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
Silver Falls no ice
Over 20 degrees warmer than the last trip to Silver Falls, and there was no ice … a bit of rain and mud, but nothing material or dramatic. Just the falls, trees, birds and a few humans who not surprisingly … Read More
Latest posts
Oakridge: Aubrey Mountain Loop
The original plan for Tuesday 6-28 was to take the Eugene to Crest Trail from just east of Oakridge (Aubrey Mnt TH) as far east as possible and then turn around to be back at the TH by 2:30. Everything … Read More
First summer blooms
The first week of summer after a month of heavy rains in OR – totally opposite of the recent years’ early fires. I looked up history June rainfall for our end of Willamette Valley (Averages and June 22 month to … Read More
Spencer Butte: Solstice 2022
For a second year, Summer Solstice sunrise around Spence Butte was the start of summer. Last year’s pics were more remarkable given the unstable skies. This year, after several days of rain, the forest was booming big and green, the … Read More