Traveling, Hiking, and Biking in 2010

There just doesn't seem to be time to post highlights from our treks of different lengths (but, hey, we make the time to take the trips!) Here are a few of the more memorable ones in 2010...

Saddle Mountain- late winter

Overlooking the confluence of the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean, this 2-3 mile trail with modest elevation provides a most beautiful vista of the northwest corner of the state. Our friends Dan and Diane accompanied us on to this hike just as they did when we took in the Wallowa Mountains in the northeast corner of Oregon. See some great views and a little (humorous) history of the Lewis and Clark expedition on this short video.

Petal Pedal- June

This 68 mile bike ride through the mid- Willamette Valley gets your attention quickly and climbs upward for the first 20 miles. While the day was misty and overcast, the views were stunning...

waterfalls,

rolling farmlands,

and plenty of beer at the end.

Mt. Hood Burnt Lake Trail- July

Along with good friends David and Mark and their dog Ben, we saw many wild flowers heading up to Burnt Lake on a gorgeous summer day. Yep- that's snow on Mt. Hood in July!

Zig Zag- Christmas

While we were unable to go east for Christmas, we were able to get back to the Mt. Hood National Forest for serious R&R. We stayed at David and Mark's place in Zig Zag

and on the final night it snowed...

...enough to make a snowman...