Thursday, November 1, 2012

What type of tour are you looking for?

Bites By Bike

This is a fun tour hosted by Pedal Bike Tours.  It runs from November 2, 2012- February 14, 2013.  The ride begins at 9:00 am and ends at 12:30 pm, with the cost ranging between $18.00-$69.00.  Highlights of this 3 1/2 hour tour include touring a coffee roaster, sampling artisan cheeses and fresh made bread, mouth-watering cookies made with seasonal ingredients, house made soda made with local berries, pizza with seasonal toppings and a celebrated chocolate shop.  All of this done in true Portland fashion by bicycle. For more information contact-

Pedal Bike Tours
133 SW 2nd Ave
Portland, Oregon 97204
503-243-2453



Portland Walking Tours-Daily!

Grab those walking shoes, while discovering Portland's amazing culinary scene.  Taste the foods, sip the drinks and meet the artisans and vendors in their shops.

On the "Epicurean Excursion," experience first hand how Portland's locavore philosophy is driving the city's exciting food scene.

Foodie's explode when you hit "Flavor Street" where you can sip nibble, and taste your way through the local food cart scene.  Portlanders swarm the 400+ tasting trucks dotting the cityscape, offering flavors temptations from African to Venezuelan and Maine to Malibu.

Indulge in the diversity of chocolate on the "Chocolate Decadence" tour: beans, bars, whipped, truffles, cocktails, melted, served as a drink, and some great surprises.
For more information go to-

www.portlandwalkingtours.com


Food Carts Portland

Locals from various places and committed food loving tourists from all over know that some of the best food to be had in any city is to be had at small street stands, carts, and other non-restaurant restaurants.

Portland has a proliferation of Food Carts and they seem to be growing in numbers and locations all over the city.  They are lunch wagon, taco trucks & snack shakes, they are a Portland phenomenon.  The offerings you find will make you feel like you just did the amazing race.  This is global dining at it's simplest. 
For more information formation go to-

www.FoodCartsPortland.com 





Monday, September 10, 2012

What's Your Ride?

Celebrating 25 Years Cycle Oregon 2012  

This years Anniversary ride will live up to the occasion.  A paradise ride for the cyclist.  They will begin in far off Bly, Oregon riding two days through a country side that is wide open, beautiful and has more birds then cars.  The ride will climb to the rim of majestic Crater Lake.  Traverse Southern Oregon's high country past alpine lakes, pine forests and lush meadows.  Dropping down into Ashland, home to the famous Shakespearean Festival where they will relax for a couple of days and enjoy the culture of this charming town.  Then off to the Klamath Basin full of wildlife and photo opportunities.  The ride will finish where it began in Bly.  A fun loving mix of back-road riding and two-wheeled tent revival moving from town to town with 2000 riders.  The best way to sum up Cycle Oregon might be through the honorary title riders have bestowed upon it:
The Best Ride in America.
 

 
 
 

Vespa Portland

Paul and Maggy Henry are proud to be the owners of Portland's largest scooter dealership.  They invite you to feel like a kid again.  Get on your scooter and ride.  I own a Vespa ET2 which I have ridden for eight years.  Last Friday Maggy invited me to join them and twenty-five of their scooter clients and friends for a group ride.  I had never done a ride like this so I accepted.  On Sunday I found myself zooming through the West Hills of Portland in a caravan of colorful scooters both old & new.  We even had a darling couple in a green side-car.  Off we traveled out Skyline Blvd into the country side.  We dropped down onto Sauvies Island and snaked our way around the island, through corn fields and cows.  I was beginning to feel like I was on vacation.  We stopped at a farm stand for a bite of lunch.  Then back on our scooters into the hills and back down to NW 23rd.  It was a perfect ride, a vacation without getting on a plane.  All I can say is  get on your scooter and ride.  If you need one please go visit Maggy & Paul my friends at Vespa Portland.

www.vespaportland.com
Call 503-222-3779 for all your scooter questions





The Pendleton Round-Up

This is one of the largest and well know Rodeos in North America.  The entire town gets involved in this annual four-day competition and pageant.  This years 102nd Rodeo begins September 9th when more than 50,000 rodeo enthusiasts flood this small community.  The colorfully painted stadium has plenty room for locals and visitors.  About 700 cowboys and hundreds of animals compete in the annual rodeo.  The Umatilla tribes play an important role in the annual Round-Up.  They have been known to set up over 300 tepees directly behind the stadium beside the Umatilla River.  The competitions range from saddle and bareback brone riding, calf roping, team roping, steer roping and wrestling, bull riding and barrel racing.  There are also parades, parties, banquets and musical performances.
So grab your boots and Cowboy up.
www.pendletonroundup.com













Sunday, February 12, 2012

The Heart Stopping Columbia Gorge

The Skamania Lodge

Noted as one of the most popular resorts in the region, Skamania Lodge is nestled in the midst of a year-round recreational area, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.  The Gorge stretches about 90 miles in length across the many Cascade Range Volcanoes.  It is encompassed by such famous volcanoes as Mt. Adams, towering at 12,276', Mt St Helens at 8,364' and Oregon's tallest volvano, Mt Hood at 11,239'.

For the outdoor enthusiast, the area offers hiking, climbing, biking, whitewater rafting, windsurfing, kayaking and salmon, steelhead and sturgeon fishing. 

Other activities include: scenic drives on the Columbia Gorge Scenic Highway.  One of my personal favorites is to travel up the Oregon side to Hood River take the toll bridge across to the Washington side and head west where you will find the Skamania Lodge.

It is the perfect weekend getaway, pack a small bag and go.  The Lodge is very romantic, with beautiful rooms, fine dining, great spa & golf course.  It will refresh your spirit and enlighten your soul.


El Rio Texicantina

One of my favorite restaurants in the heart of Stevenson, Washington next to the Skamania County Courthouse.  The cuisine has the flavors of Texas, New Mexico and Northern Mexico.  Rich sauces, house smoked meats, everything made from scratch.  Whether it's the Seafood Enchiladas (yum), Smoked Pork Chili Verde or Handmade Fresh Chili Rellenos, their menu has something creative and delicious for every taste.  The Bar is inspired by............you guessed it..Tequila with 36 different labels.

www.joeselrio.us/



Next Stop Dog Mountain

Get ready for a work out, because this is a streuous hike.  Dog Mountain trail is located in the scenic Columbia Gorge, near Bingen Washington.  The trailhead is on the north side of Washington State Highway 14 at milepost 53.  Twelve miles east from Bridge of the Gods.  This popular trail provides two options for hikers.  The trail forks, giving hikers the option of heading north on the more direct route to the summit, but very steep.  The other option is to head right (east) which provides sweeping views and a more gradual climb.  You will see wildflowers, views of both Mt Hood and Mt St Helens, and the personal satisfaction that you made it to the top of 2,984 ft. Dog Mountain.  Be cautious of poison oak and rattlesnakes.