A Hike in the Foothills

One of the benefits of living in Boise is the close proximity and access to all sorts of outdoor activities. This winter, since we're experiencing such mild weather, I've been out exploring the foothills and doing a little hiking. The high desert climate helps to make this possible year round.

So, while I work my way through the Ridge to Rivers Trail System during the week, on the weekend I like to select  something further afoot. Yesterday, this meant my first trip out to the Wilson Creek area in the foothills of the Owyhee Mountains south of Nampa, Idaho. I was on the trail by 8:15 am, and it was worth the early hour to have the trail to myself and explore at my own leisure.

If you're in the area, I highly recommend checking out this hike. I completed 9.5 miles in about four hours with a short snack stop to refuel and enjoy the view. Idaho is a beautiful place, and my goal is get out and explore more of it.

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2010: One Long Road Trip

I went a few places this past year that you may not know about. Like the 2,045 mile road trip from Salem, Oregon, to southern California and back.

I discovered my favorite mission so far: Mission Nuestra Senora de Soledad. Tiny and inconspicuous, it was off the beaten path among farmland outside the community of Soledad.

I stopped in San Luis Obispo for three nights, and promptly fell in love with the area. I visited Cambria, Morro Bay, and drove past those famous, happy California cows grazing the hillsides below Hearst Castle.

From there, I enjoyed a brief stop in Santa Barbara. Of course, it meant another mission tour.

A walk on the beach. Some decent Indian food. And the admiring of a lot of tile in the city courthouse. Make sure you climb to the top of the bell tower for a fantastic panoramic view.

A few months later I found myself on a boat cruising around the Hawaiian islands with my parents. It was my first time to any of the islands, and a great way to get an overview of where I might want to return to.

In July, I was introduced to the Basque culture that surrounds Boise during Jaialdi.

In September, my sister met me in Hermosa Beach for a weekend of tart frozen yogurt, letterpress art, and bicycling along the beach.

There were also half a dozen road trips to eastern Idaho, two weekends in Salt Lake City, and a return visit to Portland after eight months away. A visit during which I never took a single picture. Hard to believe.

It's been a year of tremendous change for me personally and professionally. And I'm looking forward to what 2011 will bring!

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Summer is the Season of Handmade

Mention the words "local" and "handmade" in the same sentence, and I'm likely to show up to whatever is happening. That was the case today when I learned earlier in the week about the supa summa craft market at the Flying M Coffeegarage in downtown Nampa.

Nampa, you say? Yes, let's go for a walk around downtown Nampa and see what we find. Did anyone else grow up with an 88 cent store in their town?

I saw this sign and immediately recalled the worn hardwood floors and the tinkling bell of the store that graced a corner of the small Oregon town I grew up in. Of course, the store longer exists, but it's still fun to see a vestige of days gone by.

Around the block, I stopped in to check out the wares on display at Urban Shed, a large consignment shop with contemporary and antique finds.

It's the building as much as the contents that will draw you in. Far in the back, I found a small glass dish to catch my keys and sunglasses when I step in the door at home.

Across the street, it was the handmade jewelry that attracted my attention at the Brass Razoo Boutique.

And once I was there, I was drawn in by the artful and clever displays of both furniture and clothing. By the time you reach the back of the store, you won't feel like you're in Nampa anymore, but a chic boutique that has recently garnered national attention.

I like the eclectic heartbeat that downtown Nampa has. I've seen traditional downtowns struggle in every area I've lived in, and it's encouraging to see this growing revival of boutiques. Sure, you can find both the hip and the ordinary, but more importantly, you can support local and handmade.

Some places to check out on your own walk around downtown Nampa:

Brass Razoo Boutique

115 13th Avenue South

Flying M Coffeegarage

1314 2nd Street South

Retro Connection

1305 2nd Street South

Urban Shed

120 13th Avenue South

The White Pine Boutique

1306 2nd Street South

...

So...I moved to Idaho

So, last month I moved to Idaho. Boise, to be exact. And I've been giving myself some time to adjust and do all the little things one must do when relocating and starting a new job.

A couple weeks ago, I finally went out to start exploring my new environs. I had seen the Boise Depot poised along the edge of the bench plateau on earlier trips to the area, and I wanted to get a closer look. I thought it might be an appropriate way to introduce you to my new city.

Completed in 1925, the Union Pacific Railroad Depot was a key element in the design of a grand boulevard into Boise. It anchors one end of the boulevard, while the state capitol building marks the opposite end.

I was particularly attracted to the Spanish Colonial architecture and red tile roof. It's not a style you see often in the Pacific Northwest. The surrounding grounds are beautifully landscaped, and the pond below the waterfall and rock grotto has the largest koi fish I have ever seen!

In some ways, the interior reminded me of being in the main hall on Ellis Island, although on a much smaller scale.



I've already been scouting out local events and nearby places to visit. And though I've spent a fair amount of time travelling through Idaho on my way to other places, the state itself is going to be full of new adventures for me.

One more time

Before the craziness of moving is upon me...

One more walk around the neighborhood.

One more head pat for Zelda the bassett hound.

One more slice of chocolate buttermilk cake.

One more afternoon at Powell's.

One more drive to the coast.

I feel like this move is halfway between where I've been and where I'm going.

