Unbelievable Avalanche Lilies! Mt. Hood Vista Ridge Trail Al Hansen 2026-09-23 | Unbelievable Avalanche Lilies! Mt. Hood Vista Ridge Trail
Bend, Oregon Northern Lights @Mt. Bachelor 5/10/24 Al Hansen 2024-05-13 | Very rare... Oregon Northern Lights! All photos taken at Mt. Bachelor near Bend Oregon between 10PM and 1 AM on 5/10/24. Wonder about the camera and settings... all but three of the photos were taken with an iPhone15 ProMax. The other three photos were taken with a Canon DSLR. It was simply easier to take the shots with the phone!
Hike To Marsh Hill from Memaloose Overlook Al Hansen 2024-04-20 | The best, early season easy wildflower hike in the Columbia Gorge is the hike from Memaloose Overlook to Marsh Hill. It's a 3 mile roundtrip hike with very little elevation gain. We have been doing this hike every year for many, many years... hence "again" in the title. The hike is best done from mid April to the first week in May. If you would like more information on Memaloose Island read Steven Michael's outstanding piece on the history of the island. It can be found at... pacificnorthwestadventures.weebly.com/blog/island-of-the-dead
Lower Owyhee River, Oregon Raft Adventure. Mini Grand Canyon! Al Hansen 2024-03-12 | Featured in this video is a four day raft trip down the Lower Owyhee River in Southern Oregon done in May. The put in was Rome Oregon and the take out, Birch Creek. At times one may think they are in the Grand Canyon and at other times in Southern Utah! The scenery is simply gorgeous!
Cedar Breaks National Monument, Utah. A View From The Rim Al Hansen 2024-02-26 | Short video featuring views of the Cedar Breaks basin from pullouts along the 5 mile rim road. The monument sits at over 10,000' and the natural amphitheater stretches for over threes miles with a depth of over 2,000.' Cedar Breaks is located about 23 miles from Cedar City, Utah. The monument is similar to Bryce Canyon but I feel it offers more in the way of color. That is, it is more colorful, way more colorful!
A Look Inside The Sphere... Before a U2 Concert & View from Floor vs. 400 Level Al Hansen 2024-02-20 | This video shows what to expect when one enters the Sphere on a show night! Also, included are a couple short clips from a U2 concert. The first clip is shot from the 400 level and the second clip of the band performing the same song shot from the floor.
U2 @ The Sphere, Floor View 20 from Stage! What to Expect in the GA Section Al Hansen 2024-02-08 | This video features short snippets of the before concert activities and concert taken from the floor approximately 20' from the stage. Fantastic views of the band... not so good views of the massive LED screen! Despite being U2 fans, we learned that the Sphere is the star...not the band! We have tix to see the show again...from the 400 level, so we can see ALL of the show! The venue was virtually packed a good one hour before the show started! And, the show started at 8:35PM. There is plenty of area in the GA section to roam around, etc. If you do not like being shoulder to shoulder with other folks there is ample room towards the back of the GA area. And, unlike many concerts, the "mosh pit" at this concert was extremely orderly and I think that is a function of the type of fan U2 attracts! We experienced no pushing and shoving!
Huge Wave Explosions Create RARE Ocean Popcorn @ Shore Acres, Oregon, Jan. 9 &10/24 Al Hansen 2024-01-13 | Mother Nature treated storm watchers to a nice show on Jan. 9 & she extended the show to the 10th. The best part of the show on the 9th was her very generous gift of Pacific Ocean popcorn.Special thanks to Steven Michael, a local Photographer from Coos Bay, who provided the popcorn video. He has the most stunning still images of the exploding waves at Shore Acres. Check out his Face book page @tps://www.facebook.com/StevenMichaelPhotographyOregon.
