Podcasts about Oregon Coast

The final day of the Oregon Coast Trail adventure begins at Barview Jetty with one major decision: take the short road walk toward Garibaldi or head back onto the beach for one last stretch of hiking. The beach wins, giving James and I a fitting final chapter to our first successful backpacking trip in years—and plenty of time to start thinking about what comes next. maybe James won't cause us to miss a bus next time? Pedalshift Live - September 11, 5pm PT! Topics TBA, but it's a summer closeout and certainly a preview of some stuff coming in the fall. ALSO we're doing a super fun giveaway exclusively for people that make it to the live show itself… there's some incentive for ya! ALSO ALSO, some special previews of all sorts of things. Am I being cagey? YES. Show up anyways! Chat room is fun, live shows are fun… but if you can't make it, it's the pod for the following week. pedalshift.net/live! Email reminders coming too. Maybe some previews of my previews? Who knows? Sign up here. "My Tent is not Viable" Check out this absolutely hysterical special design awarded to Brock and I to memorialize our night 1 mishap... See more of Simone's designs here. The Pedalshift Project 450: Oregon Coast Trail - Part 3 Waking up at Barview Jetty after a slightly better night's sleep—and some bonus fireworks from Garibaldi Days. Breaking camp with damp tents, questionable battery-charging logistics and a decision to make about the day's route. Road walk toward Garibaldi or return to Rockaway Beach? Naturally, the beach wins. A few physical reminders of the previous day's nearly 11 miles, including the lingering consequences of bad sand. Meeting a touring cyclist at camp with an impressive résumé that includes the C&O, GAP and Empire State Trail. Another reminder that there were considerably more bicycle tourists on the Oregon Coast than expected. Tim and James make it official: they're backpackers again. Why backpacking may be easier to share with more people than bike touring—and why it may become a regular part of future Pedalshift adventures. Heading north along the beach toward Rockaway for the final hiking segment of the trip. Yesterday's brutal headwind finally becomes today's much gentler tailwind. A little filtered sunshine and substantially easier conditions make Day 3 feel like a victory lap. An IT band issue provides one last reminder that walking on soft sand changes your gait in some interesting ways. Looking back on three days that provided a surprisingly complete shakedown: climbing, beach walking, rain, wind, good sand, bad sand, camping and multimodal transit. Arriving in Rockaway Beach and wrapping up the hiking portion of the adventure. Food, another encounter with the cyclist from camp and the beginning of the journey home. Back into multimodal mode: bus to Tillamook, bus to Portland, retrieve the car and eventually drive back to Seattle. Plenty of waiting around reminds everyone that transit-based adventures occasionally involve the advanced outdoor skill of sitting somewhere for a while. Final verdict from James: "Great trip." Three days later, the experiment feels like a pretty staggering success. Backpacking appears destined to become part of the Pedalshift adventure mix—including the possibility of combining hiking and cycling on future trips. Next up: the takeaways episode, including gear lessons, what worked, what didn't and why this backpacking thing might stick. Statistics Route choices 2 Sand types still 2 Wind normal! Bicycle tourists encountered MORE! Transportation segments after Rockaway 3 Buses James is permitted to cause me to miss 0

The deaths of Cora, Dawson, and Callan Clancy should stop us in our tracks. But as their mother's trial unfolds, our culture seems increasingly determined to make the killer the victim and the children a footnote. Today, I'm looking at what this case, abortion, and even the celebration of political violence reveal about something much deeper: America has a heart problem. Laws matter, but only Jesus can change the human heart. It's time to guard our hearts, tell the truth, and choose life.Restore the Story Women's Retreat — Join me October 9–11 on the Oregon Coast as we go back to God's beautiful design for His creation, male and female, marriage, and our lives. Register at http://HeidiStJohn.com/restorethestory .Shop MyFreedomCart for trusted, American-made products that support your values.http://myfreedomcart.com/heidiShow mentions: http://heidistjohn.com/mentionsWebsite | http://heidistjohn.comSupport the show! | http://donorbox.org/donation-827Rumble | rumble.com/user/HeidiStJohnYoutube |    / @‌heidistjohnpodcast  Instagram | @‌heidistjohnFacebook | Heidi St. JohnX | @‌heidistjohnFaith That Speaks Online CommunitySubmit your questions for Fan Mail Friday | http://heidistjohn.com/fanmailfriday

Day two on the Oregon Coast Trail takes us south from Nehalem Bay for a day dominated by beach walking, a tiny boat crossing, unexpected rain, relentless headwinds and the discovery that not all sand is created equal. What initially looks like an easier day turns into nearly 11 challenging miles, and  convincing proof that MJ and I might actually be backpackers after all. My Tent is Not Viable! Because this pod has become all Oregon Coast all the time (and no, spoiler… more to come) I have to share yet another special creation. Newly minted Pedalshift listener and merch designer Simone was so moved by the Brock and Tim Sprocketshift disaster of night 1 that she created a special design just for the two of us… yes, my tent is not viable has now been memorialized on an ornament. But you have to see it in the shownotes at pedalshift.net. It features the classic line and… because of course… a flooded tent. Plus the new Pedalshift logo, which you might get to see soon on other things! COMING SOON. Super excited to show you what we've been working on! Go check out the special edition my tent is not viable design and more Simone's designs at her Etsy shop… link in the shownotes! Live Show! Friday September 11th, 5pm PT - 8pm ET Topics TBA, but it's a summer closeout and certainly a preview of some stuff coming in the fall. ALSO we're doing a super fun giveaway exclusively for people that make it to the live show itself… there's some incentive for ya! ALSO ALSO, some special previews of all sorts of things. Am I being cagey? YES. Show up anyways! Chat room is fun, live shows are fun… but if you can't make it, it's the pod for the following week. pedalshift.net/live! Email reminders coming too. Maybe some previews of my previews? Who knows? Sign up at the site. Oregon Coast Trail – Part 2   Breaking camp at Nehalem Bay State Park after a less-than-restful first night. The day's route comes with an unusual Oregon Coast Trail feature: a small boat crossing of the Nehalem River. Hiking out the Nehalem Bay spit rather than road walking Highway 101 or relying on another bus. A $10, on-demand boat ride that you essentially hail like a water taxi. Naturally, Tim is delighted. Early beach walking into a surprisingly strong south wind—and the realization that hiking into a headwind can be plenty annoying too. Overcast, cool Oregon Coast weather turns out to be pretty much perfect hiking weather for Tim and James. Then the rain finally arrives. Rain gear gets its first legitimate test as wind, rain and cold hands briefly turn the morning into some genuine Type 2 fun. Reaching the mouth of the Nehalem River, where ocean waves, river current and fishing boats all converge. Calling for the boat and crossing the Nehalem River to continue south. Boat-crossing soundscapes, fishing stories and a little local wildlife discussion along the way. An unexpected rail walk after the crossing, followed by some improvised navigation back toward the beach. The terminology of the trip is established: good sand is firm and easy to walk on; bad sand is soft, energy-sucking nonsense. Continuing south toward Rockaway Beach with sea stacks appearing down the coast. Sustained headwinds approaching 20 mph turn what should have been a helpful prevailing wind into an all-day adversary. Rockaway Beach provides a badly needed break from the wind—and Indian food for the day's big meal. Back into full rain gear for the final push toward Barview Jetty. Headwinds + rain + bad sand = a surprisingly demanding backpacking day. Despite the conditions, Tim and James finish just shy of 11 miles. Another successful test for the new backpacking gear, including Tim's Hyperlite Southwest 40. Arriving at Barview Jetty Campground thoroughly cooked and very ready for dry clothes and tents. The campsite itself gets mixed reviews, particularly when Tim discovers that "level tent site" is apparently more of an aspirational concept. Day two verdict: challenging, fun and another successful proof of concept. Bigger conclusion: Tim and James may officially be backpackers again—and longer trips suddenly seem entirely plausible.   Statistics Miles hiked 11  Nehalem Rivers crossed by boat 1 Prevailing tailwinds received: 0 Headwinds: Yes Sand varieties identified 2 Indian food recs in Rockaway Beach 1 Campground rating: 7 Flats: N/A

Roughly 6.5 million people in the U.S. live in areas that are highly susceptible to landslides. West Coast residents - including on the Oregon Coast and Washington’s Puget Sound - face the second greatest exposure to landslides, after Appalachian communities in and around W. Virginia.    University of Washington researchers made these findings using the Landslide Exposure Database, an online tool they spent three years creating and recently made publicly available. The scientists say the database provides the first-ever building level assessment of landslide susceptibility across the U.S. for nearly 130 million homes and buildings.   The database also accounts for socioeconomic data, revealing an urban-rural divide to how natural disasters can impact communities. For example, residents in rural areas who are vulnerable to landslides may have fewer financial resources to move or recover from landslides compared to urban residents living in homes perched on hillsides in affluent neighborhoods.   Joe Wartman is a professor of civil and environmental engineering at University of Washington and the director of the Natural Hazard and Disaster Reconnaissance Facility. He joins us for more details.  

The Oregon Coast Trail backpacking adventure officially begins! Mysterious James and I head for the Oregon Coast expecting a roughly 10-mile first day over Neahkahnie Mountain. Naturally, the adventure starts with us watching our connecting bus leave without us. Is the entire trip scuttled before we even begin? "My Tent is not Viable" Check out this absolutely hysterical special design awarded to Brock and I to memorialize our night 1 mishap... See more of Simone's designs here. The Pedalshift Project 448: Oregon Coast Trail - Part 1 Portland to Tillamook goes exactly according to plan. This will not last. A confusing route-number change leads to Tim and James missing their northbound connection while essentially standing next to it. With Uber, Lyft and other escape routes unavailable, it's time for Plan B. A few bonus hours in Tillamook include an unexpectedly excellent visit to the Tillamook County Public Library. The revised plan: take the later bus to Manzanita, establish a base there and turn the day's planned hike into an out-and-back toward Neahkahnie Mountain. First impressions of experiencing familiar Oregon Coast territory on foot instead of from a bicycle. The backpacking finally begins with a walk along the beach at Manzanita. Important navigational discovery: if the Pacific Ocean is on your left, you're probably walking north. Firm beach sand: surprisingly excellent walking. Soft beach sand: considerably less excellent. Heading inland and uphill on the Headwaters Trail toward Neahkahnie Mountain. About 3.5 miles of continuous climbing provides the first real test of the new packs and gear. Early verdict: the pack weights feel completely manageable for the planned 7–10 mile days. Tim and James discover that humid-weather backpacking may not be part of their future long-distance hiking careers. The shortened route still delivers nearly everything they wanted from the original day: climbing, forest trails, beach walking and plenty of mileage. Back in Manzanita for the most important part of any successful hiking itinerary: pizza and beer. A surprising amount of actual bike content, with multiple loaded touring cyclists spotted along the coast. The final walk to Nehalem Bay State Park is longer than expected, pushing the day's total close to nine miles. First impressions of the Nehalem Bay hiker-biker campsite, including lockers, charging and bike repair facilities. The new tent gets its first setup and the backpacking gear earns high marks. Day one verdict: despite immediately borking the original plan, the Oregon Coast Trail experiment is a success. Next up: more beach walking, changing weather and Day 2 on the Oregon Coast Trail. Statistics Miles hiked 9 Missed buses: 1 Loaded bicycle tourists spotted: 7 Plans successfully improvised: 1 Days of rain on the Oregon coast we did not expect 1 Flats  N/A

Asking a simple question I’ve been pondering a deceptively simple question: What makes a photograph good as part of my book club this month? But, before diving into that, a couple of quick announcements! I’ve got some new workshops lined up in 2027 at Badlands, Adventures in the Palouse, and the Oregon Coast and Redwoods. Check out the details on my website. Plus, I’ll be teaching a masterclass called “The Landscape is Language” at the Photographic Center Northwest in November 2026. As for the topic of episode 596, the source of this question comes from re-reading The View from the Studio Door by Ted Orland. In the section Art & Society, Ted comes up with an interesting answer that we will get to at the end of the podcast. Sure, the what is a good photography questionseems like it should have a straightforward answer. We could list out a bunch of qualities: composition, light, color, timing, technical skill, originality, emotion. Maybe a photo resonates because it communicates something important or makes us pause and reflect. So, what are we really talking about when we say a photograph is good? First off, we need to distinguish between “good” and “beautiful.” A photograph can be stunning without really offering much depth. Gorgeous light, perfect composition, beautiful colors—sure, but does it say anything? Conversely, a photograph can be rough around the edges but still pack an emotional punch.  Good isn’t necessarily beautiful First off, we need to distinguish between “good” and “beautiful.” A photograph can be stunning without really offering much depth. Gorgeous light, perfect composition, beautiful colors—sure, but does it say anything? Conversely, a photograph can be rough around the edges but still pack an emotional punch. Who gets to decide? Who determines what makes a photograph good? Is it because I like it? A critic? Other photographers? Does it matter if it's hanging in a museum or selling at auction? Or is it simply about whether the creator feels they achieved what they set out to do? The more I reflect, the more I realize there isn’t a universal standard for art—and maybe that's just fine. What if we judged the “goodness” of a photograph by its impact? – Does it make me stop? – Does it hold my gaze? – Does it shift my perspective? – Does it make me uncomfortable or curious? – Does it inspire creativity in me? Can a Bad Photograph Still Be Good? Suppose I take a photograph that falls flat. You have them too. You know the ones with bad composition, poor lighting, missing the mark entirely. On its own, it might not see the light of day. But what if that photo leads me to create ten better ones? What if it highlights what I don't want in my work or points me toward an unexpected direction? Does that still make it a bad photograph? Aesthetically, sure. Creatively, it could be invaluable. It makes me wonder if we're sometimes asking the wrong questions about art. Instead of “Is this good?” maybe we should be asking, “What did this make possible?” We don’t make masterpieces one at a time I feel like photographers can get caught up in the notion that their work is a collection of standalone images. You make a picture, then another, and it's easy to obsess over which ones are the “good” ones. But that’s not really how creativity works. It is a journey for us to follow, and the most important photographs aren’t necessarily the strongest ones; it might be the one that reshapes everything that follows Ted’s key point with the photograph as a stepping stone Ted Orland has this concept I keep returning to: a piece of work can be deemed good if it helps you move toward the next piece. I love this idea because it eases the pressure on each photograph. It doesn’t have to be the final say; it can be a question, an experiment, or even a failure.

This week John Kruse chats with 1.  Susan Buxton with Idaho Parks and Recreation about their 250 Sale going on in August where you can save 25% on a camping or yurt stay 2.  Aaron Linfoot will tell you all about the new location and expansion of Lincoln City Sporting Goods as well as the hunting, fishing and crabbing opportunities that await there on the Oregon Coast. 3.  Trey Carskadon with the Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association (NSIA) discussed the Bonneville Power Administration's funding cut to salmon hatcheries near the mouth of the Columbia River and what you can do to change their minds 4.  We've also got an extended Mack's Minute, your WDFW Trout Derby lake of the week, and another edition of BirdNote!

