Southern Oregon Family Vacation Day 2: Nonstop adventure

Highlights from day two of our Southern Oregon family vacation:

The Rogue River: A rafting adventure

My daughter was nervous about rafting down the Rogue River in Southern Oregon. You can see it in her face in the photo above.

She was worried about falling in the river, hitting her head on a rock and mostly about a snake jumping into the boat ("Very, very unlikely," our guide told us). I was determined to get her on the river and show her that the exhilaration of rafting is fun and enjoyable.

We reserved a half-day morning trip with Rogue Wilderness Adventures, a 42-year-old company that leads all sorts of adventures from rafting to hiking in the Rogue Valley. Our guide Richard was a pro and when he mentioned that he'd been rafting the river for over four years, my daughter relaxed.

Our very cool guide Richard who can navigate the craziest white water.

The Rogue flows from the deep blue waters of Crater Lake and twists and turns its way through pristine pine forests and the fertile Rogue River Valley, before dumping into the Pacific. An 84-mile section was one of the original eight rivers included in the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968.

We rafted the seven miles between Merlin and Galice that takes you through the towering rock peaks of the famed Hells Gate where The River Wild was filmed. The stretch offers a kid-friendly mix of thrilling class I and II rapids, mild riffles and placid pools perfect for swimming on hot days.

Along the way we spotted a river otter playing in a riffle, a bald eagle proudly perched in a treetop, an osprey dive down for a fish, and a mother duck take her babies through a rapid. We got a little wet and had many laughs. And best of all, no snakes jumped into our boat and nobody fell in. By the end of the trip, the kids were hot and wishing a rapid would throw them into the cool river.

River's Edge
Often when you dine at finer restaurants outside big cities you find menus featuring dated, tired culinary preparations. Halibut with mango salsa anyone?

That's not the case at the River's Edge. At this locals favorite in Grants Pass, the chef keeps up with the latest trends. You'll find pulled-pork tacos with sprout salad, radishes and house-made kim chi and grilled fresh salmon served with fennel, corn and watercress salad.

I opted for the more traditional Caesar salad. Made with grilled romaine and smokey bacon, it was one of the most delicious Caesars I've ever eaten.

The restaurant hangs over the Rogue on the outskirts of town and an outdoor patio allows you to take in the pretty scenery.

You can tell from our clean plates that we liked the food.

Crater Lake Highway: One of America's prettiest routes
Highway 62, better known as the Crater Lake Highway, winds some 80 miles between Grants Pass and Crater Lake. Google Maps will tell you that it takes an hour and a half to drive, but give yourself at least three hours so you have time to make stops along the way.

You'll definitely want to pull over for a photo when Mount Shasta pops into view.

As you pass through the tiny town of Shady Cove, you can't miss Phil's Frosty, an old-school burger shack painted in Pepto Bismol pink.

Natural Bridge: A geological wonder
A popular stop along the Crater Lake Highway, Natural Bridge is a geological wonder on the Rogue River where the water flows underground through a maze of lava tubes and then cascades out some 15 feet over a rocky chute, creating a dazzling waterfall.

With a paved hiking trail that meanders along the river, it's a pretty spot to stretch your legs.

Beckie's: Best pie in Oregon

Heaping slices of fresh pies made that morning are the draw at this 90-year-old cafe housed in a log cabin that sits right on the Crater Lake Highway. Boysenberry is a favorite when in season but my kids' favorite was apple served with scoops of Umpqua Vanilla ice cream.

Crater Lake: The prettiest lake in the U.S.?
I've seen countless photographs of Crater Lake but nothing could have prepared me for its breathtaking beauty. Its waters are so intensely blue and glassy that the 21-square-mile expanse looks like a wall of wet paint. The color chosen by the most careful decorator, Mother Nature herself.

Sheer cliffs and towering mountains circle the glorious body of water and on the day we visited they were covered in snow. In fact, the snow was still so deep that hiking trails were only recommended for those with snow shoes.

The kids were thrilled to play around in the snow.

We snapped lots of family photos and we're hoping this one might make the Christmas card.

Wood River Valley: A drive through scenic Oregon ranch land

On our drive from Crater Lake to Klamath Falls, where we stayed the night, we passed through the Wood River Valley, an expansive stretch of fertile farmland filled with grazing cattle. Snow-dusted mountains rose above the valley in the distance.

Klamath Fort: Where history is recreated

Just outside Klamath Falls, we stumbled upon this former military outpost, originally established in 1863.

I noticed some people dressed in historical dress and before we knew it we were in the middle of a Civil War reenactment.

Klamath Falls Creamery Brewpub and Grill: Where the burgers are juicy and the beers icy cold

On a Saturday night this popular spot in the heart of historic downtown Klamath falls was packed and hopping. You'll find all the pub classics on the menu — from burgers to fish and chips — and a long list of beers made right on site. My husband and I enjoyed a malty Crater Lake Amber Ale.

The Pub and Grill is housed in a former creamery building originally built in 1935. The neon “Blue Cow” sign from the old creamery still hangs on the building.

Olympic Inn Best Western Klamath Falls: A hotel that welcomes you
My kids were fascinated by the lobby at this hotel. The knotty pine walls give the interior a cabin feel and they were filled with taxidermied animals. When we arrived in the evening, a plate of warm cookies had just been set out for guests. My kids plopped themselves down on the comfy cushions and had fun identifying the animals as they devoured their cookies.

The next morning the kids jumped into the pretty outdoor pool and soaked in the hot tub.