Are you a kayaker at heart? Does the idea of coursing through water under your own steam intrigue you?

In Southern Oregon and Northern California, the kayak season is yearlong and the possibilities for adventure are nearly endless.

When I learned about the guided snowshoe hikes at Crater Lake National Park a few years ago, it was as enticing for this southern Florida transplant as a chance to visit a foreign country.

In fact, Crater Lake was one of the places that lured me to Oregon in the first place, but the 1,943-foot clear, blue caldera lures visitors from all over the world to marvel at its beauty and mystique. A visit during cool winter months and the chance to strap on a pair of snowshoes, however, is an experience all its own.

For parents and grandparents who love winter recreation, getting the whole family on skis is something that comes to mind before kids can walk, much less slide down a snow-covered slope.