March 18, 2005

Best Walkable Cities?
Portland, Eugene and Salem score high in national study

Also, North Umpqua River rafting company goes from 'mild' to 'wild'

By DAN SHRYOCK
Oregon.com

A small mention in local newspapers this week probably came as no surprise to most Oregonians. A study conducted by the American Podiatric Medical Association - our nation's foot doctors - revealed Portland and Eugene were two of the top 10 most "walker-friendly" cities in the nation.

My immediate reaction: Only two cities made the list?

Studies such as these can't review every small town in America and Oregon is made up of a few larger cities and many, many small towns. This study, in fact, rated the top 200 cities.

So that great walking towns like Corvallis, Ashland and Florence were not included. Salem scored points with a No. 39 ranking. That placed our state capital ahead of destinations such as scenic Boise, ID, Baltimore and even San Diego.

The study was designed to encourage people living in cities "to get out and walk in an effort to keep their feet and bodies fit," according to a statement on the association web site.

Walking, however, is not limited to locals living in cities. It's a great way for visitors to get some great exercise and experience Oregon cities at a slower pace.

The fact that Portland and Eugene made the list is not surprising. We've featured a downtown Portland hiking route on this web site for months. There also are numerous walking/hiking trails throughout the city and some of the most beautiful parks you would ever want to stroll.

Eugene, home of the University of Oregon, is very pedestrian friendly and also includes the spacious Alton-Baker Park, a popular destination for runners and walkers.

Salem may fall under the walking radar for many people but the foot doctors apparently knew about Bush's Pasture Park, a popular 90-acre wooded walking/running space set aside in the center of town. There's also Minto-Brown Regional Park, a flat, sprawling area along the banks of the Willamette River.

 

North Umpqua Outfitters provides rides for Class 3 rapids and higher. Photo courtesy North Umpqua Outfitters

Rafting business expands offerings in Southern Oregon

Oregon Ridge & River Excursions, a long-time favorite destination of mine, is growing. Owners-operators Bill and Sharon Blodgett report they are expanding their services.

I've always enjoyed the Blodgetts' "mild" rides down the North Umpqua River east of Roseburg. I'm not a high adrenaline guy and those peaceful, laid-back floats out of Glide are just right for me.

Now they are adding North Umpqua Outfitters, a separate entity that offers "wild" rides on the river.

"It's pool-drop rafting, constant flow," Bill says of routes with rapids rated Class 3 and higher. "It's some of the best boating in Southern Oregon. You run a rapid and then go into a pool. Then you run another rapid and go into a pool. That goes on for 14 miles."

Bill is excited about the new service. "People can choose between an easy family trip or a more exciting whitewater trip," he says.

Bill also operates Swiftwater Park Guest House in Idleyld Park, across the road from Deadline Falls. Accommodations include the Guest House which sleeps from two to 10 people and two studios that sleep two people each.

Bill says any guests riding the river and staying at Swiftwater Park will receive a 10% discount on the rafting.

Fore information, call Bill or Sharon at 1-888-454-9696.

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