Biking around Priceboro Fire’s leftovers
Note: all photos are iPhone SE After a sequence of >95 degree and smoke-clogged days, some marine air entered the valley, for a morning at least. The route took mostly back country roads northwest up the valley past Harrisburg. For … Read More
Birds, power lines and stupid humans
Note: photos from USGS For birds, and raptors especially, power lines crisscrossing rural and wilderness areas are both a tool and a danger. Poles and structures are usually one of tallest elements and often within or on the edge of … Read More
August fires from Spencer Butte
With a couple of fires burning around home, (OR Fire Marshal has 3: Priceboro, Salmon and Bedrock; the Incident map from US Gov has 2: Salmon and Bedrock). GaiaGPS has a smoke forecast feature and here’s the map for then … Read More
8-01-23, a sturgeon moon
Last night’s full moon, per the Farmers’ Almanac, was a sturgeon moon, and it was BIG. I hung out in what we call the “kiddie park” in an open field waiting for the moon to arrive. Sunset Before the moon … Read More
Flowers, an osprey, fire smoke, and stupid humans
While walking around town this morning, chasing photos, the contrast between natures power and beauty and the humans’ stupidity smashed me full on. Flowers A couple of wonderful flowers from around the neighborhood and some even have some bees. Osprey … Read More
Great article on stream crossings
Treeline Review, a great hiking resource, posted an updated article on stream crossings while hiking and backpacking, “How to Ford a River”. Below is the opening paragraph, and for those hikers who need to cross streams, especially glacial streams in … Read More
Company on Clearwater Park bike trail
Another conditioning bike ride along the Willamette River and another surprise – I had very different company on the bike trail along the Clearwater Bike Path. (All Trails, Willamalane). With only my iPhone SE, photos are crap, but the company … Read More
Hiking Mary’s Peak in wet July fog
Mary’s Peak I often compare to Spencer Butte for a day hike. Both are right outside college towns, Eugene and Corvallis, and heavily used, but Spencer is city and Mary’s is US Forest Service. July 25, 2023 was all Mary’s … Read More
Biking to Fern Ridge Reservoir
Normally, a bike ride to Fern Ridge Reservoir would be nothing more than a conditioning bike ride (as the objective today). But today was different … The bike route A good portion of the route follows the Amazon Bike Trail … Read More
A new goat bell!
A very dear family friend gifted me a new goat bell! His kindness and compassion are second to none and this gift fits his character – perfectly. Our family is lucky to have such friends. Here is the story I … Read More
Latest posts
Fall returns to Spencer Butte
I had a permit and plan to hike Mt Jefferson Wilderness yesterday, but the are was closed due to the Bingham Fire and a refund returned for permit. Tuesday’s Ridgeline hike showed all the smoke in Cascade foothills, and a … Read More
Sunny, hot October on Ridgeline Trail
A couple of days to hike later in October than normal with hot and sunny weather … the decision on where to hike and in what order had to comprehend all the wildfires still burning in both the Willamette and … Read More
Late summer flowers hanging on
While taking care of my short-legged granddaughter for a few weeks, trips to the mountains have to wait. Sometimes a squirrel-hunting very small dog is my top priority and everything spins around her (just what grandpas are supposed to do … Read More