Local Mt Hood Entertainment Hot Spots

All around the Mt Hood area, there are cool places to go, bands to check out, and local entertainment - you just have to know where to look. Head in to the wrong place and you could end up with a room full of eyes - all on you! But some places are just cool in general, some more trendy than others, but most have the good old mountain feel to 'em.

Here are just a few, some I'be been to, others I've only heard the stories, but wherever you go, just be sure to drive safely. We locals have to share the road with some pretty out of control people, and many have paid the price. So whether you're a local or a fun and friendly visitor - have a designated driver. But on again to the fun, check out some of these favorite local Mt Hood hang-outs, and let's hear your comments on the places you most like to go on the mountain!

Charlie's Mountain View Restaurant and Bar is one of Government Camp's local entertainment hubs. While it's definitely a great place to go anytime of year, the summer months are definitely filled with some awesome local entertainers. Their website has a calendar that shows which musical artists are scheduled, but you never know what spontaneous thing may happen over at Charlie's! (Check out the webcam on their site, too!)

Mt Hood Roasters Restaurant has some fun weekend entertainment as well, with loca favorites like Bob Voll, (who we locals also know as the UPS guy!) Check out their Events Calendar for more of their scheduled events. When the weather is nice, you can sit on the patio and watch live bands play, while you sip a cold beer next to the warm table heaters! The original owners still produce the awesome locally roasted coffee, which you can find online to enjoy some of that tasty brew at home! Roasters was once well known as Welches Living Room, and under the ownership - they are now branding themselves as home of the 4-egg omlet!


Hood River County Chamber of Commerce has the scoop on local entertainment in the Hood River area. I happen to live on the other side of the mountain from Hood River - so hopefully you locals out there will chime in on the comments and let us know where the fun is!

I'd love to send you to the website for the Skyway Bar & Grill in Zig Zag (just east of Welches), but they don't seem to have one. They have recently re-opened, but where once the talk of the town! I did however stumble upon this neat list of local restaurants, though! Take a look and check a few of them out. Or if you've already been to some of them, share your experience in the comments area!

The Road to Trillium Lake

I've wanted to go up to Trillium Lake while there is snow on the ground and take a few pictures, but I lack the proper gear to go trodding through the snow at this point. That's the problem with living up here, some people (such as myself) sometimes take the beautiful area that surrounds us for granted. For instance, we had about 7 pairs of skis two years ago, and now - not one. We just tend to get involved in daily activities, rather than parttake in all of the fun we once imagined having.

The picture to the right is the road to Trillium Lake in February of 2007, the last trip I attempted to get to the lake with snow on the ground. There was only a few feet on the ground on that day, and the weather was beautiful. It was warm enough to wear only a tee shirt and shorts and be comfortable. But, after about 1/3 of a mile of walking in mushy-up-to-our-ankles snow, we realized that we were in over our heads if we expected to make the minimum 4-1/2 mile round trip we planned. If we made it to our destination, we would have a picture from the same location as the main 3-pane picture that appears at the top of the page (which was taked during the summer season). I would imagine that there is a beautiful picture waiting to be taken now, with all of the recent snow fall. After last February's experience, we will wait until we are better prepared for the trek.

Perhaps we would have made it with ease if we had snowshoes or cross-country skis. Or even a dog sled would have kept us above the slushy under-crust - like the well prepared people we saw coming from one of the side paths with their small pack of dogs. But somehow I don't picture our bulldog pulling us on a sled . . . pulling us by the pant-legs - that I can see. But a sled - not so much.

A Rare Shooting in Zig Zag near Lolo Pass

Car accidents, hiking tragedies, weather related injuries and accidents: all things that I thought about when I heard the tens of sirens rushing through the Mt Hood Corridor last night. But I have to admit - even after living in Los Angeles for 25 years with gangs and gun violence - I didn't even imagine that there could have been a shooting.

