by author Justin Lichter
Pacific Coast Trail—part I

Pepper and I are gearing up again! We are getting excited to get back outside after a weather roller-coaster winter. It started off great but the ups and downs started in January. There were always signs and anticipation for more snow, but not much panned out. We are mixing it up a little on our latest trip and will put our hip flexors to the test…and hopefully get some good turns to accompany all of the elevation gain.

Portland is such a walkable city that every trip around the city brings new delights. What are my five favorites? Four of my top picks are new to the second edition of my book, Walking Portland, Oregon, but my very favorite appears in both editions. My first introduction to Portland was through reading the Beverly Cleary books aloud to my own sons, and then later to various schoolchildren.

Download and print this free kids activity for Spring (pdf attachment below), featured in the new book, The Kids’ Outdoor Adventure Book by Stacy Tornio and Ken Keffer.  There are over 448 great outdoor activities to do with your kids in this book.  Each of the year’s four seasons includes fifty checklist items, fifty challenge items, projects, destinations,

Parmesan Polenta Pizza

Serves 2

Improve the basic pie with cornmeal crust and fresh basil sauce.

1 ounce dried porcini mushrooms

2 ounces dried bell peppers

5-ounce block Asiago cheese