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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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