The TMG Hospitality Trailblazers welcomes the latest addition to the series, Kim Wootteon, Sr. VP of Commercial Strategy at Kampgrounds of America, Inc. to discuss the outdoor hospitality landscape and how artificial intelligence and technology are playing a key role in connecting different generations of travelers to the KOA vast portfolio of properties. Ryan Embree: Welcome to Suite Spot, where hoteliers check in and we check out what’s trending in hotel marketing. I’m your host, Ryan Embree. Hello, everyone. Welcome to another episode of The Suite Spot. This is your co-host, Ryan Embry. Cassady Quintana: And I’m your co-host, Cassady Quintana. Ryan Embree: We’re excited to have you here with us for another edition of our TMG Hospitality Trailblazers series. We’ve been running this series for quite a while, paving those management companies, individuals that are paving a way into the future for hospitality, which feels like is changing on a weekly basis. I’ve been really looking forward to this episode. A familiar face and voice with us. It’s the first time you’re joining us virtually. Kim Wootteon, Senior Vice President, Commercial Strategies at Kampgrounds of America. Kim, thank you so much for joining us back on The Suite Spot. Kim Wootteon: Yes, it’s great to see you both. Thanks for having me today. Ryan Embree: Yeah, we’re gonna have a super fun conversation. You have an incredible brand. We can’t wait to jump in. But before we start talking about Kampgrounds of America and KOA, I wanna start because we missed it when we were in Arlington at the Digital Transformation Summit of getting a little bit about your hospitality background and journey that led you to such a cool position at KOA. Kim Wootteon: My kind of career path has been quite interesting. It’s really led to the role I have today. So the first 12 years of my career was spent in retail. And for all of you millennials, I started with PacSun. I was an OG, skate and surf lifestyle fanatic. And I worked in retail for 12 years and really learned operations, marketing, and quite frankly, leadership. PacSun was a really great people-centric company. And it’s really where I got my foundation for leadership and my drive for results. And then I transitioned for retail into the more traditional hospitality sector and worked for four years with Marshall Hotels and Resorts, leading sales, marketing, and diving into revenue management. And then was recruited by a company called Bluewater Development, who was really pioneers within the outdoor hospitality industry and very traditional owners in the indoor hospitality industry. So great experience. I was introduced to KOA with them and the entire glamping and camping sector of hospitality, which was super exciting. And then also got to work with some really great brands such as Marriott and Hilton and IHG and independent properties, independent campgrounds. It was quite an eclectic mix of properties, that I got to support in sales, marketing, and revenue. And I joined KOA about five years ago, leading marketing at the local level. And in 2022, we established the commercial strategy team at KOA, and, I now oversee revenue management, local marketing or field marketing, retail, distribution, and sales across the entire KOA portfolio, both our owned assets and our franchise locations, and support for KOA, Inc. as well. Ryan Embree: So this is why I love this question so much, because we get such an eclectic melting pot of backgrounds of hospitality professionals, maybe starting in retail. I hear F&B a lot recently. And then you go from the brands, you go, outdoor hospitality, and you get this big melting pot, and it kinda defines who you are as an industry professional, but also gives you, I think, an appreciation of some of those other places that you’ve been or even properties which can span from the giant resorts that we’ve seen all the way to, maybe it is a campsite where it’s a lot more local and kinda community and, and tight-knit feeling. Kim Wootteon: Absolutely. Absolutely. I’ve enjoyed my journey. It allows me to bring perspective to the work we do every day that is unique. And we’ve done a really great job at KOA of hiring a team of leaders and a team of people, in the field with really diverse backgrounds, which I think is a great compliment to the diversity across our portfolio. Cassady Quintana: Yeah, I think it’s interesting because you talk about this new team that you guys have created at KOA and the things that you’re developing and introducing into this outdoor hospitality. But for our listeners who may not know too much about KOA, we have a lot of hotel listeners. So if you can just give us a little bit of background about the brand and how it’s found its way to becoming one of the number one outdoor hospitality leaders. Kim Wootteon: So KOA was founded in 1962 by Dave Drumm in Billings, Montana. He saw this surge of travelers heading to the world’s fair in Seattle, and he opened the Billings Campgrounds, on his property along the Yellowstone River. And today, Kampgrounds of America is the largest system of privately owned campgrounds across the US and Canada with over 500 locations. We have 50 locations that are owned and operated by KOA, and 450 plus locations that are franchised. It’s a really interesting segment or vertical within the hospitality industry. Incredibly diverse portfolio, incredibly diverse guests. And we’re really fortunate to be the leader within this segment of the industry. Ryan Embree: And we mentioned at the top of this episode, this is our TMG Hospitality Trailblazer series. Now, I don’t think there is a much more fitting brand than KOA as far as being a trailblazer when you, when you think about that term, but I’ve been surprised to learn from getting to know you and the KOA brand of the different modern way that we kind of talk about trailblazers in our industry. And so, Kim, you and your team have been doing some incredible work. We’re gonna mention it in this episode, but what do you think makes the Kampgrounds of America brand a true embodiment of trailblazers and trailblazing in our industry right now? Kim Wootteon: It starts really with our vision at KOA. And our vision is to be the world leader in defining and advancing the business and experience of outdoor hospitality. And that’s been a focus for our company for years. We have taken a really unique approach to, I’d say, the traditional hospitality industry. We understand camping, we understand hospitality, and we are really committed to being the leader within not just the outdoor hospitality space, but the overall hospitality space in general. And it really starts with knowing our guest. And we are fortunate. We have tons of first-party guest data. We have years and years of history. And we’re known in our segment of the industry for the research we do to really better understand our guest and how our guest changes and what they expect. So it’s a really unique advantage. And the research we provide is not just for KOA and our franchisees, but it’s for the entire industry. And trailblazing shows up in a variety of ways, almost every decision that we make as a brand. So from the guest experience standpoint, we’re launching a new koa.com website that’s really powered by AI and focused on personalization and trip planning and flexible cancellation policies and the guest’s ability to manage reservations. So some of the more traditional things that you would see in the hospitality industry, but with some unique features that are custom to how guests like to camp. From an organizational structure standpoint, we have a commercial strategy team, which we really are the only one in the industry that has a full commercial strategy arm. And we have an AI team. We built our AI department at the beginning of this year, and that team continues to grow and really focus both internally and externally on how we can use AI to enhance the employee experience and the guest experience. And then within outdoor hospitality, technology has kind of always been a little bit of an opportunity. We don’t necessarily follow some of the mainstream tech choices that you see in indoor hospitality. So our focus has really been how do we align with what works well within indoor hospitality? We’ve been exploring OTA integrations and an RMS integration and enhanced text messaging capabilities and housekeeping modules to help operations be more efficient. It’s about really how can we be the first in the outdoor space to align most closely with what works in indoor hospitality, and then try to address the points of friction where we can that are really unique to outdoor hospitality. Cassady Quintana: I love that you mentioned this balance of outdoor hospitality and what that means to people, but also finding those opportunities for technology because that is the trend these days, right? Is AI this, AI that, and how can we bring in that technology? And we know that KOA has built such a recognizable brand in outdoor hospitality. So how do you guys find that you’re balancing and maintaining what Dave built back in the ’60s, that trusted legacy of what KOA is with continuing to try and attract a younger generation or maybe people that have never been camping before? Kim Wootteon: It is a really fine balance that is not easy. We truly work at it every day and we’re really, really fortunate to have such a legacy brand and such a trusted brand. And so it’s really this balance of how do we stay rooted in our core values and our mission with connecting people to the outdoors and each other while meeting guest expectations for who the camper is today? And so, we see participation in camping across all generations, which is really fascinating. In 2025, participation among adults, 65 or older, reached its highest level in eight years. So we’re seeing this rebound in the boomer population. 25% of all new campers in 2025 were boomers. And at the same time, younger generations, particularly millennials, continue to make camping a really meaningful share of their leisure travel. So it’s this ongoing challenge of how do we attract and retain campers? It’s the same challenge everybody has in our industry. And then keeping existing campers and getting new ones to come back. It’s really that frequency question. We’ve seen some shifts in frequency over the past several years. Our more legacy campers used to take two, three, four trips a year. And we’re seeing that frequency diminish slightly. New campers come and experience it. And maybe don’t, maybe don’t camp again in the same year. It may take one camping trip a year. So that’s a unique challenge our industry is navigating. But we do a lot of research to understand what inspires each generation to camp, and we work really hard to deliver memorable experiences to keep them coming back. But I think the thing that is consistent across all generations and what really matters most to campers, whether they’re new or they’re legacy campers, there’s some core foundational items that we really pride ourselves in across the KOA system. So safety and security is one, cleanliness and quality. We have a really rigorous quality assurance program, and we visit every single campground every single year to ensure each campground is meeting quality assurance standards. And we’re okay to say goodbye to those campgrounds that maybe aren’t meeting our standards. Campers are looking for some self-guided recreation. So if they want to be in the outdoors and really utilize their time as they see fit, the amenities and the recreation continue to play a critical role in that decision-making process. Pet friendliness is really critical and so many people in outdoors love to camp with their pets. And so it’s vital that all of our properties be really pet-friendly. And we have pet-friendly accommodations, pet walks, and camp canine parks. Pets are, are really an extension of our guest base, truly. And then basics like clean laundry, clean restroom facilities, clean laundry facilities, all the essentials that are needed for a great camping experience. Ryan Embree: You definitely have the advantage of a memorable experience on your end, right? I think that has been the knock on the indoor hospitality space, is that sometimes it’s your hotel stay or experience there might not be the most memorable part of a trip versus camping feels like something, if done right, and the quality is there, that is a memory that’s not just gonna stick with you for a year that you might just tell a couple people about, but maybe decades. Maybe it becomes a family tradition, and I’m sure you have some incredible stories to share there. But as I mentioned at the top of this episode, Kim, we had the pleasure of meeting you in Arlington, Texas at the Digital Transformation Summit and Hospitality and Hotels. And again, from what I knew about Kampgrounds of America then and what I know now, it was like kind of one of those spaces where I was like, “Well, I wonder, I wonder what KOA is doing in this space.” And then I got to hear your keynote and I was blown away. But it was also one of the most fascinating conversations I had at that event because of the relationship with technology where some of your guests might be looking for an escape from that technology while others kind of see it as this is the baseline and maybe WiFi isn’t a tech- technology to them. Maybe that’s just a standard for them. So it’s so interesting. It’s fascinating. I’m sure it’s that balance what you’re talking about, Kim, but you also have to balance between the guest and you also have 450 franchisees out there, right? And you’re an owner yourself of 50 properties. So I wanna get into both of those kinda spectrums. One is, what are you seeing the guests, their relationship with technology when it comes to KOA? And then maybe you can speak to the owner side of it, of are you hearing owners wanting to implement more technology or are they kind of resisting that when you’re saying, “Hey, let’s start to look at these new kind of maybe fancy technological updates.” I know there’s a packed question there, so. Kim Wootteon: Yeah, no. And lots to unpack within that question. So let’s start with the guest first and really the unique expectations that come from our campers. And while historically, camping has been a way of a form of leisure travel where you can kind of disconnect from everything that’s going on in daily life and really spend time in the outdoors, nearly half of all campers, about 47% site wifi as very important. So we have learned over the years that wifi is a utility. It is not an amenity anymore. It is a price of admission expectation for campers. Technology and remote work is still shaping camping behavior. And then Gen Z is the most likely to work while camping. So, we cater our experiences to every generation. And so Wi-Fi becomes a critical, critical component. While we’ve seen a slight decline in work camping, with people going back to the office and those just individual changes, it’s still really important. And it, what’s really unique is new campers, and again, kind of new campers, 25% of all new campers last year were boomers. So when we think about new campers, they are more likely than experienced campers to prioritize connectivity. So about 50% of new campers versus 43% of experienced campers. So access to technology directly influences length of stay and the experience. So we have focused heavily on tech and not just wifi at the campground, but how technology is used throughout the guest journey. Have we made it really easy for them to book and find the campground that meets their experience expectations? What’s the communication with the guests look like pre and post, or pre-during, quite honestly, and posts say through text messaging or, or other forms of technology? How easy can they find their site? Just all of those simple things where tech is a really great way to create efficiencies in operations, still have really, really connected touchpoints, relationship-wise, because I think that is, one of the most critical pieces of outdoor hospitality is the relationship our owners build with their campers. And then can they connect while they’re on site? And for those who don’t want to connect and really wanna disconnect during their stay, have we effectively marketed those sites that are best for them to stay in? Have we created connectivity zones where if they do choose to connect, there’s a place on the campground that is best for that, and the rest of the park could be more of a disconnection zone. So really thinking about how a camper is using the space. On the flip side, our owners, this has been an interesting challenge and journey. Just like our campers, our owners are incredibly diverse as well. We’re really blessed. And I think this kind of lends to the success of our legacy brand. We have legacy owners within the KOA brand. We have franchisees that have been in the system for 50 and 60 years. They’ve been here since the beginning, and that ownership has passed down through generations, which is really rare to find across our industry today. We have a lot of individual owner operators that, they gave up their careers as nurses and as architects, and they follow their passion for the outdoors, and they built and own, decide to buy a campground and and be entrepreneurs. And then we have a lot of investors coming into our space, that are diversifying their portfolio. They have hotels, like that public storage and outdoor hospitality is just a natural transition in their portfolio diversification. So the diversity amongst our owners is a unique challenge when it comes to technology. And then across multiple, age demographics as well. So from a wifi standpoint, we make it a requirement. It is now part of our quality assurance. We incentivize our owners to deliver really great wifi. We have a wifi royalty incentive program, and they can receive reduced royalties for a select period of time if their wifi meets certain standards. We believe it’s that important to the guest experience. And then really from tech adoption, I think that’s where we see some of the larger pieces of friction as our industry evolves and we’re constantly trying to balance the expectations of the guests with the needs of our owners and operators. Things like a couple years ago, we were getting ready to launch online reservation management. Okay, I can, I can book, I can change, I can cancel my reservation all on my phone through the app or otherwise. And then was faced with quite a bit of resistance because it was different and it was new and it took some of the control out of the hands of the owner. And so different components of that have kind of made it out to the public, and then there are some key components that have not quite made it out yet. So it’s really that balance of how do we meet guest expectations and owner expectations? But at the end of the day, we do have the responsibility to ensure our brand stays profitable and our owners are profitable. And so sometimes we do have to make those decisions that may not be as favorable to our owners, but are truly the best decision for the business. And it comes down a lot to training and education and really making sure they understand. So we have a great learning and development team, great communications team, a great project team that really ensures all of these initiatives come to fruition in the way they need to be successful. Ryan Embree: Well, and you also have, like you said, 50 properties that you own and manage, which I’m sure is a great kind of sandbox that you can play before you roll something out across the entire brand. But to put this in perspective for our listeners, you just mentioned that maybe there was some resistance to the online bookings that you were talking about, all the way to the owner that you were talking to me. I had to bring this up again, that there was drones bringing firewood to campsites at your property, right? So, I mean, that is the spectrum that you’re talking about. And I think that also is on the guest side. And that’s why probably, you and your team do such a great job of keeping your ear to the ground with these guests and constantly staying. I thought it was a fascinating stat that you talked about, Kim, where you’re saying that the first time campers are expecting more tech than maybe your returning campers or campers that have done that before. And I think that is a, it’s a telling statistic of, “Hey, we’re gonna try this for the first time. We’re gonna go camping.” And they’re coming to the camping site and being like, “All right, well, where’s the plugs and where’s the, the wifi and all that stuff?” Versus the campers that have been there have been like, “Oh, you, you’re camping. What are you talking about?” So interesting. Kim Wootteon: It’s a fun challenge. Cassady Quintana: I’m glad you mentioned that because when I think about it from a marketing perspective, you’ve talked about the different types of guests. You also have diverse owners, but you have diverse guests. When you think about hotels in the hotel industry, a lot of them have their niche and what they expect their demographic to look like when they come visit them. And so they can kind of cater that marketing a little bit better. But you have people ranging from children all the way up until boomers, and so they’re all expecting something different and they all want it to be exactly what they want. So when I think about it, I’m Gen Z, and this outdoor hospitality thing has really started to become a big thing for us. Like, whether it is because we wanna fully disconnect everything is too technologically advanced now, or I want a little bit of the best of both worlds. I wanna feel like I’m in nature, but also I can check my Instagram later if I really need to. So when you guys think about that from a marketing perspective, what do you think is driving that Gen Z interest, but also how do you develop a marketing strategy so that you can connect with those new campers and that, that younger generation? Kim Wootteon: Oh, my gosh. It’s a nonstop kind of everyday challenge that our teams work through at both the national level. How do we really connect the brand to people? I mean it’s so much of the success of our brand, and really camping and outdoor hospitality in general is built off of some, like, this emotional connection to nature and this desire to be outdoors. And how do we be part of that journey? And how can we be a catalyst to creating that experience for people, whether it’s their hundredth time camping or their first time camping? And there’s so many different tactics and strategies, within the marketing space that are available to us now. And it’s constantly evaluated with AI. We are traditionally rooted in SEO, and now we’ve got GEO to adapt to. But the Gen Z population within our camper mix is about 13% of all of our campers, as of 2025, and had been up to about 25% of our camper mix in 2022. So a really significant portion of all of those people that are participating in camping are in that Gen Z demographic. And it really comes down to doing a lot of research and understanding, what motivates people to connect to a brand, what’s important to them, whether it’s sustainability or looking at the health benefits from being outdoors, whether it’s the thrill of trying something new and really adventure-seeking, whether it’s we camped with our parents as kids, and we wanna try it again as adults. And the value proposition for, especially Gen Z is not to that point in life where you’re fully invested and you have a ton of disposable income. And so camping has always been a really affordable way to travel and leisure travel and experience and see things. So it’s this balance of how do we connect with each generation on the right channel? Social media plays a really critical role in our marketing strategy, having a presence across multiple platforms, Facebook, which tends to cater to a little bit more of our Gen X and baby boomer population, TikTok, Instagram, other channels for Gen Z. So social media plays a really key role, and we’ve seen a huge insurgence of social media conversions in our marketing strategy over the past several years. And then the technology piece of some of our generations like to pick up the phone and call and ask questions about their stay. And then others really just wanna be 100% booked online, make all of their change, and make all of their choices without any human connectivity. So finding that balance. But the, the Gen Z demographic is really fascinating. And I love watching how they use campgrounds. We see a lot of Gen Zers use campgrounds as that hub for all of their outdoor adventures, really wanting to spend time in nature and are utilizing a campground to facilitate that experience. Ryan Embree: This question is certainly resonating with me. I’m a little bit older millennial. I have a two and a five-year-old. And I remember camping as a kid. I wanna take my kids, but I also do not want to just maybe stay in a tent and not have any sort of. So, I want, I want that, that nice little balance of, yes, we are camping, but we might be going into a nice air-conditioned cabin or lodge, and we might be able to still watch a little TV. But I think it’s fascinating what we’re talking about, because that’s exactly it. And Gen Z, they’re great storytellers. Let me tell you about marketing. They’ll do most of your marketing for you if you put them in the right position, especially on Instagram and TikTok. Kim Wootteon: I’m really fortunate on my team. We have a really diverse team as well. And I have, I have kind of boomers and I have a ton of Gen Zers on my team. And so it’s great just to watch those generations meld and figure out how we, how we best connect to our owners and our audience. We spend a lot of time in the outdoors just as a team, when we have meetings and stuff like that. And I just love what comes from it. And then we take those best practices and really implement them with our guests because it’s, it’s the same. We all camp. Most of us in our team, we love spending time in the outdoors. So it’s like what’s gonna be attractive to us? We are our own demographics, right? Ryan Embree: There you go. Well, I wanna shift gears and congratulate you and your team, the entire KOA team, recognized as one of the top 50 most profitable franchises by Franchisee Business Review. What do you think Kim, I mean, obviously, when we talk about franchises and we look at the ROI, but I think there’s probably a different type of reward that comes with having a KOA franchise, being obviously we look for that, that financial one, but also from kinda to build something meaningful. You talked about the legacy of some of your franchisees and that being a family business. We’ve talked about the close connection and memories that you get from camping. Well, first of all, congratulations, but what do you think you and your team did to kinda make that list? Kim Wootteon: Thank you. We’re really, really proud of this recognition. And I think it speaks to just the uniqueness of the brand. So we have a unique mix of brand standards and entrepreneurial spirit. KOA is a franchisor unlike no other, you know? And I’ve worked with a lot of the big franchisors, especially in our industry. I’ve worked with the Marriott brand and Hilton and IHG and Jellystone and Sun Outdoors. But what I think I love most about KOA, which makes it such an attractive business opportunity, is, we’re hyper-focused on quality. We’re hyper-focused on our brand position consistency. We have three brand positions within the KOA brand. We have the KOA journey, the KOA Holiday, and the KOA Resort to really help campers identify and connect with the experience they’re looking for. But what I love the most about our franchise that is different from a lot of others is that each location is truly unique to space and place, which fuels the creativity and the pride of our owners. So there are certain things that you will find very standard across the KOA portfolio, and there, there’s an expectation campers have with KOA, but every single location is unique. And that’s what makes the system of campgrounds truly special. You’re not gonna get the same overall experience at any two locations. And our owners take an immense amount of pride in understanding the market that they’re in, understanding their campers, and building an experience that drives them to come back and stay with the KOA brand and book again, and at the same time, is quite profitable. So that unique blend of uniqueness and standards is what really sets us apart. And I will say to you, I remember this, if I didn’t shout out just the incredible support that KOA offers its franchisees. Again, I’ve kind of worked with many franchisors, but the support that KOA offers is quite unique. I’m very, very proud to be part of that. We have an amazing field operations team, franchise operations team. We have a team of just passionate, dedicated franchise business coaches that are working with our owners every single day to help them truly grow their business and optimize their investment in the KOA brand and then their campground. We have a whole coaching team within commercial strategy focused on marketing and revenue, and how to maximize revenue and optimize profitability. And then multiple other departments across the organization that really, their customer is the franchisee. And so I think this is a really adequate representation of the hard work our team puts in to support our owners on a daily basis. Ryan Embree: Yeah. I mean, with a, such a complex ecosystem that we kind of talked about throughout this episode, it’s a true testament to the work you and your team are putting in to be recognized. So again, congratulations to you and your team on that. We’re gonna shift gears. This is the rapid fire portion of our episode. I love doing this and I was looking forward to your portfolio specifically. You’re no stranger to travel, Kim, you’ve already mentioned. So we’re gonna get to list a series or a series of questions to get to know you and the KOA portfolio a little bit better. So let’s start with favorite view at one of your properties. Kim Wootteon: Yeah. So, and just for the record, so I have been to well over 100, almost 200 KOAs across our systems. I’ve been really fortunate to see a lot of our portfolio with some amazing, amazing properties and experiences. But I was just recently at the campground in Fredericksburg, Texas, which is under construction. We are building it and it’ll be introduced to the KOA system this fall. But the view from The Overlook, which is sort of our main building in the back part of the campground with all of our food and beverage and our meeting space and our pool and our lazy river, the view is absolutely spectacular overlooking the entire campground. The sunsets are great, and it was just, it was a really magical moment. Cassady Quintana: Awesome. Ryan, write that down. We gotta take a look at when that one opens up. Ryan Embree: Yeah, for sure. Kim Wootteon: You’ve gotta come experience it. And, and Ryan, we do have some amazing glamping accommodations, so you’ll get all of the amenities of home and a really cool outdoor setting. Ryan Embree: Love it. Best both worlds, for sure. Cassady Quintana: All right, Kim, favorite fun fact about one of your properties? Kim Wootteon: Oh my gosh. There’s so many options because we have such a diverse portfolio. But one of the things we learned as we were prepping for America 250 and just kind of learning our history is the Mystic KOA campground in Connecticut has a house on property that wasn’t built in the United States. It actually existed before the United States existed. It was brought over as settlers have founded that area. And it’s still standing on our campground today. And there’s a lot of history with that property. Ryan Embree: So it’s one of my favorite questions to ask, just because you get to learn these, these stories that you would have no idea about. Very, very cool. What about favorite guest experience or amenities at one of your properties, Kim? Kim Wootteon: So, the Mount Rushmore KOA Resort at Palmer Gulch has a rodeo, like a full-on rodeo. So that’s a crazy thing to experience. The campground in South Padre Island is right near SpaceX, and we just built these beautiful, RV sites, along this peninsula on the water, so you can see the SpaceX launches. And then there’s simple things like blueberry picking in covert and just amazing hiking near some of our National Park properties. Cassady Quintana: Awesome. Something for everybody. There’s something for everybody at every different property. Yeah. So kind of with that in mind, what’s one of your favorite locations of your properties? Kim Wootteon: So it’s funny. So I am a camper myself and I love to spend time outdoors. And I have kind of this unique mix of properties that I love to visit because, every time I camp, I look for a different experience. So I love, like, Lake Placid, KOA, it’s just that, like, quintessential camping experience, really, really wooded and nature-driven. If I’m looking for just incredible beauty with really, really amiditized recreation, I love the Astoria KOA on the Oregon Coast. If I want a tropical resort retreat, I go to Sugarloaf KOA or Fort Myers KOA. So it’s just, it’s. I don’t know. I can’t pick one. I love too many of them, which is my problem and why I’m always on the road and traveling. . Cassady Quintana: It’s a good problem to have. Kim Wootteon: Exactly. I know, right? Ryan Embree: That’s what I was gonna say. . Well, we appreciate you playing along with us. As we wrap up today, we always have kind of a tradition to, especially, with some of our industry leaders that we get the opportunity to speak to multiple times. You teased back in March, you had working on that revamped website that we talked about you formed a new AI team. What’s the status of those projects? And then maybe just looking into the future, what’s your vision for, for KOA as we wrap. Can’t believe I’m saying this. Wrap up 2026 and go into 2027. Kim Wootteon: Oh, my gosh. Yes. We, we are really hyper-focused on 2027 right now as a leadership team, which is crazy. I’m like, we’re all happy through 2026. But yeah, we ha – we’ve had a ton of really large projects this year as a brand, and really in, in that vein of trying to modernize our brand to meet the guest expectation, the owner expectations, and stay that, brand of choice. Both of our projects, the development of our AR team and the rebuild, redesign, and launch of our new website, as well as campground landing pages and a new content management system are going incredibly well. We are on track to launch in Q4 with a slew of continued enhancements throughout 2027. A lot of really AI-focused efforts for koa.com, specifically in trip planning and just communication on a site, as well as personalization. We know that that’s so important. How does a guest land on the site and how is everything really customized and tailored to what they’re looking for and what their needs are and how they’ve came to before? So those two teams have been really, really critical in, in the rollout of this project. And selfishly for me, the AI team does a, a lot of work with our internal teams, and how do we impl – improve the employee experience? So the work they’ve been doing just, I mean, so many efficiencies for my role and so many other roles across the organization around really quick access to data within our KOA ecosystem. Like every bit of data I could ever want to access is available through our AI platform. I am able to ask questions quickly, research things quicker, and really get to an end result, which makes the analysis of our business so much easier in identifying trends and opportunities. So those two pieces are just really game changers, not only for our brand, but in the industry right now. And 2077 is stacking up to be a pretty, pretty insane year as well, with just really double down focusing on how do we continue to attract guests, retain guests, really strong focus on that short-term leisure RV camper, and kind of that mash of how do we take all of our legacy campers and all of these new campers and really just exceed expectations to grow the business next year. Ryan Embree: Wel like I said, a true embodiment, a brand that is truly trailblazing in hospitality. So wish you luck with all of those projects. We’ll have to keep a close eye on which campgrounds we’ll do an onsite. I still haven’t given up on that dream of doing – Kim Wootteon: No, we’re, we’re gonna get you outdoors, Ryan. Ryan Embree: Let’s do it. I’m, I’m looking forward to it. I can’t, I can’t wait. So, Kim, we know you’re busy. Thank you so much for taking the time to join me and Cassady here on The Suite Spot. Kim Wootteon: Yes, thank you both. It’s a pleasure. Cassady Quintana: Thanks, Kim. Ryan Embree: All right. Thanks, everyone. And thank you for listening to Suite Spot. We’ll talk to you next time. To join our loyalty program, be sure to subscribe and give us a five-star rating on iTunes. Suite Spot is produced by Travel Media Group. Our editor is Brandon Bell with cover art by Bary Gordon. I’m your host, Ryan Embree, and we hope you enjoyed your stay.

