My favorite shoes A peaceful winter trail walk A long summer hike I don’t always write poems about my shoes. But when I do, they’re haikus. Okay, I never write poems about …
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Day hiking with kids is such a rewarding experience, and a lot of fun, but preparation is a big part of making sure the hike goes smoothly. It can be the difference …
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The Big Obsidian Flow trail sounds innocuous enough: A one-mile interpretive trail climbs up and onto this impressive lava flow of obsidian (black glass) and pumice 1. We were already in …
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Whenever we travel, we enjoy learning about the local history. My favorite souvenirs are history books. And so, when we read that the Fort Rock museum is a Homestead Village on the …
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What is rocking, you say? Only the hottest new phenomenon to hit Springfield and Eugene! It’s actually been around for a couple of years, but our family has recently joined the craze …
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After a few summers of our “grand adventures”, I asked my two oldest children, ages 11 and 6, to list five things they love about our summer travel adventures. Their answers surprised …
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Guys, if this isn’t Armageddon, I don’t know what else is. Our forecast for the next few days ranges from “Phew, it’s hot!” to “OMG, we’re all gonna die.” My number 1 …
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The long, rainy days of Oregon’s Willamette Valley can make anyone stir crazy, and sometimes we need to get outside for some fresh air. But mud, not so much. We often choose …
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We really wanted somewhere new for our weekend hike with our kids, so I hit the maps and found Alderwood State Wayside park about 40 minutes from our house. It didn’t promise …
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Leaburg Fish Hatchery has been a favorite day trip location for over 20 years, even before we had kids. It’s a wonderful place to have a picnic, take a walk, and feed …
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Proxy Falls is the perfect mountain escape on a hot valley day. We fled the Willamette valley on such a day, with the thermometer hovering around 97 degrees. Proxy Falls is one …
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Whether you like long hikes or short ones near the car, Silver Falls State Park has everything you’ll want. Hike the full 7.2 mile Trail of Ten Falls to see all 10 …