Your First Visit to Sedona - Books, Tips, and Interactive Map

I recently had out-of-state guests who decided, on the spur of the moment, where they would be going and staying. So, I didn't have time to advise them on where to go and what to see in Sedona. Of course they wanted to go to Sedona, the land of red rock formations, gourmet food, and vortexes! If I had been given the opportunity, I would have shared with them some Sedona advice for first timers.

Orient Yourself to Sedona Attractions

A great place to start is to visit the Sedona Chamber of Commerce's 3D online interactive map of Sedona attractions.

Sedona Map (click link above for an interactive version)

Go to the full size map in the link above, click around and explore Sedona. The map will also help you decide where to stay. Not knowing what was there, my friends headed for Uptown Sedona, the most crowded area. They were disappointed. "Too many people," they reported. But look what else is there to see if you just venture out of the crowded areas!

Stay in a Peaceful Setting

To soak in the natural beauty of the Sedona Red Rocks, you need to retreat to a setting by Oak Creek or out of town a little bit. I recently had the opportunity to stay at the Amara Resort, convenient to Uptown, but down on the creek with a Red Rock view. It was quieter down there and the onsite restaurant, Salt Rock Southwest Kitchen, serves excellent food and libations. Next to the Amara Resort is the beautiful L'Auberge de Sedona, also located on the creek but with separate cabin accommodations complete with relaxing porch. 

Great Margaritas with a view at Amara!

 

Another place to stay, this one with a killer view, is the Sky Ranch Lodge, up on Airport Mesa. It's not a fancy hotel, but it has a fantastic location. Airport Mesa is where people gather at sunset to watch the Sedona magic and get some great photos. I haven't stayed there but it's high on my list (pun intended) as a desirable place to check out. 

Vista from Airport Mesa

Another recommendation for a peaceful place to stay is up Oak Creek at Oak Creek Cabins. I haven't stayed there but friends told me they went every year around Halloween. You'll have your own cabin and can explore the creek and woods there. Cooking in is common as you'll need to drive into Sedona proper to go out to dinner. 

Seek Sedona Advice

Read up, ask around and get some information before going to Sedona. Wander With Wonder, where I frequently publish my articles, has some great Sedona information. And, of course, I have my favorite places including:

Red Rock Crossing via Crescent Moon Ranch Day Area

It’s a quick drive from Uptown via 89A, past the turnoff to the airport to Upper Red Rock Loop Road. You then follow the signs to Red Rock Crossing and Crescent Moon Ranch Day Use Area.

It’s a place I have visited often, sometimes to photograph beautiful Cathedral Rock, and sometimes just to wade in the creek. I recommend arriving when they open at 8 a.m. After paying the $11 day-use fee, park in one of the first parking lots (very few cars are there at that hour) and take the pathway past a giant tree to the creek. Farther on, there are trails along the creek, swimming holes, and Buddha Beach, where people make and leave rock cairns.

Chapel of the Holy Cross

High on a red rock cliff is a Catholic Chapel that you can visit. The Chapel of the Holy Cross was created by a local rancher and a sculptor. When you enter, you'll be taken by the beautiful crucifix on the "tree of life" and the soaring windows with the Red Rock view. It's beautiful and peaceful.

Tlaquepaque

Always fun is the little shopping village with art glass galleries, restaurants, and even a brewery. The Tlaquepaque village is reminiscent of a Mexican village and is fun to wander and shop. Of course, during the height of tourist season in the middle of the day it will be crowded. 

Tlaquepaque shopping and dining in a little scenic village.

Schnebly Hill with a Jeep

Get away from it all and drive up Schnebly Hill (accessed not far past Tlaquepaque) for some stellar scenery and hiking. However, the road will become rutted and stoney not far out of town so you will need a jeep or other off-road worthy vehicle. If you don't have one, check with a local Jeep tour company like Pink Jeeps for a guided tour up there. This is not a loop trail so you'll need to drive up, check out the scenery, and then turn around to go back into town.

My favorite view of Sedona is accessible via Jeep

Sedona Reading List

Feast Portland: Exploring the Bounty of Oregon Before Feast Begins

All trails do lead to Feast, as they say, so we explored the culinary offerings of southern Oregon before the Feast Portland events. Along the way, we met some folks who would be cooking and exhibiting in Portland and others who invited us to enjoy some locally sourced, farm-fresh foods. Feast Portland designated the hashtag #trailstoPortland for all the food enthusiasts who were traveling in Oregon on their way to Feast.

The Southern Oregon Artisan Corridor

After landing at the Rogue Valley Medford International Airport (less than an hour's flight from Portland) we headed down I-5. Medford, Oregon, near the California border on the I-5 corridor, is known for the famous Harry and David’s gourmet gifts but on our southern Oregon "Trails to Feast" experience, I happened upon a little bit of undiscovered artisan food heaven in the Central Point area just off I-5. They even have a name for it—the Southern Oregon Artisan Corridor.

To die for grilled blue and cheddar cheese from Rogue Valley Creamery

Ledger David hosted a tasting paired with Rogue Creamery cheeses.

It’s a stop that will leave you wanting to linger more in the area but if you only have an hour or two, you can benefit from the co-location of three highly regarded purveyors of gourmet delights—Rogue Creamery, Lillie Belle’s Chocolates, and Ledger David Cellars wines. Actually located in Central Point, part of the Medford metropolitan area, the three businesses share an unlikely location—next to the railroad tracks. But don’t let that deter you. The Artisan Corridor has award-winning treats in store. Read our full story on Wander With Wonder.

The Chateau at Oregon Caves National Monument 

At the soon to be renovated Chateau, we experienced the lodge and coffee shop as travelers in the 1930s might have. This picturesque six-story lodge blends into the forest with its bark-covered exterior. The building extends down into a canyon with a little waterfall and trout pond. The Chateau houses 23 guest rooms, a fine dining room overlooking the canyon, and a quaint 1930s era coffee shop.

The Chateau

We gathered in the Caves Café coffee shop for traditional breakfasts—French toast, eggs, and local sausage, hearty bowls of oatmeal and, of course, coffee. The “Eggs in a Cave” were popular with the eggs being cooked inside a “cave” of Texas toast.

Cave Eggs!

It was easy to want to relax for a while in this old-fashioned café with birch and maple counters and knotty-pine paneling. But, the hearty breakfasts were to prepare us for the much-anticipated entry into the cave, just steps away from the Chateau.  Read our Oregon Caves story on Wander With Wonder.

The Wild Coast Beckons 

Since we were visiting the Oregon Caves, the best way to get to the coast was to take scenic Hwy 199 which dipped into California and gave us a taste of the magnificent redwoods at Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. If you continued on, you’d end up in Crescent City, California. Instead, we turned north on Highway 101 to explore the southern Oregon coast.

Once we reached the coast we enjoyed a marvelous lunch and then traveled north to Port Orford. We were right along the coast with viewpoints dotting the road. Oregon legislators gave us all a wonderful gift in 1967. The Oregon Beach Act was a piece of landmark legislation in Oregon establishing public ownership of land along the Oregon Coast from the water up to sixteen vertical feet above the low tide mark. This means that people have access and that views are not marred by hotels and developments.

The views and hiking opportunities kept us busy for the afternoon and then that evening we had another marvelous dinner, watched a sunset from the deck of the restaurant, and settled into private luxe cabins in the woods for the night. Read about our wild coast experience on Wander With Wonder.

Experiencing Feast Portland

Once our foodie and fun explorations of southern Oregon were over, it was time to get serious about food. We had arrived in Portland, Oregon, for Feast Portland 2018 and soon it was time to delve into the latest food products from Oregon and beyond, sip a little wine and go to an amazing Feast Portland dinner event.

Read about our Feast Portland 2018 experience on Real Food Traveler. Save the date for year eight of Bon Appétit Presents Feast Portland, September 12-15, 2019. You’ll have plenty of choices if you log on quickly for tickets. If you procrastinate, you can still have fun with the larger tasting events.

Feast On!