A quiet mushroom hunt on the Oregon Coast. A terrifying scream in the forests above Discovery Bay. Four thunderous whoops outside a tent in the middle of the night near Port Townsend. In this unforgettable conversation, Austin Aretakis shares a series of firsthand encounters that changed the way he views the wilderness forever.Austin recounts his earliest unexplained experience near Floras Lake before taking us deep into one of the closest Sasquatch encounters ever featured on Bigfoot Society. While camping alone near Fort Townsend Historical State Park, something massive approached his hidden campsite, circled his tent, responded with powerful vocalizations, and left behind physical evidence the following morning.The conversation also explores strange vocalizations, possible mimicry, wilderness survival, natural farming, faith, and the lifelong impact these experiences have had on Austin's search for answers.Locations featured include:• Floras Lake, Oregon• Port Orford, Oregon• Rogue River, Oregon• Discovery Bay, Washington• Port Townsend, Washington• Fort Townsend Historical State ParkIf you've ever wondered what it would be like to hear something enormous moving through the darkness just outside your tent, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Fog is a constant presence on the Oregon Coast, but it can be difficult to measure and track. In a recent study, researchers used webcams that are normally used to check surfing conditions to get a better picture of when and where fog forms and dissipates.    The team analyzed images from six cameras stretching from Cannon Beach to Yaquina Head and compared them with data from a visibility sensor at the Newport Municipal Airport that measures fog. They found that while fog was often patchy and rapidly shifting between camera sites, the airport sensor still provided a reliable picture of average fog frequency along the coast.   Sonya Rauschenbach is a graduate student in atmospheric science at UC Davis and the lead author of the study. She joins us with more details.  

Welcome to a different kind of Pedalshift adventure. For the first time, we're leaving the bikes behind and heading out on foot for a three-day section hike of the Oregon Coast Trail. Along with returning friend of the show and legendary 5-timer Mysterious James, I'm testing new ultralight gear, revisiting familiar terrain at walking speed, and exploring whether slowing down even more changes the way we experience a place we've ridden through so many times. It's a little experimental, a little ambitious, and very much in the spirit of adventure. The Pedalshift Project 447: Oregon Coast Trail Preview A first for Pedalshift: backpacking instead of bikepacking. Joined by returning guest James for a three-day Oregon Coast Trail adventure. Transit-powered trip: Portland → Tillamook → north coast by bus before hiking south. Revisiting familiar Pacific Coast territory from an entirely different perspective. Can walking reveal things even bike travel misses? Route highlights include: Neahkahnie Mountain Manzanita Nehalem Bay State Park Beach hiking along the Oregon Coast Trail Planning roughly 10-mile hiking days with hiker-biker and county campground overnights. Weather forecast calls for classic Oregon Coast uncertainty, with rain possible after a dry first day. New ultralight gear gets its first real test: Hyperlite 40L backpack Big Agnes Copper Spur Bikepacking tent Carbon fiber trekking poles Thoughts on balancing premium gear with the long-held Pedalshift philosophy that the best gear is the gear that gets you outside. Pack weight comes in around 18 pounds, with room for future refinement. Trail food strategy includes hot coffee, plenty of snack bars… and James carrying enough bananas for what appears to be a small primate sanctuary. Why this trip fits the evolving vision of Pedalshift: adventures adjacent to bicycling that still embrace human-powered exploration.

