Anthony Lakes - Camping, Fishing, Hiking

Opportunities for outdoor activity are pretty easy to come by in Oregon. In fact you kind of have to go out of your way to avoid them. But if you are looking for some summer fun then Anthony Lakes should be on your list.

The trip can be a bit on the long side, so plan to stay for a few days. Take I-84 to North Powder and exit. Then just follow the signs. If you have no idea where North Powder is, it is more or less near La Grande.

There are a couple of lakes up there and plenty of camping. There is a small charge to camp, but nothing a poor man can't afford. In addition if you really hate roughing it there are cabins available as well. There are several trails for hiking, all leading to some really fun views. The fishing is generally good though you should double check the stocking schedules just in case. Canoes, kayaks and swimming are all a ton of fun but motorized boats are not permitted.

It is pretty high up, so don't plan on going anytime other than summer and even then you should plan on cold nights and cool mornings with plenty of sun in the afternoons. Bring your sunscreen and your winter coat.

Visit Mt. Hood

There are a large number of wonderful places to see in Oregon, but if you are into mountains at all then might I suggest stopping off at Mt. Hood.

June through September are the ideal months, though there is of course skiing through the winter.

Activities include hiking, camping, fishing, and berry picking. There are many, many miles of trails to hike, ranging from beginner to very advanced. Opportunities to see wildlife in their natural habitate abound.

Of course this isn't the only mountain in Oregon, but it may well be the most famous. I do recommend you check it out if ever you get a chance.

Sturgeon Fishing, A Uniquely Oregon Experience

Catching sturgeon on the Columbia and Willamette rivers is one experience that really can't be had outside of Oregon. Of course there are sturgeon in other parts of the world, but the efforst that the Oregon department of fish and wildlife have gone through to preserve the species and keep fishing both fun and sustainable are remarkable.

Even when I don't manage to get any keepers, reeling in "shakers" or Sturgeon that can't be taken is a pleasure. These fish are magnificent to see when you reel them in and make a fine addition to any dining table.

If you are looking for an experience that you will remember for a lifetime and one that is unique to the Pacific northwest, then can I suggest sturgeon fishing.

Depot Bay Oregon

Depot Bay, Oregon is one of those charming coastal towns that offers a variety of interesting activities for those who love the ocean. From whale watching to charter fishing, there are always a number of different things to do in Depot Bay.

This is my personal favorite when I am looking to do some deep sea fishing. In general I use one of the charter services in the town, though I have also gone out on private vessels from time to time. Sometimes it can be difficult to make arrangement for a private vessel, and the charter services there are quite good. They offer not only fishing services but whale watching as well.

Having been up close and personal to a few whales, I can say that it is quite a spectacular experience. I really recommend it to anyone. This is not an experience that you can get from the discovery channel.

There are also several shops in Depot Bay. These are small business, owned and operated by locals and catering to the tourist crowd. Among these shops are a number of boutique antique dealers which are very fun to peruse if you are interested at all in antiques. I find the stroll down nostalgia lane quite refreshing.

If food is your thing, there are plenty of restaraunts in the area. And if you don't mind a 20 minute drive Lincoln City and Newport are just North and South along the highway.