Grant's Getaways: Oregon Adventures with the Kids

A fifth-generation Oregonian, GRANT MCOMIE is a journalist, author, and teacher who realized he hadn’t seen enough of his native state and he has spent much of his thirty-year career as a news reporter exploring Oregon. He ended up enjoying his getaways so much that he decided to share these “teachable moments with touchable history” in a new Grant’s Getaways series of guidebooks.McOmie, Travel Oregon, and KGW-TV produce Grant’s Getaways segments in cooperation with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon State Parks, and the Oregon State Marine Board. The weekly segments and half-hour programs feature themes such as fishing, urban hiking, surfing, geocaching, and more. The book series also benefits from tremendous support from both Travel Oregon and KGW through cross-promotion efforts with each. His show reaches approximately 2.8 million households annually, and brings to life many of the state’s varied natural and cultural resources that inspire year-round travel throughout the state.

• Table of ContentsMapAcknowledgmentsSpring: Outdoor Talk EssayAPRILBayocean: A Spit You Can’t ResistWahclella and Memaloose FallsSouth Slough HikingZippity-Do-Da-Ziplines!MAYForests for FamiliesOlys Are Back!King of the Clam GunWritten in the RocksJUNEDowntown SalmonOregon Rail RidersThe Forever Fund-School House ProjectPetersen’s Rock GardenSummer: Outdoor Talk EssayJULYWapato Greenway State ParkAll Aboard at Molalla Train ParkA Butterfly PlaygroundLet’s Go CampingAUGUSTSalmon Fishing is a Family AffairMt Hood History and Huckleberry HoundsYou’ll Dig Oregon’s State GemOregon’s Floating MuseumSEPTEMBEROregon Tourist #2 ReturnsDigging Fossils in FossilMcKenzie River CampoutCloud Cap Inn SB=Olallie Lake BasinFall: Outdoor Talk EssayOCTOBEROregon’s Fish WhispererSecrets in the SandOregon’s HooDoosTaking Aim at ArcheryNOVEMBERThe Oregon ConnectionJust for KidsIslands in the SkyWritten in the Rocks SBDECEMBERHooking Kids on SteelheadCaring for Oregon’s WildlifeA Wildlife Artist @Elkhorn Wildlife AreaForgotten Ghost Towns and New BeginningsWinter: Outdoor Talk EssayJANUARYBasecamp BakerDiamond Lake SnowmobilesCape Foulweather–Where Oregon BeganOff Road RidersFEBRUARYKilchis Point ReserveBeauty Beyond BeliefHigher EducationMenucha: A Governor’s PlaygroundMARCHMarine Discovery ToursShellburg FallsWildlife SafariUnderground Ft Stevens SB=Oregon Cannons Come HomeIndex

Praise for Grant McOmie and Grant's Getaways:"Grant has a way of capturing the Oregon experience in a way that is both casual and compelling. He leaves you feeling as if you'd just shared a cup of coffee with a good friend as he reveals the secret details of an upcoming adventure. . . and invites you into it! His writings capture this spirit of his personality and exude his 'Get out here' approach to life, the outdoors. and all things Oregon."—Todd Davidson, CEO, Travel Oregon"KGW8's popular outdoor reporter, Grant McOmie, has published Guide to Wildlife Watching in Oregon, WestWinds Press, $16.99. The well-written book (every page is interesting) is conveniently categorized by season, with its dozens of seasonal locations also keyed on a map. It covers the gamut of Oregon's extraordinary fish and wildlife. Grant McOmie has built a career of discovering the secret places we all seek. . . be they quiet, peaceful, serene, interesting, challenging, or rewarding. . . Most are in our own backyard. All are in his book."—The Oregonian"Grant has long been a favorite of mine and now he's sharing the how, what, where, and when of his insightful outdoor adventures. Whether tree climbing, cooking up a crawfish boil, digging clams and fossils, kayaking, snowshoeing, or soaring skyward, Grant offers 101 concise vignettes that intrigue and encourage us to lace up our boots and get out there. As Grant so aptly puts, 'Why live here if you don't go searching for those singular moments which set Oregon apart.' Amen."—Wild in the City"Think you know Oregon? Find out more! Grant McOmie is a walking encyclopedia of information on the Pacific Northwest's out of doors."—ifish.net"Grant (who is an Oregon treasure) describes Oregon's traveled and not-so-traveled roads in a manner that will spur readers to gather the family, gas up the vehicle, grab outdoor equipment, and experience our glorious Oregon. Grant's enthusiastic and easy-going style comes across on each page. Keep Grant's Getaways and a map in your car any time of the year there are adventures and memories to be made. I'll see you around the state."—Gerry Frank, columnist for the Oregonian and author of Gerry Frank's Oregon"Grant's new book of Oregon getaways offers a fine collection of places for some of the state's best fishing and wildlife viewing opportunities. His getaways will set you on the right track to enjoying Oregon's natural wonders. So, as Grant likes to say, 'Get out there and explore the Oregon outdoors' and be sure to grab a rod, binoculars, and this book before you go."—Roy Elicker, Director, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife"Every week, Grant McOmie thrills KGW's audience with his exciting outdoor stories. Now, this book gives readers that same opportunity to adventure with Grant!"—Rick Jacobs, Executive News Director, KGW Media Group"I've been a fan of Grant McOmie since his cub reporter days in Seattle. He is the voice of the great Pacific Northwest outdoors. Capturing not only the story of the destination, but sharing the legends, yarns, and accounts of the personalities that make Oregon this unique place we call home. Great read, makes me want to get outdoors even more!"—John Williams, creator/host of Wheelchair Destinations