  Every once in a while I finish a trip and, after I get home and everything dries out, I realize there were a handful of lessons that weren't obvious while I was riding. So this week, rather than another recap of the Oregon Coast, here are a few takeaways from the trip."       Takeaway #1: Constraints can make for a better tour   Weather forced changes. My tent forced bigger changes. Transit schedules forced even more changes. We stopped trying to preserve the original plan and started asking what the best trip looked like now. The revised trip ended up being more memorable than the one we planned.   Bottom line: Sometimes constraints don't ruin a tour—they become the reason it's interesting.       Takeaway #2: I think my touring philosophy is changing   I've spent years optimizing for mileage. That usually means riding through interesting places instead of experiencing them. Tillamook was the perfect example. I've passed through multiple times and barely stopped. This time I spent the day exploring instead of chasing miles.   Bottom line: I'm increasingly interested in using the bike to get me to experiences, not simply accumulate distance.       Takeaway #3: "Ride your own ride" can happen on the same trip   Brock and I started from exactly the same place. We made completely different decisions. He chose the big riding day. I chose the slower exploration day. Both approaches ended with great stories.   Bottom line: There isn't one correct version of a successful bike tour.       Takeaway #4: Transit isn't cheating   We used buses multiple times. They made the route possible. They allowed us to adapt instead of abandoning the trip. They cost almost nothing.   Bottom line: Bikes and transit complement each other remarkably well.       Takeaway #5: Gear failures change everything   "My tent is not viable." That one sentence completely changed the weekend. Once your shelter becomes unreliable, every decision becomes different. Confidence is part of your gear list.   Bottom line: Reliability beats optimization.       Takeaway #6: Where did all the bike tourists go?   Peak season. Iconic route. Excellent infrastructure. Very few loaded touring bikes.   Possible explanations:   More gravel riders? More bikepacking? Different travel habits? Something else?   Bottom line: I'm seeing enough of a pattern that I don't think it's a coincidence anymore.       Takeaway #7: I'm excited about touring again   Fitness is coming back. Losing weight has made a noticeable difference. I'm thinking differently about how I want trips to look. I was planning the next ride before this one ended.   Bottom line: That's usually a sign you're headed in the right direction.

Travels With Randy Summer Of '26 Episode 5 is here! TWR Summer of '26 Ep 5:  July 4th On The Oregon Coast & Visiting The Cascades  Buy the Travels With Randy Route 66 Centennial Calendar right here! Listen to the Travels With Randy Soundtrack on Apple right here! Evolution of Air Conditioning Bubba and Randy discussed the climate differences between Washington and other regions, particularly focusing on the lack of air conditioning in European homes and historical cars. They explored how air conditioning has evolved over time, noting that it wasn't widely available in cars until the 1950s and 1960s, coinciding with the peak of Route 66 travel. The conversation highlighted how people today take air conditioning for granted compared to previous generations who had to cope without it. Modern Life vs Historical Challenges Bubba and Randy discussed the challenges of living in different climates and eras, highlighting how modern conveniences like air conditioning, medicine, and advanced surgical techniques have significantly improved quality of life. They reflected on how grateful they should be for these advancements and considered what it would be like to experience earlier times, ultimately concluding that modern life is preferable despite its complexities. The conversation also touched on the importance of appreciating one's ancestors and the chain of events that led to their existence. 4th of July Travel Experiences Randy shared his 4th of July travel experience, where he initially planned to visit Astoria but couldn't find hotel accommodations, so he switched to Rockaway Beach instead. However, he struggled with long wait times and decided to leave early without seeing the fireworks. Bubba and Randy then discussed their experiences watching the Washington D.C. fireworks display, with Bubba describing it as overly propagandistic and cheesy. The conversation concluded with Randy mentioning his visit to the Tillamook Ice Cream Factory and his plans to continue his Cascade series by driving down Highway 20 to Newport, Oregon. Highway 20 Cross-Country Trip Planning Randy discussed plans to drive Highway 20 from Newport, Oregon to Boston, Massachusetts as his next cross-country trip after returning from Alaska in the fall. He noted challenges with GPS systems not being able to route directly on Highway 20 and considered using AI tools like Claude to plan the route. The conversation also touched on Randy's use of various AI tools including Claude, ChatGPT, and Grok for different purposes, and briefly mentioned Elon Musk's recent stock performance. AI Voice Assistant Update Discussion Randy discussed an unexpected update to the AI voice assistant Beth, who now has a different voice with Australian accent and more human-like responses, including laughter. Bubba noted that Beth's new voice sounds more realistic and human than before. They discussed the possibility of using Beth's voice for a video project, including potentially having her sing the show's theme song. Oregon Trip and Property Updates Randy shared details about his recent trip to Oregon, including staying at various Harvest Host locations and visiting the Three Sisters mountains in the Cascade Range. He discussed the geological history of the Three Sisters, including their original names (Faith, Love, and Hope) and current names (North, Middle, and South Sister). Randy also described recent work on his property, including installing a creek and having sheep and goats rented to clear weeds, and mentioned plans to visit Mount Adams before leaving for Chicago. Route 66 Calendar Distribution Randy and Bubba discussed the availability and distribution of a new Route 66 calendar, which is now being shipped daily and is available for purchase on various platforms including Randy's website, eBay, and Walmart. The 16-month calendar covers September 2024 to December 2025 and features photos of Route 66 with descriptive captions, with plans to potentially create future calendars including an Alaska edition. Bubba noted that the calendar is currently being shipped to a location in Seligman, Arizona for retail availability. Buy the Travels With Randy Route 66 Centennial Calendar right here! SpaceX Investment Discussion Meeting Randy and Bubba discussed their investments in SpaceX stock, with both planning to build positions over time despite recent volatility. They noted that SpaceX's upcoming earnings report and potential lockup expiration could create trading opportunities, though they emphasized this was not financial advice. Bubba also updated Randy on his book business growth and announced the publication of the Travels with Randy podcast soundtrack across multiple music platforms.   SO. MANY. PHOTOS - Come join the conversation on Facebook with our 33,000 friends! https://www.facebook.com/travelswithrandypodcast Have a great idea for the guys?  Want to sponsor us?  Want us to sell something National Park or Route 66 related? Want to be a guest? Want to pay for both of us to go to Alaska? Want me to stop asking questions?   bubba@travelswithrandypodcast.com !!    

What happens when two people on the same bike tour decide to have two completely different adventures? On this edition of The Pedalshift Project, day two of the Sprocketshift Oregon Coast adventure with Brock Dittus starts with a split decision in Tillamook. Brock points his bike north for a long, wet ride toward Cannon Beach. I slow things way down for cheese, side quests, a little local riding, and maybe a bit of a rethink about what I actually want out of bicycle travel these days. Two riders. Two very different days. One extremely cheap bus ride. Will the bike and bus gods allow us to reunite for fish, chips, oysters, and beer in Astoria?     A reminder about our cool spinner giveaway! If you signed up for the Pedalshift email list like I told you last week, or you already were… check your inbox! Reply back to me with that email at pedalshift@pedalshift.net by Sunday July 19 at 11:59pm PT and voila! You're entered! What do you win? Only the second of its kind functioning spinner designed by Simone, the creative mind behind the 5 timers award and future Pedalshift merch. Check out the GIF of my favorite fidgety thing in the shownotes. And good luck everyone who enters!     Oregon Coast Bike Tour with Brock Dittus – Part 2   Day two of our northbound Oregon Coast bike tour begins in Tillamook with a major change of plans.   With uncertain weather, challenging terrain, and Oregon Coast bus schedules that aren't lining up particularly well, Brock Dittus and I decide to split up for the day. Brock heads north by bicycle toward Cannon Beach. I stay behind for a much lower-mileage day exploring Tillamook by bike before using public transit to fast-forward north.   The result is something a little different for The Pedalshift Project: two simultaneous tour journals from two riders having completely different bicycle touring adventures.   Two Riders, Two Very Different Oregon Coast Adventures   Brock leaves Tillamook with an ambitious goal: ride north toward Astoria and see how far he can get.   His day includes:   Intermittent rain that becomes considerably less intermittent A thoroughly soaked ride through Rockaway Beach The climbs and terrain of the northern Oregon Coast Neahkahnie Mountain Roughly 40 miles of challenging bicycle touring The strategy of simply not stopping because stopping means getting cold A reminder that wet jeans and long-distance cycling are not necessarily natural allies   Meanwhile, I embrace something closer to a bicycle-assisted vacation day in Tillamook:   A visit to the Tillamook Creamery The realization that I actually had been there before… roughly three decades ago A stop at Blue Heron A visit to the Tillamook farmers market Some local exploration by bike A side quest involving the elusive Oregon delicacy known as meadowfoam honey An extremely inexpensive bus connection north   Same bike tour. Very different days.   Rethinking How I Bicycle Tour   My slower day in Tillamook raises a bigger question about how I want to approach bicycle travel going forward.   For years, my touring style has often focused on moving from Point A to Point B. The places along the route are part of the experience, but mileage and reaching the destination can easily become the priority.   That means I've ridden through places like Tillamook many times without actually spending much time experiencing them.   This day was different.   Instead of riding through Tillamook yet again, I stayed. I visited places I'd skipped on previous Oregon Coast bike tours. I explored. I followed a side quest. I rode when I wanted to ride and stopped when I wanted to stop.   And it may represent a bit of a shift in how I think about bicycle touring.   The length of a bicycle trip doesn't always have to be measured by the number of miles ridden. Sometimes the bike is the thing that gets us to the experience.   Brock's 40 Miles of Type Two Fun   While I'm contemplating a new philosophy of slower bicycle travel over cheese samples, Brock is having a very different day.   Rain. Hills. Wet clothes. More rain.   Despite the conditions, he makes excellent time north from Tillamook, riding through Rockaway Beach and over the challenging terrain toward Cannon Beach.   He ultimately reaches Cannon Beach after roughly 40 miles of riding and decides that he doesn't need to ride all the way to Astoria to prove anything.   The original goal may have been a much longer day, but sometimes knowing when you've already had the adventure is part of the adventure.   Also: prolonged rain, soaked clothing, and friction are apparently a combination worth avoiding.   This is useful bicycle touring information.   Reunited in Cannon Beach   Thanks to a combination of bicycles, buses, location sharing, and an Oregon Coast transit schedule that somehow works out, our two routes converge in Cannon Beach.   From there, we take the final bus together to Astoria.   The total cost of taking public transportation from Tillamook to Astoria?   Two dollars.   For bicycle tourists interested in combining cycling with transit on the Oregon Coast, the regional bus network can create some remarkably inexpensive options for shortening or modifying a route.   Astoria: Fish, Chips, Oysters, and Bicycle Touring   We end the day in Astoria with beer, seafood, oyster shooters, and a comparison of our radically different adventures.   That leads us back to a question that has come up repeatedly on The Pedalshift Project:   Where are all the bicycle tourists?   Even during prime touring season on the Oregon Coast—one of the best-known bicycle touring routes in the United States—we encounter remarkably few loaded touring cyclists.   Is traditional road-based bicycle touring declining?   Are more cyclists choosing gravel and off-road bikepacking routes?   Are hikers increasingly becoming the primary users of Oregon's hiker-biker campsites?   And if bicycle touring numbers continue to decline, what could that mean for the future of the infrastructure that makes routes like the Oregon Coast possible?   Our data set is hardly scientific, but after several years of seeing the same pattern, it's becoming harder to dismiss.   Sometimes the Constraints Make the Bike Tour   This weekend also offers another reminder about bicycle travel: sometimes the trip you wouldn't have chosen is the trip that produces the best stories.   If we'd had several weekends available, we probably would have avoided this one because of the weather.   Instead, this was the weekend we had.   Rain. Bus schedules. Route changes. A split adventure. Unexpected stops.   Brock compares it to Brian Eno's Oblique Strategies: introducing limitations and constraints that force you to approach something differently.   In our case, the constraints became the bike tour.   Also in This Episode   The Tillamook Creamery: the Disneyland of cheese Why ice cream at 10:30 in the morning is a defensible life choice The search for Oregon meadowfoam honey Bicycle touring through Tillamook, Rockaway Beach, Cannon Beach, and Astoria Combining bikes and public transit on the Oregon Coast Cannon Beach's continuing role as a mildly cursed bicycle-touring destination Businesses without Wi-Fi The mysterious economics of an artisanal s'mores establishment Oyster shooters and the deeply questionable possibility of oyster Jell-O Brock's return to podcasting Why talking to your bus driver can save your connection A final full-circle return to Salem   Statistics   Riders beginning the day together: 2 Riders immediately splitting up: 2 Cheese establishments visited: 2 Approximate miles ridden by Brock: 40 Approximate miles ridden by Tim: 6–8 Bus fare from Tillamook to Astoria: $2 Prawns consumed: 8 Pieces of cod consumed by Brock: 3 Pints consumed: 1 each Smokes broken: 1 Questionable oyster Jell-O concepts developed: 1 Flats: zero

In this episode, we dive into chilling Reddit true stories from across the Pacific Northwest, featuring creepy encounters, unexplained mysteries, and possible paranormal activity in Oregon and Washington. First, a couple hiking Hobbit Beach on the Oregon Coast discovers a disturbing forest altar made of candles, feathers, eggs, and animal bones before crossing paths with two suspicious strangers. Then, we explore a terrifying encounter on the Pacific Crest Trail near White Pass, Washington, where a solo female thru-hiker is stalked by a man obsessed with missing hikers and bodies disappearing in the surrounding bogs. Next, we examine a sighting of mysterious glowing green orbs witnessed by people in western Washington during the late 1990s, an unexplained phenomenon that some believe could be UFOs or something even stranger. Finally, we end with one of the oddest stories yet, as two friends hiking outside Eugene, Oregon, repeatedly encounter nearly identical cyclists wearing black hoodies, knee-high socks, and nothing but thongs deep in the forest. Whether these are true crime close calls, paranormal encounters, or simply bizarre moments in the wilderness, these Reddit stories prove that the forests of the Pacific Northwest still hold plenty of mysteries.Visit our website! Find us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Patreon, & more! There are so many ways that you can support the show: BuyMeACoffee, Spreaker, or by leaving a rating & review on Apple Podcasts. Sources

It's magical episode 444 of The Pedalshift Project, and we're marking the occasion with a proper Oregon Coast adventure! In part one of two, longtime friend of the show Brock Dittus joins on a hobgoblin of a ride. On this episode: northbound coastal riding, alternate routes off 101, questionable mileage math, damp gear, coffee stops, headwinds, the Five-Timers Club, and the operating phrase of the whole trip: "My tent is not viable."   Hey there is a GIVEAWAY that is part of this episode… stay tuned to  hear how to win a special, nearly one of a kind piece designed by the talent behind the five timers club award Brock gets in this very episode!   Highlights Episode 444, with a very satisfying accidental 44-mile moment. Tim and Brock reunite for a Sprocket Shift-style Oregon Coast ride. The trip shifts from the original plan into a northbound Lincoln City-to-Astoria adventure. The 60X bus from Salem to Lincoln City proves to be a useful transit link for coastal bike touring. Devil's Lake hiker-biker gets revisited and loosely rated. Summer on the Oregon Coast delivers rain, chill, clouds, and deeply confused expectations. Tim's tent fails overnight and is declared "not viable." The planned camping trip becomes a hotel-supported ride after wet gear and a damp down bag change the calculus. Old Highway 101 / Forest Road 11 north of Lincoln City gets a major reassessment as the better touring route. Neskowin and Pacific City provide key food, coffee, and morale stops. The final stretch into Tillamook brings classic coastal headwinds. Brock officially receives his Five-Timers Club award.   Route Notes Start: Salem, Oregon Transit: 60X bus to Lincoln City / Chinook Winds Casino Camp: Devil's Lake State Recreation Area hiker-biker site Ride direction: Northbound / NOBO Day ride: Lincoln City to Tillamook Key stops: Neskowin, Pacific City, Tillamook End of episode: Tillamook, Oregon Next destination: Astoria, Oregon   Hey it's a giveaway! The Pedalshift spinner giveaway! How to enter… make sure you're subscribed to the Pedalshift email list over at pedalshift.net. I'll send an email out to the list on Thursday July 16th for the release of part 2. Reply or forward it back at me at pedalshift@pedalshift.net by 11:59pm PT Sunday July 19th and BAM! You're in the running. The email will have the directions too. Overly complex? Maybe. But you get the coolest designed piece ever by our clever and talented designer friend.   Statistics Episode number: 444 Hiker-biker cost at Devil's Lake: $8 Miles biked: 57  Known other touring cyclists spotted: 2 Known hikers at camp: 1 Bundles of firewood: 2 Tent viability: zero Campground USB-C ports: zero Campground USB-A ports: yes Five-Timers Club ornaments awarded: 1 Flats: zero

