SNAKE BIT IN IDAHO: Heavenly Times in Hells Canyon
by Lee Juillerat

GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, A MONTANA JOURNEY
by Larry Turner

ONLINE SECURITY TIPS
by Yvette Cardozo

Slithering along the Snake is a journey that includes rumble-tumble rapids and sublime stretches of luscious scenery in North America's deepest gorge. There are hikes to a scenic river overlook, a preserved riverside farm, Indian pictographs, a site where Chinese miners were massacred, and once-upon-a-time homesteads and mines.

Many Park visitors arrive via Amtrak. Glacier Park is one of the last National Parks with a direct railroad connection to their lodges. The Empire Builder markets Glacier as a tourist destination. On one of the lodge's historical exhibits, I saw several photos of actors and actresses visiting the lodge during the Golden Age of Hollywood. Clark Gable especially stood out as he was sworn in as an Honorary Member of the Blackfeet Nation.

You might worry about flight delays, bad weather and disappointing accommodations when thinking about what could ruin your adventure vacation. But the lack of secure Internet access revealing social media posts and haphazard habits online can wreak havoc lasting long after beach tans fade and skis are put away. We thought our readers would appreciate having some valuable information about securing their personal devices and data while they're traveling to their adventurous venues.

MUC-OFF: CLEAN YOUR DIRTY BIKE
Review by Lynn Rosen

NEW MOUNTAIN BIKE AND PADDLE ADVENTURES AWAIT AT WASHINGTON STATE PARKS
by Washington State Parks

Hey, your bike just might be this muck-caked and covered in crud. If it is - or even if it isn’t and has only an accumulation of road and trail dust - have we got a solution for you. Lynn Rosen takes us on an adventure through Muc-Off, the bicycle cleaning system used by none other than Tour de France champs Team Sky.

From the early 1800s, The Underground Railroad, a network of secret routes and safe houses, was used by enslaved people in the United States to escape to free states and to Canada. The Railroad, at its most active between 1850 and 1860, followed more than one path, but none was more important than the way through Detroit, Michigan, because Canada was the ultimate destination for many freedom seekers.

Summer is winding down.

But there’s still time to squeeze in some last-minute adventure while the weather is nice. State parks concessionaires are ready with ample opportunities that satisfy even when you don’t have much time.  

We’re excited to welcome two exciting new businesses offering outdoor adventures at parks.

HOW TO FIND YOURSELF ON VACATION
by Christopher Elliott

Now that the busy summer vacation season is over, it's the perfect time to think about a truly transformative travel experience that facilitates self-discovery. No more quick, one-week, prefabricated vacations for the masses. Something for the entire family -- and something life-changing.

It's possible, but several elements need to be in place. They include an inspiring place, a compelling reason to get lost and found, and a little discipline. But I'm here to tell you it's doable.

Who we are: For brief bios on the writers who form this Pacific Northwest collective, please click here.