I talk to myself all the time but take solace in the fact many do the same. It started freaking me out when I heard “Let me out of here man” while recently climbing Mount Hood. Let me start at the beginning of this story so you understand I am not fresh out of the asylum.

Seven years ago my lady and I gnome napped for the first time from an abandoned home. Enjoying the adventure we began ‘gnoming’ friends and clients by leaving, instead of taking, these lucky little guys. For the last three years she has been telling me to take Mookie the gnome on a summit trip. The reason it took me so long is the thing weighed ten pounds. So after years of this looming over my head I decided to make it happen while enjoying all the cool places between Portland and Mount Hood.

The adventure began at 9.30pm at one of my favorite restaurants and Portland icon, Le Bistro Montage Dinner consisted of their world famous green basil pesto mac and the best mojito in town to wash it down. The staff from Steve the bartender to Josh the owner, are all wonderful but take no bull from customers with the creed “the customer is not always right.” It must be because Montage is the late night place to go whether on the way to climb a mountain or stumbling out of a club with a new friend as they are open with a full menu till 4am on weekends.

With our bellies full we got on the road and as we were passing through Sandy around 11pm I could smell donuts in the air and sure enough there was a warm glow coming from Joe’s Donuts. The sign said closed but we decided to knock and as luck would have the proprietors, Sherry and her daughter Stephanie opened the door. I explained why we were bothering her and she was super kind while inviting us in to give us one of the best maple bars I have ever tasted. Joe’s has been around ever since I was a kid and a pit stop for true Oregon locals on the way up to the mountain.

On the road again we were coming through Government Camp and realized we were running early for our climb; so we decided to stop at the infamous Charlie’s Bar. Charlie’s has been a staple for the party crowd on Mount Hood since 1977. We were greeted with a smiling face by Mel the bartender while pouring us a pint of Ice Axe Ale from Mount Hood Brewery. Mel even smiled for a photo with the gnome before we got on the road to Timberline.

Mookie the gnome and I signed in at Timberline to obtain our Forestry Service permit to climb around 12.45am. The late hour along with all this food and drink started to make us a little sleepy before our climb and gave me second thoughts of continuing the adventure. Falling asleep in the parking lot started to seem like a better option than climbing until…

And, there you have it! Asit has completed his Foodie Stuff, Attractions and Your Choice categories. Stay tuned for the rest of his challenge!

Check it out…  Frugal Portland

Once you’ve read the article, come back and tell us, what tips would you give Frugal Traveler for his next trip?

Portland’s liquid sunshine returns tomorrow – but don’t fear! We’ve got a great indoor event for you to partake in. Head to the Indie Wine Fest for your chance to taste artisanal wines from 40 of Oregon’s Top Craft Winemakers. Along with your wine, you can taste small plates from top area restaurants such as Ten 01, Marche and Wildwood.

So…will we see you there? Buy tickets here!

Most weeks, Grant McOmie travels into the great Oregon outdoors to find unique adventures but not so this week. Instead, he’s found his way into the heart of Portland where the natural world is alive and well. Grant visits a unique eco-pub where sustainability is king and where reduce, reuse and recycle provide the foundation of a thriving new business called the “HUB – Hopworks Urban Brewery.”

Folks come from all over to SE Portland’s 29th and Powell to sip a brew, dine with friends and relax in the knowledge that things are different in the newest neighborhood eco-pub.

The HUB is an eco-Pub and it’s a first on the SE Portland brew scene that’s built upon the practices of sustainability, organic ingredients and eco-friendly ideas. The business is the brainchild of Christian Ettinger, the HUB’s Brewmaster (he has fourteen years experience brewing beer,) and alongside his dad, Roy Ettinger, (a veteran architect of forty years experience) the team co-designed the nearly 17,000 square foot eco-pub.

Christian noted that the bones of the building, the old growth doug fir posts, beams and planks were solid, substantial and deserved new life. The old wood became the booths, bar and other varied pieces of furnishings in the HUB. And then there is Christian’s signature statement; scores of bike frames and old wheel rims that were incorporated above the bar and the booths of his pub.

“Every one of these frames was recycled and I’m only about 300 bucks into this – and it really sets the bar apart from anyplace around.”

Downstairs, you could say the same thing about the HUB’s brewery where pesticide-free and fertilizer-free ingredients are staples of the 10 crafted organic beers that the HUB produces each week. In the kitchen, organic ingredients take center stage too – from pizza dough to the sauces to the sandwiches with all the trimmings and more.