What happens to your creativity when you're in pain or sick, and can you ever get it back? How can you find and sharpen your author voice? J. Daniel Sawyer talks about voice mastery, writing with chronic pain, and building an eclectic author business. In the intro, leaning into your Strengths and deciding what you want to achieve by the end of the year; and Bones of the Deep by J.F. Penn. Today's show is sponsored by ProWritingAid, writing and editing software that goes way beyond just grammar and typo checking. With its detailed reports on how to improve your writing and integration with writing software, ProWritingAid will help you improve your book before you send it to an editor, agent or publisher. Check it out for free or get 15% off the premium edition at www.ProWritingAid.com/joanna This show is also supported by my Patrons. Join my Community at Patreon.com/thecreativepenn J. Daniel Sawyer is the author of over 30 books across science fiction, fantasy, crime, short stories, and nonfiction, as well as being a podcaster and filmmaker. His latest book for authors is The Pitch-Perfect Author: Voice Mastery for Writers. You can listen above or on your favorite podcast app or read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and the full transcript is below. Show Notes Writing fiction through chronic pain and re-emerging into health after surgery How your physical health shapes (and darkens) your fiction Rebooting an author business around a weekly Substack column What author voice really is, and why it's fundamentally about sound The building blocks of voice: functional vocabulary, dialect, and musicality The “crossing the line twice” trick for hearing your own voice objectively You can find Dan at JDsawyer.net or on Substack. Transcript of the interview with J. Daniel Sawyer Jo: J. Daniel Sawyer is the author of over 30 books across science fiction, fantasy, crime, short stories, and nonfiction, as well as being a podcaster and filmmaker. His latest book for authors is The Pitch-Perfect Author: Voice Mastery for Writers. So welcome back to the show, Dan. Dan: Hello, Joanna. It's good to be back. Jo: Goodness me, you have been on the podcast a few times, but actually, the last time was April 2017, which is crazy. It's nine years ago. When I saw your book, I was like, “I can't believe we haven't talked for that long.” For anyone who doesn't know you, tell us a bit more about— What does your creative and author business look like these days? Dan: Oh, well, these days it's in a state of recovery because it basically ground to a halt while I was dying a few years ago. It turned out I had an organ disease from the time I was a kid that I didn't know about, and it just progressively got worse and worse, putting me in more and more pain. I hit a point around about 2020 or so where I was in so much pain that I couldn't write fiction. I continued to write nonfiction, but when you're carrying around a lot of physical pain, there comes a point where so much of your brain's activity goes into coping with it that you actually lose the ability to model other people's emotional states—or at least well enough to write fiction. So I was very frustrated, and I was despairing that I was ever going to be a novelist again. Then suddenly, what I was sick with went acute. I went to the emergency room, and they're like, “Oh, if you don't have surgery in the next 24 hours, you're going to die.” So I went and got surgery, and there was one bed in the whole state. There was a three-hour drive to get to the one that was available in the time window. I get there. They wheel me into the OR. I wake up afterwards, and I realise that I'm not in pain, and that I had never felt that before in my adult life. Jo: Wow. Dan: Just the walls of my whole reality came caving in. Two weeks later, I was back up and working, and since then I've been slowly reacquiring my ability to write fiction. So now I've got four novels going again, like I used to have going all the time, as well as doing a weekly column and all sorts of other stuff. Jo: I think a lot of people will be interested in this. A lot of writers have chronic pain issues or chronic health issues, and yours sounds like it was a sort of down, down, down, down—and then more of a sudden up. Maybe just talk a bit more, because I feel like a lot of the time people are too hard on themselves about, “Oh my goodness, if I can't write fiction, is it the end of everything?” So how did you adapt to that, with the mental health aspect of dealing with that change in circumstance? Dan: Well, it was happening so gradually, and it happened at the same time that a whole bunch of other weirdly stressful things happened, like COVID and a couple of family emergencies that derailed my whole life for a couple of years. I assumed it was just really bad stress that would pass with time. So I had the despairing feeling, because when you write fiction, it tends to occupy a central place in your self-concept. I'd also been through very tough times before, so I was like, “Well, got through that then, maybe I'll get through this now.” I just made sure to keep writing something, because at least you keep the discipline of the words flowing. There was still thought going on, so I would have ideas for novels and write them down. There were good days and bad days. Occasionally I would sit down and be like, “I feel like fiction today,” and I would write a couple thousand words, and then it would be 10 months before I could do that again. When you work with your mind, it is really easy to develop or sink into the delusion that your mind is not your body. Now, if you're paralysed or you're missing limbs, you can still write—but your mind and your body are a single system, and eventually, if something terrible is wrong with your body, it's going to affect your cognition, your emotive abilities, and all the things that we depend on for creativity. That doesn't necessarily mean that if you're sick or injured, or you've got chronic health problems from birth, that you can't write. It just means that it really is one of the factors that goes into shaping your experience of the world, that goes into shaping the way you process things and they come out on paper. When there's a massive change in your health, it's going to show up in your fiction somehow. If your health goes way down, especially if you get into a lot of pain or you have a terminal illness, your fiction's going to get darker. One of the reasons—I discovered this after I got my surgery—one of the reasons is that the sense of impending doom is actually a medical symptom of organ death. Jo: Well, don't say that to a dark writer like me. I have a sense of impending doom the entire time. Dan: Well, there's a cognitive sense of impending doom that you get if you're modelling systems and you see how things can go wrong. But the sense that you feel the claws of demons grasping at your heart all the time—that can be a medical symptom. So pay attention to that. I didn't know that until afterwards, or I'd have gotten looked at a lot sooner. Jo: That is really interesting. You mentioned there you are reacquiring the ability to write fiction, or that's what you've been focusing on. You also talked about having to reboot the business. So what are some of the concrete things you're doing to rebuild? Dan: Well, the first thing I did is I allowed myself to get talked into doing a weekly Substack column a couple of years ago, and that's worked out really well. Pay is pretty decent. I've been posting most everything for free except for some previews of upcoming books, but I'm now learning the art of paywalling, so that also helps. Getting paid for the weekly column is quite nice, and a side effect is that it does drive people occasionally to the fiction, even though I'm writing nonfiction. It more frequently drives people to the nonfiction books, but it gives me a good place to announce new releases, to promote book bundles, Kickstarters, and all that sort of thing. It's a very good place for that because the people who are subscribing there—especially the people who are subscribing and supporting—are interested enough in what I'm saying that they want my email every week. So it's a good filtering mechanism for building the email list as well. Jo: You used to do a lot of audio. That's how we connected way back, like 17 years ago, I think, when we first connected. So are you still doing a lot of audio? Dan: I am not at the moment. It's not because of a decision to drop the audio. It's because I am now building my house, and I don't have a place that's quiet enough to record dependably. I'm living in a little RV at the moment while I build the house. In the deep winter, everything is quiet enough in the forest to record some things, and so I do audiobooks for clients, and I work on audiobooks of my own that are coming out. It's not quiet enough to podcast, and it's not quiet enough to be recording any other time than when the whole world is asleep. Hopefully by next year I will have the recording studio building built, and then I'll be back at it. Because boy, I miss it. Jo: I know. So you mentioned there bundles and Kickstarters and things, and we reconnected because I bought a StoryBundle, and your new book, The Pitch-Perfect Author, was in the StoryBundle, which was part of why I bought it anyway. So let's get into the book and what's useful. Let's start with— What is author voice anyway, and why is it important? Dan: Author voice. Everything about the way that you write is part of your author voice. The themes that you gravitate to, the way that you turn a phrase, the way that you tell a joke, the way that you handle dramatic tension. When all of that combines, it creates in the reader's mind an emotional fingerprint, a gestalt that says, “This is a Joanna Penn book. This is a Dan Sawyer book,” or whoever. When you bring the focus down further, author voice is fundamentally an auditory phenomenon. You can see this if you look at the careers of writers who had major worldview shifts during their career, or who shifted genres. If you read an Isaac Asimov mystery, and you read Asimov's Guide to the Bible, and you read Isaac Asimov's The Robots of Dawn, they're all Asimov. You can hear him talking to you through all of those different venues. So author voice is not a genre thing. It's not dependent on content. It has to do fundamentally with how your brain processes language and how it comes out of your mouth. That, in turn, is based on patterns that were laid down when you were pre-verbal as an infant. You learned language by mapping the music of the conversations around you, and then gradually learning that the sing-song you were hearing corresponded to ideas. That's how the brain bootstraps itself into language. So when you start writing, just like when you start speaking, you wind up imitating a lot—unconsciously—the people you've read and heard, because that's how you develop your voice. There comes a point at which all the various influences on you, and who you are, and how they pass through you, crystallises into something definite. By the time you're a moderately competent writer, and you're finishing novels and short stories well, your author voice is pretty well established. But that doesn't mean it's sharp, because most people don't actually concentrate on learning to hear their author voice, so they can't tell when it's off. This is why new writers who revise a lot tend to revise their voice right out. When they write, they're using language as feels right to them, but when they read, they're reading it like an English teacher, or through the lens of someone who has very definite ideas about how grammar should work in all circumstances. So they tend to smooth the quirkiness out of their voice, and what you get is something flat. It doesn't feel alive. It may convey information, it may tell a good story, but it doesn't feel like you're entering something that's living. Jo: I think this is so difficult, especially for people who are new to writing. Because I remember very much spending the first few years going along to writers' conferences, and there were always sessions on “you must find your writer's voice.” You must find your author's voice, and we publish books because of the voice, and all this. It was very, very confusing to me. As you say, it has to emerge somehow, and yet that emergence seems to be very hard to accept. So what are some of the ways we can perhaps think about voice? You mentioned there some patterns. You talk about music. So what are some of those angles? In the book, you have different chapters on all of these things, but maybe just talk more about some of the elements. Dan: The first and most obvious is functional vocabulary. This is not the number of words that you know. These are the words that you can reach for in the moment. You can expand your functional vocabulary by deliberately using more words—burnish your inner thesaurus. The greater your functional vocabulary is, the more your personality is going to come out through your voice. When you've got more options to do something that's just the way that you want to do it, the closer it's going to be to the way you want to do it. So there's functional vocabulary. There's your native dialect and accent. You, being British, have a different set of preferred terms for everything than I, being a West Coast American, do. One of the great differences that's always visible between an English writer and an American writer is that you guys have a different way of speaking. When you speak of a difference between one thing and another, you talk about how this car is different to that car. And Americans say this car is different from that car. It always marks out a British writer versus an American writer. There are 100 little things like that. They happen not just between major countries, but within regions in every country. You could tell on paper the difference between someone from Yorkshire and someone from London, just as I can tell on paper the difference between someone from the West Coast and someone from Mississippi. Even if they're highly educated, the idiom, the preferred turns of phrase, the preferred imagery—all of that is going to be a little bit different, and it conveys that regionality. There's also the musicality of the language. This is the actual rhythm of the words with which you speak. When you learn to analyse poetry or to write poetry, you learn something called scansion. How a poem scans is—what are the beats of the lines, how are the beats of the lines related to each other, and how does the rhyme move in and out of that? A Shakespearean sonnet, or a sonnet from the Elizabethan era, has a specific metre, a specific number of lines, and a specific rhyme scheme, and the metre is iambic pentameter. An iamb is “bum-bum,” if I remember right. It's the rhythm of the heartbeat. It's “bum-bum, bum-bum, bum-bum.” And you can hear it in the name of the metre, the iamb. The iambic pentameter is where the stressed syllable is the second syllable and the unstressed syllable is the first syllable. All of Shakespeare is written in blank verse, which is unrhymed iambic pentameter. The pentameter is five feet per line, so one iamb is “bum-bum”—that's one foot—and five of those makes one line of Shakespeare. We all have inherent rhythms like that in the way we naturally speak, but we can also tweak those rhythms on purpose to achieve dramatic effect. The iamb has the sound of the heartbeat. It's a very reassuring speech rhythm. The trochaic is a much more rapid one—it mirrors the rhythm of a rapidly beating heart. So you see this a lot in Edgar Allan Poe, especially in his frenetic poems like “The Bells,” how they jingle, jingle, jangle on a hoary moonless night. There's a rushing sound to that metre. You're going to find that you will automatically do a little bit of this, just the way that you'll automatically have picked up the convention of breaking sentences up into shorter lengths during really exciting or suspense-filled parts of your book. Once you know what it is, you can start to use it on purpose. Quite a lot of developing your voice is learning to recognise these latent, existing qualities in the way you communicate, and sharpening them up and making them conscious tools that you can pull in whenever you want. Jo: On the one hand, there are a lot of technical words there that are really interesting, and maybe poets know a lot more of those words than most other writers. The book is really interesting in that way—kind of learning about these different things. I guess I want to reassure people as well that, as you said, some of this can be unconscious. So often when I'm self-editing and I'm reading a sentence to myself, there's something that doesn't feel right about it. So I will rewrite that sentence so that it feels right. Sometimes we do something that might be grammatically less correct, but it sounds better than it did before. So many of these things we almost know instinctively, just from reading so much. Dan: Oh, yes. From reading so much and talking so much, and again, from the way you acquire language. That gives you a template in your head of what sounds right. Language is inherently musical. So if you've ever listened to a song—especially one that wasn't recorded by a professional, but someone singing in a church choir, or your kid practising for a recital, or you practising for a recital—you know that feeling that happens when someone hits a wrong note. There's that little wince down in the core of your being, and then the song carries on and you forget about it, unless there are too many of them, in which case you just sort of cower and ooze out of the room. That feeling of “Ooh, someone just hit a wrong note”—that's exactly the feeling you get when you're reading through to edit your work and something is off in the technical layer of your voice. You should pay attention to that and rewrite so that it feels good, or feels great, which is even better. You've got the opposite of the wince, which is that sense of rapture and joy if you're listening to a professional musician and they go on an amazing guitar solo, or a flautist does an incredible trill that just sends shivers up your spine. That sense of excitement and joy—that's what happens when you're reading and the author does something with the language that makes the whole piece fly. So you want to be paying attention for those too, because those you'll commit without intending to. When you're reading back and you find those, you want to make note of them, because that's you seeing where you are at your strongest with your voice. By learning both where you're making mistakes and where you're being brilliant—just like with anything else—you can start to advance towards being brilliant more often and making fewer mistakes. Jo: Then there's a difficulty around where the line is, especially when you're an early-stage writer. Many people work with editors, and you mentioned the problem of revising your voice away, and that may also happen if you're working with an editor. Like you said, as a Brit, I work with an American editor, Kristen, and she's excellent. She's very, very good at letting my voice be my voice, and then fixing things that make it better. But a lot of people don't feel that way about their editors. So how can people understand where those lines are between being well-edited and becoming a better writer, and then needing to hold the line on their voice? Dan: It really helps if you understand where you are weak. Why are you hiring the editor in the first place? I'm a big believer in the utility of having other eyes on the manuscript, but it's really important to know what you're looking for from them. You and I have both been to the Oregon Coast writing seminars, back when that was a thing. Jo: Mm. Dan: One of the things they would talk about with editors is when you've got a story editor or a beta reader who says, “Hey, something here didn't work in the story for me,” you usually don't want to look at that point. You want to trace back from that point to figure out where you set the wrong expectation. Any editorial feedback is going to have a gap between what they notice and what really needs to be fixed. As a writer, learning to interpret the feedback properly so that you actually elevate the material, instead of interpreting the feedback like you're trying to do customer service for an employer, where you just want to make the customer happy, is a really important skill to develop. That's regardless of whether the feedback has to do with voice or plot or characterisation or whatever. Some editors are really good at back-tracing and actually spotting the real problem. Editors make their money, or get hired, or get picked by you to volunteer, because they're good at being an audience—not because they're good at being a writer. So learning to interpret the editorial feedback is a really important step in that maturation journey. Jo: Yes. I think “maturation journey” is a good way to put it. Personally, I think it was around book five when I really felt, “Okay, now I see what my voice actually is.” Like, it had to be five novels, and then I was like, “Okay, now I know.” I just didn't get it before then, and then finally—I don't know—a penny dropped or something. Maybe I grew into it, grew more confident, that kind of thing. Dan: Yes, and that's actually about right. If you look at writers with a big catalogue, five books in is usually where they start really sounding like them. So that's a pretty normal maturation curve. There is a way to speed it up, which is to read your books aloud—or even better, make audiobooks and then listen to them a thousand times. Listen to them until you are sick of them, and then listen to them until you start to like them again. Jo: That's a lot. Dan: It's a lot, but there's a really specific neurological mechanism at work. You're familiar with the comedy term “crossing the line twice,” right? Jo: Not really. Dan: Okay. Have you seen the Monty Python Spam sketch? Jo: Yes. Dan: Okay. So for those of you who have not seen this—in the Monty Python Spam sketch, there's a couple, they're in a diner, and everything on the menu has spam in it. They say the word “spam” so much that you just want to shoot your television. But they keep it up, and then suddenly, at some point—it's a different point for everybody watching—they keep it going on long enough that everybody gets there. At some point, the word “spam” itself becomes hilarious, and you can't stop laughing, and you don't know why, because it shouldn't work, but goddammit it really does. It's so funny that we named junk email “spam” after this sketch, because it's a whole bunch of stuff that you don't want, but it keeps showing up anyway. That's crossing the line twice. What's going on is that your brain is getting accustomed to a sound. It has extracted all of the meaning it can, and so it's doing what it does with all sensory input. When it thinks it's got it mapped out, it's trying to filter it. Unless you are going to sit and concentrate on it, you can't feel the texture of the fabric of your clothing on the back of your legs, because your brain—despite the fact that it's getting that input all the time—is filtering that out, because it needs you to have your resources free for thinking. When you experience something over and over and over, no matter what it is or how complex it is, the brain habituates like that. But if that signal refuses to be filtered, and the input keeps coming, and it keeps getting more intense, or it stays persistent and it's too complex to filter easily, your brain starts to think, “Oh, maybe I shouldn't be filtering this out.” “Maybe there's meaning here that's important for my survival that I hadn't extracted.” And so suddenly it starts searching for meaning to associate with that sensation—and that's the point at which the joke becomes funny again, or you start to experience your voice as if it's somebody else's. When you begin to experience your author voice as if it's somebody else's, you can hear it as a distinct, objective style, rather than just as an echo of the voices that are in your head. That's why music students practise over and over and over, even on a piece they know cold. They're doing the same trick that I'm advocating with listening to your audiobooks until you're not sick of them anymore. Jo: I mean, I think that's terrifying, because I just don't want to listen to my books over and over again. I think it's very interesting that you think it could shortcut that voice process. Staying on audio—since we last spoke, I have done a lot of my own audiobook narration, mainly for nonfiction, but also my short stories. I haven't done my full-length fiction. What I discovered in doing this is that what read fine to me when I was self-editing my own work on the page—and obviously I'm hearing it in my head—when I perform the audiobook, I actually have to edit things again. So what are some of your tips for how we can bridge that gap? Because that's kind of strange. Dan: So what's happening is that there's a much wider latitude of things that work on the page than what works with voice. The reason is that with voice, all of those rhythmic elements I was talking about before are really pronounced, as well as all the sensual elements. Basically every word and sound has a mouth shape. The mouth shape affects the emotional valence of the sound. Stuff that's unpleasant tends to have a really close-in feel—I'm trying to scrunch my face up—where you would grit your teeth and scrunch up your face if something is unpleasant. And if something is really pleasant, it tends to have a rounded feel, and our language reflects it. In fact, all languages reflect this, because language is a physical thing that's based on the sensuality of the body. So, like, in all cultures “mama” is the word for mother that babies first say, regardless of what it is. It has a round feel, because babies associate their mother with roundness. A lot of language is built up that way, from baseline sensual cues. When you're working just in text, that aspect is not nearly as obvious to you. When you're reading, it's not as obvious to you. It's still at play, but when you go to do something verbally, and you go to read a text, all of those sensual cues come in at the same time. Then the rhythm comes in hard, and you suddenly realise that—hey, that conveys the thought, but it doesn't feel right. So you wind up retooling a bit. There's also occasionally tongue twisters, which you have to work your way around. So that's why that happens. Jo: Then I guess another thing—I hear quite often, people say, “Oh, I don't like my voice.” And they mean, “I don't like speaking out loud. I don't want to be on video. I don't want to be on audio.” I wonder— Does that sort of resistance potentially affect their writing voice? Are there ways people can get over that feeling? Dan: Yes, for sure. There are a few things that go into that. One is basic self-loathing. A lot of people carry it around. Most people learn to make a decent life even though they kind of secretly suspect that they're not worth anything, or they secretly find themselves revolting. That kind of thing you can't really fix with exercises. That's something you fix with — Jo: Therapy. Dan: Psychological work, or spiritual work, or that kind of thing. Jo: Yes. Dan: But the not liking the sound of your own voice—that's easy to fix. Here's why it happens. When you're listening to your voice as you speak, the bones in your head are amplifying the bass signals and attenuating the treble. It's kind of like if you were to shout in another room and your spouse hears you, but they can't make out the consonants. That's because all the consonants are being filtered out by the wall in between, but the bass is being resonated through. The same thing happens in your head. So when you get on a microphone—especially if it's an accurate microphone—you're suddenly hearing what everybody else hears when you speak, and it sounds thin and tinny and unpleasant compared to what you're used to hearing. The really easy way to get around this is to get a microphone that is tuned for singers. The condenser mic that I have isn't made anymore, so I can't really recommend a good condenser mic. If you're on a dynamic mic, the Shure SM58 is the one to use. I podcasted with that for years before I could afford an upgrade. It is tuned for singers to sound as good as possible without any other help from the sound engineer, which means that the baseline sound for that microphone is what you're hearing in your head. If you use the right equipment, you get around that problem really quickly, to the extent that you can technically. Then after that, it's just a matter of crossing the line twice. You listen to yourself enough that you stop hearing, “Oh my God, I'm talking,” and you start hearing, “Oh, that voice is making this sound.” And once you hear, “Oh, it's that voice making this sound,” you don't have that problem anymore, ever again. Jo: Oh, good. Well, hopefully that's fixed it for people. And of course, there are lots of brilliant things in the book, The Pitch-Perfect Author. Before we finish up, I did want to return to your Substack. I was having a look at it, and it includes some really interesting things. Like, you're doing this metalwork, which is really cool. It felt coherent to me, because I know you, and you're a polymath, and you're interested in so many things. So your Substack kind of stood out to me as quite eclectic, compared to, say, other writers who are going on Substack to try and sell specific books. So is this a deliberate marketing choice, or is it just be an interesting person and you will attract people who are interested more generally? Dan: Well, I suppose it kind of winds up being the latter, but basically it's that I get bored easily. If I'm going to be writing every week, I need to stay interested in it. One of the books I wrote when I was really sick—that's not out on the market yet, but it is serialised on Substack—is a guide to self-education. It'll be coming out later this year on the general market. It's called Reclaiming Your Mind: An Autodidact's Bible. I talk in there quite a bit about the illusion of discrete areas of knowledge. There is a level of learning at which the silos of information start to collapse together. Woodworking and writing have a lot to do with each other. A lot of the terminology we use in writing is pulled from the trades—especially woodworking, and metalworking, and gunsmithing. As you begin to spot these connections between different areas of knowledge, it becomes really easy to slide between them for your hobbies, for your writing, for just your personal gratification. As I've gotten older—and also as I've gotten access to a little space that's not contained within a teeny little apartment—I have just gone with it. As I've discovered, “Hey, this thing is tangentially connected to this other thing over here,” I'm like, “Oh, well, I'm going to go over to this other thing and see what's over there.” It's tremendously creatively fertile. Since a lot of the things that our language connects us to have to do with trades and crafts and nature, it gets you out in the open air, which is really good for any writer—because sitting at a desk all day is worse than smoking three packs of cigarettes a day for 40 years. Jo: I love that. Dan: My curiosity is the chief feature of my Substack, and it kind of works for me as a writer, because it's also one of the chief features of my fiction. Jo: Me too, and I was actually quite inspired by your Substack. Because I think this happens when you've been in the writing industry long enough. Substack has become the sort of trendy place to be now. People are going into specific niches, very much like blogging did, and then podcasting had to be on a specific niche, and all this. Of course, we know logically that, marketing a book—you know, if you had just a Substack on voice mastery, then for sure that would be a better marketing vehicle. But, as you say, how boring. Dan: Well, it depends a lot on what you're trying to cultivate as an author. If you're a single-genre author with a very narrow niche, and you're really happy writing that kind of stuff, then a narrow column supporting it is not a bad idea. Especially when you serialise old novels, once you've got 20 or 30 under your belt. That's not a bad idea, because you're trying to attract people who want one thing and want it regularly. If I were to get a reader who wants one thing and wants it regularly, and finds it, say, in my Clarke Lantham mysteries, and then they hop over to my science fiction—oh boy, are they going to be pissed. If they're not there for my voice, and they're just there for the way I write a mystery plot, then not only are they not going to get what they're looking for—but they're going to start to doubt whether they can trust that they're going to get what they're looking for in my next mystery. Whereas if they're coming to me through something where the multiplicity of what I'm doing is on display—whether that's this Substack, or whether that's what I used to do on The Every Day Novelist when I was podcasting that, or whether it's what I did with all the after-shows on my fiction podcast when I was doing that—then they kind of know what they're in for. The people who stick with me are more likely to be people who are in it for the experience of my voice. And for my bibliography, that's what I've got to offer, because I'm all over the place in terms of genre and subject matter. Jo: Yes, which is why I find you interesting. Dan: Oh, why thank you. Jo: So where can people find you and your books online? Dan: Well, you can find pretty much everything at JDsawyer.net. I've got the weekly column at jdanielsawyer.substack.com. At jdsawyer.net there's a page with all of my podcasts on it, and there's also a store with all of my books on it. Of course, everything is also available on Amazon and just about everywhere that the distributors take you. Jo: Brilliant. Well, thanks so much for your time, Dan. That was great. Dan: Thank you, Joanna. It was great to talk to you again.The post Author Voice Mastery, And Rebooting an Author Business With J. Daniel Sawyer first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Save Ocean Sensors: The Fight Over the Ocean Observatories Initiative A $386 million network of nearly 900 ocean sensors stretching across five sites from Oregon to Alaska to Greenland was being quietly dismantled, with no warning to Congress and no explanation to the public. In this episode, we trace the fight to save the Ocean Observatories Initiative: what this network actually does, why it matters far more than most people realize, and how a Democrat from Oregon and a Republican from Alaska teamed up to pass a bill stopping it in the span of a day and a half. We talk with Craig McLean, who spent more than 40 years at NOAA, including two stints as NOAA's Chief Scientist, about what's really at stake when ocean monitoring infrastructure disappears, and why this fight is part of a much bigger pattern. We also revisit a warning from a past guest, marine ecologist Dr. Andrew Thaler, that's looking less hypothetical by the day, and lay out exactly what you can do to help make sure this win sticks. In This Episode What the Ocean Observatories Initiative actually measures, and why it matters for your weather forecast, your insurance rates, and what farmers plant each season The Coastal Endurance Array off Oregon and Washington, and why pulling it out right as an El Nino forms is especially bad timing, per OSU oceanographer Jack Barth How Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) found out sensors were already being removed, and how they got the Saving the OOI Act passed unanimously in under two days Craig McLean's read on why this kept happening, from the role of the Office of Management and Budget to the broader pattern of cuts to federal science A look back at a warning from marine ecologist Dr. Andrew Thaler about Project 2025's plans for NOAA, and how that warning is playing out in real time What happens next: the NSF's review process, and how you can track it and find out where your own senators stand Featured Voices Craig McLean spent over 40 years at NOAA, where he founded the Ocean Exploration Program and served as NOAA's Chief Scientist, including being reinstated after being removed from the role for defending scientific integrity. He is now a senior fellow at the Ocean Foundation. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) led the bipartisan push for the Saving the OOI Act, featured here via Senate floor remarks. Dr. Andrew Thaler, marine ecologist and conservation technologist, returns in spirit from a past episode where he broke down Project 2025's plans to dismantle NOAA. Jack Barth, oceanography professor at Oregon State University, provided background on the Coastal Endurance Array via KATU News. The Bill The Saving the OOI Act passed the Senate unanimously, pausing NSF's decommissioning of the Ocean Observatories Initiative pending a full review with stakeholder input. It was led by Senators Merkley and Murkowski and cosponsored by Senators Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Jack Reed (D-RI), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Patty Murray (D-WA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). Resources & Links Saving the OOI Act, full text and cosponsor list: Congress.gov NSF Ocean Observatories Initiative updates: oceanobservatories.org Senator Merkley's press release on the Saving the OOI Act: merkley.senate.gov "Scientists warn Oregon could lose critical ocean data under federal cuts," KATU News Take Action If your senator is one of the twelve who championed or cosponsored the Saving the OOI Act, send them a thank you. If they didn't, let them know this issue matters to you. Watch for the NSF's Dear Colleague Letter and expert panel process, your chance to weigh in on what happens to OOI long-term.

The Bay City Arts Center is a place of connection through art, conversation. radio shows, and more. Executive Director Lauren Sorg speaks with Oregon Grapevine host Barbara Dellenback about the art that is in all of us. They talk about the creative forces that bring the coastal community together.

The Charleston Marine Life Center offers touch tanks, whale skeletons and hands-on exhibits while connecting visitors with marine science on the Oregon coast.

We are SO back. On this edition, the preview episode for the first Oregon Coast trip that doesn't require me to fly thousands of miles. Added bonus: Brock frieking Dittus is going to be returning to the podcasting airwaves for this one as we ride a portion of the Oregon coast. As usual… there are question marks for any ride I ride, so we'll cover them here.

In September 2025, Oregon became the first state in the nation to be verified for its accessibility for travelers with disabilities by the travel website Wheel the World. The company worked with Travel Oregon to assess hundreds of hotels, restaurants, tourism providers and state parks in seven regions across the state for their accessibility. That includes features like step-free entrances at museums or specialized wheelchairs available to venture onto a beach on the Oregon Coast.    But the state’s efforts to promote its accessibility doesn’t mean that barriers don’t still exist for travelers with physical or neurocognitive disabilities. Small hotel owners and tourism operators may also lack awareness about best practices to engage with these travelers or struggle with how to become more accessible online and in person.    To address these gaps, researchers at Southern Oregon University received a grant from Travel Oregon to develop and roll out training workshops at 12 locations across the state for travel industry professionals and other stakeholders. The training includes guidance on best practices and role-playing exercises where participants can experience, for example, what it’s like to navigate a carpeted hotel lobby in a wheelchair or to receive information during an emergency as a person who is hard of hearing.    Pavlina McGrady, an associate professor in the school of business at Southern Oregon University and Rebecca Williams, an assistant professor in the school of business at SOU, joined us on Oct. 2, 2025, to discuss the project. We also heard from Ulysses McCready, a junior at SOU who is blind and assisted with this effort.  

Coos Art Museum in Coos Bay celebrates the 90th anniversary of its historic Art Deco building while showcasing maritime art in its annual "Surge" exhibition.

Travels With Randy Summer Of '26 Episode 2 is here! The Oregon Coast  Randy's Travel and Health Routine Randy and Bubba discussed Randy's routine while traveling in Washington, including his daily visits to Starbucks and his property maintenance activities. Randy shared that he has lost nearly 20 pounds by eating only twice daily (at 9 AM and 2 PM) with under 1,500 calories, and his goal is to live to at least 90 years old to match his father's age at death. The conversation touched on health and aging, including discussions about maintaining mental faculties and the appearance of older actors in media. Aging, Stunts, and Road Trip Bubba and Randy discussed memory lapses associated with aging, followed by a conversation about Tom Cruise's physical stunts at his age. The discussion then shifted to Randy's current road trip along Highway 101, where he shared his observations about the Oregon coast, including its long beaches and sand dunes, particularly in the Bandon area. Highway 101 Coastal Route Challenges Randy discussed the historical context of Highway 101, which was built in the 1920s-1930s around the same time as Route 66, and described how sand dunes are encroaching on the road in some sections. He explained the challenges of driving along the Oregon coast, including erosion, rockslides, and rough road conditions that require careful driving at lower speeds. Randy shared that this was his first successful attempt at completing the entire coastal route in four years, as previous attempts were hampered by storms and road closures. Oregon Travel Exploration Highlights Randy shared details about their recent trip through Oregon, describing how they slowed down their typical fast travel style to explore small towns and experience local attractions. They visited several lighthouses including Heiseta Head Lighthouse, stayed at a Harvest Host location at a cheese farm in Tillamook, and tried sparkling Chardonnay wine for the first time. Randy explained their approach of using meal times as a guide to find popular local restaurants and making use of free overnight stays at businesses like wineries through the Harvest Host program. Oregon Coast Travel and Photography Randy discussed his recent trip along the Oregon coast, describing the distinctive characteristics of West Coast beaches including rocky terrain, driftwood, and tide pools. He compared the coastal development to Route 66, noting that the Oregon coast road has consistent demand due to its proximity to major population centers like Portland and Salem, resulting in more homes for rent rather than the motel-heavy development seen on Route 66. Randy also shared his approach to photography, explaining how they use AI to remove unwanted elements from photos, particularly power lines and people, while emphasizing the ethical importance of disclosing when AI modifications are made to images. AI Tools and Travel Discussion The participants discussed their use of AI tools, particularly Beth (an AI assistant) and ChatGPT, with Randy explaining he primarily uses Beth for questions while traveling and recently started using ChatGPT's image editing features. They had an extended conversation about Route 66, including details about Ted Drewes custard shop in St. Louis and the history of Highway 101 in Oregon, which was completed in 1936. The discussion concluded with Randy sharing his positive experiences visiting Newport on the Oregon coast, describing its various attractions including lighthouses, wildlife, and restaurants. US Road Trip Recommendations Randy shared recommendations for road trips in the United States, highlighting the Pacific coast route as their top choice due to its beauty, while Route 66 holds personal significance. He discussed driving conditions along the coast, including winding roads and the need for flat terrain for data center construction. The conversation also touched on recent stock market gains in AI-related companies like Dell and AMD, with Randy noting that while consumer AI applications may not generate significant revenue, the technology is creating efficiency and job opportunities rather than replacing them. Future Travel Planning Discussion Bubba and Randy discussed their recent travels and plans for future trips. Randy shared details about his upcoming road trips, including a planned journey along Highway 2 and a potential ferry trip to Alaska. They also talked about the upcoming centennial celebration of Route 66 and Randy's plans to travel it again in September. The conversation included recommendations for visiting the Oregon coast and the Columbia River area. SO. MANY. PHOTOS - Come join the conversation on Facebook with our 33,000 friends! https://www.facebook.com/travelswithrandypodcast Have a great idea for the guys?  Want to sponsor us?  Want us to sell something National Park or Route 66 related? Want to be a guest? Want to pay for both of us to go to Alaska? Want me to stop asking questions?   bubba@travelswithrandypodcast.com !!

In last week's episode, host Aislyn Greene shared the story of towing a 20-foot Airstream down the Oregon coast in an all-electric Rivian truck — the campsite mishaps, the strangers who became friends, the joy of slow travel. This week, she's back with the practical guide: how an EV road trip actually works when you're towing, and what to know before you try one yourself. Aislyn sits down with Sarah Eslinger, who heads up Rivian's Adventure Network, to talk about how the company has been quietly building fast-charging infrastructure in the places EV drivers actually want to go — not just along interstates, but on the edge of Death Valley, outside Yellowstone, along the Blue Ridge Parkway, and yes, all along Oregon's Highway 101. They get into why 70 percent of Adventure Network sites are trailer-friendly, how the built-in trip planner factors in elevation, heat, and trailer weight, and why Rivian tested its charging bays with an Airstream. Then Aislyn shares the five things she wishes she'd known before hitching up — from how much range to expect when towing, to the adapter you need to charge overnight at a campsite, to the trailer mirrors that will change your life. Whether you're EV-curious, RV-curious, or just love a good road trip, this one's a window into how the infrastructure for adventure travel is changing — and how much easier it's getting to take the scenic route. Chapters 00:00:00 Bonus Episode Setup 00:01:08 Inside Rivian's Adventure Network 00:03:15 Why the Trip Planner Works 00:05:08 Towing-Friendly by Design 00:06:50 Five Things to Know Before You Tow 00:09:25 The Verdict and What's Next Be sure to subscribe to the show and sign up for our podcast newsletter, ⁠Behind the Mic⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our second podcast, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Travel Tales⁠⁠⁠⁠, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us, and ⁠⁠⁠View From Afar⁠⁠⁠, where we spotlight the people and ideas shaping the future of travel. Unpacked by Afar is part of ⁠Airwave Media⁠'s podcast network. Please contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 If you’ve ever driven to the Oregon Coast, you’ve likely been on Highway 101. The scenic roadway was officially designated a federal highway 100 years ago in 1926. The highway changed how people across the state accessed the coast, bringing new opportunities for industry and tourism from Astoria to Brookings.  The Oregon Historical Society is celebrating the highway's 100th anniversary with an exhibit that runs through Oct. 11. Megan Lallier-Barron, curator of exhibitions for OHS, joins us to share more about the history of Highway 101.

What happens when the person who knows how to tow has to leave — and you're left with a 5,000-pound Airstream, an electric truck, and 800 miles of Oregon coast ahead of you? On this episode of Unpacked, host Aislyn Greene shares the story of the eight-day road trip she and her wife Jeannie took down the Oregon coast in August — towing an Airstream Basecamp 20 XE with a Rivian Tri-Motor R1T, with exactly zero towing experience between them. What was supposed to be a fully sustainable cycling-and-camping trip with friends became a crash course in trailer physics, EV charging, and the unexpected generosity of the RV community. In this episode you'll learn How Aislyn and her partner, Jeannie, went from zero towing experience to navigating a 5,000-pound Airstream down 500 miles of Oregon coast—and what actually made it possible The RV community secret nobody tells first-timers: once you've parked, everyone sits back and watches you do it Why the Rivian R1T's onboard charging calculator made range anxiety a non-issue, even towing a trailer across eight charging stops What Fort Stevens, Nehalem Bay, Cape Lookout, and Sunset Bay State Park each taught them about slowing down and asking for help The case for traveling in a way that forces you to rely on strangers—and why it felt especially powerful right now Plan your own Oregon coast trip Stay at the campgrounds we loved: Fort Stevens State Park, Nehalem Bay State Park, Cape Lookout State Park , and Bay Point Landing in Coos Bay. For your sunset swim: Sunset Bay State Park, south of Coos Bay. Plan your Oregon trip with Afar's Oregon guide. Read more about Afar's guide to road trips, including EV trips Borrow or rent a Rivian R1T and explore the Rivian Adventure Network — many sites along Highway 101 are designed for trailer-friendly pull-throughs. Tow an Airstream Basecamp 20 XE — Airstream's small, off-grid-friendly trailer built in partnership with REI. Chapters 00:00:00 The Plan vs. The Reality 00:03:30 Picking Up the Airstream Alone 00:06:10 First Drive on the Highway 00:08:30 Our First Parking Angel 00:11:00 The Nehalem Bay Disaster 00:14:30 Cape Lookout, Finally 00:18:30 A Bolt Falls Out 00:20:30 Why the Rivian Was the Hero 00:23:30 Sunset Bay 00:25:30 Coming Home Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben & Woods start the 8am hour by talking about Ben's next golf trip, which is actually coming up next week as he heads up to the Oregon Coast to play Bandon Dunes for the very first time! Then we play a game of Take On Woods before we get to an early edition of The Reindl Report and some of Paulie's top stories of the morning before a guest-heavy 9am hour! Listen here!

Our fearless Tarot reader & Oregon blatherer T pulls a card for us & narrates a bit about the Oregon Coast & Willamette Valley. Trigger warning: near deadly car accidents may be mentioned! Oh wait, I just mentioned one already, in the trigger warning.Photos, more episodes, personal Tarot readings, donate, support:tiffanyleebrown.com

David and Mark discuss this rock and worship classic Petra- Beyond Belief (1990)! Conviction? You bet. Petra means Rock. They talk about end times prophecy, Revelation and other biblical references, different sounds and lineup over the decades, the "film" including music videos on an island rock in the Oregon Coast, skippable tracks and possible worship songs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

According to scientists at the Cascadia Research Collective, gray whale populations off the Washington coast are experiencing a higher level of early-season mortality than they’ve ever recorded. Just this year, three gray whales have been found off the Oregon Coast, and 14 have been found off the coast of Washington. The whales that have been found stranded in Washington and Oregon appear to have been extremely malnourished. Scientists think that melting sea ice due to climate change in the arctic is reducing the whales’ food supply, leading to the uptick in whale deaths recorded along the entire West Coast. John Calambokidis is a senior research biologist and a co-founder of the Cascadia Research Collective who has been studying gray whales for over 50 years. He’s one of the first to dispatch when a gray whale washes up on the coast of Washington. Calambokidis joins us to discuss these trends and what it means for gray whale populations in our region.

The Heceta Lighthouse Bed & Breakfast on the Oregon Coast used to be a lightkeeper's home–and it has a reputation for being very haunted. So Spooked producer, Zoë Ferrigno, went to investigate. Produced by Pam Porter's Granddaughter, Zoë Ferrigno. Original score by Doug Stuart. Artwork by Teo Ducot. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Send us Fan MailAstoria Visual ArtsJan sits down with Annie Eskelin, Executive Director of Astoria Visual Arts (AVA), to explore how a passion for art can shape an entire community. Annie shares her journey from growing up in rural Alaska — where she never met a professional artist until college — to leading one of the most vibrant arts organizations on the Oregon Coast. They talk about AVA's artist residency program, the rapid growth of free kids' art classes, outdoor summer art camps at Fort Stevens, the newly expanded gallery on Commercial Street, and the beloved Astoria Open Studios Tour coming up July 25–26. Annie also opens up about what it means to lose yourself in the creative process, why art is more than just paintings, and how community funding is the backbone of it all. If you've ever believed art is a luxury, this conversation might just change your mind.[00:01] Jan: Are you looking for an inspiring listen, something to motivate you? You've come to the right place. Welcome to Women of the Northwest, where we have conversations with ordinary women leading extraordinary lives.[00:12] Motivating, inspiring, compelling.[00:16] Jan: Hey, everybody. Welcome to Women of the Northwest. I am so glad you're here today, because I have an exciting interview for you.[00:24] I have Annie Eskalin, who is the executive director of Astoria Visual Arts, also known as Ava Welco. Welcome, Annie.[00:32] Annie: Hi, Jan. It's wonderful to be here. Thanks for having me on.[00:36] Jan: Some of you know that I started chapter of 100 Women who Care,[00:42] where we recognize local nonprofits and Annie. And came to represent SRE Visual Arts. And, oh, what an exciting program that is. And I just thought, wow,[00:55] more people need to know about this and find out about it and come and see it. So,[01:01] Annie, I want to start out by asking you,[01:03] what drew you to art? Is that something you did as a little girl, or is it something.[01:09] What's your story?[01:11] Annie: Well, I have an art degree and also a business degree. And I.[01:17] When I was growing up, I was naturally drawn to art. It was an advanced art whenever there was an opportunity for it. I grew up in rural Alaska,[01:29] and there wasn't a lot of art opportunity there.[01:33] There were not a lot of professional artists. I actually didn't meet my first professional artist until I was in college.[01:43] Yeah. And then I think, like a lot of art majors, you just end up taking art classes because they are so fun and fulfilling, and then you find yourself with a art degree.[01:57] Jan: And now what? Yeah. Yeah.[01:59] Annie: So, yeah, this is the path that has led me. Actually, one of my art professors,[02:05] he turned me onto a job that was in legrand as the executive director of the Union County Art and Culture center, which is now Art Center East.[02:15] And so that was my first involvement with a nonprofit.[02:20] And it was really exciting. And really, it was one of those things where the bus stopped there for me.[02:29] And then my husband and I moved to Astoria a decade ago,[02:34] and this job came up, and I applied for it and got it. And no, it's. It takes a lot of your heart, your soul, and time.[02:45] But I definitely found that I have,[02:48] you know, role that's very fulfilling for me.[02:51] Jan: Because you're passionate about it.[02:53] Annie: I am passionate about it, yes. Absolutely.[0  Subscribe to the Women of the Northwest podcast for inspiring stories and adventures.Find me on my website: jan-johnson.com

Feliks Banel's guest on this BONUS EPISODE of CASCADE OF HISTORY is Andrew Smalldon, Education Technician at the Bureau of Land Management's Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area near Newport, Oregon. Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area is operated by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and is open to visitors year-round. It features the tallest historic lighthouse on the Oregon Coast, an interpretive center, plus miles of trails that give access to the area's rich geologic history, as well as places to witness seasonal bird migration and watch for whales. CASCADE OF HISTORY spoke with the BLM's Andrew Smalldon on Monday, March 23, 2026. Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area website: https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/oregon-washington/yaquina-head-ona Links to more information as well as images related to most topics discussed on the show are often available at the CASCADE OF HISTORY Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/groups/cascadeofhistory CASCADE OF HISTORY is broadcast LIVE most Sunday nights at 8pm Pacific Time via flagship station SPACE 101.1 FM in Seattle and gallantly streams everywhere via www.space101fm.org. The radio station broadcasts from studios at historic Magnuson Park – located in the former Master-at-Arms' quarters in the old Sand Point Naval Air Station - on the shores of Lake Washington in Seattle. Subscribe to the CASCADE OF HISTORY podcast via most podcast platforms and never miss regular weekly episodes of Sunday night broadcasts as well as frequent bonus episodes. "LIKE" the Cascade of History Facebook page and get updates and other stories throughout the week, and advance notice of live remote broadcasts taking place in your part of the Old Oregon Country.