Pacific Storms That Battered California, also Produced Massive Waves in Oregon @ Shore Acres Al Hansen 2023-12-30 | Pacific Ocean storms up and down the California coast stretched into the southern/central Oregon coast bringing huge exploding waves to the best storm watching area on the West Coast... Shore Acres, State Park, near Coos Bay, Oregon. December 2023.It is often quite damp at Shore Acres! Having lost 3 expensive cameras to water over the years, I now just use an iPhone for capturing wave activity at Shore Acres. This video was shot entirely with an iPhone 15 Pro Max. Regarding the cameras I lost... I was always very meticulous about protecting my cameras. But, one small "slip" and you can wave goodbye to a couple thousand dollars!
Lower Antelope Canyon, Arizona... With A Twist! Al Hansen 2023-12-08 | Our third visit to Lower Antelope Canyon and it seems to get better each time we visit. Truly an amazing Mother Nature creation!
Valley Of Fire. Hiking, White Domes, Crazy Hill, Pastel Canyon & The Fire Wave Al Hansen 2023-11-30 | First, this park is special! If it were located in virtually any other state it would be a National Park!This video features the White Domes loop trail and a loop hike to Crazy Hill, Pastel Canyon & The Fire Wave.
Never Too Old to Hike to The Wave & SECOND Wave, North Coyote Buttes Arizona! Al Hansen 2023-11-22 | Four 70+ year old hikers make hiking to The Wave & back seem like a walk in the park! And, unlike 90% of visitors to the The Wave, this group also hiked to the The Second Wave which is equally spectacular to The Wave!
2 Hidden Gems Near Kanab, Utah Rainbow Mountains & The Nautilus Al Hansen 2023-11-20 | Rainbow Mountains or no name hills is a small area four miles down the road past the Wire Pass trailhead. Or 12 miles down House Rock Valley Rock from Highway 89. There is NO trail... just head east for about 1/2 and be prepared to have your jaw drop!The Nautilus is about 45 miles east of Kanab off Highway 89. Take White House Road to a small parking area right after crossing a second wash and you are literally at the trailhead. It's an easy half mile hike to The Nautilus which will be on your right!.
Blue Canyon & Coal Mine Canyon, Arizona with Hopi Guide. One word - Otherworldly! Al Hansen 2023-11-18 | Blue Canyon is an incredibly scenic area of badlands and hoodoos formed of red and white colored rocks lying in Moenkopi Wash in the Hopi Nation. The area can only be visited with a Hopi guide (see below). Coal Mine Canyon is a branch of the Grand Canyon. The canyon gets its name from the fact that it was once mined for coal. Both locations fall into the "hidden gems" category.Hopi Guide:Bertram Tsavadawa of Ancient Pathways Toursbertsaava@gmail.com 928.797.8145
Incredible... Raudfossar Waterfall, Iceland. Guided by Iceland in Motion Al Hansen 2023-10-23 | This video features a short hike to the base of Raudfossar waterfall which is a 2.5 hour drive from Reykjavik. However, the final portion of the drive is on a fairly rough highland F road. In my opinion this is one of the the most uniquely interesting waterfalls in Iceland. Fortunately it has not been discovered by the masses...yet! This adventure was lead by Thor Haraldsson from Iceland in Motion
Iceland Highlands! 5 days Exploring With Iceland In Motion Al Hansen 2023-10-09 | This video features a 5 day adventure trip through the Iceland Highlands with private guide Thor Haraldsson of Iceland in Motion. Our instructions to the guide prior to the trip was we wanted to go to off the beaten track locations and boy did he deliver! The trip included numerous river crossing, spectacular waterfalls, canyons, geothermal areas, hikes and the Northern Lights.
Northern Lights Shot with an iPhone! Kirkjubæjarklaustur, Iceland Al Hansen 2023-10-03 | The first few shots in the video were taken with an iPhone! All that was necessary was to set the shutter for a long exposure (8-10 sec) and steady the phone. After I got confident the lights were going to continue, I set my Canon G5X Mark ii up on a tripod and got a few more shots. Most photos with my Canon were taken at ISO 800, f2, shutter speed 6-10 seconds. That's it!
Magical Gjain Iceland, Simply Stunning! Game of Thrones Film Location Al Hansen 2023-08-17 | Gjáin is a small valley with several waterfalls, ponds, and unique volcanic structures situated in the Þjórsárdalur valley. It is one of the most magical places in Iceland and as the story goes it is home to many elves... believe it or not!This beautiful oasis was shown to my group by Thor Haraldsson from Iceland in Motion.
Exploring Devils Punchbowl Inside @ Low Tide, Oregon Coast Al Hansen 2023-07-11 | The video features Devils Punchbowl in Oregon at LOW TIDE from the top of the bowl and inside the bowl at the bottom!Devils Punchbowl was once a giant sea cave, but eventually, the roof of the cave collapsed, creating the current open bowl formation. During high tide waters splashes high on the inside of the bowl. At low tide a side entrance allows explorers into the bowl. The inside of the bowl is simply a stunning symphony of color! The bowl is located about 9 miles north of Newport, Oregon.
Fall Creek Falls, Washington. One of Washingtons Tallest Waterfalls Al Hansen 2023-06-21 | The 3.4 mile out and back trail gain about 750.' The trail follows Falls creek all the way to the Falls. The triple plunge of 335' makes it one of Washington's largest waterfalls.
Panther Creek Falls. Most Picturesque Waterfall In The State Of Washington! Al Hansen 2023-06-16 | This jaw dropping, 130-foot tall set of cascading springs is one the most unique waterfalls in the state of Washington. It's not the biggest or tallest, it is simply the most unique waterfall one will see. It is very similar to Ramona Falls in Oregon. Best of all, it does not require a long arduous hike... just a long drive! There are two viewing areas for the Falls (Upper and bottom) Visit both of them! It's just a short slightly downhill walk from the parking area to the upper viewing platform. The BOTTOM platform is approximately a 1/3 mile down a well maintained trail.
Hike To Lightly Visited Kentucky Falls, Oregon... NOT Kentucky! Al Hansen 2023-05-25 | Three awesome waterfalls packed into one short (4.4 miles) hike, doesn't get any better then that! The long, slow drive on forest service roads to the falls is well worth the effort! Best of all... very few people!
Hike Memaloose Overlook to Marsh Hill... Wildflowers Galore! Al Hansen 2023-05-04 | This is an out and back hike (about 3 miles total) that offers a lot of bang for the buck particularly when done in late April or early May when all the wildflowers are in full bloom. Also, on clear days views of Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams are super cool! This is a great alternative to the famous Dog Mountain trek in that you see the same wildflowers without having to climb 3,000' and battle hordes of other hikers...
Artists Palette... Incredible Colors, Death Valley California. Al Hansen 2023-04-11 | The Artists is in Death Valley National Park. It is a MUST SEE TO BELIEVE feature in the park.The incredible palette of colors is caused by the oxidation of the different metal and mineral deposits revealed by the violent erosive combinations of heat, wind, and rain over thousands of years. Iron, mica, and manganese create a rainbow of color... green, purple, pink, orange, and yellow.
Black Lab Retrieves 3 Bumpers in One Dive! Al Hansen 2023-03-07 | This video shows a black Labrador Retriever (named Sunnyview's Bode) scooping up three large training bumpers in one swim and bringing them back to land...Amazing! He actually retrieved 4 bumpers on occasion but I did not think to video it at the time because he did it "routinely!"
Exploding Waves & 🌈 Rainbows, Shore Acres, Oregon Feb. 2023 Al Hansen 2023-02-26 | A tough two days (from a weather standpoint) watching exploding waves and rainbows created by the spray from the waves. Daytime temps were in the mid thirties with a constant north wind of 30 mph.
Massive Waves Drench Storm Watchers!... Shore Acres, Oregon 1/12/23 Al Hansen 2023-01-16 | It was a wild day at Shore Acres State Park in Oregon 1/12/23. The ocean went from glass to 25' surf in a matter of just a few minutes. Mother Nature put on another spectacular show! Folks who stuck it out at the main area near the Observation platform became part of the show in that they got drenched numerous times from huge crashing waves.
