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.

Estuary Expeditions Near Cascade Head

April 28, 2017
Sometimes spring seems to switch from downpour to sun-filled skies in a heartbeat, demanding you to take advantage of each dry break and head outdoors. This week, we take on two estuary expeditions for the price of one getaway on Oregon's North Coast. The Salmon River is a sinuous braid work of channels and sloughs… More
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Oregon Coast , Tillamook , Kayaking , Parks, Forests & Wildlife Areas , Trip Ideas , Outdoor Recreation , Attractions ,

A Passion for History in Oregon City

April 21, 2017
As the spring runoff rises to its peak, the Willamette Falls in Oregon City seems to thunder, bellow and shout for your attention. Flanked by industrial landmarks of a bygone past, the falls remains a site worth admiring — just like the town that surrounds it. Some of Oregon’s greatest stories come from Oregon City, where larger… More
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Portland Region , Oregon City , Lakes & Reservoirs , Historic Sites & Oregon Trail , Parks, Forests & Wildlife Areas , Rivers & Streams , Trip Ideas , Museums , Waterfalls , Outdoor Recreation , Culture & History , Attractions ,

Stickwork Sculptures at Orenco Woods

April 14, 2017
Hillsboro has launched a remarkable public art project at a new city park. Join me on a visit to Orenco Woods Nature Park, where you'll find one of the most unique outdoor art projects I’ve ever seen. Last summer, the park, located at Northwest Birch and 224th, received a new bridge, creating a critical crossing over… More
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Portland Region , Hillsboro , Art Galleries & Studios , Trip Ideas , Outdoor Recreation , Attractions ,

Uncovering Coastal Gems

March 17, 2017
If you really want to know a place well, a place like the Oregon Coast, it’s best to do your homework. A Pacific Northwest author's new book will teach you about the natural beauty and history of our vast coastal region. It's called "The Northwest Coastal Explorer," and author Robert Steelquist says it’s not what he… More
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Oregon Coast , Rockaway Beach , Culture & Heritage Events , Historic Sites & Oregon Trail , Parks, Forests & Wildlife Areas , Trip Ideas , Outdoor Recreation , Attractions , State Parks , Events ,

Photographing Wildlife in Action

March 10, 2017
A remarkable wildlife show is happening at the Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge. This Willamette Valley site is a birder's paradise. Here, photographers can turn a fleeting moment into a work of art — and Jim Leonard has the images to prove it. Leonard is a famed Oregon wildlife photographer who likes this wildlife refuge because it's easy to reach from the highway,… More
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Willamette Valley , Jefferson , Birding , Parks, Forests & Wildlife Areas , Trip Ideas , Outdoor Recreation , Attractions , Events ,

Wilson River Broodstock Program

March 3, 2017
Oregon is blessed with an abundance of rivers that offer thrilling rapids that often hide secret prizes and angling adventures. Winter steelhead are silver-sided prizes; anglers often must endure tough outdoor conditions to catch them. Yet, steelhead fishermen love this time of year when winter’s cold and wet conditions rule. Jim Skaar and Josiah Darr agree that… More
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Oregon Coast , Tillamook , Trip Ideas , Fishing ,

A Dungeness Crab Dinner

February 24, 2017
Dungeness crab is a centerpiece in Oregon seafood. Harvesting the crustacean is worth more than $150 million to the state's economy. Last month's story about the "Boat to School" program showed how youngsters are learning firsthand about this valuable crab. But as it turned out, that was only part of the story. The Oregon Dungeness… More
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Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink , Seafood ,

Eagle Watch in The Dalles

February 17, 2017
This winter, there’s a gathering of eagles in the Columbia River Gorge. It’s a thrill to see all the big birds at one place. Soaring on thermal updrafts, the eagles' size and white capped heads give them away. Bald eagles are on the hunt at a place that may surprise you, according to Amber Tilton,… More
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Mt. Hood & Columbia River Gorge , The Dalles , Birding , Trip Ideas , Outdoor Recreation , Attractions , Events ,

Boat to School

February 10, 2017
Commercial Dungeness crab season is red hot and rolling, despite cold and wet conditions. Dean Ellsworth says his 44-foot fishing boat, The Nola K, is his winter home at this time of year. Ellsworth and his three-man crew spend long days and nights tossing out and pulling in nearly a thousand 80-pound crab pots during a… More
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Oregon Coast , Seaside , Educational Activities , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink , Seafood , Events ,

Indoor Kite Flying

January 27, 2017
When the winter weather turns wicked, step indoors at the Oregon Soccer Center in Clackamas and discover the serenity and soul-satisfying rewards of flying a kite. A Kite? Indoors? Oh yes, it’s been a terrific source of exercise and soothing therapy for kids and adults alike for decades. And there’s more — it turns out that… More
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Portland Region , Clackamas , Trip Ideas , Events , Sports ,