Coos Bay and North Bend are the largest metropolitan areas on the Oregon Coast. One of the big draws is fishing. A local group of women works to ensure the fleet is safe, well taken care of, and they fight to keep up with legislation that threatens the industry.

Huge changes are coming to 2LaneLife, and we're taking you along for the ride!Join Lance and Gaylin as they pull back the curtain on our most ambitious year yet. From being named ambassadors for the Route 66 Centennial to hitting the Oregon Coast, Sturgis, and the Arkansas Pig Trail, the 2026 calendar is packed.We're also addressing the big questions: We talk about Josh's departure, introduce Paul to the team, and Gaylin shares a very personal update regarding his recent prostate cancer diagnosis and the importance of PSA tests. Plus, find out how YOU could fly out to California to ride with us as part of our 100K Subscriber Giveaway!Episode Highlights:Welcome & Intro (Meet Paul!)The BIG 100K Subscriber Giveaway AnnouncementChannel Updates: Where is Josh?2026 Ride Plans: Route 66 Centennial & MoreGaylin's Health Update: Prostate Cancer & PSA TestsPro Riding Tips: Downhill Cornering & BrakingSupport the Show:Our Website: 2lanelife.com (Use code: YOUTUBE for 10% off!)Rent a Bike: Get 10% off EagleRider rentalsLegal Protection: If you're in an accident, call Law TigersOUR WEBSITE: https://2lanelife.com/ USE CODE: "YOUTUBE" FOR 10% OFF OF PARTS & ACCESSORIES2LANELIFE INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/2lanelife/GAYLIN'S INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/xerox57/LANCE'S INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/biglancec/Want to SAVE on EagleRider Rentals? - CLICK HEREABOUT 2LANELIFEWe travel the country on our Harley-Davidson motorcycles, exploring some of the best roads the country has to offer. Our goal is to share all of the neat history and attractions across the back roads, a.k.a. the 2Lanes of America using a cinematic approach unique to our experiences. Along this journey, we meet tons of amazing people, and learn something new every time. We are here to inspire travel!Friends:Thrashin' SupplyLegend SuspensionsCustom Dynamics Motorcycle LightingEagleRider Motorcycle Rentals & Tours Feuling PartsKlock WerksCobra USAMaxima Racing OilsBell HelmetsSaddlemenRockford FosgateLaw Tigers Motorcycle LawyersGET YOUR MOTORCYCLE PARTS & ACCESSORIES AT ...

Feliks Banel's guests on this BONUS EPISODE of CASCADE OF HISTORY are Rita Welch, director of the Tillamook Air Museum in Tillamook, Oregon and museum curator Christian Gurling. The Tillamook Air Museum is located in a World War II blimp hangar, the roof of which was badly damaged in a windstorm in December 2025. The museum - which is located on the Oregon Coast roughly 90 minutes by car from Portland, Oregon - remains closed. The hangar, which was built by the U.S. Navy in 1942, belongs to the Port of Tillamook Bay. As Rita Welch and Christian Gurling explain in this conversation recorded on Friday, February 27, 2026, addressing the damage and the future of the hangar is a complex and very expensive proposition - and much fundraising will be required. More information about Tillamook Air Museum: https://www.tillamookair.com/ Donate to support Tillamook Air Museum: https://www.tillamookair.com/donations CASCADE OF HISTORY is broadcast LIVE most Sunday nights at 8pm Pacific Time via flagship station SPACE 101.1 FM in Seattle and gallantly streams everywhere via www.space101fm.org. The radio station broadcasts from studios at historic Magnuson Park – located in the former Master-at-Arms' quarters in the old Sand Point Naval Air Station - on the shores of Lake Washington in Seattle. Subscribe to the CASCADE OF HISTORY podcast via most podcast platforms and never miss regular weekly episodes of Sunday night broadcasts as well as frequent bonus episodes. "LIKE" the Cascade of History Facebook page and get updates and other stories throughout the week, and advance notice of live remote broadcasts taking place in your part of the Old Oregon Country.

Portland MC Mat Randol believes in the challenges of hip hop: to grow and evolve, to live at the edge of his comfort zone, to tell the truth, and to find the joy. On the mic he's dexterous, dynamic, and confessional...but he also wouldn't say no to a few choice sips in the studio. His 2026 is scheduled to be a non-stop banger of releases, collaborations, and live music. Plus, he's a great hang, as you'll hear in this episode. He stopped by to discuss the timely feedback that altered the direction of his musical approach, building the experiences that add up to an artist, and keeping his core themes fresh. And he drops some WORLD PREMIERES on us! Music this week:"Randy's Song" by Mat Randol (16:39)"Lee Me Be" by Keys Open Doors ft. M.D (29:43)"Since You've Been Gone" by Mat Randol (43:11)"Hopscotch" by Mat Randol ft. Zavy and Saige Wolley (62:39)"Oregon Coast" by Sweeps, luv pug (80:39)

IP 28 is anything but a "PEACE" Act. If voters approve this ballot measure, hunting, fishing, raising animals....gone.  We'll talk about it.Also,  crab fishermen on the Oregon Coast are pissed over new possible regulations.  We have two fishermen joining us to explain. 

In this episode of The MFR Coach Podcast, I talked with master certified life and leadership coach Caryn Gillen about what values based leadership looks like in practice and how grounding your decisions in your values creates more ease, more clarity, and more confidence in your business. We explore why alignment is often disruptive in the best way, how calm becomes contagious inside client relationships, and why understanding your values is one of the fastest pathways to making decisions without urgency or external approval. We also talk about pricing, integrity, and what shifts when you stop waiting for permission and start leading from intention. What You'll Learn: What values based leadership means and how Caryn uses it with clients Why alignment often feels disruptive and why that's not a problem How calm becomes contagious and shapes client work How values help therapists make confident pricing decisions Why leading without waiting for permission changes everything Additional Topics: What both coaches are hopeful about in the future of coaching Why boutique and intimate business models are resurging How Heather and Caryn think about capacity, rest, and life outside work The fear-based questions clients often avoid and how to use them Behind-the-scenes conversations about speaking, workshops, and live events If you're ready to apply values based leadership inside your MFR business and create a calm, confident, fully booked practice, explore Heather's Foundations Coaching Program at www.themfrcoach.com/foundation. You can also grab a seat at the next free webinar at www.themfrcoach.com/webinar. If you want a quiet, grounding space to step away and reconnect with yourself, you can book a stay at Heather's beach house on the Oregon Coast at https://beachbungalow4.com/. Guest Contact Information Connect with Caryn Gillen — Business Coach & Leadership Coach | Website   **This podcast is not medical advice and is not a substitute for consultation with an appropriate medical professional. We make no representations as to any physical, emotional, or mental health benefits that may be derived from listening to our podcast. Likewise, we do not make any representations or guarantees as to any possible income, business growth, additional clients, or any other earnings or growth benefits that may be derived from our podcast. Any testimonials, examples, or other results presented are the experiences of one client. We do not represent or guarantee you will achieve the same or similar results. You understand and agree you are solely responsible for any decisions you make from the information provided.**   The MFR Coach's Podcast includes affiliate links in its show notes. This means we may earn a commission if you click on or make purchases via the links in our show notes.

Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Go to www.Quince.com/SWAMPED for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!Download Swamp Dweller Scary Stories:Itunes: https://apple.co/2L7znZpSpotify: https://spoti.fi/2WUFDG8►join the swamp dwellers!►Subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyYjOfKMuuIv0oMjG68Reug►Follow me on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/swampdwellerofficial/►Join me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/iSwampDweller►'Like' my Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SwampDwellerReads►Submit stories to http://swampdweller.net/ or swampdwellereads@gmail.com

In the first half our guest is professional adventure cyclist, route developer and community organizer Sarah Swallow who recently rode the new Golden Gravel Trail, a 3,700-mile route from the Oregon Coast to the Mississippi River. In the second half Nedra speaks with Sarah D. FioRito, Transportation and Mobility Coordinator for the City of Evanston, Illinois.

90% of seafood consumed on the Oregon coast is imported, while most Oregon-caught seafood gets exported. This week, we explore how that's changing. We talk with Suzie O'Neill, Kaitlyn Rich, and Jon Bonkoski from Ecotrust, who just launched "Tending the Tides," a podcast about mariculture on the Oregon coast. Learn how oyster farmers became climate sentinels in 2007 when ocean acidification killed their larvae. Discover urchin divers using rock climbing techniques underwater in 50 pounds of lead, and how their catch feeds innovative closed-loop aquaculture systems growing seaweed and sea cucumbers. From selective breeding programs creating climate-resilient oysters to kelp forests buffering acidification, this episode reveals how Oregon is building regenerative ocean farming that honors Indigenous stewardship, avoids parachute science, and redefines what sustainable food systems look like. Featuring the Oregon Coastal Mariculture Collaborative's community-led approach to expanding "unfed aquaculture"—oysters and seaweed that grow without any inputs beyond what the ocean provides.

Have you ever thought, “I should know what to do by now,” but clarity still feels out of reach? In this episode, Brenda Winkle explores why clarity isn't a thinking problem, it's a nervous system one. If you're empathic, intuitive, and high-integrity, you're likely carrying emotional responsibility that isn't yours. When your body doesn't feel safe, clarity can't land, no matter how much you think, analyze, or ask for advice. In this episode, you'll learn: Why clarity is a somatic event, not a mental one How chronic over-attunement drains your decision-making capacity The hidden cost of being “the responsible one” What nervous system safety actually feels like in the body How embodied self-trust is built (not forced) Brenda also shares a personal story about recognizing misalignment - not from fear, but from integrity - and why trusting your body is part of an identity upgrade. ✨ Invitation: If you're navigating a decision and want space to hear yourself clearly, registration is open for the Intuitive Leader Retreat on the Oregon Coast, March 3–5, 2026. Enrollment closes February 26. Each week before the retreat includes a live bonus call available only if you're registered. No replays.

Identity isn't something you “figure out.” It's something you shift into. In this episode, Brenda breaks down four practical ways identity actually changes - not through mindset hacks or pressure, but through embodiment, nervous system safety, and self-trust. If you've done the training, earned the credentials, and still feel like you're negotiating with yourself to move forward… this episode will land. You'll learn why identity shifts can feel so destabilizing, how child parts and protector parts quietly shape your decisions, and what actually helps you step into the version of yourself you already know is emerging. In this episode, we explore: Why identity change can feel threatening to the nervous system The concept of secondary gain (what you may be unconsciously protecting) How clothing, roles, and self-permission reinforce identity Child parts vs. protector parts -and how they impact confidence and visibility Why you don't need one income stream to be “legitimate” How turning the spotlight outward makes identity shifts easier What internal safety has to do with decision-making Why over-consuming information can stall momentum Ways to go deeper: The Elixir – 14 on-demand somatic tools for emotional regulation https://www.brendawinkle.com/elixir Intuitive Leader Retreat (March 3–5, 2026 | Oregon Coast) https://www.brendawinkle.com/retreat2026 Spiritual CEO Membership https://www.skool.com/thespiritualceo/about Free Clarity Guide – discern next steps and mentorship alignment Free Energy Audit: brendawinkle.com/audit Keywords: Brenda Winkle, Your Yes Filled Life, podcast, leadership guide, psychic medium, somatic coach, identity transformation, shifting identity, personal growth, coaching, entrepreneurial identity, secondary gain, self-inquiry, physical appearance, clothing, identity fluidity, multiple roles, income streams, Internal Family Systems, child parts, protector parts, emotional healing, nervous system regulation, somatic coaching, Intuitive Leader Retreat, spiritual entrepreneurs, self-acceptance, internal dialogue, self-compassion, identity integration, authentic self, emotional regulation, Spiritual CEO membership, personal narrative, psychological insights, mindset shift, overcoming barriers, coaching industry perceptions, self-worth, community recognition, professional identity, self-discovery, personal narrative, listener engagement, podcast growth, self-empowerment, compassionate engagement.

Medicine finds its way into our lives not through textbooks, but by getting sand in our shoes, salt in our hair, and noticing how our hands long to be in the dirt—or on people.Liz Vitale didn't simply move to the Oregon Coast. She rooted herself there among fishermen, surfers, firefighters, foresters, Latina moms, and retirees. Over time she became part of the village, not just as a practitioner, but as a neighbor, a volunteer firefighter, a customer at the grocery store and regular at the surfer pub.In this conversation with Liz, we explore what happens when medicine is not practiced from behind clinic doors, but amidst the actual people it serves. We talk about treating fishermen underserved by mainstream care, how not to impose our “Chinese medicine stories” on patients, how community softens judgment, and how sometimes medicine works quietly—by helping people first feel seen.Listen into this discussion as we explore how healing unfolds differently in rural places, why living joyfully may be part of the prescription, how treating everybody includes those who don't agree with you, and how sometimes you find out how your treatments are working not from a clinic visit—but from the local pub, where someone shouts over fish and chips, “Liz, the herbs are working.”

Today, we're looking into the latest actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that are affecting our region. Joining host Claudia Meza on this midweek roundup is our very own senior producer, Giulia Fiaoni. Discussed in Today's Episode: Where Things Stand 2 Months After Trump Ordered Troops to Portland [OPB]  Another Oregon City Declares State of Emergency in Response to Federal Immigration Enforcement [Oregonian]  Feds Say Oregon 17-Year-Old Used His Car To ‘Violently Attack' ICE Agents [Oregonian]  Reeva's Extended Closure in Portland, Hope for Roberto's Return [Bridgetown Bites]  ICE Contractor Seeks 200 Hotel Rooms on Oregon Coast for Secretive Federal Plans, Newport Mayor Says [Oregonian] Judge Orders DHS Secretary To Return Coast Guard Helicopter to Newport [KGW] Become a member of City Cast Portland today! Get all the details and sign up here.  Who would you like to hear on City Cast Portland? Shoot us an email at portland@citycast.fm, or leave us a voicemail at 503-208-5448. Want more Portland news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Portland, and be sure to follow us on Instagram.  Looking to advertise on City Cast Portland? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise. Learn more about the sponsors of this December 3rd episode: Ace Handyman OMSI Our Just Future

King tide season is almost here. The exceptionally high tides, which in 2025 will occur in November, December and January, according to the Oregon King Tide Project, are an opportunity for excitement on the Oregon coast, but come with a heavy dose of caution for anyone hoping to see them. Before you pull on your rain gear and head out into the elements, here is everything you need to know about the king tides this year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, host Zach Urness talks with author Dan Shryock about his book on Oregon's Scenic Bikeways. Shryock, who wrote "Cycling Across Oregon" in 2024, talks about what inspired the book, his eight favorite rides and what he discovered along the way. The routes Shryock rode took him through deep forest, over the Cascade Mountains, onto the Oregon Coast and into eastern Oregon canyons.

The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians recently opened its first affordable housing development in Salem. The city is the second-largest population center for tribal citizens outside of Siletz, according to tribal housing officials. As reported in Underscore Native News, the complex includes two- to four-bedroom homes, with half of the 39 units reserved for residents who make below 80% of the area's median income. Vera Vasquez just moved into a home in the development, known as Kloshe Illahee Haws. Sami Jo Difuntorum is the executive director of the Siletz Tribal Housing Department. They join us to talk about the importance of creating affordable housing and fostering tribal culture outside of the Siletz reservation on the Oregon Coast.