About the Author

Grant McOmie

Grant McOmie is a Pacific Northwest broadcast journalist, teacher and author who writes and produces stories and special programs about the people, places, outdoor activities and environmental issues of the Pacific Northwest. A fifth generation Oregon native, Grant’s roots run deepest in the central Oregon region near Prineville and Redmond where his family continues to live.

Clam Maps

December 19, 2014
Just because the calendar has moved to winter doesn’t mean you have to give up outdoor adventure that pays off with supper from the sea! In fact, when the minus low tides shift to night time hours, I simply adjust my tactics and techniques with warmer clothing and a headlamp or lantern to dig or… More
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Oregon Coast , Seafood , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink ,

Deschutes Byway Bighorns

December 5, 2014
Oregon’s back roads are the best! They can lead you down trails to secret hideaways, like the one that is less than two hours from Portland: the Deschutes River Back Country Byway. It may feel a million miles away, but it’s where the action is to see the Deschutes River Byway Bighorns. At Lake Billy… More
found in
Central Oregon , Parks, Forests & Wildlife Areas , Trip Ideas , Attractions ,

Trout 365

November 21, 2014
It may feel like winter, but there’s no need to put the trout rod, reel and gear on the shelf because Oregon is home to trout fishing adventures 365 days of the year. Angling opportunities abound in lakes and ponds and rivers where the fishing can be red hot even when temperatures say “bundle up.”… More
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Lakes & Reservoirs , Parks, Forests & Wildlife Areas , Rivers & Streams , Fishing , Trip Ideas , Outdoor Recreation , Attractions ,

Just For Kids

November 14, 2014
Families who like to ramble, explore and generally hang out in Oregon’s forests may wish to visit two sites that bring out the adventurer in each of us – but you should know: this getaway is for kids...of any age. This week, we journey to a forested parkland where your views can feel a bit… More
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Portland Region , State Parks , Parks, Forests & Wildlife Areas , Family Fun , Trip Ideas , Outdoor Recreation , Attractions ,

Vines, Wines and Fall Color

November 7, 2014
Oregon is famous hiking country and it’s noted for its delicious wines as well — so it’s rewarding to find vineyards and wineries where the Oregon outdoors takes center stage. The fall season provides a fine time to connect with small family-owned wineries that offer distinct outdoor elements and activities across their landscapes that will… More
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Willamette Valley , Covered Bridges , Historic Sites & Oregon Trail , Wine & Wineries , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink ,

Trask Hatchery

October 31, 2014
It’s been called the “Year of the Salmon” by fishermen and fishery managers alike as Oregon’s estuaries and rivers fill with a stampede of coho and chinook salmon. At Trask Hatchery, the salmon return is off the charts and the largest in memory, according to ODFW Hatchery Manager Jim Skaar. “We are close to 3,000… More
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Fishing , Trip Ideas ,

Gerry Frank’s Oregon

October 24, 2014
I’m a big believer that of all the inviting qualities that Oregon has to offer – stunning scenery, rich and varied foods and exciting recreation – above all, it’s the spirit of the place, embodied by the people who live here, that sets Oregon apart. I recently joined Gerry Frank, a man who gets a kick… More
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Trip Ideas , Attractions ,

Go Salmon Fishing and Cook Your Catch

October 17, 2014
The signs of seasonal change are easy to see along Oregon’s rivers and streams where fall colors really light up the scene. But there’s another sign hidden in the water that you can’t see: salmon are coming home! Oregon’s fall salmon fishing is big time outdoors recreation as thousands head to bays and rivers to… More
found in
Fishing , Trip Ideas ,

Salmon Watch

October 10, 2014
Many Oregon streams – like Eagle Creek in the Columbia River Gorge – show that summer has past and now, it is fall! The small creek near Bonneville dam is often choked with chinook and coho salmon, and it is a prime site to watch the fish. The Salmon River near Welches, Oregon also offers a… More
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Trip Ideas ,

Grant’s Getaways: Eagle Cap Excursion Train

October 3, 2014
Fall has arrived to Oregon country, and aren’t we lucky we can meet the season when brilliant sunshine rules our days. The view from the Wallowa Lake Tramway near Wallowa Lake State Park is a marvel! It’s a unique birds-eye view to the surrounding countryside near Joseph, Oregon. Once you are atop Mt Howard, glance… More
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Eastern Oregon , Elgin , Historic Sites & Oregon Trail , Trip Ideas ,