Adventures
Baby Bear, Sleepy Hollow, Blue Ridge, and Grand Traverse Trail
It's a repeat trail for us, but it is a favorite. It has decent views, magnificent wildflowers, interesting trees in some places, and a fun switchback area built for bikes that is also enjoyable to run down. The trail is primarily flat or downhill, with a gradual incline where one exists. It is also well-managed and nearly free of tripping hazards. You may have to share the trail with bikes and other hikers, especially on the section designed for bikes. Enjoy the hike, but pay attention to your surroundings.
Bear Pete Creek Trail
A spontaneous trip to the McCall, ID area, allowed us to explore the area above McCall. Our primary objective was to check out Burgdorph Hot Springs and try a new hike or two. Bear Pete Creek Trail led us to a great little hike and a pleasant camping spot we did not know about.
Bear Pete Creek Trail starts at the tail end of the campsite. Although it is marked in AllTrails as only a few miles long, it goes much further. Since we were not in a rush, we hiked beyond its parameters. A creek flows near the trail but is rarely in sight.
Canoeing the Upper North Fork of the Payette River
Took the family up the Payette River again. We rented canoes from Backwoods Adventures, which made things so much easier. From the nonmotorized boat launch, we slowly paddled up the river and enjoyed the perfect temperature, slight breeze, and meandering river. This time, we saw a pair of bald eagles and a trout swimming under our canoe.
We still explored, but we also went farther upriver than ever. The canoes made it super easy, and in no time, we had passed the bridge and were cruising further up the river.
This is one of our favorite locations in Idaho and one of our favorite activities while visiting McCall. It was a perfect day for it this time, too. I hope you enjoy sharing the adventure with us.
Moonlight Excursion on the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad
We took a quick trip to the Oregon Coast to ride the OCSR on a unique moonlight excursion. With only a handful of dates available, we chose the one when the moon would be closest to full. The ride was longer than the general trip from Garibaldi to Rockaway, stretching past Rockaway to Wheeler. It provided new views and a gorgeous sunset view that made the trip. The ride was pleasant, but things got boring after the sunset. The moon was hidden along the horizon by thick clouds over the ocean, so the only view was inside the train cabin. Still a fun trip, and I would certainly recommend it to others.
Cape Falcon Trail & Overlook
Cape Falcon Trail, a moderately challenging 4.5-mile out-and-back trail located in Oswald West State Park between Manzanita and Cannon Beach, Oregon, is a popular choice for hikers seeking breathtaking ocean views. The trail is mostly level and wide, meandering through lush, green vegetation and offering glimpses of the ocean through the trees. Hikers can enjoy the shade provided by the thick canopy of trees and the refreshing ocean breeze as they make their way to the Cape Falcon Lookout. From the lookout, on a clear day, visitors can see north to Tillamook Head and south to Cape Lookout. However, reaching the lookout can sometimes be challenging due to overgrown vegetation or obstacles along the trail.