birds and asking which kind it was. Along the trail were painted wooden animals hung up on trees that made this trail more interesting for the kids. It was about an hour long and we stopped a few times along the way.

Here are some tips when hiking with kids:

• Bring the toddler in a carrier - if the older one is too big for a carrier, try to let them walk infront of you, as 'The Leader'. If they want to be behind, you need to stop a few times to wait for them.
• Point out different things for them to keep an eye out for. We actually saw a snake during one of our hikes. It slithered away so fast when it heard us though. So after that, we all tried looking out for snakes.
• Bring water for kids and for yourself
• Bring a few snacks
• Bring a backpack to carry the snacks.
• Make sure they wear some good closed toe shoes in case of rocks or sharp plants.
• Bring a hat if it's a really sunny day.
• Pick up a walking stick along the way, it can also help keep them interested.

Enjoy your Summer and family hikes and remember, don't forget your snacks!

Långbergets Sportshotell

Check out their website for more information 

We stayed in one of the private cabins, but there is also a Hotel with Hotel rooms.

*check out my blog post about the Hotel.

Dalsland Moose Ranch in Sweden

Midsummer in Sweden means we had a long weekend a couple of weekends ago now. We decided to do a staycation in Dalsland, Sweden. This area is about a couple of hours drive Northeast from Gothenburg,

On our very last day in Dalsland, we visited the Dalsland Moose Ranch. Note: We visited in June 2021, during the Pandemic. So we booked tickets as they take limited numbers. 

We made sure to be there for the feeding time, where as we found out, you could feed the moose if you wanted to.

The guide who was in charge of telling us about the moose and the ranch was friendly and receptive to questions. 

We asked about working with animals and how he got involved in the ranch.

He said that he had grown up there, as it's his father's business. One of the moose was about 15years old, so he had known that moose all his life.

Feeding the Moose some potato!

We also asked how the Pandemic affected the moose ranch. There was, as could be expected, very little business over the last year. Now they open all days of the week not just weekends. It's still advisable to book tickets to secure a spot. 

Their Antlers take about 9 months to regrow. 

At the moose ranch there was also a Mama moose and her 2 week old baby, but they were in their own area and we didn't see them. Visitors can walk around the grounds on a trail past the feeding area. We only walked a bit down the trail since kids were getting tired. 

As soon as the guide announced feeding time, our little ones needed a feeding time of their own so we sat on bench eating snacks while the moose ate their snacks haha... but that gave others a chance to feed the moose first. They eat a lot and were still hungry when it was our turn to feed them. 

If you're in Sweden and traveling around that area in the Summer or nearby, visit the Dalsland Moose Ranch. Learn about Moose, Support local businesses (especially during this time) and even feed a moose!! A little scary at first to get so up close to a moose, but exciting too :)

Have a great Summer weekend and remember don't forget your snacks! 

Dalsland Moose Ranch

668 92, Ed Högankas 2, 668 92 Ed, Sweden

Check out their website for more information on visiting!

Anfasteröd Gårdsvik Resort Review

We treated ourselves to a weekend away last month. It was our first getaway in over a year! We found a place at a seaside cabin (or "Badstuga" in Swedish) with an amazing view. Anfasteröd Gårdsvik is located about an hour or so by car, north of Gothenburg, Sweden, in the town of Lyckorna.

The family run resort has taken precautions during Covid time (our visit was in May 2021) and we really appreciated that and felt safe during our stay.

View from the Cabin's patio

The receiption only allowed one family at a time in, or you could ask to do check/in at your cabin. Inside the reception there is also a little store where you can buy food items, drinks and a few souvenirs from the area like soaps. The cafe attached to the reception is unfortunately closed during the Pandemic.

Usually there's a breakfast buffet but for now, they deliver breakfast to your cabin and drop it at the door without disturbing you. It's like Room Service! You just fill out a breakfast form and mark what time you want your breakfast. Breakfast is served from 8-10am.

Breakfast basket dropped right at our door (they usually have a breakfast buffet but this has been paused during the Pandemic)

Delicious cheese, meats, warm homemade bread, veggies, and even Kalles caviar (very Swedish, salty and great on hard boiled eggs).

The newly renovated 'Bather's cottages' or cabins include a kitchenette complete with dishes and pans, a private bathroom, one bedroom with another pull out sofa bed in the living room and a huge window in the living room so you can admire the view.  It's perfect for a couple or even a small family. We brought a bunch of snacks with us which fit into the mini fridge/freezer and pantry. 

