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Bring on the Winter!
Enthusiasm for the oncoming season continues to shine through in the many Twitter, Facebook & Flickr posts we've seen this week. The sentiment comes through loud and clear: bring on the winter fun! If you're not yet ramped up and ready to play outdoors this season, you're sure to be bitten by the bug when you read the "I Love Snow" submission by this week's Junior Adventurist. Rain, snow, sleet - it's here to stay for a while. As you can see from this week's featured destinations, blustery weather is no match for Oregon Adventurists!
Oregon Coast
Winter Storm Watching (Port Orford)
With our rocky, windy shores and our claim to the title of the most westerly town in the US, I think Port Orford is the best place on the Oregon Coast for winter storm watching. In some parts of Oregon folks call that light drizzle from the sky "rain". Here in Port Orford when we say rain, we mean a downpour comin' at you sideways! There's nothing like our coastal storms, especially if you're lucky enough to be sitting at Griff’s on the Dock enjoying some fish n' chips while watching the colors and clouds roll in. The view from the restaurant, with the back wall of windows, is spectacular!
- Fellow Adventurist: Georgia McKay (Port Orford, OR)
Editor's Note: According to this story in the Oregonian, it looks like more storms are on the way this weekend for Oregon's Coast. Take caution as extreme conditions, including flooding, are expected in some areas!
Hike to a Stunning Ocean Vista (Manzanita)
 A three-mile round trip hike on Neahkahnie Mountain is a must-do for hikers looking to explore the Oregon Coast. In traditional tribal language, "Ne" means "place of" and "Ekahni" means "supreme deity" making Neah-Kah-Nie "the place of the supreme deity." When you make this trek, you're sure to understand the name. With a 900 foot elevation gain, expect a good physical workout The destination is a spectacular reward for making the climb: a stunning perch high above the Nehalem Bay Area, revealing a truly breathtaking ocean vista. Nature's vast beauty is sure to overcome and bring solutide and sanctity to anyone seeking it. To get to there, look for the trailhead between milepost 41 and 42 on Hwy 101 just south of Oswald West State Park. True hiking boots would be a good call this time of year as traction is necessary to navigate the muck in some of the steeper parts of the trail.
- Oregon Adventurist: BE
Northwest Oregon
Portland + Willamette Valley + Columbia Gorge
I Love Snow! (Mt. Hood)
 Ever since we moved to Oregon I have been waiting to go to Mt. Hood to see the snow. This week we finally got to do it! I've seen a lot of pictures of snow and have made paper cut outs of snow but this was the first time that I actually got to touch it and play around. It was awesome! We tried to make a snow man but had the most fun making snow angels and putting snow down my brother's back. The only thing that I didn't love about it was that my mom forgot the camera. She says we will have to go back soon and try skiing and then we will take pictures that I can send to my friends in San Luis Obispo. I can't wait until next time because snow is my new favorite thing and skiing sounds really exciting!
- Junior Adventurist: Jake M., Age 9 (West Linn, OR)
Photo by Oregon Adventurist
Discovering the Urban Wetlands (Portland)
 Smith and Bybee Wetlands is the largest protected wetlands within an American city. With over 2,000 acres available for exploration, this natural area is one of Portland’s best-kept secrets. Wandering through the wetlands, the Interlakes Trail offers visitors an accessible, paved walkway with two platforms for viewing the multitude of wildlife. Another favorite way to experience the area is via kayak - an option that depends on seasonal water levels. The lake usually returns to reasonable depths for paddling around this time of year, offering kayakers a serene and protected excursion. To celebrate the season, Friends of Smith and Bybee Lakes is offering a free Late Fall Paddle on November 28 from noon - 4 pm.
- Oregon Adventurist: BE
Central + Eastern Oregon
An Early Opening for Mt. Bachelor (Bend)
 Keep a close eye on the snow forecast for the next two days - if the snow continues to build as expected we could be riding the Pine Martin lift up Mt. Bachelor by Friday. As of today the snow report measures a 25 inch base at West Village and 18 inches mid-mountain, so if you go expect to encounter a rock or two - small price to pay for the joy of skiing on opening day - and a week before Thanksgiving too! If you are buying daily passes, put on your thinking cap because the price schedule is no simple matter this year. Bachelor did do a great job in making the trail map more clear and user-friendly - love the new true-to-scale satellite image!
- Oregon Adventurist: SJ
Flatiron Rock Trail (Bend)
 While the higher elevation Cascades hiking trails are slowly turning into ski trails, you don't need to hang up your hiking shoes for the season. Grab your dog and camera and head east on Highway 20 out of Bend to the Badlands, a true high desert landscape filled with twisted old junipers and crazy lava rock formations. Just past the 15 mile marker watch for a sign on the left; the Flatiron Trailhead is on the eastern edge of the parking area. This is a good hike for kids: 3+ miles roundtrip, rolling but not steep, and Flatiron Rock makes a great climbing structure. Mountain bikes are Badlands approved but any motorized vehicles stay in the parking area (and this is one hiking spot where no parking passes are required!) If that is not enough to entertain you for an afternoon, rumor has it there are a few geocaches in the vicinity, just waiting to be tracked down. Trails are not marked well beyond the trailhead map, so a compass or GPS is always a good idea.
