I was back on AM Northwest this morning to give my recommendations for the best Spring Break Hikes for the family. From whale watching to wildflowers, we cover five of my favorites. Click here to watch the segment.
AM Northwest: Family Hikes for Spring Break
23 03 2017Comments : 2 Comments »
Tags: AM Northwest, Cape Lookout, Dry Creek Falls, family activities, Family Hikes, Forest Park, hiking, Hoyt Arboretum, Oregon Coast, Spring Break, Spring Break Hikes, Tillamook, Tillamook Coast, Tryon Creek State Park, wildflowers
Categories : Television
Best Outdoor Adventures Near Portland
14 08 2016My latest literary spawn has left the nest! The “Best Outdoor Adventures Near Portland” is now available in select bookstores and via any of your favorite online outlets, including Amazon.
From the Intro:
“Portland, Oregon is a special place. One of the primary reasons many of us choose to hang our hats here is the seemingly limitless outdoor recreation options. If there’s something you like to do outside, chances are good that you can find it within two hours of Portland. What do you like doing? What would you like to try? It’s here. Or near here. A quick rundown of things to do includes: hiking, trail running, kayaking, whitewater rafting, stand up paddleboarding, surfing, kite boarding, cycling, mountain biking, mountain climbing, rock climbing, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, horseback riding, paragliding, skydiving, ziplining…..the list is extensive.
Any real estate agent will give you an earful about “location.” Portland benefits greatly from its location in many ways, but with regards to outdoor endeavors, we’re sitting in the catbird seat. From downtown Portland, you can get to the Columbia River Gorge in 30 minutes, have Mt Hood in your face in an hour, dip your toes in the Pacific Ocean in an hour and a half, and take in a sunset from the high desert in two hours. And within that radius are more creeks, rivers, trails, lakes, peaks, valleys, and protected wilderness areas than any of us could ever see in a lifetime or more.
Over the last year and a half, I got to go traipsing around the greater Portland area with my friends, experiencing the best outdoor activities the region has to offer. And now it all culminates in a guidebook that for me, also serves as a journal of these incredible experiences. Some of the best adventures I’ve had in my life were had while “working” on this book. It is my sincere hope that it can provide you with comparable experiences. I also encourage you to keep going. This book, while chock full of some of the best stuff around, is more or less an amuse bouche for what’s out there. Within two hours of Portland, an immeasurable amount of adventure awaits.”
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Tags: Best Outdoor Adventures Near Portland, Columbia River Gorge, Cycling, Forest Park, Guidebooks, hiking, Mountain Biking, Mt. Hood, nature, oregon, outdoors, Paddling, pdx, photography, Portland, rafting, travel, waterfalls, Writing
Categories : Photography, Uncategorized, Writing
Picture of the Week: North Wildwood Trail
6 04 2015The northern end of Forest Park’s Wildwood Trail is my favorite segment of the entire park. There are fewer visitors, no invasive species, and you get scenes like this; where the park is trying to show off every possible shade of green in every conceivable texture 🙂
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Tags: Forest Park, hiking, Portland, Wildwoot Trail
Categories : Photography
10 Questions with Portlnd author Marcy Cottrell Houle: Part 2
10 05 2012Here’s the link to the conclusion of my interview with Marcy. For me, the highlight is Marcy’s list of the 5 things that separate Forest Park from every other city park in the nation.
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Tags: environment, Forest Park, interview, Marcy Cottrell Houle, nature, One City's Wilderness, people, Portland
Categories : Writing
Photo Essay: Wet Forest Trails
19 04 2012Wet is a good look. Obviously, I’m not the first person to think that. Have you ever noticed that sidewalks and streets are frequently wet on TV and in the movies? Wet streets appear clean, provide better contrast, and just look more appealing. I think the same holds true for wet forest trails, perhaps even more so. Greens greener, browns browner, all forest colors just seem to be richer when wet.
Aside from the colors, hiking after a good rain is exhilarating. The air is clean and sweet. There are far fewer people on the trails, and the wildlife is omnipresent. There’s also a good chance that there’s still cloud cover hanging around; providing that exquisite diffused natural light that photographers in the Pacific Northwest crave. I present this collection of wet trail photographs from my backyard (Portland’s Forest Park) in support of my argument. Click on any shot in the gallery for a larger view.
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Tags: Forest Park, hiking, nature, photography
Categories : Photography, Uncategorized, Writing
Picture of the Week: The “Witch’s Castle” of Balch Creek
26 12 2011It’s actually just what remains of an old Civilian Conservation Corps restroom from the 30’s. But it sure looks creepy.
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Tags: Balch Creek, Forest Park, Macleay Park, Portland, Witch House
Categories : Photography
Picture of the Week: Balch Creek
21 11 2011Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: Balch Creek, Forest Park, Portland
Categories : Photography
Picture of the Week: Forest Secrets
6 06 2011The Multnomah Lodge at the base of Mist Falls burned down in 1929. The fireplace for the lodge remains, though the forest is slowly reclaiming it. You can still see it from the Historic Highway, but you’d better have a sharp eye.
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Tags: Columbia River Gorge, Fireplace, Forest Park, Historic Columbia River Highway, Mist Falls, Multnomah Lodge
Categories : Photography