Friday, August 27, 2010

Burroughs Mountain Trail: Up Close with Mt. Rainier

Now that there is a distinct feeling of autumn in the air, it’s time to celebrate summer on Mt. Rainier. Between the end of August and the return of snow flakes exists a narrow window of opportunity to hike on the park’s higher elevation trails. The snow pack has at long last melted from most of the trails and the weather is often sunny, cool, and clear.
One of the most dramatic, knock-your-socks-off vistas can be found from the Second Burroughs and this seven-mile, 900-foot elevation gain trail is well worth the huffing and puffing. The trail, named for the 19th century naturalist and essayist, John Burroughs, begins at the Sunrise Visitor Center parking lot. From here, it climbs steadily up a meadow and along the Sourdough Ridge to Frozen Lake (1.5 miles) offering some pretty views along the way. From the lake, the trail leads upwards across an exposed, rocky slope to the First Burroughs (7200’). While the vista from here is photo-worthy, don’t give up! Continue the extra mile up to the Second Burroughs (7400’) where you will be rewarded with a breathtaking, 360-degree panorama including Mt. Rainier (so in your face), the Emmons Glacier, largest in the lower-48, and the Selkirk Mountains in British Columbia.
Here are some photos to motivate you!

The long slog to Second Burroughs


Mt. Rainier emerges from the clouds.


At the top of Second Burroughs

Picnic with a view!

Avoid the abyss!


Worth the effort!

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Clackamas County Fair

The Clackamas County Fair is on now until Sunday, Aug. 22 and it’s a wonderful opportunity to experience rural, small town Oregon within a short drive from Portland. As urban encroachments make traditional, rural lifestyle a disappearing part of the Portland area landscape, it’s great to see events like this fair thriving. If you can make it out to Canby this weekend, here are my favorite top five things to do:


5) Watch teenagers pamper pigs. Well, not just pigs, but sheep, llamas, cows, goats and roosters are looking sharp and smelling great in the livestock barns and show rings.


 
4) Take a ride. The carnival grounds are full of tummy-turning rides and others not nearly as scary as the looks on these kids’ faces would suggest.



3) Admire the talents of your artsy-craftsy neighbors. The main pavilion is stuffed with quilts, paintings, photos, knitting projects, canned beans, and doilies.




2) Tap your toes. The fair offers a wide variety of music from fiddlers to Sinatra crooners, all included in the price of admission.


 

1) Eat some pie. You might think of corn dogs and curly fries as the quintessential fair food, but check out the dozen or so pie selections offered by the Canby Methodist Church ladies. YUM!



Oh, and there is a rodeo every evening as well!

Have fun!

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Woodburn: More Than a Mall

The back-to-school shopping frenzy is in full swing, and many folks will be making the trek to the Woodburn Company Stores, off I-5 between Portland and Salem. With over 100 stores, it is Oregon’s largest outlet center and the perfect place to pick up bargains.
Most shoppers rarely venture over the freeway to the east side and the town of Woodburn, and that’s a shame. They’re missing one of the most culturally diverse communities in Oregon, where the Chamber of Commerce welcomes people in English, Spanish, and Russian.
Settlemier House
The area was originally settled by Calapooya Indians and retired French-Canadian fur trappers, hence the name French Prairie. But it was the arrival of Jesse Settlemier in 1863 that led to the development of the town of Woodburn. Settlemier purchased land and established a nursery specializing in fruit and ornamental trees. When the Oregon and California Railroad arrived in the early 1870s, he platted the downtown section near the tracks and offered a city lot to anyone who would put a building on it.
The town of Woodburn grew quickly and Settlemier thrived as well. In 1892 he built a stunning, 14-room, Queen Anne Victorian home reflecting his wealth and status in the community. The property stands on a large, wooded lot on Settlemier Avenue and is owned and cared for by the French Prairie Historical Society. The home is open to the public on the first Sunday of every month.
President Obama ate here!
Agri-business has always been the life blood of Woodburn. Originally, the local economy was based on farm products including berries, hazelnuts, hops, and other fruits and vegetables. Today large nurseries and greenhouses dominate the scene and their labor-intensive operations have created a demand for year-round employees. Seasonal Mexican workers have been replaced by permanent laborers and their families. The Woodburn schools are now over 70% Hispanic and the downtown area is filled with thriving businesses catering to the needs and interests of the Hispanic community. In between the bakeries, shops, and taquerias (be sure to check out Luis's) on Front Street, is the Woodburn Historic Museum. The entrance is surrounded by a replica of an arch touting Woodburn as the World’s Berry Center, and inside is a collection of the town’s memorabilia from World War II recruitment posters to high school class photos. The museum is open Saturdays only.
Down the street, in the shadow of the water tower, is a delightful surprise for railroad buffs. Engine 1785 is a vintage, 1902 Southern Pacific steam engine beautifully restored by the Oregon Railway Historical Society. Engines like this once carried freight and passengers up and down the West Coast, and Union Pacific trains still whiz through the center of town.
In addition to its sizeable Hispanic population, Woodburn is also home to a large group of Russian Old Believers. These traditionalists broke away from the Orthodox Church during a period of reforms, and, for years, were persecuted by Tsarist and Communist Russia. During the Cold War, charities were instrumental in assisting Christians in migrating from Communist countries and over 10,000 Old Believers ended up in Oregon, mostly in the Woodburn area. South of town, their onion-domed churches are scattered across the farmland. The one at the end of Bethlehem Road with its gold domes and brightly painted façade is strikingly beautiful.
Nearby, on Howell Prairie Road, is the Bauman Farms store, a 4th generation family farm and garden center. In the summer, the grounds are a riot of color with display gardens and greenhouses full of flowers and humongous, hanging baskets. Inside, the season’s bounty of fruits and vegetables, homemade jams and jellies, and fresh bakery products may be purchased.
A visit to the town of Woodburn should certainly be on every outlet shopper’s list.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

U-Pick 'Em Season

It's a time-honored tradition for many Portland families to pack up the kids, buckets, and baskets, and head out to Sauvie Island for some berry picking. This bucolic, agricultural oasis is only ten miles northeast of downtown Portland, but it could be a million miles away.
Sitting between the Columbia River and Multnomah Channel, the island is a mix of farms (mostly), wildlife refuges, and beaches. There are several U-pick places to chose from including Sauvie Island Farms, Kruger Farms, and Sauvie Island Blueberry Farm. In addition to berries, peaches, corn, cucumbers, and other summer fruits and veggies are available for picking. There are no better tasting berries than ones you pick yourself, and it's especially rewarding to take a baggie of berries from the freezer in February and remember the sunny, warm day of berry picking. A friend of mine from Denver had her first  picking experience here in Oregon, and was amazed to discover that blueberries actually had a distinct flavor! Have a berry good time!