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.

Oregon’s Fish Whisperer

December 13, 2015
This week, we learn more about a man whom many of us owe a tip of the hat and a huge thank you! Jay Nicholas is Oregon’s former “salmon czar” and twenty years ago, he led the effort to save the state’s wild coastal salmon. These days, his passion for Oregon’s salmon and steelhead is… More
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Trip Ideas ,

Bend Whitewater Park

November 6, 2015
Bend has long been mecca for folks who enjoy recreation in the great outdoors. Now, there’s more good news: the first whitewater park in the state has been completed and promises a thrill ride for kayakers and surfers or folks who like a leisurely trip down the Deschutes River. The Deschutes River runs smack through… More
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Central Oregon , Bend , Kayaking , Lakes & Reservoirs , Parks, Forests & Wildlife Areas , Rivers & Streams , Trip Ideas , Outdoor Recreation , Attractions ,

Grant’s Getaways: Crater Lake Zipline

October 23, 2015
When you travel to Klamath County in Southern Oregon, there are three words you must remember: just let go! If you do, you will leave all your troubles behind. Perhaps at Crater Lake National Park, where many begin their visit at the timber and stone Crater Lake Lodge.  Visitors will grab a bite, relax and unwind and… More
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Southern Oregon , Klamath Falls , Guides & Charters , Trip Ideas , Outdoor Recreation , Attractions ,

Joseph Branch Railriders

September 18, 2015
Last summer, we showed you where the cars don’t roll in a roadless stretch through the Wallowa and Grand Ronde River canyons. The people of Elgin hold on to that heritage and make you feel right at home when you visit the Elgin Depot and step aboard the Eagle Cap Excursion Train. Dave Arnold is… More
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Eastern Oregon , Joseph , Historic Sites & Oregon Trail , Trip Ideas ,

Dancing with the Swan Island Dahlias

September 11, 2015
Just outside Canby, a half mile down Birch Road, after the pavement turns to gravel, the Swan Island Dahlias offer a riot of color and a place that is prime for harvest right now. Heather Gitts-Schloe said that the fields are stunning and inviting. “I like to walk the fields and see what nature gives." More
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Willamette Valley , Canby , Farm & Ranch Stays , Farms & Ranches , Wildlife Viewing , Trip Ideas , Outdoor Recreation , Eat & Drink , Attractions , Events ,

Discovering Oregon’s Ghost Towns

September 4, 2015
Backroads are the best when they lead you down trails to Oregon’s secret hideaways that provide rich history lessons that continue to teach today. Tracking down Oregon history blends well with travel across the state. It’s the travel that lets you roam into towns, villages or communities that barely exist; some that history buff Steve… More
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State Parks , Ghost Towns , Historic Sites & Oregon Trail , Parks, Forests & Wildlife Areas , Trip Ideas , Culture & History , Attractions ,

Mt. Hood’s Fruit Loop and Cloud Cap Inn

August 21, 2015
It is hard not to be drawn to Mt Hood’s rugged northern perspective marked by rocky crags, steep inclines and the gigantic Elliot Glacier. On the way to the mountain, I am drawn to the many family owned farms and orchards of the Hood River Valley. This year the trees bear the heavy weight from… More
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Mt. Hood & Columbia River Gorge , Parkdale , Historic Sites & Oregon Trail , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink , Attractions ,

Dig in at Cowboy Dinner Tree

August 14, 2015
It’s time to saddle up for a culinary adventure out of the Old West – a time when Oregon cowboys were a fixture of life across the high desert. Come along as we head to Oregon’s one and only Cowboy Dinner Tree! When Oregon’s outback calls, you leave the tall timber and cascade mountain waterfalls behind… More
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Southern Oregon , Silver Lake , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink ,

Sunstones: Digging Oregon’s State Gem

August 7, 2015
Oregon’s desert is a vast stretch of the state where distances are great and people are few – but if you know where to look, there are remarkable treasures waiting to be found. When the Spectrum Sunstone Mine rock hopper fills up and the generator fires up the conveyor belt gets your hopes up: that… More
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Eastern Oregon , Historic Sites & Oregon Trail , Trip Ideas , Outdoor Recreation , Attractions ,

Mt. Hood History and Huckleberries

July 31, 2015
Early morning – when air is cool and scenery quiet – Mt. Hood is a marvel! It’s my favorite time of day to get a jump start at a place that is filled with adventures. The first stop is Government Camp, one of many small villages that ring the Mt Hood region, and one that offers a… More
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Mt. Hood & Columbia River Gorge , Government Camp , Historic Sites & Oregon Trail , Museums , Culinary Experiences , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink , Culture & History ,