Late Monday evening, two men and two nine-year old children were coming back from Government Camp, where they had earlier been snowboarding and enjoying life. They reportedly were being followed too closely by another vehicle somewhere near Rhododendron. After a short time, the men decided to pull over to the side of the road, hoping that the aggressive driver would pass. But that didn't happen, the other vehicle actually pulled over as well. The men got out of the car and walked over to the other vehicle, reportedly spoke for a moment, and then both men were shot. They ran back to their car, and drove west towards Zig Zag, where they pulled over again at the Lolo Pass intersection of Zig Zag. At that point, both men were rushed to the hospital in Portland. Both men are recovering, one is still in the hospital with serious injuries.

I am making a quick assumption that the shooter is not from this area, but the police have no information, and are actively investigating the details of the shooting. At this point, it is being called a case of road rage, but there doesn't seem to be anything to indicate that the two men did anything to anger the other driver, but in fact - the opposite could be considered true. It sounds more like a set up - the driver behind the two men was seemingly instigating a confrontation.

Many people who are not from the area assume that this is a sleepy little mountain area. Most locals are aware that there is not enough policing of the illegal activities on the mountain, and that there is never anyone around when needed, at least on the west side of the mountain. It would be great if more local residents would become involved, speaking up about the things that are happening in our own backyards. If you have something to say - you can even say it annonymously here, just leave your opinions in the comments area.

Tons of Snow on Mt Hood and the Ski Season Kicks Off

Well, after a few days of the weather forecasters giving wishy-washy reports, we can finally see for ourselves that the ski season has finally kicked off! I have heard the saying "I wish it would just snow already" from just about everyone in "the Hood". It was a strange start this year, with frost on the ground in late October, and then sunny warm days to follow. For those who wanted to enjoy a late fall hike - it was perfect weather. But as the rain crept in and tempuratures dropped, most of us just wanted to snow to fall - and it finally has . . . is. Yep - it's snowing now, and has been nearly all day. There's even snow at the base of the mountain, all the way down to Sandy on the west side along Highway 26. If you're on the east side - we'd love to hear about the snowfall on your side!

So while the forecasters wait until Saturday for their snowfall in the valleys and possibly even downtown Portland - we've got a beautiful blanket of fluffy, white, sticky snow - and all of the Mt Hood ski resorts will be open. For all of you who've been waiting - either we'll see you there - or tell you all about it. Either way, enjoy!

Life Goes On

There are some days that just seem to move really slow, and yet it seems only a moment has gone by. The passing of a month or two - in reality, just zips past us at times. But that's no excuse, it's been about two months since I last posted. The weather was great, life changed a little, and I logged on - only to realize that it had been September since the last post.

Since the weather was good, I recently realized I should have taken a few pictures while I could. But that has all changed with the recent clouds and rain. So I share with you a picture taken over the summer, which was taken from Multnomah Falls - looking north-east from the trail up to the bridge.

Multnomah Falls is accessible from Hwy 30 off I-84 between Portland and Hood River. There are several beautiful waterfalls to see, and although I have many waterfall pictures, I thought it would be nice to see the view opposite the waterfall. You can just make out the Columbia River that separates Oregon and Washington. The hills in the background of the picture are in Washington.

Spirit on the Mountain in Welches Tomorrow!

Are you ready for one of the best concerts and festivals on the mountain? Come out to Welches for Spirit on the Mountain. With three stages, a huge line-up of musicians and musical artists, you're in for some great entertainment, and something for everyone in the family to enjoy.

There is even a youth stage with an awesome show, featuring XILE, OverKast, We as Human, Soul P, and Holding Out. For the adults, there's the awesome entertainment of Stage 1, featuring The Young & The Beautiful, Wright Family Band, Kate White & Table Rock Road, RESCUE, and Tray Michaels. If that's not enough for you, check out the Indoor Accoustic Stage, the line-up includes Matina Hunnell, Emily Crawford, Andrea Wellard, and Mike Logan.

Doors open at 9 a.m., and entertainment begins at 10:00 a.m. For more information on the local area lodging, food, camping information, and contact information, visit the Spirit on the Mountain website.

Nationwide Bomb Scare Begins at the Sandy Safeway

For nearly a week now, the Safeway in the small city of Sandy, Oregon has drawn quite a bit of attention. A string of national bomb scares aimed towards obtaining a wire transfer began with a phone call to the Sandy Safeway. The caller seems to be aware of the movements inside the businesses, leading officials to believe that the people behind the threats could have hacked into the video surveillance systems. There have been 15 stores in 11 states that have received similar threats, sparking an ongoing federal investigation.