Pacific Crest Trail Days in Cascade Locks, Oregon Slated for August

Pacific Crest Trail Days is a 3-day summer festival that celebrates and promotes outdoor recreation, with a focus on hiking, camping, and backpacking.  It will be held August 13th - 19th, 2018. Attendees get to participate in activities, games, classes & presentations, win awesome gear at the raffle, watch a series of films, and get great deals on the latest outdoor products from exhibiting sponsors at the Gear Expo.  Whether you’re into car camping, day hiking, or long distance hiking, the gear and info you are looking for will be there!

All raffle proceeds are donated to the Pacific Crest Trail Association and the American Long Distance Hiking Association-West.  PCT DAYS is free to attend, with a fee for overnight camping on Thunder Island.  Don’t miss out on being a part of a great time at the 12th annual PCT DAYS, located in Cascade Locks, Oregon, the heart of the Columbia River Gorge!

For more info, visit http://www.pctdays.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pctdays

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/pctdays/
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/pctdays #pctdays @pctdays

PCT DAYS Official Video:  https://vimeo.com/241759472

Cascade Locks: Things to See and Do in this Columbia Gorge Community

As the wildfires burned this last September, we began to realize how the little community of Cascade Locks on the Oregon side of the Bridge of the Gods felt as the flames, smoke and cinders came closer and closer to their town. The visible remnants of the Eagle Creek Fire still line I-84. The town was all but shut down during the fires. And they are still recovering.

After the all clear was given, the townspeople began to pick up the pieces of their disrupted lives. Tom Cramblett, Mayor and Captain of the Sternwheeler Columbia that docks seasonally in Cascade Locks, was on television talking about the town, their strength and their financial woes.

A group of businesses gathered together and began a promotion to bring funding to the businesses who proudly were #CascadeLocksStrong. You could purchase gift cards from the many businesses thus giving them a boost when they needed it most. I was one of the people who bought those gift cards and now, that the fire was deemed 100% contained, it was time to head out to the Gorge and show them a little love.

Scenic Drive to Cascade Locks

Finally the rains were stopping for a week. With the imminent threat of landslides from the rain-soaked hills, I was reluctant to drive scenic Hwy 14 on the Washington side. But it was drying so I took off for Cascade Locks to meet some friends for lunch. Sure, we could have met for lunch in Vancouver or Portland, but we wanted to let Cascade Locks know that they were not forgotten.

The weather was promising as I headed out east on Hwy 14 on the Washington side. I always stopped at the Cape Horn lookout for a photo op. But things were different that day. All of a sudden the road was enveloped in fog. I’d never seen it like that.

Cape Horn Overlook - WA Hwy 14

The rest of the drive was quiet and scenic. I reached the Bridge of the Gods in record time and rumbled across the steel bridge with grids so open you could see the river below. It was good to be back in the Gorge once again.

Spirit of Cascade Locks

As I drove off the bridge I noticed a yellow hazard tape stretched across the entrance to the Pacific Crest Trail. Things had changed. And then I noticed the rest of the wooded drive was lined with lighted Christmas figures. Cheerful, pretty and full of spirit.

Since I had Francesca the Coonhound with me, and I had promised her that she could explore Thunder Island, we continued on and parked at the lot near the Locks Waterfront Grill where the sternwheeler docks in summer. The sun came out as we took a look at the statue of Sacagawea, the Shoshone woman who helped Lewis and Clark in their explorations of the area.

My dog stopped to sniff yet another statue, one I hadn’t noticed before… Seaman, the dog. Seaman was the only animal to complete the entire journey with Lewis and Clark. There are statues in his honor in several Columbia River cities. Francesca was impressed!

Francesca poses with Seaman, the Newfoundland

We continued our walk along the river and came to the bridge leading to Thunder Island.

Exploring Thunder Island

Thunder Island is a small island that was carved out of the mainland in 1890 to build the Cascade Locks and Canal. The historic locks and canal provided safe passage around the rapids for ships traveling up and down the Columbia River. There is a trail along the edge of the island. We checked out the interpretive information and then took a trail to the right. It’s fun feeling as though you are out in the mighty Columbia River.