- Oregon Adventurist: SJ
Southern Oregon
Enjoying the Return of Nature (Medford)
 Once known more for a place to dump unwanted trash than a beautiful natural sanctuary, the Denman Wildlife Area has slowly transitioned to its current day wildlife refuge with the help of dedicated volunteers and Department of Fish and Wildlife staff. With various geographies within the refuge (wetlands, highlands, vernal pools) the area is loaded with local and migratory wildlife. Not only is it a birdwatchers paradise, salmon spotting is at its peak this time of year. Right next to the Wildlife Area, visitors can also enjoy the Tou Velle State Recreation Site, a beautiful day-use park that sits along the Rogue River. We like the walking trail along the river. There's also tables scattered throughout the park for those wanting to pack a picnic.
- Fellow Adventurist: Hops Crocker (Medford, OR)
A Mini-Adventure to Fuel your Day (Ashland)
 I am fortunate enough to work within walking distance of a true gem: North Mountain Park. The wide open green space and walking trails are a terrific midday mini-adventure. This park is loaded with opportunities to learn more about native people, wildlife and fauna. Each of the interpretive trails has information for self-guided tours. Perhaps my favorite place in the park overlooks Bear Creek. It's the perfect spot to take a moment and "just breathe." You get there via an access point near the amphitheater. With the hustle and bustle of regular life, a few still moments to catch a glimpse of an otter or a fish swimming by is enough to fuel the rest of my day! It reminds me that the weekend's coming and soon enough I'll be enjoying more time in nature.
- Fellow Adventurist: Melissa Adams (Ashland, OR)
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 November 18, 2009 A free reader-driven weekly web magazine highlighting Oregon’s lifestyle of adventure and exploration. SUBSCRIBE!
 Adventure-enhancing businesses our team confidently recommends based on firsthand, exceptional experience. Calapooia Brewing Company
Albany, OR  Just off I-5, near the train tracks along NE Water Avenue and Hill Street in Albany, sits Calapooia Brewing Company. This pub is nothin' fancy - in a good way! Clearly an "everybody knows your name" sort of place, the emphasis is on the brew and on the camaraderie - as evidenced by the bartender who greeted regulars with their favorite beer, the strangers that invited me in for a round of darts, and the fellow patrons who included me in impromptu conversations. Calapooia takes the prize both for acheiving the kind of warmth and neighborhood charm many places hope for, as well as for their genuine passion for creating small craft beer. Brews: Several choices including award winning Riverdog ESB and Chili Beer, their best selling RIPArian IPA, plus a nice selection of seasonals. We like the Undertow Imperial Stout. Hours: Sun 1pm-10pm Mon-Wed 11:30-10pm Thur-Sat 11:30-12:30am Contact: 541.928.1931 web@calapooiabrewing.com Whaddaya Think? Adventurist Approved businesses provide what we call a "that was so worth it" experience. They're those clearly customer-centric, welcoming places that impress you enough that you can't help but want to tell your friends. Know of a business that fits the bill? We're on the lookout for future places to recommend. If you've got a recommendation, we'd love to hear about it! Email us.
Featured Lodging: Ocean House Newport, OR  Warmth and hospitality of Innkeepers Lex & Charmaine set the tone of this exceptional coastal B&B. With large well appointed rooms throughout the inn, guests enjoy a full gourmet breakfast every morning at 9:00 am along with complementary wine and fresh baked cookies in the evening. Voted Best Place to Kiss, Best Place to Stay in the NW and called a "picture-perfect setting" by Northwest Best Places, it's no wonder folks flock from throughout the state to enjoy the charm of Ocean House. Need to Know: Free Wi-Fi. No pets or children under 12.
Rates: Starting at $129/night
Contact: 866.495.3888
Featured Business: Fishin Oregon City, OR  Living in Southern Oregon and being based on the bank of the Rogue River, Ben Bansen and the guides at Fishin Oregon Guide Service are very familiar with the local waters and know were to find the big fish. Whether you're a hard core fisherman or just a beginner, they'll help you navigate the local waters from their top-of-the-line drift boats. Single or multiple boat trips available along the Rogue, Chetco, John Day or Umpqua Rivers. Contact: 541.231.9993 info@fishinoregon.com
Reader Raves
"I've been wanting to kayak for years and after reading about the adventures of others, I finally went out and took my first lesson! THANK YOU - you can look forward to hearing about MY paddle adventure soon."
- JJ in Newport
"I love that you give props to local farms. They are such a critical part of what makes Oregon, Oregon."
- Sherri in Portland
"I am a kid that hikes all the time and nobody can believe it when I say I can walk 10 miles. I like to read about other adventurous kids like me."
- Ashley in The Dalles
 Ordeson-Todd Woods by Mike Potts  Fall Photo Walk in the Park
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