Sandy is less than 10 miles north-west of the comfortable place that this blog calls home, nestled on the flanks of majestic Mt Hood. Sure there are common small town issues in the growing, yet friendly and family oriented town, but the recent events raise many questions about how safe it is in any city of town in the United States. Although most people don't put too much worry into the overall safety of each individual community, the fact remains that none of us are a small speck on the map anymore. The beautiful and serene landscapes of the scenic Mt Hood area are not immune to the troubles of modern day terrorism. In these times, no city has such immunity.

Timberline Reached 95 Degrees

It was an amazingly hot day at Timberline today. We went up to the lodge with family who had never seen the beautiful mountain, and thought it would be a cool retreat from the sweltering heat below, but it wasn't. We were so hot, we bought clothing that was cooler than what we wore, hoping to cool off a bit. As a local, I withstood the comments about being a tourist as I sported my new Timberline tank top. But the real mystery was how the skiers and snowboarders could stand being dressed in full winter gear as they descended the glaciers, landing in the parking lot below. A group of them left the mountain donned in snow hats and sweatshirts, ski jackets, and other winter clothing as I fought to stay cool in the near 95 degree weather!

Looking for a Gym in the Mountain Area?

There are a few places to work out here and there, most of them in Gresham - until now. The Mt Hood Athletic Club opened recently, and is turning out nice. It's a high quality and standards gym, with a lot of square footage, and pretty posh for a small town gym! There's a new outdoor pool, and their ad in the paper suggests that new members before May 31st don't pay any dues until July, so it's a good time to check it out. It sure beats the extra 15 miles or so into Gresham, especially if you're trying to work-in a workout early in the morning! The special for this week is on National Senior Health & Fitness Day, which is this week on Wednesday, May 30 - seniors visit for free, which is a great way for seniors in the area to check it out without paying a dime!

Roads Closed and Bridges Washed Out on Mt Hood Backroads

In an earlier post, I described some troubles we had on a recent trip around Mt Hood. Had I done a little preliminary research, I would have found out that some of the roads are obstructed, bridges are washed out, and passages are blocked by downed trees.

However, like so many people who know the backroads of the mountain pretty well, we were flying by the seat of our pants. We figured that if we used common sense, and turned back if and when necessary, it wouldn't matter much if we had to change courses. Sure it took a little more time (and gas), but it was a beautiful trip.

But for those of you who use the other kind of common sense, here's a report about what to look for around the Mt. Hood National Forest.

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What a Trip! Fun From Mt Hood to Portland and Back Again

As we found out the hard way! The radio news said that all roads to the lakes from the Columbia River to Bend area were open, but we found out differently as we tried to take a short day trip. The weather was great, so we thought it would be fun to take a trip from Mt. Hood area (home) to Portland. Our first stop was the Portland Saturday Market, where we ate, shopped, then sat back and enjoyed a blues band. then to the Columbia Gorge and Hood River, through the orchards and forest to Lost Lake, back down to Lolo Pass, then through the pass to Zig Zag, Oregon. When you live in the area, the mountain's flanks and foothills naturally becomes part of your backyard. This trip should have been easy and quick, but we ran into a few snags.

From the time we left the Portland Saturday Market, (take 84/30 east toward The Dalles from Portland) we followed the Columbia River via Hwy 84 east, (you can also take the smaller, more scenic Hwy 30 which follows the same route in order to visit the beautiful waterfalls, but that was not our mission for the day.)

We took the first exit in Hood River from Hwy 84, and went through the beautiful downtown area of Hood River, then onto Hwy 35, then exit west and pass through Odell and Dee, where we were followed by the Sheriff for about 10 miles through various sudden speed limit changes. We eventually found our way out to Lost Lake Rd. and followed it up towards Lost Lake. However, while we were on the last 6-mile stretch uphill, we found snow. I couldn't tell you how close we actually got to the lake, there was another car parked there and no people in sight. We chose to turn around and go back to Lolo Pass.