There is also a nice patio with a BBQ and set of 4 chairs and table. Remember to bring your own coal for BBQ and lighter if you want to grill during your stay. The patio is a perfect spot for dinner or breakfast and we took advantage of it. 

Note: If you have small kids, remember to move all the knives and sharp kitchen objects up above so they can't reach them. The drawers are where the utensils and knives are located. There are also a few candle stick holders on the table that the kiddos found interesting. We had to put those into the cabinet high away from reach. Our kids also loved running back and forth on the patio and playing with the BBQ grill (basically taking it apart and putting it back again). That was a bit loud, but the neighbours didn't complain.

The resort itself is quite large. Aside from the cabin area we stayed in, there are some larger cabins with a loft down the road, and a huge area for parking your RVs. There's a boardwalk you can walk on with steps leading down to the water. Be warned, the water can be chilly! But on a hot day, it's probably a nice, refreshing dip.

It's good to know that in the main town, there are a few different restaurants. We decided to get takeaway from a Salmon shop called Laxbutiken on our first night. The second night we cooked steaks in our cabin (we bought the steaks from the local grocery store in town).

We weren't able to try out the Sauna or Hot tub this visit, but maybe next time. The Sauna you can book through reception either in-person or by email. It's open late but popular, so check availability before your visit. The Sauna or 'Bastu' in Swedish, is located on the water (so you can cool off right in the ocean) and the wooden hot tub is also outdoors.

During our stay at the resort, we took some day trips around the area and visited an island called Gullholmen and a cute little seaside town called Smögen. On our way we took a detour to Marstrand for a few hours to take a break as our kids aren't so good in the car. Check out my blog on Marstrand.

We really had a wonderful stay at Anfasteröd Gårdsvik! Definitely on our list to come back and stay again... if we can find an opening - Summer seems to be quite popular for the cabins!

Have a great weekend and remember, don't forget your snacks!

Anfasteröd Gårdsvik
Lyckorna, Sweden
Check out their website
Bather's cottages (Cabin or Badstuga, where we stayed)
From 1199 Swedish Kroner/night

Explore Delsjön in Gothenburg, Sweden for a nice nature walk!

Another place we like to walk is Delsjön. It's about a 25 min walk from Liseberg amusement park. The lake is a great place for picnics and BBQs during a nice day Spring or Summer day. 

Signs like this are all over the city - at parks, playgrounds, businesses - 

but that doesn't mean people actually read or follow them!

The path towards the Lake is stroller friendly and 

pretty flat except for a few steep sections at the beginning.

We have also walked (and more recently driven) to the far side of the lake and walked from the parking area around the smaller lake, Lilla Delsjön. 

Food and Drink 

There are two cafes at the lakes that we have visited, one is close to the big lake Stora Delsjön, the other near the smaller lake. Also right by the big lake, there is a food stand right before the grassy area, that seems to be open on nicer days.

This is the cozy little cafe by Lilla Delsjön. It even has a nice fireplace.

Both of the cafes we have visited, offer plenty of outdoor seating and are nice places to stop for a hot drink and treat. They also offer some lunch items like wraps and sandwiches. Last time we visited (April 2021) they also had Oat Milk available for Coffee.

Swimming In The Lake!

It doesn't matter how cold it is, we have seen Swedes jump right in for a swim in the lake even when it's 5 celsius out. I've only swam when it's a really warm day and I've been sitting in the sun (over 20 celsius at least).

Getting to Delsjön

You can take the #5 tram from city centre to get to the lakes.

We stopped taking the buses and trams during the Pandemic so the last time we visited the lake, we walked the whole way. It took us about an hour and a half to walk from our place with a few stops. 

It seems like a long way to travel, but we made a day out of it and on our way we stopped to see a few things, grab an ice latte takeaway and even feed the ducks. Of course, we had to pack enough snacks for everyone (hard boiled eggs, nuts -for us adults, bananas, chips, cheese, and more... Check out my blog for more to-go snack ideas)

Our weekend plans always include at least one family walk, so it was really great to make it out to the lakes and get some great warm weather too. 

If you are in Gothenburg, or plan to visit in the future (Post-Pandemic), and like to do some nature walks, be sure to include Delsjön to your list!

Don't forget your snacks!