About the Author

David Hanson

David Hanson is a free-range journalist, working the pen and the camera for national publications, organizations and commercial outlets — mostly concerning conservation, adventure and social justice issues. The Georgia native, his Puget Sound wife, their daughter Ada and a few bikes and kayaks have found their home in Hood River.

5 Stunning Photo-Worthy Spots on the Central Oregon Coast

December 13, 2019
There are few moodier environments than the Oregon Coast. And moody is a photographer’s happy place. From fog cascading down moss-carpeted cliffs to sun slanting through spruce trees, the ever-changing weather attracts professional and amateur photographers to the Coast all year long. More
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Oregon Coast , Newport , Favorite Trips , Trip Ideas ,

Don’t Miss the Best of Bend This Fall

September 19, 2019
A visit to Bend in the fall offers the same outdoor and downtown activities as the summer: world-class mountain biking, sport climbing, sapphire lakes set against snow-capped peaks, a culinary scene to match the legendary craft breweries, and a trout-laden river running through it all. More
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Central Oregon , Bend , Favorite Trips , Trip Ideas ,

Top Climbing and Bouldering Adventures

April 2, 2019
Rock climbing in Oregon is as varied as the state’s dramatic landscapes. There’s something for all seasons and all skill levels, from beginner-friendly top-rope climbs in the cool Willamette River Valley to the Lost Lake boulders below Mt. Hood to Spring Mountain’s challenging multi-pitch sport routes outside La Grande. More
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Climbing ,

Ski These 8 Essential Nordic Trails

November 28, 2018
The world’s oldest form of skiing is once again gaining traction, and there are few better spots to strap on skis than Oregon. Nordic skiing is perfect for beginners, with lightweight, comfortable boots, affordable rentals and passes, and the option to learn on flat, corduroy-soft groomed trails with no lift lines or intimidating slopes. More
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Cross-Country Skiing ,

Oregon’s Most Off-the-Grid Road Trips

May 31, 2018
Do you crave an off-the-grid road trip? Then point the car toward Eastern, Central and Southern Oregon, where blacktop winds for thousands of miles through thick forests, windswept hills and rippled volcanic landscapes. Here’s a quick guide to four of my most memorable driving routes for away-from-it-all escapes. More
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Eastern Oregon , Baker City , Scenic Drives ,

Easy Living on the Grande Ronde

February 25, 2016
Few moments combine relaxation and exhilaration like the instant you release your weight onto a floating raft or kayak, push off land and join the flow. All the stress and commotion of gear wrestling, food planning and daily schedules are muffled into deep oblivion like sounds dampening underwater. The current pulls, you paddle and the world passes to the side — powerless against the alternate reality of river time. More
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Eastern Oregon , Elgin , Kayaking , Lakes & Reservoirs , Tour Companies , Favorite Trips , Rafting , Parks, Forests & Wildlife Areas , Rivers & Streams , Trip Ideas , Outdoor Recreation , Attractions ,