At the end of the island we saw a huge blue heron, probably 5 feet high. It took off as soon as Francesca and I got very close. We rounded the end and continued on the other side of the island stopping to look at views of the Washington side of the river. We came upon a platform used for weddings on the island. (There is electricity and resin chairs people can use). As we reached the other tip of the island we stopped to admire the Bridge of the Gods. 

It was a beautiful, clear fall day on the Columbia River

 And then I looked up, at the hillsides. They were covered with snow. It was beautiful.

A recent snow dusted the hillside.

Also on Thunder Island, you can visit Thunder Island Brewing Company and the Thunder Island Historical Museum located in one of the original lock tender’s homes.

Cascade Locks for Lunch

I’m usually in Cascade Locks in the summer for hiking and walking and a favorite stop is the East Wind Drive Inn. This little drive in is a go-to place for ice cream after a hike or drive in the Gorge. They serve breakfast and burgers too. But we kept walking this time as our destination for lunch was farther up.

We passed some motels and a grocery store and the Native fish shop, the Brigham Fish Market. The serve up chowder and fish lunches as well as sell local and Alaskan sea food.

And then on the corner, just before you turn up to drive on the Bridge of the Gods is the Bridgeside Restaurant (used to be Charburger). It’s been there forever. And they still have the same arrowhead collections, wagon wheel chandeliers and marvelous char-broiled burgers.

Bridgeside was warm, cozy and decorated for the holidays.
The fire had not dampened the spirit of Cascade Locks.

Their baked goods are excellent too. Try a slice of marionberry pie. We sat at one of the many booths with a view of the Columbia River and Bridge of the Gods. It’s a homey, warm destination on a winter drive into the Gorge.

Marionberry pie with a view!

It’s one place we wanted to show some love on our day trip. It’s one place we had good memories and wanted to create more. Cascade Locks is a town worth exploring, having a picnic, stopping for an ice cream and enjoying the views. The people of Cascade Locks are strong and we were pleased to see that they were very open for business.

Bridge of the Gods

More on Cascade Locks and The Columbia Gorge

Ride the Sternwheeler Columbia Gorge

Bridge of the Gods

Bindu Trips: Destination Columbia River Gorge

The Light Adventurer: Exploring the Salmon River Trail in the Mt. Hood National Forest

We were headed for an afternoon on the Salmon River Trail #42 out of Welches, Oregon. Even getting there was magnificent. The beauty began soon after leaving the mountain town of Sandy. It was June and the snow was still covering most of Mount Hood. The wildflowers were in bloom. It was a perfect day for hiking.

Driving to the Salmon River
In Welches, we took the Salmon River Road. We were shaded by the forest canopy on this increasingly warm day. Five miles of narrow, pot-holed road but who cares when it is bordered with beautiful blue, purple, pink and white wildflowers. 

We entered the Mt. Hood National Forest and arrived at the trailhead, just before a bridge over the rushing Salmon River. I peeked over the side and thought this would be a great vantage point when the salmon were heading upstream to spawn. To the left of the bridge was a deep, calm pool. Great for fishing, I thought.

What Goes Up…
Our group gathered, geared up with hiking boots, sticks and, of course water.  We left our passes on our dashboards. We chose the upper trail, the most difficult, and decided to hike to the bridge, a little over a mile and a half and then return. Sounds, easy, right? Well, with all the rocks and stops for photography, it wasn’t a quick hike.

The hike starts up a rocky trail with views of the Salmon River to the right. Going up that rocky trail is well worth it. Not only can you enjoy trickling rivulets oozing out of the mountain and delicate wildflowers, the trail will take you to a marvelous place.

 

The Old Growth Fern Forest
About a mile up the trail, everything smoothed out. The trail was softer and more flat. We were still by the river but were surrounded by mossy old growth forest, ferns and lush greenery. It was the type of place that dreams are made of and where you might expect to see Bambi and Thumper cavorting.

