Sledding with the Ladies

VIDEO #399

No matter who you are and what ever your age, sledding is one of those activities that is hard to do without laughing out loud. Family and friends headed to what I call "Chaos Mountain" up in Government Camp for a little snow play. I did not capture much footage from the day because it was that much fun, very little time for filming. By the end of our time at Chaos Mountain, all left with perma-grins and many have the bruises to prove it. Viva, El Caos Montana!

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Amazing Race, Pick Ashley and Angie!

VIDEO #384

Ashley and Angie are two tough women living in Portland, Oregon and need your help to get noticed for the next season of The Amazing Race! They won't let you down if they get picked so please show your support by "liking" or commenting here on youtube! Thank you and wish them luck!

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Spruce Run Campground

VIDEO #374

Songs - "Leggo Beast" by Steel Pulse and "Country Ghetto" by JJ Grey and Mofro

Simple car camping by the river near the coast, bring whatever you can fit in the car, I know we did.

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One Crazy Adventure

VIDEO #364

Song - "You're So Cool" by Hans Zimmer (Thanks Markley for the music tip!)

One last day trek to share with you fine people before this old man retires. This adventure brings us to an island on the Columbia River near my house and, for some time now, I've had thoughts of exploring. I woke up today and thought today was the day. A moderate paddle across followed by a pleasant stroll through a dryish marshland... then the fun comes. Muddy dead ends, needle sharp blackberry forests, rain and unseen, but imagined, oversized Beasts lurking in the brush... just a couple of the obstacles I can remember. But in life we're faced with obstacles, and if we do not face these obstacles and overcome them, we will never see what's waiting on the other side, whether it's good or bad. In this case, the thorns cleared, the rain turned to partially blue skies, Beasts turned into cute little deer and muddy dead ends became sandy beaches. So, with that I give you the second to last video from a year of obstacles overcome to enjoy the end of this fine day with you, whoever you might be. Thank you for watching!

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A Trip to the Zoo

VIDEO #362

Song - "I Gave You" by Matt Sweeney & Bonnie "Prince" Billy

I've had the Oregon Zoo on my mind for a while so thought I'd get out there to say hello and share footage with ya'll before these blog videos come to a close. It has been a while and walking around alone, capturing the emotions of these guys really had me down. Don't worry, the other humans appeared to be having a blast (average age was around 11... yes, a lot of kids but that's who a zoo is really for). I had this song on my mind for a while also, couldn't find a match until now and I think, if you listen carefully, it really could work for an animal vs zoo and man kind of thing. I'm sure the artists were not at a zoo when they wrote this song.... then again, they might have kids?

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Expedition #4: Retrospective

VIDEO #360

Song - "Blindsided" by Bon Iver

Some of my favorite moments from the year were very simple. Spontaneous hikes in and around Oregon, smiling with my sweetheart, great music and the comfort of a new home. So, in retrospect, I'd like to throw this out there...... breakdancing, teleporting, pocket dogs, holiday nut sacks and redneck birds might appear to be 'what it's all about'... but it's not. It's about the Hokey Pokey.

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Urban Camping

VIDEO #357

Song - "The Cure" by Tegan and Sara

I really did have an idea for a video tonight but, because of the amazing contribution from the family (Mike the Cat and Lil' Beasley aka 'The Beast'), I had no choice but to let the camera roll. It seems the little ones like urban camping just as much as the next guy. A very happy accident that we can bring the family closer with a simple tent and fire. Oh, and yes, I will be sleeping in the tent tonight, pre summer camping jitters, unless of course the rain ruins our parade...

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The Power of Cheese

VIDEO #356

Euro Tracks from Euro

Hans Christmas was once the strongest man in the world. Now, he appears in local television commercials advertising for products that appear metaphorically stronger. Well, I had the privilege to watch Hans in action after the shoot. He was furious with the script as he should be. This guy is made of steel and here he is playing with a cheese loaf. Long story short, Hans still has it, he just needs to pay the rent.

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Mother Nature at Work

VIDEO #349

Song - "Happiness" by Jonsi and Alex

From the other day, I had a handful of clips I liked and wanted to put something together, here's what came from it. Good old mother nature showing us what she's made of. She's a beauty, but sure can be a beast sometimes.

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Earthquake Memorial Video

VIDEO #347

Song - "Numb (instrumental)" by Linkin Park

Maybe this video is a little cheesy but I thought why not try and show a little empathy towards the recent earthquake victims over in Japan. Quite a tragedy, hopefully all the support will help in a fast recovery. From the shores of Oregon, my heart goes out to you.

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A Late Winter

VIDEO #332

Song - "Brackett" by Bon Iver

Spring sprung early, snow fell late... only time will tell if the groundhog was right or wrong.... either way, life will go on. Yes, I am deeply looking forward to a summer filled with medium hot temperatures. Not too hot where a pool is mandatory, just hot enough to be a luxury. Oh summer, how I miss thee.

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Pack It In, Pack It Out

VIDEO #329

Music by Jim Walker - Thanks Jim!

Over 50 years ago, 20 bubbling springs fed Johnson Lake in Portland, Oregon. A place where people went swimming, rented boats and fished, enjoyed the beach house and boogied down in the dance hall. Today.... well, it is a sad sight and could use a hand before it becomes a total, lost cause.

Visit Portland Parks & Rec for more information HERE

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Happy Birthday Katana

VIDEO #323

Songs - "Happy Birthday" by New Kids on the Block and "Birthday Girl" by The Roots

Yesterday was a day filled with great fun for one very sweet girl on her special day... Happy Birthday Katana!

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Mike's Daydream

VIDEO #322

Song - "Welcome Home" by Metallica performed by Rockabye Baby

This morning we had snow followed by sunshine, soon to come was rain and finally hail. A crazy day which made the cats a little confused, especially Mike the Cat. I tried to make this look as if Mike was having a little daydream of a nice summer's day during the rain, so picture that if it doesn't happen for ya. Off the subject, Happy Birthday Tana, let's go bowling!

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LAS to PDX

VIDEO #311

Song - "1974" by Gone Done Wrong

Even though it is only a 2 hour flight from Las Vegas to Portland, it is quite an extreme difference in lifestyle... then again, it's a huge difference anywhere and Las Vegas. Needless to say, it feels great to be home even though the sky is gray and the streets are wet. I wouldn't trade it for (almost) anything. Viva Las Portlandia!

Remember PDX to LAX? Click Here

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The St. John's Bridge

VIDEO #305

Song - "Anonanimal" By Andrew Bird

Portland... the city of roses, breweries, strip clubs and bridges. I haven't really filmed a ton of the city mainly because it's a pain in the butt lugging gear around and parking isn't in my budget. On the other hand, it is easy to head to the many city parks, stash the car (for free) and film as you please. Here is a good example. Cathedral Park is directly under the St John's Bridge and is not your ordinary park. Signs that read, "Falling overhead objects, park at your own risk" upon arrival makes you wonder what these objects might be? Well worth the trip, just don't forget your helmet.

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Edgefield Wine Tasting

VIDEO #301

Song - "Bare Feast" by Ratatat

Not too far down my way exists a place where one can enjoy the many pleasures this man might just want in life... all on one property. Restaurants, whiskey bar, brewery, movie theater, lazy pool style hot tub, nightly concerts, hotel, pool hall, pitch and putt golf, walk through garden and yes, winery with cheap wine tasting. Where might this land be? Watch the video.

Head to Edgefield

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T.G.I.Lucky House

VIDEO #296

Friday Music

Sometimes, weeks feel pretty long and in the wintery days, especially long. Here's to the end of it and to the coined phrase, "Thank Jeebus, It's Friday!"

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Noise

VIDEO #283

Portland Oregon Sounds

The other day, driving along the freeway, I noticed a path parallel to the road. No one on it, no idea how to access it or where it leads to. I pulled up Google Maps, found it to be a "multi-use path." This thing stretches all across the city, connecting to other freeways and bike paths, you name it. Best of all, access is a stone's throw away. On the negative side, it's loud as hell!

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Frozen Falls

VIDEO #278

Song - "Cold Water" by Damien Rice

You may or may not remember the video I posted of me walking into the waterfall a couple months ago (Here is the Video)... well, I headed back to the Columbia River Gorge to visit a couple other falls including Multnomah and Horseshoe Falls. I don't think it was necessarily the cold, freezing water that kept me from taking a shower but the thought of getting impaled by a falling 15 foot icicle. I know, the video would have been much more epic seeing something like that. I need a stunt double.

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