We took Lolo Pass, knowing it came out on the west side of Mt Hood, just a few miles from home. Lolo Pass offered some great scenery, there were a few trees down, but the big logs had been cut to open the road. We saw a sign letting us know that Hwy 26 was now just 17 miles away from us - great! We're almost home! Not so much...

About 15 miles from Hwy 26 on Lolo Pass, we came across two huge piles of rubble and trees (seemingly intentional) blocking the road. Yeah, by then we were bummed out. We even got out of the car to stare at the untouchable road on the other side of the monsterous blockage. Once again feeling elated, we followed our own dirt trails and headed back down to Dee and Parkdale. We even saw our friendly Sheriff again as we passed through an intersection. We headed out to Hwy 35 again, travelled south towards Government Camp to Hwy 26 west, and went back home. I did happen to notice that the road to Trillium Lake was closed as well, which was part of our original unrevised plan.

What a day - beautiful and sunny, high gas prices, closed roads, and gorgeous views. Typical of the end of April in the Mt. Hood area. Our digital camera wasn't cooperating much after the Saturday Market, so we were only able to snap a few awkward shots of the mountain and orchards with the camera-phone. So much for beautiful pictures of the lakes. Next time I'll remember to bring snow-worthy shoes, just in case.

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April Festivals, Events, and Things to Do

Aside from the abundance of awesome things to do outside in this beautiful mountain area like hiking, biking, walking, fishing, and photography, there are quite a few main events you can check out as well. This month, there is no shortage of festivals, events, and even auctions. Take a look at some of the places you can go to have fun this month:

• MHCC 16th Annual Gala Dinner & Silent Wine Auction
  Where: Gresham
  Phone: 541-231-8285
  When: April 28
• Hood River First Friday Art Walk
  Where: Hood River OR
  Phone: 541-490-0022
  When: April - December 2007
• Hood River Valley Blossom Festival
  Where: Hood River OR
  Website: www.hoodriver.org
  Phone: 800-366-3530
  When: April 21 - 22
  Description: Celebrate the arrival of spring in Oregon's most beautiful valley -- feasts, craft & quilt shows, orchard & winery tours, & 15,000 acres of blossoming fruit trees await you!
• Big Boy Toy Expo
  Where: Oregon Convention Center Portland OR
  Phone: 503-846-1742 Website: http://www.bigboytoyexpo.com/
  Email: mtgplanneror@aol.com
  When: April 28 - 29
  Description: The Big Boy Toy Expo is like no other "Man Show", showcasing the Oregon State Championship Poker Tournament and all types of men related exhibitors.
• Amazon Voyage: Vicious Fishes & Other Riches
  Where: Portland
  Phone: 503-797-4000
  When: Ongoing From February 3 - May 6
  Description: Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. This exhibit takes visitors to seven ports of call along the most biologically diverse river in the world, the Amazon.
• Portland Saturday Market
  Where: Under the Burnside Bridge, Portland OR
  Phone: 503-222-6072
  When: Ongoing From March 3 - December 24 Every Saturday, 10-5, and Sunday, 11-4:30 rain or shine.
  Website: http://www.portlandsaturdaymarket.com/
  Description: Supporting artists since 1974. In historic Old Town at the Skidmore Fountain MAX station

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Wilderness Survival Spring Hiking Tips

As winter fades away, we tend to forget the dangers that are present when going on hikes in the spring. Rain and ice are still a very real danger during this time of year, but the deceivingly clear skies tend to fool us into thinking it's warm outside. Protect yourself, and be prepared for either winter weather, or spring sunshine. A wise man I know says, "It's Oregon, bring your sunglasses and your umbrella." Remind yourself of the following when traveling, hiking or biking in the forest:

• Tell someone else where you are going, so that if there is trouble - someone will know where to begin looking for you.
• Bring a backpack with your basic needs.
• Know what your plan is if the weather turns bad quickly, as it often does in the spring.
• Bring something plastic to cover yourself with, such as a poncho, large trash bag, or tarp in case you are caught in the rain while in a wide open space with little or no cover available.
• If there is a chance of rain, avoid lower-elevation hikes that run along the rivers to lessen the chance of being caught in swelling waters or flooding.
• Stay on logging roads or well traveled back-roads if you are driving.
• Use 4-wheel drive on dirt roads where puddles could be thick mud, and many times are deeper than they appear.
• Be prepared for snow, ice, freezing water, hail, and bright sun. Around here, you could see it all in one day. Night tempuratures are still below freezing in many areas.
• Higher elevations are still snowy and icy, and some roads are still closed - Even if they are not marked as closed, some roads are simply located in higher elevations, and could be blocked by snow. Many roads are not plowed all winter, and could pose a serious threat to people stuck in their vehicle in the snow.
• Studded snow tires are no longer allowed for normal driving at this time of year. If you are driving in higher elevations, and you come across snow on the road, do not continue to rise in elevation without proper equipment to deal with snow.

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12th Annual Vegetate Snowboard Jam on Mt. Hood This Weekend

It has officially begun, Mt. Hood Meadows 12th annual Vegetate Snowboard Jam is going on on Mt. Hood this weekend, and kicked off with the SuperPipe, staged at Mt. Hood Meadows 500-ft. long in-ground SuperPipe. On Saturday, you can catch the Rail Jam, and the SCS Freestyle Snowmobile will be performing demonstrations. Sunday boasts the BigAir X in City Park, with a 60-ft. table top leading into a 30-ft. tall by 40-ft. wide 1/4 pipe (one of the largest features ever built for the competition,) as well as more of the Rail Jam. The events are free to spectators, and $30 for registration for competition, and lift tickets will also be available for competitors at registration.

Music will be provided by Spun Academy, and musical artists to perform include: Disciple, Keys, Miss Defy, DJ DannyG, CoolNutz, Soul P, Unified Theory, Blue Submarine Basic Shapes, Atlas, and sound will be provided by HAS. The annual competition is being presented this April 2007 by Salomon, Full Sail Brewing, Clif Bar, Tim's Chips, and Tully's Coffee.

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Why are Oregonians Such Passive People?

This isn't a question I am intending to answer for anyone who is reading, but more of a question I am hoping will be answered by those who read this. I really don't understand, although I am from the state that Oregonians hate the most, California. I have lived in Oregon on and off for several years, and my family came across the old Oregon Trail, and I have some family and friends here in Oregon. However, I am increasingly disturbed by the passiveness of the residents here, and wish people would take more of a stand against the things that are wrong.

How about the Kaady shooting in Sandy? (You can read either Portland Independent Media Center or Clackamas county sheriff's version, but either way, it boils down to this: A young guy caught himself and his car on fire while transporting a gallon of gas and smoking a cigarette, and while struggling and burning in his car he swerved and hit at least two other cars. The pain of his burns caused him to take off his burning clothing, but he had severe burns and melted skin on his body. He then ran down the road, where he was chased, suffered a physical confrontation by the relative of one of the driver's he ran into, and was then subject to a run-in with the police. They didn't help him though, instead they viewed him as "non-compliant" because he didn't lay his burned, melted skin onto the dirt and gravel road, so they tased him multiple times, but because his nerves were burned the tasers had little to no effect, and they shot him multiple times, killing him before they even knew he had been injured. The officers were considered innocent of any wrong-doing, or use of excessive force. Why aren't people getting more pissed off about this - it could have been any one of us who drive through Sandy on a regular basis!! Or maybe not, could it have been his "terrorist-like" skin or hair type, whatever that means, but I've heard it used as an excuse for the brutal execution of the young man, who's past proves him to have been an excellent role model for young kids to follow, except for the fact that he ran out of gas earlier that night, and borrowed a family member's car to go fill up a portable tank of gas, and the poor choice to light a cigarette.

But before Igo too far on how I feel about that shooting, or the other police shootings on unarmed civilians, I should share the scoop on healthcare. If you are over the age of 18, there is no health care option, unless you purchase a plan like the well-paid workers with full benefits. While the emergency room cannot refuse to save your life, they are under no obligation to actually help, and they make you feel as if there is nothing that they can do to help you. I wonder how it feels as a doctor to use the words "I'm sorry, there's nothing I can do," for a simple throat infection...but hey, they get paid the big bucks to tell me that. Their reasoning is that they are not a family doctor, they aren't able to make those determinations. Wow - I didn't realize that the same person who could save my life if I am in a catastrophic accident could not understand the complex nature of infected glands, in order to prescribe an antibiotic. Either way, they billed me for the conversation. I wish someone would pay me $100 a word to say things that mean nothing.