We were told that in the 1960s, the Forest Service planned a paved highway up this canyon, connecting to Highway 26. The canyon was included in the 1984 legislation that created the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness, and will forever be protected. The old growth forest, and canyon are treasures that are not far from Portland.

The Island
Some of my hiking friends waded over to explore an island in the river. The island is a wide peninsula cut off from the shore by a small fork that splits from the main river. They enjoyed the lush forest with massive trees.

I took the main trail back and stopped frequently to enjoy the wildflowers and the huge trees. You have to stop on this sometimes-narrow trail to look up at the treetops. There are many rocks and roots to trip you if you walk and gawk too much! So slowing down, or stopping to have a look is recommended.

Tips for Hiking the Salmon River Trail

(contains affiliate links)

Gear Up for Your Hike - You'll be more comfortable and safe if you have the following:

 - Water Bottle or Hydration Pack - There are cliff face trails that are exposed to the sun and can get very hot. Consider a small hydration pack. The day was warm and there was shade, but it was still a day to carry water.

- Lunch or Snacks - Carry at least some trail mix or snack bar. The hike might take longer than you think it will and a good trail bar or mix will give you energy. I prefer Corazonas bars. They taste great and are a healthy snack.

- Hiking Stick or Hiking Poles - Due to uneven terrain, rocks and tree roots, you'll need to consider a hiking stick. I prefer my collapsible travel staff. It gives me a third leg and helps a lot when I trip or slip (which isn't uncommon for me!)

- Gortex Hiking Boots with Good Tread - It's uneven terrain out there on the trail and it's rather rocking in places. I like a mid-height gortex hiking boot. If you want to get over to the island, waterproof boots are a must.

On the Way Back
On the way back, as I was ready to leave Sandy, I saw a sign for the Jonsrud Viewpoint and followed it off to the right. This is a favorite stop for photographers. You will enjoy spectacular views of Mt. Hood and the Sandy River Valley as well as informational signs about the Barlow Road, part of the Oregon Trail.

 

The Light Adventurer: Eagle Creek Trail in Oregon's Columbia River Gorge 2017

Being a 65+ person, I'm all for what is called "light adventure." This week, I found adventure and stunning natural beauty in Oregon's Columbia Gorge. With a group (a great idea for light adventurers) I trekked from the Eagle Creek Trailhead to Punch Bowl Falls. I'll tell you what I experienced and add a few tips for a safe and comfortable hike.

Choosing the Day for the Eagle Creek Trail

Eagle Creek, less than an hour from Portland, Oregon is a very popular hike. On weekends, you'll have a hard time finding a parking place and may end up parking a mile away at the fish hatchery. Plus, if you are a light adventurer like me, you might be taking it slowly and the Millenials and trail runners can get a little testy.

So choose a weekday if you can. Go as early as you feel comfortable. We went at noon on a Thursday in May and found a place to park. I'd recommend going earlier as the trail was getting busy when we returned from our hike at about 3 p.m.

Trailhead. Park here if you can. There are restrooms (flush toilet)
and a place to buy your pass.

 

Choose a Reasonable Distance

The Eagle Creek Trail to Punchbowl Falls is not an easy one. It's very rocky in spots, is a smooth incline most of the way (we were told 500 foot elevation gain) and there are some narrow spots with cables provided to grab on to. So the 4 mile round trip distance is a good one for the light adventurer. 

You'll probably take two hours to reach Punch Bowl Falls because of the incline and, of course, stopping to take photos and admire the beauty of the area. Coming back is much easier because it is a gradual slope down, but the narrow spots and rocks remain. 

Eagle Creek Trail

What You Will See on the Eagle Creek Trail

So this is why you go.  You'll be hiking beside the beautiful Eagle Creek, look up to see water dripping off tall basalt cliffs and marvel at the lush temperate rain forest interspersed with warmer hillsides where oak trees grow. The greenery along this trail runs from maidenhair ferns to delicate wildflowers, clinging to damp cliffs. You'll experience old growth forest dripping with moss and catch a glimpse of what a rough winter can do to a trail and trees.

Maidenhair Ferns along the Trail

Although not all that far from the highway, you'll be hiking into wilderness and may encounter backpackers coming down from the mountains. Remember, the trail to Punch Bowl is only the beginning. There are more waterfalls and excitement if you keep going. But for me, the 4 mile round trip was just right. I was good and tired when I returned.

The Beauty of Punchbowl Falls

You'll be taking a detour off the main trail at about the 1.8 mile point. This trail will take you DOWN (remember if you go down, you must come back up!) a pretty steep trail to get to Eagle Creek. This is where you may not dive, just in case you are interested. You'll see people in bathing suits enjoying the rocky beach and wading for views of Punchbowl Falls.

However, I have to say, the creek was running high this week and I didn't get to see the falls. I had Goretex boots on and tried to walk out on the rocks, but many were slippery with moss so I turned back and just enjoyed what I could see... which was stunning!

I couldn't see the falls but it was beautiful!

 I was a little disappointed because, all along the way, I was thinking about a couple I knew who got married at Punchbowl Falls and had magnificent photos to remember the event.

Punchbowl Falls. Photo courtesy: Wikimedia Common

Its a great place for lunch or a snack and to soak in the feel and sound of the rushing water and the play of light on the cliff walls. And then you'll hike back up the trail. The good thing is once you make it up that side trail, the trip back is pretty quick and is downhill most all the way.


The following information includes affiliate links, just FYI.

 

Tips for Your Eagle Creek Trail Light Adventure

Kids and Dogs - Remember those narrow trail areas on the cliffside with cable hand holds? Well it's no problem for careful adults, but if your kids are not careful and your dog is not under control, you can be in danger. Here are some dog safety tips from Cinnamon the Coonhound.

The paths aren't that bad if you are careful.

Gear Up for Your Hike - You'll be more comfortable and safe if you have the following:

 - Water Bottle or Hydration Pack - It was just a warm spring day when I went. I carried a small bottle of water and finished every drop by the time I finished the hike. There are cliff face trails that are exposed to the sun and can get very hot. Consider a small hydration pack.

- Lunch or Snacks - Carry at least some trail mix or snack bar. The hike might take longer than you think it will and a good trail bar or mix will give you energy. I prefer Corazonas bars. They taste great and are a healthy snack.

- Hiking Stick or Hiking Poles - Due to uneven terrain, rocks and tree roots, you'll need to consider a hiking stick. I prefer my collapsible travel staff. It gives me a third leg and helps a lot when I trip or slip (which isn't uncommon for me!)

- Gortex Hiking Boots with Good Tread - It's uneven terrain out there on the trail and it's rather rocking in places. I like a mid-height gortex hiking boot. We had to cross a small creek on the way up and my boots kept out the water.

- For Swimmers and Waders - We didn't plan for a swim in the rocky river but if you would like to indulge, take water shoes or water sandals and shorts with you to change in to. The water was high and we could have seen Punchbowl Falls (and cooled off) if we had brought a change of clothing.

Light Adventurers probably don't need this reminder!

 - Last but Not Least - Bring your camera. There is plenty to photograph along the way from scenery to wildflowers.

One reason it took us 2 hours on the way up!

When You Go

- Coming from Portland, travel eastbound on I-84, and turn off at Exit #41. At the bottom of the ramp turn right. Go about 1/2 mile to the end of the road (don’t park at the fish hatchery unless the trailhead lot is full). When you leave, you’ll have to take I-84 eastbound to the Cascade Locks exit and turn around there. But you might also want to check out Thunder Island Brewing in Cascade Locks and swap trail stories with the Pacific Crest Trail through hikers.

- (Coming from the east, there is no westbound exit at Eagle Creek. You must continue on I-84 and get off at the Bonneville Dam exit, get back on the interstate and backtrack to exit #41.)

- You will need a Northwest Forest Pass or Federal Senior/ Disabled pass. There is a drop box for purchasing the day pass at the trailhead. If you use a senior or disabled pass, just put it on your dashboard.

You'll be glad you went to Eagle Creek. It's beautiful!

