UT Ecovore Bikes Northwest Oregon
Welcome to the new series: Ecovore.
Moss and fungus expand this Oregon forest's pallete
Basking in cool breezes, bird songs and lush vegetation reflecting every shade of green from pine to celery to nature’s twist on neon, I can hardly believe this haven once filled with the noise of logging operations and railway clatter. Regeneration of critical habitat is a welcome sight along the recently completed 21-mile Banks-Vernonia State Trail.
Who needs movies for escapism?
Located in the Willamette Valley, Oregon’s first “rails-to-trails” project is a locals’ secret for hiking and biking. Starting at Vernonia Lake trailhead at the north end, I pedaled the paved trail through mountain forests, along rivers and streams, and over bridges (including 80-foot-high railroad trestles) in Washington and Columbia counties. Awe-inspiring views included families of ducks, vitamin C-packed wild rose, slender waterfalls and trees (big leaf maples, alders) ornamented with moss, lichen, ferns and blossoms in the most fabulous hues, some naturally phosphorescent.
Near the south end is L.L. Stub Stewart State Park, transformed in 2009 from abandoned logging quarters to Douglas fir-filled welcome center for Rufous hummingbirds, cedar waxwings, black-headed grosbeaks and other animals. A lovely site to hike, bike and picnic, the park also offers overnight campsites and dogs-welcome cabins.
I began my ride with plenty of energy, thanks to a pre-biking dinner (veggie pasta, local produce, vegan brownies), comfy bed, sunrise yoga and breakfast (vegan French toast, Oregon hazelnuts, homemade granola and applesauce) I enjoyed at Coastal Mountain Sport Haus. The bed ‘n breakfast opened last year near the Nehalem River edge of Vernonia, a cute town tucked between that paragon of metro sustainability known as Portland and the dramatic Oregon coast.
On a former farm, Sandy and Glen Crinklaw built their cyclist- and veg-friendly B&B using sustainable materials and practices, drawing inspiration from cycling through Italian countrysides. The style? “Farmhouse chic,” says Glen during a tour of the green features, bicycle-themed art, unique bathrooms, and huge window-walled room used for special events and yoga classes taught by Sandy.
Four cows live steps away in a vintage barn; their only jobs are grazing and mooing to wake guests for morning yoga (well, more likely for breakfast visitation from Sandy).
There’s ample good and sustainable eats throughout the region, given the Pacific Northwest’s bounty of farmers’ markets. Also check Northwest VEG’s website for foodie spots as well as green events such as veg garden and barefoot running workshops. Signing off; pedaling onward.
I wanted to just "Be" in that comfy bed. But I was in the area for biking that quiet trail through the rolling hills and forest. So it was a good thing the B&B had sunrise yoga and the promise of a healthy veg breakfast to yank me out of bed.
This B&B is a fabulous place. My husband and I have enjoyed the food and charm of Glen and Sandy several times. We highly recommend it to anyone who wants to spend a quiet peaceful time to just BE!
[...] its green cred. I’m talking about Boston. Expanded greenways for walking, jogging and biking. Sustainable-local food trucks revving up the cartisanal culture. The [...]
[...] residents of this area walk, jog , canoe and bike their way in and around this urban green-space and are obviously both soothed and enriched in the [...]
[...] But this form of solution would require a service area accessible to the road which circles the park and we would need to push the building to the perimeter. This meant that there was only one [...]