So I understand why Oregonians are so hostile towards Californians, part of it is because they sue people, they fight, they stand up for their rights, (and most of them have little respect for the nature of the land.) I guess that's a valid point, although all of their fighting, suing, and standing up for rights has awarded Californians a guaranteed health care program available to all families, and they have successfully set examples of how to fight against racist cops and police brutality, and win.

Alright, I'll stop...for now.

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Free Emergency Preparedness Movie Night at Sandy Cinema

Sandy Cinema is hosting a FREE "Disaster Movie Night" on Tuesday, April 3rd, at 6:30 p.m. The presentation will include information on the Pandemic Influenza of 1918, and will be followed by a discussion and an opportunity for questions and answers. This is an opportunity for the community to become involved in emergency planning, which is a community responsibility, as well as learning what local organizations, agencies, and individuals are doing to prepare for emergencies, and the role you can play in the event of a disaster.

The focus of the movie and discussion will be the possibility of a future flu pandemic, and what can be done in the midst of disaster. This will include controlling the spread of disease, what you should do and not do, and balancing public welfare and individual rights. For more information and future Free Movie Night presentations, you can visit Sandy Cinema on the web.

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current events, Oregon, people, safety

Pictures of Mt Hood and the Smoking Hills

On one of those recent sunny days, I decided that a few pictures of Mt. Hood on a clear day would be beautiful. I had some errands to run, and would be passing through the town of Sandy, and thought I'd take my camera. The pictures didn't turn out as well as I thought they would, it seems that there was a lot of trash that had built up over the past few weeks of rain, and was just waiting to be burned. It was like the hills were on fire, smoke rising from the foothills of Mt. Hood, hazing the air just enough to glaze my photos a blurry sensation. (The pictures were taken from John's Rud Viewpoint on Bluff Road in Sandy, just a short distance from Highway 26.

I'll get over it, there will be many more photogenic days ahead. Spring will bring rain, and summer will bring sunny skies, and throughout each, there will be plenty of opportunities to capture the essence of the mountain area. They're still nice images, although next time I'll try to go east for my pictures, instead of west. Lolo Pass has quite a few really nice viewpoints of Mt. Hood, and a mysterious waterfall that can only be seen in certain light. It's all right around here, I just need to find the time to get out there, and get a few great shots of the mountain.

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mountain life, mountains, Mt Hood, Oregon, outdoors

Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Enforces "Slow Down Move Over"

For the past two years, I have lived on East Hwy 26, towards Mt. Hood. I have seen two dog from our family get hit, heard stories of children, friends, pedestrians trying to cross, (there is a whole community living among the trees out here, even though you can’t really see us! We’re not talking tree-hugging hairy hippies, either; we’re talking about lawyers, doctors, business owners, teachers, and many other professionals.) The Mt. Hood Corridor is a thriving community of villages, and it’s really sad that people don’t care enough about life, human or otherwise, that they zoom through the mountain areas at speeds upwards of 75 miles an hour! The speed limit starts off at a low 25 mph in Sandy. Once outside of Sandy, there is a long stretch where the limit is 55 mph until you get just west of Welches, where the speed limit drops down to 45 mph until you leave Rhododendron, then it is again raised to 55 mph. I’m amazed almost on a daily basis that there are drivers who will honk and swerve to avoid a car that is moving at the proper speed limit.

One of the rules of the road out here is that when there is an emergency vehicle on the side of the road, drivers are supposed to move to the farther lane, so that there is a “safety cushion” between you and the emergency vehicle, and if you can’t move over, you’re to slow down. But many drivers don’t do either, putting lives in serious danger. Police officers put their lives on the line every day, but most don’t realize how dangerous a routine stop can become. When it comes to stopping on the side of the road, it’s a little known danger that these officers face each and every time they pull someone over.