Spring Hiking in the Long Beach Peninsula of Washington

Sloshing through ankle deep mud on a rare sunny or more predictably rainy day is a quintessential Northwest experience. When spring’s urge to get outdoors calls, find perfectly wet trails plus 28 miles of sandy, public beach on Washington’s Long Beach Peninsula.

Spring Hiking on the Long Beach Peninsula
Well known for the oyster beds of Willapa Bay, great food, bird watching, and charter fishing, the Long Beach Peninsula also boasts an impressive system of trails. An estimated 30 miles of trails traverse the peninsula through grassy dunes and old growth forests, over rocky headlands, around wetlands and through scrub pine forest.

Local experts suggest the following for great spring hiking:

The soggy, 1.5-mile round-trip Coastal Loop includes plenty of short ups and downs, with steep sections. Features included huge, ancient Sitka spruce (some 10 feet in diameter), views of the Columbia River, and fauna and flora including newts, frogs, bald eagles, owls, foxes, otters, huckleberries, mushrooms, and flowers. Access to this 1.5-mile round trip loop is near Serious Pizza and the park office at the entrance to Ilwaco’s Cape Disappointment State Park (Discovery Pass required for cars). Dogs on leash are permitted.

The Weather Beach and Bearberry trails at Leadbetter Point, on the north end of the Peninsula, are likely to be under water this time of year. The 1.1-mile Bay Loop (green trail) offers mud without wading, birding sites, scrub pine forest, marsh grass fields and flat terrain. A Discover Pass is required for parking at Leadbetter Point State Park.

Delight in signs of spring (and mud) on three trails at the headquarters of the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge: ¼-mile Art Trail mostly on boardwalk; fern-laden Cut Throat Climb, a ¾-mile loop; and nearby third-mile Teal Slough, showcasing millennium-old western red cedar and Sitka spruce trees. The refuge headquarters is near milepost 24 on State Route 101. Teal Slough is 1.6 miles northeast of the headquarters.

Spring Hiking on the Paved Discovery Trail
For the mud adverse, all but a short section of Discovery Trail on the west side of the Cape Disappointment headlands is paved. This 8.5-mile long coastal interpretive path stretches from Ilwaco on a forested climb and descent to Beard’s Hollow wetlands, then through grassy dunes to a mile north of Long Beach, with a forested spur to North Head Lighthouse added in 2014. Access points most with free parking are at the Port of Ilwaco, Beard’s Hollow, the Seaview and both Long Beach beach approaches, as well as the south end of the Breakers Resort. In Long Beach, the trail parallels a ½ mile wooden boardwalk. The trail is shared with cyclists, and dogs on leashes are permitted.

For more information on the Peninsula’s trails and recreational offerings, please call the Long Beach Peninsula Visitors Bureau at 360.642.2400 or access www.funbeach.com.

Information provided by Long Beach Peninsula Visitors Bureau

Bypass Shopping and #Optoutside this Black Friday

I love it. REI has it right. This year, they are again closing their doors on Black Friday and paying their 12,000+ employees to spend time outdoors. And they want their customers to spend time outdoors too. After all, you can shop REI, and everywhere else on Black Monday.

But seriously, after a day with family or a day dining out, or a day of serving the poor, a day outside is just what the doctor ordered. Being outside is good for the soul. And standing in line at your local big box store IS NOT!

Spending a day outside gets you in the right frame of mind for the holiday season… the true meaning of the holidays. Fighting others for the right to purchase a huge TV DOES NOT!

Spending a day outside helps you connect with your family, your friends and your pets. Grabbing for cheap toys at the local big box store DOES NOT!

I belong to an organization that puts on non-competitive walking events all around the US and the world. And they invite you to join in on their walks on Black Friday and discover your outdoor world on foot. Just look up their walk events for that date on the AVA website.

I’ll be walking with a local AVA club on Hayden Island the Friday after Thanksgiving. Francesca, the coonhound will be with me. Cinnamon the Coonhound will be home sleeping off her special holiday dinner!

So look for an outdoorsy opportunity on the REI website, and get outside the day after Thanksgiving. You’ll be thankful you did!