-
10 Essentials for Hiking and Adventuring
What are the 10 Essentials for Hiking and Adventuring? The 10 Essentials is a list of items for outdoor adventurers to keep on hand in case of an outdoor emergency. This list originated in the 1930s by The Mountaineers, a Seattle-based adventure group. It contained specific supplies to bring in your pack to increase your odds of survival should an emergency arise. The list included a map, compass, sunglasses and sunscreen, extra clothing, headlamp/flashlight, first-aid supplies, fire starter, matches, knife and extra food. The original list has evolved over the years but the basic systems needed for survival remain an important part of outdoor emergency preparedness. Options for outdoor gear…
-
Forest Park Ridge Trail Hiking Guide
This hike through Forest Park offers an outstanding view of the iconic St Johns Bridge in NW Portland. Did you know, Forest Park is the largest urban wilderness in the United States? As such there are numerous trails to explore within Forest Park. According to Portland Monthly Magazine, one of the best trails in the park is the Ridge Trail. Whether you prefer urban hikes or a more peaceful hike through trees, you will experience both along the Ridge Trail. Parking for this hike is limited to about 6-8 cars near the trailhead. Without other nearby places to park, you will have better luck going early or later in the…
-
15 Great Murals to Find in Denver Colorado
If you want to get your street art fix, but you’re short on time, here are 15 great murals to find in Denver, Colorado that are relatively close together. I’m not going to lead you to believe that this is a complete list of all the murals in Denver. There are just so many and they are constantly changing. What I can promise you is 15 murals unique and beautifully crafted murals you can see in about an hours time…give or take. I love visiting places with cool street art and try to squeeze in a little mural hunt whenever possible. Denver has murals for days. I could have spent…
-
A Visit to Marchesi Vineyards in Hood River
One Sunday afternoon in March, my husband and I decided to visit Marchesi Vineyards in Hood River. On our drive we each texted friends to get recommendations for a good place to stop and enjoy a glass of wine. Both friends replied “Go to Marchesi,” so that’s where we went. It was our first time trying any of the vineyards in Hood River, but we had heard so many great things from our friends that we were eager to experience it for ourselves. I’m not going to sit here and try to convince you that we are sophisticated wine connoisseurs, far from it, but we do enjoy a nice glass…
-
Valentines Wine Tasting at Methven Vineyards
This year, a couple days before Valentine’s Day, my husband surprised me with a fun day of wine tasting with some friends at Methven Vineyards in Dayton, Oregon in the Willamette Valley. It’s always pretty entertaining for me when downloading images taken on a wine tour…never fails that about half of my images are of the blurry sort. Here’s is just one example (directly above) taken early in the day. To be fair, my lens is super heavy, but I don’t think I can blame my hefty lens on this one! During this special event we enjoyed mushroom risotto, standing rib roast, fresh baked breads, gourmet cheeses and fruits. Everything…
