Have you ever re-discovered a book from your childhood that still has the power to move and profoundly impact you, even a half century after your initial read? If so, then you’ve found a true classic. Joy Adamson’s Born Free: … Continued
Every once in a while those “spur of the moment” ideas pan out pretty well. Like The Oregon Garden. We visited there recently. On a fluke. Located about 20 miles east of Salem in the little town of Silverton, … Continued
We’re sometimes asked why we love hiking. That’s kind of like asking why we *love* breathing. But okay. Here’s the ‘nutshell’ answer by video. About 2:25 minutes. Includes some fave hikes in Oregon, the Olympic Peninsula, and Mount Rainier National … Continued
“So, what do you want to do for your birthday?” Chris asked. “Anything special for the big 5-9?” “How ’bout we day hike around Lake Quinault?” I chirped. It sounded like a good idea at the time. That’s the thing … Continued
Rating: Strenuous Distance: 6.2 miles round trip High Point: 5,939 feet Elevation Gain: 1,120 feet A challenging climb to a jaw-dropping view of Mount Rainier, the trail to Tolmie Peak is the Haagen Dazs of day hikes. You can break … Continued
People sometimes ask, “What’s the best season for hiking?” The answer is: That depends. On weather. On calendars. On where you want to go, see, and how much time you have. For us, fall gets the nod for Finest Hiking … Continued
Rating: Strenuous Distance: 6.2 miles, round trip Elevation gain: 2,300 ft. over three miles The Crystal Lakes trail probably isn’t a great choice if you have a heart condition. This is a tough, steep climb. For the stout-hearted and … Continued
“… the most luxuriant and the most extravagantly beautiful of all the alpine gardens I ever beheld in all my mountain-top wanderings.” – John Muir on wildflower meadows at Mount Rainier’s Paradise Mount Rainier’s wildflower meadows are world-renowned. Indeed, … Continued