A little bit of hiking early September. It was still a little warm in the Appalachian Plateau. Along the south fork or the Cumberland. It made me miss PNW streams a little because of how low-flow this fork of the river was: Nice tile work though: Much more local mountain biking here. Near a bmx … More hiking, motorcycling, cafes
A southern California visit was short and packed with family time. I don’t remember appreciating the mountains there during childhood visits. The visit also reminded me that their town, or at least neighborhood life is quite car-based when my uncle pointed out that one of his neighbors walks quite a few blocks for grocery shopping … More mountains, family, infrastructure, walking, hiking
Went east again to landscape and clime approaching high desert to avoid rain. Across the Columbia from The Dalles — that general area. November hiking with an unlikely hiking bud: an old coworker. I normally don’t hang out with coworkers (nothing against it). But since I no longer work there, he’s made effort to keep … More Toward Winter
East of Eugene is what I’d been thinking of. I’ve backpacked that Cascades area several times. Was looking at an area up north that I haven’t been to before, but a route to it does not go by Giant Burger. Or by Busy Bee Cafe, which I think closed but has since reopened. It’d been … More Woods, guitar, work, coffee, and food
An urban trail recently. The town does do a good job of making trails available for walking and biking. And you really do notice the graffiti in the park trails: Some graffiti displays more skill than some art does, and visa versa. People ponder whether it’s art or vandalism. It’s probably often both, unless it’s … More Art on infrastructure
On this fair weather day — uncommon for our spring ’23 — the sun reminded me that the general spring weather will end at some point, presumably before fall. Nice weekday hike. A day later — on the weekend — the trails and parking would be packed. Sitting in the Cascades, looking across the river … More Oaks, falls, and walls
I hiked a great park just across the river in Vancouver (WA). Adjacent to a managed wildlife area. A cool day for sure when heading out. A view from the car while it warmed up: The whole area is nice. I’d biked up here before, but hadn’t been north of the park facilities. It’s a … More Wildlife and commerce
Small towns are a nice break from the city. I like how universal the desire is for coffee shops, cafes and such. It’s like the city minus visible impoverishment and music venues. I met a friend who lives in that area for breakfast. She had to start work afterwards. The drive out: just continue straight … More Small town trailhead
My arm’s been in a sling since mid December for post-op healing. A steep enough switchback, worn hiking treads, muddy conditions. That was the simple recipe. Done at 98.6 degrees for exactly one split second to the undesired tenderness. The silver lining has been the time off work, reading books I’d been meaning to pick … More Winter sling and the relationship between things
The wet season. It’s fire-safe to moto in woods. And safe to hike in nearby woods without encountering crowds. While I love riding routes through woods on gravel, I see myself riding pavement through the winter. But taking woods routes on foot, as I like to hear the rain and wind. I had a brisk, … More Winter Wet Hikes and Rides, and Taxes
Thoughts on Trails 