Tag Archives: Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

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Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor

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Brookings, Oregon

Activity: Day Hike, Scenic View

Date: 10-12-21

I had Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor on my list, as I have seen the incredible pictures. Scenic doesn’t begin to describe it. Corridor however is a good word as this is not just one stop or one spot, but it is a lengthy passage.

I had one picture in my mind that was a must see, so I stopped multiple times and went on multiple little hikes. They were all short hikes and as I said numerous ones so I am going to break with my tradition of mapping out a hike in this instance, but I will say this- each hike, each stop, was amazing so you really cannot go wrong by stopping at each turn off and checking it out once you get to this Corridor. Of course the whole Highway 101 in this entire stretch is pretty extraordinary so it is all good, strike that it is all magnificent.

The pull outs have views of places with names like: Natural Bridges, Arch Rock, Thunder Rock Cove, Secret Beach, and Coast Trail. The Coast Trail and some of these trails do connect one stop to another, I know that I did that in at least one instance.

Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor displays immense beauty. The kind of beauty with your eyes peeled wide, you hold your breath or it will be taken away. All of your senses come alive, absorbing every minuscule detail. Time moves slower so that you can enjoy each and every minute, etching it into your mind, imprinting it on your soul. Breath in the splendor, capture the moment, take a picture with your heart, because no photo or video can record this, at least doing it any justice. The best that photos can do is serve as a reminder of this instance of how it felt. Feeling the damp air, smelling the fragrant firs mixed with the dank scent of the moist earth and the salt of the sea, hearing the crashing waves below, the cry of a lonely gull, sights of forest, ocean, cliff, tiny islands, delightful coves, rugged volcanic rock and formations that are simply divine are intoxicating. Drink in as much of Nature’s Goodness as you dare.

The colors are so strong, so vibrant, the green firs, the lush ferns, the blues and greens of the Pacific, the midday sky with its wisps of white clouds… Rambling along the perfectly forested trails that provide peek boo glimpses of the ocean beyond, the turbulent sea catches your attention, but take caution you will come across dizzying heights, so be mindful of your step. The glory that beholds can act as a Siren just as the myth of Mermaids luring seafaring men onto the rocks, but in this case the view beckoning you ever closer to the edge for that perfect view. Be warned that these cliff edges could be undercut and give way. Even some large trees have their roots eroded and exposed to air and space. This is a strange, mystical, magical and wonderful place and very powerful.

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure YouTube Channel. Click the pic and listen to the waves and see the power.
Gold Beach
This would be a gorgeous place for wedding pictures, but I will say around the time of this picture a wave cornered the bride and groom and soiled her beautiful gown.
“There is pleasure in the pathless words… There is rapture on the lonely shore… There is society where none intrudes… By the deep sea and music in it’s roar… I love not man the less, but nature more… From these our interviews, in which I steal… From all I may be, or have been before. To mingle with the universe and to feel… What I can ne’er express, yet cannot all conceal.” – Lord Byron

Thank you for joining me in a forest, on a cliff with a view of complete splendor. While I found myself ’Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ amongst the trees, nature provided “Natural Bridges” from the busy life of man to the sweet embrace of Mother Nature. Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor was a good one and I will be hard pressed to try and top this place, but try I must and try I will. To join me: COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW and SHARE. The menu above has wonderful places throughout the West that PBTA explores check it out to spawn ideas of your next adventure. Each location is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. SHOP APPAREL has top quality adventure wear for you to adorn yourself for your journey.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

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FISHING ROCK

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OREGON STATE RECREATION AREA

LINCOLN CITY

Activity: Day Hike, Scenic Views

Staying in Condos on the beach between Lincoln City and Depot Bay sister Peggy and I went for a three mile beach hike to the craggy headlands know as Fishing Rock. It looked interesting as it jutted out into the churning chasm of large violent waves. The jagged rocks were being pounded by a rough Pacific and the crashing swells exploded into the air upon contact.

We were scampering on the rocks when I spied a tiny marker ”Oregon Coastal Trail” that uncovered a steep little path that led up the bluff. Once on top there was a dark and foreboding forest that was impenetrable, but for a trail cut through it.

One direction led into an area devoid of light other than where a few sun beams filtered through in the most curious way giving it an mysteriously enchanted vibe. The cool air formed clouds of vapor from our breath and in the streaming light beams it cast haunting shadows and visions in an incredibly eerie fashion.

The other direction’s course weaved through a brushy maze opening up to the vastness of the ocean as it smashed into the rocks in a mesmerizing rhythm. We were compelled to watch wave after crashing wave as as the ocean had cast it’s spell upon us.

Fishing Rock on the Central Oregon Coast is one of the smallest sites of the State Park System. It is tucked away, obscured from sight of Highway 101 like a hidden secret. The signage on the 101 is discreet, vague and unassuming. Fishing Rock is at the end of a side road through a little neighborhood. There is a tiny parking lot and only after curiosity gets the best of you do you follow the dark colored gravel path that seems to lead to no where, and that is where the adventure begins.

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure YouTube Channel Click the Pic. There is motion in the Ocean.
“There is pleasure in the pathless words, there is rapture on the lonely shore, there is society where none intrudes, by the deep sea, and music and it’s roar: I love not man the less, but nature more.” -Lord Byron

My sister, Peggy, and I thank you for joining us on this entrancing excursion along the Oregon Coast. For more adventure I beseech you follow these oh so simple tasks that will ensure that you don’t miss out: FOLLOW, COMMENT, SHARE and LIKE. If you take a peek at the menu you will see that PBTA ventures to many different locations, each is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. Click on SHOP APPAREL and you will discovered logo adventure wear. The gear is top quality and carries the mantra of finding ourselves through profound experiences in the healing of Mother Nature.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

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Clear Lake Trail

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WILLAMETTE NATIONAL FOREST

Activity: Day Hike

5.8 miles. 318′ elevation gain, 3 hour duration, rated Easy

I visited Clear Lake basically as recon for the future. My Fraternity brother Bruce was giving me the grand tour of Central Oregon and I am afraid that we did not have time to squeeze this hike in. I can tell you of the short portion of the trail that I was on, snapping a few quick pics, it looked like a beautiful spot. The trail was gorgeous with big heavy timber, the blue Clear Lake was so tranquil, and Mount Washington in the back ground framed the area perfectly. It appears that in a non Covid-19 year this would be a pretty popular spot and it is easy to see why.

I am always outside on the inside.

Sadly enough this was the last of my Summer Adventures with my fraternity brother Bruce, who took me trekking around Central Oregon. It was so grand! Thanks so much bro! I can hardly wait until together we once again find ourselves ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’! Followers of PBTA you don’t have to wait because if you look at the Menu above you will find many adventures that you might want to go explore yourselves. Each location is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. Speaking of FOLLOWING please LIKE, SHARE, COMMENT, and FOLLOW. Also checkout SHOP APPAREL for all of your Adventure Wear needs it’s all top quality.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursing Balance Through Adventure

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Head of the Metolius

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Deschutes National Forest

Near Camp Sherman

Activity: Sight Seeing, Nature Walk

Distance half mile, elevation change 30’, rated EASY

This is not really a hike. It is more of a nice little outing in nature. Just a real pleasant walk through Ponderosa Pines, to a quiet and tranquil scene of a slow flowIng river that started at that spot. Along with the spectacular river scene, which is absolutely idyllic, you will take in picturesque green meadows, beautiful fir trees and Mt Jefferson perfectly framed.  What a zen like place.

What is unusual about the phenomenon that is the Head of the Metolius is that most of the time rivers are started by mountain snow run off, or a bunch of springs all which join together over a pretty good chunk of land to form a river, that is not the case here. The Head Waters of the Metolius River comes right out of the ground right at that spot, and not in a trickle by any means. We are talking 50,000 gallons a minute.

After checking out this peaceful setting we stopped by the quintessential General Store type of establishment that is a must do. Just outside the doors the river runs by and there is great fishing to be had.

Really cool outing for the whole family.

