Blog Archives

The Oregon Country Fair

Oregon Country FairJul. 7-9: I have been going to the Oregon Country Fair  since 1997, but this is the first year I am writing about it.  Why?  Well, for a couple reasons.  Firstly, I did not start writing for pleasure until a couple years ago when I started my blog. 

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Posted in North America, Oregon, United States
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A Day Hiking Tillamook Bay

Hiking the Columbia GorgeJul. 19: In the 20 years (to the month) that I have lived in Oregon, I have only visited the north coast  one time.  I know that sounds absurd, especially for someone who has been all over the state, but in short, there was always plenty to do an hour north or an hour south of Florence,

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Posted in North America, Oregon, United States
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Hiking the Columbia Gorge

Hiking the Columbia GorgeJul. 25: Two hikes in less than a week.  Now this I could get used to.  June seemed to come and go and I didn’t get out of town for any sort of exploration.  This actually suited me just fine. I have been thoroughly enjoying exploring Portland,

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Posted in North America, Oregon, United States
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Camping in Mt Hood for the Weekend

Aug 11-13: Standing proud and determined as seen from downtown Portland, is Mt Hood, 11,250 feet tall and Oregon’s tallest mountain.  It is part of the volcanic Cascade Range.  And the Cascades are part of what attracts many outdoorsy folks to live in Oregon.

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Posted in North America, Oregon, United States
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Rafting the Deschutes

Rafting the DeschutesAug. 15: For the last few years, I have been part of an annual event with some friends rafting the Deschutes River, in Central Oregon.  What draws people there?  Its proximity to Bend, expansive high desert scenery, and dependably hot summers all make it a very appealing destination.

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Posted in North America, Oregon, United States
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The Great American Eclipse

The Great American EclipseAug. 21: It seems like every few months, there is some astrological thing that is happening, that is some sort of once in a lifetime event.  Of if I live to see it twice, I was in diapers once and demented the other time.

They don’t all interest me,

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Posted in North America, Oregon, United States
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Hiking Around Mt St Helens

Hiking Around Mt St HelensAug. 25: The windows from my apartment face north and, on clear days, I am graced with seeing Mt St Helens, 70 miles away.  From that distance, the mountain is not that big.  Being that it has snow on it much of the year,

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Posted in North America, United States, Washington
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Havana, Pulsing Heart of Cuba

Apr. 5-7: When people think of Cuba, they are usually thinking about Havana.  Makes sense, when we think of New York State, most of us think of New York City.  Think 1950’s Chevrolets, cigars, rum, dilapidated but formerly stately buildings, the malecón, and some of the most soulful,

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Posted in Cuba, Havana, North America
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Soroa, Village Gem in Cuban Mountains

Apr. 8-10: Soroa is a rural village, up in the mountains, almost halfway between Havana and Viñales.  It was settled by a Frenchman, Jean-Pierre Soroa, who developed a plantation and the coffee trade in the region in the 19th century.  Most people skip over it to go to Viñales,

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Posted in Artemisa, Cuba, North America
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Viñales, Where Tobacco Is King, Caves, & Oxen Abound

Apr. 11-14: I am totally happy I went to Viñales.  Although I would caution you against going only to Havana and Viñales.  Although it is not affluent by US standards, Viñales is the most affluent part of Cuba.  You would not really see a cross section of the country,

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Posted in Cuba, North America, Pinar del Río
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