Thanks to COVID-19, the summer of 2020 was fraught with event cancellations, furloughs and social distancing. But not all was lost. People still also used this time to get away and get outside. Roadtrips were a common way to do this.

On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest podcast, we hear from The Oregonian/Oregon Live’s transportation and housing reporter, Jayati Ramakrishnan, for the latest installment of My Epic Adventure, a sub-series of the podcast. Jayati spent six days traveling by car far and wide throughout Southern Oregon.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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-- Vickie Connor and Jamie Hale

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Making your travel plans for 2023? Need a little inspiration? We can help with that.

On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we dive into the latest Northwest Travel Guide and pull out 10 great ideas for the year ahead.

From outdoor adventures on mountain trails to relaxing hot spring getaways, there’s something here for everyone. And between the many beautiful places in Oregon and Washington, there’s no shortage of spots to explore.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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As the new year rapidly approaches, we are dreaming up adventures ahead with itineraries, reservation reminders and more. But we would be remiss to gloss over 2022 and its awe-inspiring trips, big and small.

On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we each count down our top five trips from the past year. Some adventures were big physical feats, while others allowed space to simply connect with a new town or a peaceful spot in nature.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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-- Vickie Connor and Jamie Hale

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Fresh fall snow is coating the high desert trails of eastern Oregon, and few are more beautiful than the Deschutes River Trail in Bend.

Found just southwest of town, the trail is nearly nine miles long, running along the river through the Deschutes National Forest. Along the way, hikers and mountain bikers can find several beautiful waterfalls and stretches of calm river that are perfect spots for kayaking.

On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we’ll talk all about the Deschutes River Trail, with details on where, how and when to check it out.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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-- Jamie Hale and Vickie Connor

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A trip to the Oregon coast is almost always a magical experience. Oregon’s Cannon Beach is one of the closest coastal towns to Portland. With cute shops and boutiques, a great selection of restaurants and of course, Haystack Rock, there is good reason why so many people choose to spend a day trip or weekend there. What could possibly sweeten the deal, you ask? Not having to drive.

On this week’s Peak Northwest podcast, we get into our second episode of our new sub-series, My Epic Adventure, with The Oregonian/OregonLive’s life and culture reporter, Lizzy Acker, as she recounts her most recent trip to Cannon Beach. Lizzy traveled entirely by bus to the coast with her three-year-old daughter.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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Looking for good views, nice trails, quiet beaches and a quaint lighthouse? No need to head to the coast – just drive out to Sauvie Island.

The Warrior Rock Lighthouse, officially the smallest lighthouse in Oregon, is found at the northern tip of Sauvie Island near Portland, serving as a beacon for ships on the Columbia River and a landmark for anyone who hikes out to see it.

The lighthouse was built at the end of the 19th century, commissioned by the U.S. government to help ships avoid a large bedrock reef jutting out from the island, according to various articles and histories published over the years.

And while the Warrior Rock Lighthouse has long since been automated (and closed to the public), it remains a fascinating landmark on an already beautiful hike along the Columbia River. On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we’ll reveal how, where and when to go see it.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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A rainy fall and mushroom season pretty much go hand in hand. If you’ve seen mushrooms growing on hikes, but haven’t foraged with the intent of eating them, you’re not alone. Hunting and identifying mushrooms can take years of studying. Some are great and tasty, while others strike worry, for fear of being poisonous. But if you’re interested in getting into mushroom foraging there is good news: the region has plenty of learning opportunities for beginners.

On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, Vickie and Jamie discuss their most recent Peak Northwest video shoot at Fort Stevens State Park. Guided by two rangers, who regularly lead mushroom hunting hikes, they foraged with the goal of eating some mushrooms for lunch.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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If you’re looking to walk off that Thanksgiving dinner or avoid shopping malls like the plague, there’s another tradition for you: Green Friday.

Celebrated by state parks in both Oregon and Washington on the day after Thanksgiving, and sometimes called Autumn Day or Native American Heritage Day, the fee-free holiday waives all parking fees at parks where they’re normally charged.

While park fees, which run from $5 to $10 per vehicle, are pretty nominal compared to the price of gas needed to get to those recreation areas, it’s a nice gesture and a good excuse to get outside.

On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we have a few suggestions for those interested in celebrating this year.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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Rim Drive in Crater Lake National Park is the scenic 33 mile route that goes around the entirety of the lake. Biking Rim Drive offers an incredible route filled with breathtaking views of the lake, canopies of trees and challenging elevation changes. Closed for a good portion of the year due to snow, Rim Drive is a bucket list ride for cyclists who find time to do it when the weather and conditions are just right.

On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we kick off our new sub-series, My Epic Adventure, with Vickie’s recent ride around the rim of Crater Lake.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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-- Vickie Connor and Jamie Hale

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This fall, a bit of news came out that isn’t news to many Oregonians: Manzanita was named one of the most beautiful small towns in America.

That’s according to a list created by Architectural Digest, which included the north Oregon coast town with a two-sentence writeup highlighting the fact that visitors can see “beach dunes and mountains in one view.”

Locals and regular visitors to the coast know there’s a lot more to Manzanita than just views (though the views are pretty great). On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest we’ll get into all the best places to see and things to do while you’re hanging around town, from big hikes to cozy restaurants right off the beach.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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