In fact, even the heat from the pizza oven is recycled and circulated to heat the heat the pub’s water. “That’s free heat,” said Christian. “Free heat is free energy and lowers our bills but it also lowers our needs to bring in fossil fuels.”

The Hub is one of just three Oregon breweries – out of 80 statewide – that have made the move to produce all organic beer. The folks who work at the HUB are eager to share and explain all of the different ways that they walk the talk of sustainability. So, stop in and enjoy a beer and strike up a conversation! The folks at HUB will be pleased to tell their story – it’s that sort of a friendly, neighborhood place.

To find other Oregon breweries, click here, and select ‘Breweries’.

Check out photos from this episode here.

But, I’ll back up a bit. Simpatica is a dining hall, or a supper club, if you will. They serve one Prix Fix menu on Friday night, and one on Saturday night. An email is sent out each week detailing what both nights’ menus will be. That email is your cue to book reservations, and book fast! Simpatica also serves brunch on the weekends, and rumor is that the brunch is quite fantastic.

We’d heard from friends before we went that we should try and be seated by the kitchen. When we arrived, we were thrilled to be seated right next to the kitchen, where we could watch the chefs at work. Menus were at each place setting, along with tasty almonds with sea salt. Each course had a suggested wine pairing, but we opted to order a bottle of wine. The wine we ordered was delicious, but I think next time we’ll go with the suggested pairings.

First Course: White Bean Stew with Guanciale, Last Summer’s Tomatoes and Housemade Proscuitto – Honestly, this is something I never would have ordered on my own. But, I would have missed out, because it was delicious. The housemade proscuitto was fantastic, and the broth had just the right amount of bite to it.

Second Course: Mizuna Salad with Lardons and Red Wine Poached Egg – It was at this course, I decided to take pictures. I love poached eggs, especially over salads, and this one was a treat. The red wine added a lovely color to the egg and while I expected the red wine flavor to be overwhelming, it was not at all. Delicious salad, overall.

Third Course: Braised Piedmontese Shortribs with Handkerchief Pasta, Watercress and Arugula – I don’t think I have the words to tell you how much I loved this dish. Shortribs are quite possibly my favorite food, and this preparation was just perfect. The arugula provided a nice bit of crunchiness the watercress added some nice flavor. At this point, I was getting quite full, and knew I needed to save room for dessert, so I took about half of this home with me. The suggested wine pairing for this course was Domaine la Soumade Rasteau, which we each decided to have a glass of. It was a perfect, perfect pairing.

Fourth Course: Chocolate Panna Cotta with Espresso-Carmel Sauce – Unfortunately, I do not have a photo to show you of this dessert. But, I will tell you that I’ve thought of this dessert often since dining at Simpatica and I hold it in my Top 5 Dessert List. It tasted like the carmel in the espresso-carmel sauce may have been salted a bit, which was a nice touch.

Overall, I’m thrilled with our dinner at Simpatica. The food was amazing, and the atmosphere was cozy. I’m already plotting our next trip back – for both dinner, and brunch.

Tips: Sign up to receive the weekly email, and if something catches your eye, call immediately for reservations. Reservations are required for dinner. If sitting at a table with people you don’t know doesn’t appeal to you, invite your friends! I think this would be an awesome dining experience with great friends. Also, if you can, see if you can be seated by the kitchen – we enjoyed watching the meals be put together. If you get there a bit too early, like we did, have a drink at Biwa next door (the Campari cocktail is delightful!).

Need more convincing? See what other people have to say about Simpatica Dining Hall.

You can explore Portland’s culinary scene one brunch spot at a time, stay in a yurt or cabin at the coast, or take a road trip to experience the beauty that is spring in Oregon.

Perhaps the best deal of all is a chance to win an Oregon vacation!

See you in Oregon, where we’re preparing a delicious salmon recipe.
-The Editors

Bluehour
Located in the heart of the Pearl District, Bluehour offers a daily changing menu of contemporary Mediterranean cuisine in a sophisticated and modern dining room. This is special-occasion dining at its best, and now you can experience it for Sunday brunch. Try a homemade pastry (beignet, scones) and choose from a worldly variety of entrées, including a classic French omelet, eggs Norwegian and a breakfast pizza made with bacon, potato, fontina, organic eggs and caramelized onion sauce.

London Grill
For a memorable Sunday brunch make a reservation at London Grill, located in downtown Portland at the Benson Hotel. This fine-dining establishment offers an old-school luxury feel (think tuxedo-clad waiters and royalty) along with a divine and eclectic buffet offering everything from fresh crab legs to exotic fruit to decadent desserts.

Meriwether’s Restaurant
Since it opened in 2004, Meriwether’s Restaurant (named for Meriwether Lewis of Lewis & Clark fame) has helped set the standard for excellent farm-to-table cuisine. Its menu features local ingredients and produce, much of which is grown on its own 5-acre farm.

The weekend brunch has all the usual suspects, but with Pacific Northwest flair — wild salmon lox omelet, frittatas made with whatever is fresh from the farm, Oregon blueberry pancakes and more. If it’s a nice day, ask to be seated in the garden.

Papa Haydn
Papa Haydn is famous for its deserts and its delicious Sunday brunch. The menu is eclectic, featuring both savory (chicken pot pie baked on a cast iron skillet) and sweet (waffles with gingered pears and chantilly cream). The atmosphere is cheery and bustling thanks to its location on the shopping street of N.W. 23rd in Nob Hill.

Park Kitchen
For a decidedly Portland experience, head to Park Kitchen for weekend brunch. The dining room is intimate, with most tables looking in on the open kitchen. Under the guidance of chef/owner Scott Dolich, Park Kitchen offers delicious and inventive fare. How about bacon and cheddar cornbread pudding with chives and tomato jam? Or crepes with toasted almonds and feta in a saffron orange sauce? The flavor combinations will have you talking about this place. It’s located in the Pearl District, across from the North Park Blocks.

So, tell us…Where is your favorite Oregon Brunch Spot?

Swan Island, an industrial hub in North Portland, home to heavy industry and distribution warehouses, would seem an unlikely location for a trail for wildlife viewing on the Willamette River. Those who do walk this flat one mile trail of the future North Portland Willamette Greenway Trail will be pleasantly surprised to find a nice mix between viewing wildlife and a working river. It is one of the few locations for public access to the Willamette River in North Portland.

On a sunny but chilly October afternoon as I walk along and look out on the north flowing Willamette River, black and white ring necked Canadian Geese calmly sit on the water in floating formation, tug boats chug by, and fishermen in small pleasure craft dangle their lines into the water hopefully. A wide concrete trail starts on the south end of Swan Island, with a branch trail connecting to the street. After parking my car in a gravel lot off North Port Center Way, I stroll down this short branch towards the riverside trail. Marked with a simple “Trail Access” sign, it winds past a sewer pumping station, and joins the riverfront trail. The pumping station is part of the massive effort to clean up the river by reducing sewerage overflows every time Portland gets a downpour. From there I turn left, or upstream for a short exploration to the end, peering through the chain link fence marking the end of the trail, for now, and see a large ship, docked at a concrete plant wharf.

Then I turn around and walk downriver, looking out across to the green hills of Forest Park, and the long wharves of a barge company at the shoreline on the west side. The sandy beach below the trail is littered with logs and assorted flotsam left over from the last time the Willamette reach flood stage in 1996. Occasionally beavers have been spotted paddling along the shoreline. For beach explorers and those who want to dip a toe in the water, a fifty yard gravel walkway leads down to the beach and water line. The path passes by a glass windowed office building. Landscaping, well established oak trees, and wooden slated benches on low stone walls line a curved overlook that invites a pause to soak in the view and is a good spot for snacking, especially if walking with children. On this late afternoon the sun streams through the oak tree leaves and shimmers light on the water. The rhythmic sound of waves gently splashing the sandy beach, join with the louder pulse and buzz of various river boats cruising by.

Still walking downriver, going north, a wooden arched bridge marks the place to turn right and wander through the lower level of an office building, on this public path. Going into the ground level courtyard, I head toward a brick arched exit onto a sidewalk along a parking lot for a few steps. At a clock tower, it’s a left turn and onto a path again, officially McCarty Park. As the path reaches the river again, the sight across the river is the active industry of barge and large iron truss construction, currently a new bridge to be floated down river to replace the Sauvie Island Bridge. In a small niche along the path, stands the first of two historical interpretive signs next to a couple of old iron ship dock anchors that give the place a nautical theme. In the 1930’s Swan Island became Portland’s first airport, and some photos are worth a look. I glance down the bank at some fishermen leaning back on logs, lines out, casually sipping coffee waiting for a nibble.

