#OptOutside Cottage Grove

  Are you planning to "#OptOutside" this weekend? When most of us hear the term "Black Friday" we probably think of shopping at the mall and long lines to get great "bargains."  I have never been much of a shopper and if you have read this blog much, you know that I happen to love …

Little Free Libraries in South Lane County

For the past year and a half or so, I've been watching along the sidelines as Little Free Libraries began coming to south Lane County. I love to read and I love the feel of a real book in my hands (no e-reader here, yet). I also know the value of reading for all people, …

Prune Hill Historical

Prune Hill is about seven miles east of Saginaw and is the site of the first Booth Kelly Sawmill. I'll be up-front at the start of this post, I'm not a mill historian or knowledgeable about Booth Kelly. However I do like great pictures that tell a story. Earlier this summer, when searching for historical information about …

Crawfish Lake Trail

Lately, one of my aims has been to explore the Brice Creek area and -- especially -- to get off the beaten trails. Of course Brice Creek Trail is always beautiful and Trestle Creek Trail is popular for good reason, but when I look at a map I see there are many more trails around Brice …

Marten Flume Trail: Brice Creek

For me, part of the joy of hiking is exploring trails I haven't been on before. Sometimes we return to an old stand-by, but usually when we want to go hiking, we pull out the map and look for a new place to explore. This is how we found Martin Flume Trail. Marten Flume Trail (# …

Paddling Dorena

I love getting out in our canoe. The world looks and sounds different when you're out in the middle of a lake or gliding along a shore line. This summer, we have been fortunate to paddle in some amazing places. Sometimes, though, it is nice to stay closer to home: to get out, paddle, and get home in …

Beautiful Brice Creek

Every time we go for a hike along Brice Creek, I always wonder why we don't head out there more often. It is fairly close to town, beautiful, and never fails to deliver. This past weekend, we wanted to get out for a hike with friends from out of town and Brice Creek was just the ticket. …

Construction Along the Row River Trail

The Row River Trail will undergo some construction this summer in an effort to make two of the trail intersections with Row River Road safer. I recently had the chance to talk with Lydia McKinney, Senior Planner at Lane County, and got an update on the intended changes. First, a bit of history. You may have noticed …

Spring Has Sprung, part II

Last weekend we discovered that the spring wildflowers have begun their annual show out at Bake Stewart Park. This weekend, we discovered that the goslings at Row River Nature Park have begun to hatch. Check out these cute geese babies! Fellow blogger "the Cascade Rambler" was also at the Nature Park Sunday morning. The Rambler makes his …

Spring Has Sprung

For me, spring isn't so much about a date on the calendar or the alignment of the earth; instead, it is about spring wildflowers. After our visit to Bake Stewart Park last weekend, I can say with confidence that spring has sprung! The annual parade of wildflowers which will be appearing in our forest, woodlands, parks, …