It's hot. You've been driving for hours. The kids are screaming. Everyone's cranky.
     Don't despair. There are plenty of diversions for the kids in Okanogan Country.
     Most communities have parks with plenty of running-around room for youngsters; a few have adjacent swimming pools.
     Kid-friendly stops include:
     - Conconully State Park. Playground equipment, nature trail, running room, shade, lake, picnic/barbecue areas, restrooms. Deer often can be seen wandering through town.
     - East Side Park, Omak. Swimming pool, playground equipment, tennis courts, basketball hoops, skate park, ball fields, paved walking/fitness trail.
     Omak Visitor Information Center is located in the park, as is the Omak Stampede office.
     - Alma Park, Okanogan. Swimming pool, picnic area, playground equipment, horseshoe pits, small baseball diamond, basketball hoops.
     - The Plex, Okanogan. Baseball/softball fields, soccer fields, fitness trail, playground equipment.
     - Brewster park complex. Pool, beach on Columbia River, climbing toys, basketball hoops and tennis courts nearby.
     - Okanogan County Historical Museum. Historical exhibits including pioneer main street, gift shop, apple history, fire hall museum. Adjacent to Legion Park with Saturday morning farmers' market.
     - Old West Winthrop. Board sidewalks, appealing stores, putt-putt golf, gold panning, museums, park with play equipment.
     - Washington Pass Overlook. An easy hike west of Mazama on North Cascades Highway; paved trail is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.
     - Grand Coulee Dam. Tours, visitors' center, laser light show on the dam's face (Memorial Day through September).
     - North Dam Park, Grand Coulee. Ball fields, picnicking and rest rooms, windmill garden, walking trail, skate park.
     - Stonerose Interpretive Center and Eocene Fossil Site, Republic. Dig for fossils (fee charged). Republic has a nice downtown park with play equipment. Deer often can be seen wandering through town.
     - Chief Joseph Dam. Interpretive areas and tours, paved interpretive trail, labyrinth and salmon maze, playground equipment, restrooms, picnic areas.
     - Lone Fir Trail, about five miles from Washington Pass; woodsy, winding, .8-mile round trip includes four old-fashioned log bridges and a mix of forest and streamside settings.
     - Okanogan Country's innkeepers and guide services also offer a variety of kid-friendly amenities, including horseback riding, bicycle rentals, hiking and water sports.