“A river seems a magic thing. A magic, moving, living part of the very earth itself.”
-Laura Gilpin

Thanks to my good friend Bruce for sharing this enchanting scene as we adventured across Central Oregon, and thank you for joining us ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’. If you liked the post then take a second and COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW and SHARE. If you glance up at the menu you will see that PBTA goes to many different locations you might just find a few to put on your list. Please note that each locations is a separate site and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. For the very best quality adventure gear stop by PBTA’s SHOP APPAREL.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

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Waldo Lake

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WILLAMETTE NATIONAL FOREST

WALDO LAKE WILDERNESS

Activity: Kayaking, Scenic Views

Date: June 3, 2020

What a wonderful day to be experiencing Oregon at it’s best. I joined my good friend and Fraternity Brother Bruce for several days of journeying into incredible beauty, as he hosted these first days of Summer “Pursuing Balance Through Adventure“. Our days were filled with some of the bluest skies you’ll ever see, stunning views of the snow capped Cascade Mountains and on this day from a kayak, surrounded by deep sapphire blue water.

Waldo Lake is the second largest and second deepest natural lake in Oregon. It’s waters are some of the purest and cleanest on earth. On a calm day it is said that you can see over 100 feet deep. The lake is a little less than 6 miles long by 3 miles wide, and the nearest major city is Eugene about 70 miles south. Waldo Lake is surrounded by thick, green, lush forests of Douglas Firs and Western Hemlock, and it is a perfect spot for hiking, mountain biking, camping, swimming and kayaking.

It was early in the season, as we did hit a few patches of snow driving along our route, but it was crazy that we had this big beautiful lake all to ourselves. We launched from Shadow Bay and we only saw a few other people- some hikers and a mountain biker. There was a light, but building breeze as we paddled through the indigo water, and took in views of the mountains to include Broken Top, South Sister and Middle Sister. We headed across the lake against the wind thinking if it really came up strong that it would be at our back for our return trip. We also figured that once we got to the other shore the forest would provide a wind break as well. We put in some miles as we struck out for Rhododendron Island which wasn’t in bloom, but full of natural beauty just the same. We circumnavigated the small island taking pictures and video to recreate Bruce’s daughter‘s perfect day, which the two experienced last year together.

If timing is everything then it sounds like we hit the nail on the head. Not only was the weather perfect, but it sounded like we dodged a bullet. We kayaked Hosmer Lake earlier in the morning, and met a Stand Up Paddle Boarder that told us his favorite lake was Waldo Lake because of it’s vast beauty and it’s deep blue water, but that he would never go there again due to the mosquitos. Well, we seemed to have escaped that issue. We experienced none of that, although we did bring the insecticide and head nets. The hikers we encountered in the parking lot, who make this an annual pilgrimage, said that this is the perfect time to come. It is all timing when everything just opens up with the snow melt and before the mosquitos are out in force.

The water was amazing, the scenery was stunning, the exercise was perfect, recanting our college days was awesome, what a great time! When can we do it again?

The pictures you always hear don’t do the experience justice, nor does video clips, but video is a little closer because of the moment of water.
We launched into Waldo Lake out of Shadow Bay.
Shadow Bay at Waldo Lake
Bruce lands his kayak on Rhododendron Island.
Worry less, paddle more.

Thanks for joining Bruce and I as we paddled- “Pursuing Balance Through Adventure“, on this pristine and gorgeous lake in the Wilds of Central Oregon. It doesn’t matter the question a little wilderness is the answer. Good, friends, paddles, blue sky, blue water- “Ya’ Just Gotta Love It!“ Bruce and I still have adventures left to put to pen. So make sure that you COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW and SHARE– you don’t want to miss a single moment to be inspired by nature. Hopefully this will get you out there in the wilderness taking it all in. It’s good for the soul. Need a hat like my PBTA logo cap? The answer is yes you do, lol. SHOP APPAREL. Need adventure? Again same answer- yes you do, so go to the menu- there are suggestions for adventures all over the West. Each of the locations has a separate website and you should check them out. They all need to be FOLLOWED independently.

See you in the great outdoors,

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure