April Mary’s Peak Ramble
Hiking season started today with a quick trip to Mary’s Peak for another test of the new backpack. Weather was suggesting temperatures above 70. Driving toward the trailhead, the sunrise over the valley farms and hills … Past this farm … Read More
Molly Tuttle
This is a bit out of scope for my typical posts, but what does a hiker do in bad weather? … play guitar and listen to great players to learn more. Molly Tuttle is a young guitar player and just … Read More
April oddities & a proud jay
Just walking around this last week with a camera … A couple of confused birds. A great blue heron lost on the yard or trying to eat grass like a goose? Then that goose took over an abandoned Osprey platform … Read More
Spyglass to Dorris Ranch
Ok … somedays, I just get distracted. I woke up and looked at the weather and decided a good hoofin’ around the Willamette River would be just the ticket – sunrise, birds, flowers, etc … But, on. a whim, I … Read More
Gear test in mist
For the last new backpack gear test, a long local, low carbon hike without trailhead vandalism risk presented a new methodology – park at somebody’s house and walk to the TH. This hike was 3 miles on the road, to … Read More
W.A.T. -late March
Walking around town (WAT) the last couple of weeks brought out some bushes, flowers, and birds … and an early morning cloudy sky. Reminder: clicking on pic opens 90% quality resolution. Bushes – pinks and whites Flowers – whites, yellows … Read More
Ridgeline e2e 2up
I risked another trailhead vandalism (but this time armed with new auto window alarms) for a near-in Ridgeline Trail hike to test out a new backpack — yipee!!! more to follow on that one. Weather was cloudy and cool Hike … Read More
Review: Osprey Exos Backpack
After my Granite Gear Crown failed to live up to expectations last year, I replaced it with an Osprey Exos 58 Pack. After 2 test runs (hikes) of >15 miles each, I am rejecting the Exos as well. What I … Read More
Latest posts
Spencer Butte: Elevation workout
After 2 longer river hikes, some elevation work was needed to keep old legs, heart and lungs conditioned. Carbon karma was a big issue as well given the drives to Rogue and Enchanted Valley. Spencer Butte carries a 30 min … Read More
Olympic National Park: Enchanted Valley
A hiking buddy of mine goes to Enchanted Valley regularly, and this year he asked me to tag along. We arrived at the Graves Creek Trailhead (East Fork Quinault River Trail – NPS, All Trails) around 11:00, May 17. This … Read More
May flowers & parents
Walking around the mill race and Ducks’ football stadium today camera in hand … First those slow children and watchful parents taking up too much of the bike path One of the osprey parents took a break to clean up, … Read More