About the Author

Jon Bell

Jon Bell is an Oregon writer and author of the book, On Mount Hood: A Biography of Oregon’s Perilous Peak. When he's not out exploring the Northwest with his kids and friends, he's likely writing about it from his home in Lake Oswego.

Nature Escape to Scappoose Bay

January 2, 2020
What if there was a place close to Portland where you could quickly escape from city life and feel like you’re in another world? A place where you could almost lose yourself paddling through slim streams and curving channels, watching majestic birds soar overhead or strolling along the mighty Columbia River just 30 minutes from the city? Well, there is. More
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Portland Region , Scappoose , Favorite Trips , Trip Ideas ,

Where to See Art in the Portland Region

December 18, 2019
The new PAM will create a dynamic destination for the arts, reinvigorating our city and offering expanded opportunities to engage audiences with art from around Oregon, the Pacific Northwest and the world More
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Portland Region , Portland , Art Galleries & Studios , Museums , Attractions ,

Easy Family Fishing in Oregon

May 6, 2019
I’ll never forget it — and I know he won’t, either. It was a beautiful bluebird day on Mt. Hood’s Lost Lake: Sunshine, barely a breeze, a snowy peak rising into the clear sky and reflecting in the ripples of the lake. My son, Spencer, and I coasted in a kayak along a shadowy drop-off near the shore, a fishing pole gripped in his hands, a line trailing silently behind. More
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Family Fun , Fishing , Trip Ideas ,

Holiday Escapes in the Hood River Valley

November 16, 2018
If a crisp winter breeze off the Columbia River, the warmth of a fire after a day of skiing on Mt. Hood, or a train ride to a mystery destination called Christmas Town aren’t the kinds of things that will put you in a festive holiday mood — well, then, the Hood River Valley is not for you. More
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Mt. Hood & Columbia River Gorge , Hood River , Favorite Trips ,

Keeping it Classic in Pendleton

June 4, 2018
There’s a place in Eastern Oregon where you can see leather saddles made as they have been for 100 years, where top-40 headliners share the stage with country stars, and where you can see the ruts from Oregon Trail pioneers that came west along this route 175 years ago. That place is Pendleton, where the mix of Old West flavors and new-school artists make it an ideal place to escape for three days. Wagon or not, here’s how to spend three days in Pendleton. More
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Eastern Oregon , Pendleton , Favorite Trips ,

6 Snowy Trails in Eastern Oregon

January 18, 2017
From the Wallowa Mountains to Anthony Lakes, Eastern Oregon is packed with places to ski and snowshoe. More
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Eastern Oregon , Pendleton , Favorite Trips , Cross-Country Skiing & Snowshoeing , Snow Sports , Trip Ideas , Outdoor Recreation ,

Cosmic Tubing and More Snowy Fun at Mt. Hood

January 4, 2017
Known for skiing and snowboarding, Mt. Hood Skibowl is is also a hot spot for another family fun adventure: cosmic tubing, which turns the hill into a sort of icy dance floor lit up by 600,000 LED lights, black lights, lasers and more. More
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Mt. Hood & Columbia River Gorge , Government Camp , Favorite Trips , Amusement Parks , Sporting Events , Snow Sports , Trip Ideas , Attractions , Events ,

Oregon Winter 101

November 19, 2015
When the days grow shorter and the rain and snow set in, there’s a natural inclination to bundle up, light the fire and enjoy the world from inside. But to truly experience winter in Oregon, you need to fight the urge to hibernate and get outside. Sure, Oregon offers opportunities for outdoor fun all year… More
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Favorite Trips , Snow Sports , Trip Ideas , Outdoor Recreation , Attractions ,

Overnight at Mt. Hood’s Paradise Park

February 19, 2015
I’ve traipsed all over Mt. Hood — past Burnt Lake and up to Zigzag Mountain, over to McNeil Point, nearly to the top of Barrett Spur, out to Owl Point, through Elk Meadows and up Gnarl Ridge. I’ve been to the summit four times, circled around the entire beauty twice on the 41-mile Timberline Trail, snowshoed to Cloud Cap, skied White River and paddled around Lost Lake. And yet I’ve never spent the night here, never pitched the tent among the wildflowers, burbling streams and... More
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Mt. Hood & Columbia River Gorge , Timberline Lodge , Favorite Trips , Parks, Forests & Wildlife Areas , Camping , Hiking & Backpacking , Trip Ideas , Outdoor Recreation , Attractions ,