Moving on further, pass a canoe launch and I edge past another parking lot and aim for a small grove of sequoias staying close to the river. This stretch of trail is landscaped to screen another office building but the trail will be your own on most days.

Another historic sign tells the story of thousands of women who came to work in the Swan Island ship yards during World War II. A 1978 photo and of the largest floating dry dock in the world coming up the Willamette River to Swan Island deserves a relaxed look. The liberty ship yards are gone and the dry dock was sold off, but the ship yards produce ocean going barges these days. At the north end of the trail, a peek through another chain link fence, past semi truck trailers, you can see the huge cranes used in building these barges.

I turn around at the north end for the walk back, and get a whole different view. The skyline of downtown Portland and three bridge in a row spanning the river: the high arched green Fremont, the red Broadway and workhorse black Steel.

Some geese fly over, honking their way south. Winter is coming but and this path will still be one of my favorites. Bundling up with a warm fleece hat pulled over ears against cold wind, Gortex jacket and rain pants, this paved Swan Island trail works even on really muddy days.

Francie Royce writes about her travel experiences at http://www.francieroyce.blogspot.com/

In an effort to prove Business Week wrong, we put it to our Twitter friends and asked, “What is it that makes you happy about living in or traveling to Portland?” And, as it turns out, we not the only ones who disagree with Business Week.

Here’s what our friends had to say…

I love the fact that you can drive an hour and be at the coast or in the mountains!!

The high density of comic-book shops. And I love the character of each unique neighborhood.

good bands, farmers markets, love of bicycles, beautiful bridges, Powells…

sign me up for relative lack of traffic, no sales tax, and cool walkable neighborhoods

Copious amounts of tasty coffee and brew. Also: I don’t know that there is a prettier city in all the land.

how about all the great breweries!

I love that the mild climate facilitates year round outdoor activities from the slopes to the beach to biking

I am always awed by the mountain view as I fly in to Portland!

The best thing about Portland is it’s a collection of neighborhoods rather than a large sprawling city.

So, tell us… What is it that makes YOU happy about living in or visiting Portland, Oregon?

P.S. Follow us on Twitter!

Upper Deschutes River Trail, Bend

This 8.5-mile stretch of trail follows the Deschutes River, passing Lava Island Falls, Aspen Camp, Dillon Falls and ending at Benham Falls. Hikers might just spot a white-water rafter or two during summer months. Catch the trail at Meadow Camp, 7 miles southwest of Bend.

Hendricks Park Trail, Eugene

Close to the University of Oregon’s campus, this moderate-level, bark-covered trail makes for a great study break for students and easy getaway to nature for visitors. Founded in 1951, Hendricks Park is Eugene’s first city park. The trail takes you under a canopy of tall trees, through lush natural gardens, and winds around a rhododendron garden, which reaches peak bloom in April and May. The trail can vary in length up to 11 miles.

Lithia Park Woodland Trail, Ashland

Located within walking distance of downtown Ashland (and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival), Lithia Park Woodland Trail is part of a 100-acre National Historic Site. The one-mile, easy-level walking trail takes you past well-marked (there are small signs detailing what you see) flora and fauna in a beautiful wooded setting. While you’re there, make sure to sip from the fountain spouting pungent Lithia mineral water.

Wildwood Trail – Forest Park, Portland

An urban hiking story about Oregon would be incomplete without highlighting the magnificent 5,100-acre Forest Park, where 112 birds and 62 mammal species live among a massive canopy of trees and lush undergrowth—and it’s all just a short jaunt from downtown Portland. Hikers can walk along parts (or all) of the 30-mile Wildwood Trail, which has numerous access points and shorter loops along the trail. This is a true nature immersion within the city of Portland.

Lower Dan Loop, Chip Ross Park, Corvallis

For one of the best panoramic views of the quaint, tree-filled college town of Corvallis, head to Chip Ross Park, a local favorite that offers an easy-to-moderate 1.5 mile looping trail through a historic orchard and lush forest of old growth oak and pine trees.  Be sure to stop at the top of the hill (700 ft. elevation) to take in some of the most spectacular views of Corvallis, the surrounding valley and mountains including the Coast and Cascade mountains. Chip Ross Park is a designated off-leash area for dogs and there are several picnic tables to take in the views.

If you’re up for a bigger challenge, take the strenuous Dan’s Trail that climbs 3 miles from Chip Ross to the top of Dimple Hill (1400 ft. elevation); and will take you through rich and dense forests of McDonald Dunn forest system and on a clear day offers memorable views as far south as Eugene.