A Pit Stop

I remember on family car trips we would stop at the Olive Pit when we were passing Corning, California. I haven't been on this stretch of road for (gulp) over 20 years. So when I started seeing the signs along the side of the road, I knew I had to pull over and see what they had to offer.



They've completely remodeled their shop, and now have a small cafe adjacent to their tasting bar and open shelves. You can peruse row after tidy row of glass jars with tantalizing and tasty offerings such as Blue Cheese Stuffed Spicy Olives and Cuban Pitted Olives.

Of course, I couldn't resist picking up a jar or two for myself. I settled on Deep South Cajun Pitted Olives and Lemon Citrus Olives. Mmm!

Poetry in Motion

Every winter the Oregon coast is host to a unique event: Fisher Poets on the Edge. In the past, my work schedule hasn't allowed me to attend. But this year? I made a plan and escaped to Newport to see and hear what the fuss was about.



I had a little time before the main even on Saturday night, so I grabbed my camera and walked along the docks on Yaquina Bay.



This guy wanted his own space apart from the clan on the neighboring rocks:



That night it was standing room only at the Oregon Coast Aquarium as a lineup of fishermen (and one woman) recited tales and songs of their lives on the sea.



In measured meter and rhyming couplets, they had the crowd spellbound with their words. And in between sets, we were welcome to stroll through the exhibits.



I don't think one could ever tire of watching jellyfish.

By the river

I always feel a bit more at home along the river. I grew up by it. I saw it every day. Crossed it to work, to play, and to worship. And now, when I have the chance to return, it continues to impart a sense of continuity and calm.



I've struggled to define a Thanksgiving tradition since returning to Oregon five years ago. I have childhood memories of watching stormy seas and walking deserted beaches. This year, I decided to spend some time in Astoria, a small town not too far from where I grew up.



I decided to try out a small cabin in a newly renovated hotel, and to explore downtown on foot with my camera.



My trip coincided with the beginning of the St. Lucia Festival of Lights, where the opening ceremony was being held at the local high school.



Naturally, I visited some old favorites, too: the Astor Column, the Astoria-Megler bridge, the Home Bakery.



I think, perhaps, I've found my new Thanksgiving tradition.

Oregon Outback: Where the... goats roam

I took a little trip the other day for work and got to see the vastness of Lake County in a new way. We stayed overnight at the Lodge at Summer Lake, a simple bank of rooms popular with hunters and other travelers passing through.

In the morning we continued on to Paisley, where our meeting was being held. Paisley is apparently know for their annual mosquito festival, but I think they should be better known for the superb made-from-scratch cinnamon rolls that the Homestead Restaurant rolls out.

Before we left, I couldn't resist snapping a photo of the psychedelic butterfly wallpaper in the women's restroom at the restaurant. Where can I get some?

It's Harvest Time

There are certain activities that just seem to evoke the right mood for the season. Today, that meant a drive through the autumn foliage in the Columbia River Gorge and a pit stop at the Hood River Harvest Fest.

My first stop was Vista House, which sits atop a windy bluff overlooking the Columbia River.



They've been busy renovating the exterior of the building, but it's the view of the windows from the interior that I like:



After a windy walk around the point, I meandered east along Highway 30 enjoying the easy pace and the brightly-hued leaves. At the bottom of the hill, I made a quick trip to the base of Multnomah Falls. It's a beautiful sight any time of year.



Further east along the old highway, I came across another destination point that I've been wanting to check out: the newly reopened Oneonta tunnel.



Originally opened in 1914, the tunnel was filled in with rock in 1948. In 2006, the excavation work began, and daylight was once again seen through the tunnel for the first time in 58 years. The tunnel officially reopened to pedestrian traffic in March 2009.



My final stop for the day was the Hood River Harvest Fest. Want to taste a Tokyo Rose apple or Shinseiki pear? This is the place to do it.



There's a nice array of food booths and northwest artisans showcasing their talents. I even managed to complete a fair amount of my holiday shopping as I browsed (and bought).



There's no question that I live in a beautiful state, and autumn is one of the best times of the year to enjoy it.

An Oregon Scenic Byway

Earlier this week I drove a 52-mile stretch of road along Highway 7 between Baker City and Bates that I had never travelled before. That opportunity doesn't happen very often, so I had to take a photo to document it. East of the Cascade Mountains we had enjoyed blue skies and warm temps all weekend. It was perfect bicycling and rock climbing weather. As I descended from the summit of Santiam Pass, I was once again greeted by the wind and grey skies of the Willamette Valley below.

End of Summer

Ah, summer. Did you really come and go so quickly? I don't want to let you go yet. I want to take another early morning walk through Sugar House and reminisce about when you could slide into a vinyl booth at Snelgroves and spoon up a delicious ice cream treat.



I want to be ferried across False Creek in a tiny boat to enjoy the bounty of fresh produce and local art on Granville Island.



Then I want to return to that little shack tucked into a corner of the dock where they prepare fresh fish purchased just moments ago. Waiting 45 minutes in the blistering sun? Completely worth it.



And finally, I want to retreat to the 3rd-floor suite in a renovated Victorian house and leave the door ajar as I listen to the pitter-patter of rain drops and feel the static in the air as an elctrifying summer storm sweeps across the sky.



Can we do it again next year?