Advertise on podcast: Peak Northwest

There are few better ways to get to know Oregon than through the many different events that take place throughout our state every year. The Pendleton Round-Up, UFO Fest and Tamkaliks Celebration, to name a few, all show a different facet of this fascinating place. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we discuss which events are worth making a road trip to see, and why they can be such a joy. Whether you’re into rodeos, powwows, kite festivals or beer festivals, there’s something great in Oregon to see and do. Here are some highlights: A trio of events on the Oregon coast offer fun throughout the year. The UFO Fest is one of the weirdest events in the Willamette Valley. Why you should head out to the Pendleton Round-Up. Some great events have already happened, so mark your calendars for 2025. Subscribe to Peak Northwest on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Seattle, the biggest city in the Pacific Northwest, is a great local vacation option, boasting fascinating attractions, good food and outdoor recreation options both urban and wild. Portlanders, who famously loathe visiting their sister city to the north, might find the trip much more enjoyable simply by switching up the way that they get there. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we break down what a train trip to Seattle can look like, and how traveling by rail can unlock a much more enjoyable experience. Visiting the local restaurants, museums and parks can be a lot more attractive when you don’t have to worry about sitting in traffic jams – who knew? Here are some highlights: How does the train to Seattle work? How easy is it to get around town once you’re there? Good food, interesting museums and beautiful parks await. Jamie tries to convince Vickie to give this trip a chance. Subscribe to Peak Northwest on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy birthday, Oregon! In case you weren’t aware, the state of Oregon is turning 165 years old this Feb. 14. To mark the occasion, this week’s episode of Peak Northwest is dedicated to celebrating the state we call home. But how do you celebrate our state? Maybe it’s by visiting a local history or cultural museum. It could mean spending time in Salem, the state capital. Or maybe all you want to do is get out on a trail and appreciate some of the natural beauty Oregon is famous for. We have a few ideas to get you started. Here are some highlights: Salem and Oregon City are both important in Oregon’s history, and both great places to spend a day. Oregon’s tribal museums offer some pre-colonial history. There are a number of good local history and cultural museums to explore. Which state parks are the best for celebrating Oregon’s birthday? Subscribe to Peak Northwest on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Solo travel can be one of the most joyful and rewarding experiences you can have, but it can also require a good dose of caution. On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we dive into the world of traveling alone, speaking from our own experiences to offer some tips on not only staying safe but getting the most out of your trip. Here are some highlights: How can you stay safe while traveling alone? What are some ways to get the most of the experience? Things to add to your pack list that you may overlook. Some of our most memorable solo travel experiences. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trying something new can always be a bit scary, especially when that something new involves strapping boards to your feet and propelling yourself across the ice and snow. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we dive right into the trepidation, as Vickie tries cross-country skiing for the first time, traveling with outdoor recreation group Trail Mixed to the Teacup Nordic Snow Park on Mount Hood. The experience naturally proved to be a fun adventure, but was it enough to turn Vickie into a snow sports person? Here are some highlights from this week’s show: How Vickie got involved with Trail Mixed and ended up on skis. What’s the difference between cross-country skiing and downhill skiing? What was it like learning to ski? Why Teacup is a haven for Nordic skiers on Mount Hood. Subscribe to Peak Northwest on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Programming note: This is a rebroadcast of an excellent episode from December, 2021. If you enjoy camping but don’t love sleeping on the ground, there’s a nifty solution at some of Oregon’s most popular state parks. In addition to the tent and RV sites that populate campgrounds, some parks come equipped with additional accommodations: cabins and yurts that offer a more comfortable way to spend the night. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we discuss what to expect and what to bring with you if you’re looking to do a little state park glamping. While far from a luxury hotel, these cabins and yurts offer a much cozier way to stay the night immersed in nature. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The snow is finally falling in the Cascade Mountains, meaning it’s high time to get going on those winter adventures. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we’re joined by former co-host Jim Ryan, who discusses a pair of exciting ski trips on his horizon this winter: a trek to the Tilly Jane A-Frame on Mount Hood and a vacation to the slopes of Banff National Park in Canada. Ryan, a lifelong snow enthusiast, gets into everything from flying with skis to convincing skeptical friends to join up on a magical ice-skating experience. Here’s the full episode: The Tilly Jane A-Frame offers a different kind of way to spend the night in a snowy forest. Canada’s Banff is a beautiful national park and resort town with a lot to offer winter visitors. Flying with ski gear presents a host of possible complications. Why you shouldn’t be too disappointed (yet) about the weak snowfall this season. Subscribe to Peak Northwest on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you think about lush, Pacific Northwest forests, the image you conjure might as well be of the Salmon River Trail. The 14-mile hiking trail in the Mt. Hood National Forest is famous for its dense evergreen forest, easy river access and many backpacking sites, drawing small crowds of outdoor enthusiasts on just about every sunny day of the year. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we cover everything you need to know about the beautiful Salmon River Trail, including when, how and why you should go check it out. Here’s the full episode: What are the specs on the Salmon River Trail? Jamie’s autumn hike on the trail was an amazing experience. Vickie’s sunset trail run took her to an incredible view. Why this is a great spot for beginner backpackers. Subscribe to Peak Northwest on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy 2024! With New Year’s only days away, we’re already looking ahead to a busy year of Pacific Northwest travel. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, Jamie and Vickie do some scheming and dreaming about another year of travel, planning trips big and small, from the high desert to the Pacific coast. Whether you love visiting a small town, are looking for a wild outdoor adventure or an interesting new attraction, there’s something here for you to look forward to. Here are some highlights from this week’s show: Why Burns might be the perfect place to anchor some high desert adventures. The Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness on Mount Hood is ripe for exploration. LOGE Alta Crystal looks like a good base camp at Mount Rainier. Why you should take a road trip to the Northwest’s new troll sculptures. Subscribe to Peak Northwest on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A common complaint on social media is that photo sharing apps like Instagram directly lead to the ruination of outdoor destinations by encouraging crowds of people to visit. It’s a popular sentiment, but is it really true? On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we interview a pair of researchers behind an Oregon State University study that suggests the reality is much more complex. While Instagram posts may be responsible for some of the increasing crowds, there are many other factors at play. Here are some highlights from this week’s show: How was this study conducted? Instagram’s influence accounts for a very small percentage of park visits. What else could be driving crowds to Oregon parks, if not social media? Social media affects visitor behavior in other ways. Subscribe to Peak Northwest on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every wanted to find hidden treasure on the beach? Finders Keepers is making that dream a reality. The year-round event hides decorative glass floats on the beaches of Lincoln City, encouraging people to walk the sand and look for the small treasures. But what are the odds you’ll find one? On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talked to Stephanie Hull, event and outreach coordinator for Explore Lincoln City, which runs Finders Keepers. She talked all about the history of the event, the process of making and hiding the floats, and how you can go about finding one yourself. Here are some highlights from this week’s show: How did Finders Keepers get started? What’s the deal with these floats? Special drop days up your odds of finding a float, with dozens or hundreds hidden at once. What are some tips for finding a float? Subscribe to Peak Northwest on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christmas tree shopping in Oregon is often a bring-your-own-hand-saw occasion. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we eschew the store-bought experience to discuss two ways to cut down your own Christmas tree locally. There are pros and cons to both U-cut farms and harvesting from the forest, but each provides a similar experience – an outside, muddy boots, sawdust experience – that (for the right people) injects a little more magic into the holidays. Here are some highlights from this week’s show: Vickie tells the tale of her first U-cut experience in Oregon. Pair your Christmas tree cutting with… hot dogs? Jamie remembers harvesting a tree from the Mt. Hood National Forest. Everything you need to know before getting a Christmas tree permit. Subscribe to Peak Northwest on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts. -- Jamie Hale and Vickie Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices