With the sun beaming above us and the Little River flowing beside us, we drove until the pavement turned to gravel and then kept going for another seven miles until we came to the Lake in the Woods.

The North Umpqua Trail is a 79-mile-long play land for hiking, camping and mountain biking along the flowing emerald river.

On a trip to Grotto Falls — off the Little River Road last year — I stopped at a little gas station and store and was told I should see nearby Wolf Creek Falls and wade in the water.

BEND — Flurries started coming down as we hit the outskirts of Bend, and by the time we got to the parking lot for our hike to Tumalo Falls it was white everywhere.

No matter what website, search engine or social media app you use when you search for “Best Hikes in Oregon,” Tamolitch Pool is certain to be on there.

Groundhog Punxsutawney Phil predicted a long winter this year and it seems that he may have been right.

Wandering off trail through the lush evergreen woods, a hiker hunched down to find a mushroom hiding in the damp shade underneath the fronds of a fern.

Bountiful in natural resources, Douglas County offers visitors an opportunity to get within walking or viewing distance of 24 waterfalls scattered throughout the Umpqua National Forest.

With 79 miles of outdoor recreation along the North Umpqua River, the North Umpqua Trail is a beautiful playland for hikers, horseback riders and mountain bikers.