AM Northwest: Family Hikes for Spring Break

23 03 2017

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.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Advertisement




Best Outdoor Adventures Near Portland

14 08 2016

My 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.”

9781493017102_fc





Picture of the Week: North Wildwood Trail

6 04 2015

The 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 🙂

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA





10 Questions with Portlnd author Marcy Cottrell Houle: Part 2

10 05 2012

Here’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.





10 Questions with Portland author Marcy Cottrell Houle: Part 1

4 05 2012

I was lucky enough to interview another writing hero of mine recently. “One City’s Wilderness: Portland’s Forest Park” author Marcy Cottrell Houle. Here’s part 1.





Photo Essay: Wet Forest Trails

19 04 2012

Wet 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.





Picture of the Week: The “Witch’s Castle” of Balch Creek

26 12 2011

It’s actually just what remains of an old Civilian Conservation Corps restroom from the 30’s. But it sure looks creepy.





Picture of the Week: Balch Creek

21 11 2011





Picture of the Week: Forest Secrets

6 06 2011

The 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.