Episodios

  • Zen and the art of glass float hunting on the Oregon coast

    Zen and the art of glass float hunting on the Oregon coast
    Apr 16 2026
    Finders Keepers is one of Oregon’s greatest treasure hunts, hiding more than 3,000 glass floats every year on the beaches of Lincoln City. And while those might seem like good odds, finding a float requires more than just looking. On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we take a stroll along the beaches of Lincoln City in search of hidden glass floats, discovering what it takes to actually find one. Co-host Jamie Hale recounts his recent float hunting journey, which took some unexpected twists and turns, and wound up with a surprising ending. Here are some highlights from this week’s show: What is Finders Keepers? Jamie’s plan to find a float in Lincoln City. Why the Lincoln City beaches are perfect for this kind of treasure hunt. Some of the best restaurants and attractions to see on your way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Más Menos
    27 m
  • Let’s talk about Abiqua Falls: Everything you need to know about Oregon’s newsiest waterfall

    Let’s talk about Abiqua Falls: Everything you need to know about Oregon’s newsiest waterfall
    Apr 9 2026
    While all of Oregon’s beautiful waterfalls deserve our attention, one in particular has been getting national headlines lately. On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we talk all about Abiqua Falls, the Silverton-area waterfall that went up for sale on Redfin over the winter, causing a stir locally and turning heads across the country. While the unusual sale has been the focus of recent attention, there’s a lot more to discuss about the beloved landmark, including its still uncertain fate and the treacherous journey hikers face to get there. Here are some highlights from this week’s show: How did a waterfall end up on Redfin? What’s the latest with the sale? Could Abiqua Falls really become an Oregon state park? What you need to know about the treacherous drive and hike to the waterfall. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Más Menos
    28 m
  • Hiking in heels: How Drag Me Outside became Portland’s newest hiking group

    Hiking in heels: How Drag Me Outside became Portland’s newest hiking group
    Apr 2 2026
    Portland’s latest outdoors group is helping people discover the city’s many beautiful trails, and high-heeled hiking boots are encouraged. Drag Me Outside, a new hiking group that focuses on accessible, low-impact trails around the city, is led by two environmental scientists who are also drag performers. On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we talk to the duo behind Drag Me outside: Evergreen Hosp aka Thespis D.Light and Fiona Skye, aka Efemmera Gendera. The pair talk about their backgrounds in ecology and ornithology, and the importance of making a safe outdoor space for the local queer community. Here are some highlights from this week’s show: The origin story of Drag Me Outside. Why it’s important to make safe outdoor spaces for the queer community. Why birds are an important symbol of the group. How people can sign up for the drag hikes around Portland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Más Menos
    36 m
  • The weird, hidden attractions found in one of the Oregon coast’s coolest towns

    The weird, hidden attractions found in one of the Oregon coast’s coolest towns
    Mar 26 2026
    There’s no denying that Astoria is a cool place. From the natural splendor to the maritime history and the cultural cachet (at least in the ‘80s and ‘90s), the Oregon coast town naturally draws a community of creatives who are passionate about their home. But while most of the town’s greatest sights are out in the open — standing tall and proud like the Astoria Column — many of Astoria’s weirder, more offbeat attractions are hidden away. On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we descend into basements, enter unmarked doors and find hidden entrances to some of the weird, hidden attractions of Astoria. Samantha Swindler, features reporter for The Oregonian/OregonLive, gives us her latest recommendations after another visit to the coastal destination. Here are some highlights from this week’s show: A 1980s sci-fi movie still draws fans to filming locations in town. How cable TV was born in Astoria. Why the Vampira Walking Tour is one of the best historical tours around. An underground spaceship arcade, a speakeasy izakaya and a basement “freak boutique.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Más Menos
    34 m
  • How to plan a fun, affordable spring break vacation in Oregon

    How to plan a fun, affordable spring break vacation in Oregon
    Mar 19 2026
    Looking for a more affordable spring break vacation? Think more Cannon Beach than Cancun. On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we dive into some of the best, most affordable spring break trips in Oregon, offering a fun vacation that doesn’t break the bank. Some ideas are as simple as changing up your mode of transportation, others are about finding fun much closer to home. With so much to see and do in small towns across the state, it’s easy to plan a perfect spring break trip in Oregon. Here are some highlights from this week’s show: Why the bus to Cannon Beach is more than just a good way to save money. Last-minute camping trips can take you to state parks you would never have thought to visit. These local events help keep spring break fun. Which small towns to visit for a nice day trip close to home Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Más Menos
    28 m
  • How one Portland podcast converts listeners into tree nerds

    How one Portland podcast converts listeners into tree nerds
    Mar 13 2026
    Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson are converting people into tree huggers, one podcast episode at a time. The Portland duo is behind Completely Arbortrary, a science and entertainment podcast all about trees. Running since 2021, the podcast focuses on one tree per episode, diving into the features, facts and lore behind each. On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we talk to Clapp and Crowson about their podcast, discussing what it is about trees that captivates people. Here are some highlights from this week’s show: How the two friends started the podcast in the midst of the pandemic. While based in Oregon, the podcast focuses on trees from around the world. What is it about trees? Where you should start in the extensive Completely Arbortrary catalog. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Más Menos
    40 m
  • How to tap a common tree to make Northwest maple syrup

    How to tap a common tree to make Northwest maple syrup
    Mar 5 2026
    It might be a lot easier to do in Vermont, but you can make your very own maple syrup right here in the Pacific Northwest. On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we dive into the world of bigleaf maple syrup, Oregon and Washington’s spin on the classic treat. Eliza Nelson, founder and director of the Oregon Maple Project, a nonprofit dedicated to educating people about bigleaf maple syrup, talks about the joy of watching people discover local-made syrup, and how people can learn how to tap trees in their own backyard. Here are some highlights from this week’s show: What’s the difference between bigleaf maple syrup and sugar maple syrup? Why bigleaf syrup isn’t usually put on pancakes. How to tap a bigleaf maple tree for sap. What will it take to get bigleaf maple syrup in grocery stores? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Más Menos
    30 m
  • Why Lewis and Clark hated their winter in the Pacific Northwest

    Why Lewis and Clark hated their winter in the Pacific Northwest
    Feb 26 2026
    They hated the rain. There wasn’t enough sunshine. Everybody wanted to hug. We’re not talking about your east coast friends who just moved to Portland, we’re talking about legendary explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, who spent one miserable winter in the Pacific Northwest before making a desperate flight upriver. On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we talk to Jill Harding, visitor services program manager at Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, about the Lewis and Clark Expedition’s famous stay on the lower Columbia River. Like many new residents, they learned firsthand just how tough a Northwest winter can be. Here are some highlights from this week’s show: How joy turned to misery almost immediately. The expedition was well equipped for the journey — just not for the Northwest. The famous story of the stolen canoe. Why you should visit Lewis and Clark National Historical Park today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Más Menos
    39 m