About the Author

Adam Smith

Adam 'Thorn' Smith, nicknamed for his love of the Rose City, has a lifelong passion for Portland and all things Oregon. A teacher, sports data scout, whitewater outfit manager, and travel writer, he's explored five continents and over forty countries, including a year abroad in South America. Other interests include rivers, craft beers, a game of darts, playing music with friends, or cheering for the Blazers, Timbers, Ducks and Beavers.

A Toast to the Campbell House Inn

January 30, 2014
It was a gorgeous late summer day in southern Oregon, and I was driving north, feeling weary. Eugene was on the horizon and I decided to find a peaceful place to stay, but I felt like something other than the typical hotel. At a rest stop I searched the internet for a bed and breakfast,… More
found in
Willamette Valley , Eugene , Trip Ideas ,

Weasku Inn

December 12, 2013
What could be better than a stay in a warm lodge after roughing it by raft down the Rogue River? In my opinion, nothing. That's what made me look for a place to recuperate from four nights of sleeping bags under the stars. I found what looked like the perfect opportunity at the Weasku Inn,… More
found in
Southern Oregon , Grants Pass , Trip Ideas ,

Golden Getaway at Galice Resort

October 2, 2013
On the edge of the Rogue River National Forest, beyond the town of Merlin, is a magical place. It sits on the river wild, where Oregon's history and nature collide, waiting for adventurers to arrive. It's called Galice; a recreational gold mine if you are a rafter, kayaker, camper, birder, hiker, fisherman, photographer, hunter, historian… More
found in
Southern Oregon , Merlin , Trip Ideas ,

Hidden Treasures of Oregon Rafting

August 21, 2012
There you are, paddles up, floating in silence. A speckle-breasted osprey circling overhead peers into the pristine water, tucks into a dive and explodes into the surface, flapping away with a  rainbow trout in its talons. Without a sound, your guide points to the stony shore--a family of mink stands up under a thicket of… More
found in
Rafting , Trip Ideas ,