Hike

  • Hike,  Places

    Banff Area

    The Banff area is one of the most scenic and spectacular places in North American. I visited the area twice but have only seen the scenery once. On my first trip severe forest fires to the south obscured most of the scenic views. When visiting the Banff area be prepared to be amazed but also expect to do LOTS of driving. We stayed in Canmore, just north of Banff, and it seems as though everywhere is at least an hour away. Click on a photo for a more detailed blog article on the specific places. We live in the Seattle, Washington area and it takes at least two long days…

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    Astoria, OR

    Astoria is a seaside port city at the northern tip of Oregon. It features lots of small business, a quaint downtown area, a variety of architectural styles, and several unique attractions. From Washington you cross the mighty Columbia River on the 4+ mile Astoria Astoria–Megler Bridge. This bridge seems to hover above the water for most of its length but reaches aloft nearly 200′ near Astoria. When visiting Astoria I like to stop at the Bowpicker for some fish and chips. This tiny takeout venue is a small boat located at the corner of 17th & Duane Street. They have only one item available, namely, albacore tuna fish and chips.…

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    Cataldo, ID

    In the late summer of 2016 on the drive back from Yellowstone I wanted to camp near the Washington border. I was several hours behind schedule and the goal was to get somewhere around Cataldo, ID. I had to visit the town with the same name as me. The driving hours rolled by and I got near the goal and started looking for campsites. It was Memorial Day weekend so I knew spots would be at a premium but I hoped to find some backcountry spot to pitch the tent. Every campsite that we encountered was full. I decided to continue westward towards the Washington/Idaho border to try to find…

  • Hike,  Places

    Bend, Oregon

    The city of Bend lies in the high desert area of central Oregon. Our timeshare has properties there and we decided to go. I wondered if there would be enough things to do for an entire week. After getting there the problem was narrowing the list of activities to make them fit into a week. Deserts evoke the feeling of desolate, isolated, hot, and pretty monochromatic. The Central Oregon high desert contains something for just about everyone including trails, rock formations, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, forests, shops, galleries, museums, outdoor artwork, and wildlife. I cannot possibly list all of things to do in the Bend area. Rather, I will describe some…

  • Hike,  Places

    Sahalie & Koosah Falls (Eastern Oregon)

    Location Eastern Oregon in the Bend/Sisters area Length 3 miles Elevation (start) 2800′ Seasons Spring to Fall Usage Heavy Conditions Difficulty Moderate Parking Parking lot at trailhead, no passes required Permits Northwest Trail Pass or National Park Pass required (verify this) This trail is part of the McKenzie River National Recreation Trail. The McKenzie River creates the Sahalie and Koosah Falls. Sahalie Falls is just past the trailhead. You have good photo spots at the beginning of the trail and also good vantage points about 15 minutes past the trailhead. Koosah Falls is about a 30-minute hike from the trailhead. There are some nice views of the river valley and…

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  • Hike,  Places

    Hawaii: Kauai

    The Island of Kauai is the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands which means that it has some very impressive beaches. Kauai has a vibe different from the other islands. On the Big Island I want to get out, hike, explore new places, drive for hours, etc. On Oahu I want to see the history including Pearl Harbor, the lighthouses, Diamondhead, etc. On Kauai I want to just relax, hit the beaches, and snorkel. Kauai is the garden island. As we drove around I saw many interesting looking trees that I called “Dr Seuss Trees.” I was later told that Dr Seuss lived on Kauai (I have been trying to…

  • Hike,  Places

    Hawaii: Big Island

    The Big Island has something for everyone. There are sandy beaches, trails, spectacular views, mountains, rugged coastline, volcanoes, wildlife, cities, dining, and wonderful people. The Big Island has all climate zones from desert to snow. If you could vacation on only one island I would suggest the Big Island because of its diversity. Here are a few of my memorable experiences on the Big Island: Big Island Ranger: (full article) On our first trip to the Big Island we stopped at the Visitor’s Center at the Pu’ukohola Heiau. We adopted a ranger for a couple of days and had some very fun adventures. Captain Cook, Big Island: Captain Cook is…

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    Giant Redwoods RV Camp

    Sometimes, especially on road trips, things do not go as expected. Sometime when things do not go as expected they turn out much better than you could have anticipated. Many years ago we were taking a road trip from Washington State to California via the coastal route. In northern California we wanted to see the giant redwood trees. It was getting later in the day and we needed to find a campground and stop for the night. We pulled off Hwy-101 in the Redwoods and stopped at a campsite. The site was completely full so we got back in the car and checked the next campsite. The next campsite was…

  • Hike,  Places

    Pololu Valley

    The Pololu Valley on the Big Island is one of those stunning places that you must see in person. This is a beautiful valley on the Kohala Coast has an abundance of plant and animal life, a black sand beach, and one of the most impressive overlooks on the Island. The incoming waves look particularly impressive as they create ever changing white foam patterns. The trail from the overlook to the beach takes is about 0.75 miles with a 350′ elevation gain (or drop) and takes about 20 minutes. The trail is not difficult but I would recommend wearing some decent shoes. Along the way you will be treated to…

  • Hike,  Places

    Waipeo Valley

    Waipeo Valley on the Big Island is one of the most gorgeous spots that I have seen. The view from above is just staggering. The road down is VERY steep and you should not even attempt the drive without a four wheeler and a lot of courage. The ultra sharp turns are too tight for most vehicles so you have to start the turn, backup, turn again, and repeat the process to continue. On the way down you can see the very tall and slender Hiilawe Falls. This is one of the tallest waterfalls in North America. When you see this waterfall you have almost reached the valley floor. As…