Maybe you’ve heard the saying, “It’s not you I’m worried about, it’s the other drivers that scare me.” The saying is true for officers of the law as well. Unfortunately the uniform doesn’t protect them from drivers coming too close to them while they are parked on the roadside. It becomes our responsibility, as we share the road, to help protect those who are on the side of the road, either law enforcement, or travelers with car trouble, we should help keep the road safe. It’s not just robberies, gunfire, and public mayhem that are dangers that police officers are facing, but another threat. It is a danger not only on the city streets, but on the highways and freeways as well. It is one of the few dangers that officers face every time they pull someone over. It is the danger of being hit by a passing car. Drivers must follow certain laws when sharing the road with an emergency vehicle whose lights are flashing. Multnomah County Sheriffs are collectively trying to bring awareness to the danger that drivers put emergency vehicle drivers in when they don’t follow the laws. Read more on the laws here.

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news, Oregon, police, Portland, safety

An End to the Beautiful Sunny Skies

Well after a week or so of beautifully blue skies, we are again getting the rain that the Pacific Northwest is known for. For some, it's a relief, there are some strange people like me that love the rain. But it does cause some issues, such as the dog and kids dragging mud through the house, and slippery streets and highways. However, this is a great opportunity to get some great time on the slopes on Mt. Hood, because the snow levels have already dropped as far as Government Camp. Don't forget to check the weather before you go, Highway 26 can get a little icy, so check out the road conditions as well. All in all, there should be great skiing and snowboarding this weekend, with all the rain that's coming down over the Portland area, and the storm continuing on into the weekend, there's bound to be a thick white layer of fresh powder by Saturday. Just im time for a great weekend getaway!

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mountain life, mountains, Oregon, outdoors, weather

Tips for Planning Your Winter Weekend Getaway

If there's one thing all the locals know, it's the patterns of tourists, skiers, snowboarders, and outdoor enthusiasts that frequent the area. We know when the traffic will get heavier, we know what types of trouble travelers end up in, and the common mistakes that they make - because we've seen it all before. Now it's time to share the knowledge!

First thing, and most common, is that many people drive too far to be able to get their snow-parks passes and fishing licenses, and then find themselves having to drive back down the mountain to get them, wasting valuable fishing, hiking, and snow time. Although you can get them many places throughout the mountain area, high traffic weekends can cause many local vendors to run out. If you know you need one before you leave, stop at the first place you see that has them advertised. You can buy a snow-park pass at Hoodland Thriftway, but the fishing licenses are sold at the local fly fishing shop just west of the grocery store. However, your best bet is to buy them in Sandy, because if for any reason there is a shortage of passes up on the mountain, you certainly don't want to have make a 15 mile trip back to Sandy from Welches. If you make it all the way to Government Camp without your passes, and if you can't find one up there, you'll be forced to drive nearly 30 miles back to town.

Fred Meyers is the last stop for guaranteed clothing, although there are a few stops along the way that may have a few t-shirts and sweatshirts on sale as souveniers. Although there is also the occasional deal on pajama bottoms, throws, and jackets for sale outside of Hoodland Thriftway, but don't forget your underwear or shoes - because you just won't find those on the mountain. The thing is, Sandy is considered the gateway to Mt. Hood, and for good reason. It's not that you can't get to the mountain using other routes, or that Sandy is trying to promote itself as a city, it really is the last stop before you get out into the national forest areas, and there just isn't much in the way of shopping on the mountain. Let's face it, most people don't go up to Mt. Hood to shop.

Getting a place to call home for the weekend can present a whole new challenge on busy weekends. Many places are booked up in advance, but even if you plan to stay in one of the resorts, you will end up paying a pretty penny for your stay. If you're skiing or snowboarding, you might be able to find a few packaged deals, such as your room and lift tickets combined into one good price. But if you have other plans, and aren't going to use the lifts, you may wish to cut costs, and to add to the experience of staying up in the mountain area by renting a cabin for the weekend, or even sharing one with other travelers to save money. Many of them are beautifully furnished to sleep six to ten people comfortably, separate rooms, and a large number of them feature jacuzzis or hot tubs for those who love to snuggle up on those cold winter nights. Most of them are about $99 a night, but that's a steal compared to some of the prices to stay in the resorts or the typical hotel-type visit. For some really great deals on cabins last minute, check the vacation rentals on Craigslist or Mt. Hood Info.

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