Massive Wave Explosions! Mother Nature Showing Off! @ Shore Acres, Oregon 12/27/22 Al Hansen 2022-12-29 | Mother Nature has been quite stingy the past two years regarding performing a "wave explosion show" at Shore Acres State Park in Oregon. Finally, she held a show on Dec. 27th, 2022 for those for those willing to put up with high winds and driving rain. Because of the high wind the wave explosions did not reach record heights however it was still a stunning display of the power of the ocean.
Death Valley In One Day From Las Vegas. Zabriskie Point, Badlands, Artist Palette, 20 Mule Team Al Hansen 2022-12-25 | Easy to catch a lot of sights in Death Valley in a one day trip from Las Vegas and back to Las Vegas. Sights visited in the vid are Zabriskie Point, Badlands Basin, Artists Palette, and 20 Mule Team Canyon.
Valley of Fire, Nevada. Crazy Hill, Rainbow Road, Pastel Canyon & More Al Hansen 2022-12-22 | Crazy Hill and the rainbow path are two "unheralded" features in Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada. These features are not mentioned in any of the park literature or shown on maps and I think I know why! The path is incredibly fragile and heavy traffic would destroy the colors. The path to a saddle is simply one of the most stunningly beautiful colored rock colored features I have seen anywhere! The colors are unbelievable!
Stunning Fall Color Japanese Gardens Portland Oregon Al Hansen 2022-11-15 | This video features the stunning Fall colors found in the Japanese Gardens, in Portland Oregon. The Gardens have been described by the former Ambassador of Japan to the U.S. as the "most beautiful and authentic Japanese garden in the world outside of Japan."
Spectacular Fjadrargljufur Canyon, Iceland. Simply A Gem! Al Hansen 2022-10-18 | Majestic Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon located in Southeast Iceland and is not far off the main ring road is open again! The canyon was closed for quite a period to allow fragile vegetation to "recover" after Justin Bieber filmed a music video in the canyon. After seeing the video, throngs of tourists flocked to the canyon to replicate the iconic shots in Biebers music video destroying fragile vegetation. This is a 5 star photogenic location with endless opportunities for capturing an award winning photo!
Zodiac Boat Tour Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon Iceland, Spectacular Icebergs, Seals and More! Al Hansen 2022-08-12 | This video features a tour of the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon in a Zodiac with Ice Lagoon Adventure Tours. From dressing down to viewing kool icebergs to exiting the boat the video has a bit of everything! And, special kudos go to the operator of the boat! The tour of was her last of the day, it was raining yet she showed incredible enthusiasm and clearly loves her job which all of us admired!
Puffins... Clowns of the Sea! Up Close & Personal in Cape Ingolfshofdi, Iceland. Al Hansen 2022-08-08 | Cape Ingolfshofdi is home to thousands of puffins from late May through August. It is half way between Skaftafell in Vatnajokull National Park and Jökulsárlón ice lagoon. To reach the best viewing are you ride in a hay cart pulled by a tractor! More than half the worlds population of Atlantic Puffins reside in Iceland. And as a result, Iceland has become the puffin watching capital of the world. For this video we were able to get within 10' of the Puffin WITHOUT disturbing them!
Iceland Lessor Visited Gems! Gjain, Sigoldugljufur, Haifoss, Granni, Sigoldufoss, & Hraunfossar Al Hansen 2022-08-02 | Included in this video are a few lessor visited waterfalls in Iceland all within a three hour drive from Reykjavik. And, they are, Selvallafoss, Barnafoss, Hraunfossar & Glanni. Access to the following waterfalls Hjálparfoss, Gjain, Valley of Tears Sigöldugljúfur & Sigöldufoss was provided by Iceland In Motion (the BEST private party tour guide in Iceland!). And, a Game of Thrones episode was filmed at Gjain
Markarfljotsgljufur Canyon Via F261 (Emstruleið), Iceland. A Seldom Visited Gem! Al Hansen 2022-07-26 | Rarely visited Markarfljotsgljufur Canyon is not one of the deepest canyons in Iceland but it just may the most colorful! A major reason for the lack of visitor traffic is it is located in the Icelandic Highlands, only accessible for a couple months a year. In addition, one needs a sturdy 4X4 and more importantly solid off road driving skill to reach the canyon. That is why we used Iceland in Motion and more specifically Thor Haraldsson to take us to this incredible location.
Hike to Mt. Brennisteinsalda, Landmannalaugar! The Most Colorful Mountain in Iceland! Al Hansen 2022-07-21 | This video features a loop like from Landmannalaugar to M. Brennisteinsalda and back to Landmannalaugar. What you see in the video is exactly what we saw no extreme color enhancing! Note. Since, we had limited time to spend in Iceland and wanted to see as much as possible, we hired Iceland in Motion. We simply did not want to have to spend time trying to figure maps, which way to go, etc. And, negotiating the F roads... The services provided by Iceland in Motion (https://www.icelandinmotion.is/) could not have better better!
Climbing Mt. Constance, South Chute, Olympic National Park Al Hansen 2022-06-14 | Going back in time! The more things change the more they stay the same! Not much has changed in climbing over the years except the equipment... note the goldline rope! One still has to put one boot in front of the other to get to the summit. This climb was completed in 1978. Probably the most difficult part of this climb was the hike into base camp! Horrible steep trail full of slippery tree roots and softball size rocks... not fun! As to the climb itself, the Finger Traverse is as advertised...quite "interesting."
Columbia River Gorge Mosier Plateau Hike Al Hansen 2022-06-04 | The video feature a 3.5 mile round trip hike with 600' of elevation gain to Mosier Plateau. It is a dream hike for wildflower lovers!
A Hike Through Camassia Nature Reserve, West Linn, OR Al Hansen 2022-05-01 | Camassia Nature Preserve is a spectacular wildflower oasis in the center of a city! The 22 acre park features a variety of wildflowers and a unique landscape including a marsh, a forest and a rocky plateau.The short 1.3 mile loop hike with virtually no elevation gain, catches most of the neat sights!
Osprey Nest Building, Deschutes River Bend, Oregon Al Hansen 2022-04-03 | Short video featuring a pair of Osprey that have returned to their nest on the banks of the Deschutes River near Bend, Oregon.
Smith Rock, Oregon Misery Ridge Loop Hike... Climb! Al Hansen 2022-01-27 | Smith Rock situated in Central Oregon is a mere 40 minutes from the adventure town of Bend. Smith Rocks features some hikes with breathtaking views and easy to access rock climbs that attract climbers from all over the world. The Misery Ridge hike is the signature hike to do in the park. It's slightly under 4 miles with 945' of elevation gain. The payoff is a birds eye view of Monkey Face which is one of the most iconic rock climbs in the world.
Oregon Coast Aquarium like you have never seen it! NO PEOPLE! Al Hansen 2022-01-07 | Travel & Leisure labeled the Oregon Coast Aquarium one of the ten best in the United States! Coastal Living calls it the 6th best in the U.S. The reason for all the acclaim... it's an outstanding facility that features just about every type of marine life of interest. Regarding this video... we were super lucky to visit this amazing aquarium on a dismal rainy day which kept the crowds down... or simply at home!
A Taste of Modest Mouse Red Rocks 2021 (Short Snippets) Al Hansen 2021-11-25 | This video contains a series of short snippets from the Modest Mouse concert at Red Rocks on September 28, 2021. Included are short clips of Cowboy Dan, Float On, Bokowski, King Rat, Dashboard, Twin Cities Made Of Ashes, Back To The Middle, & Spitting Venom.
Unbelievable Fall Color From Blackberry Leaves 2021 Al Hansen 2021-11-15 | Simply... this video features an array of colorful leaves from blackberry bushes. It's a tad long, but there were sooo many beautiful leaves I just couldn't leave any of them out! There is an area near Lake Oswego, Oregon where blackberry leaves in the Fall change colors. The variety of different colors is stunning! Some of the leaves display every color under the rainbow.And, anybody like Modest Mouse?
Lava Beds Nat. Monument. Exploring Skull Cave, The Blue Grotto, & The Catacombs Al Hansen 2021-10-31 | A visit to Lava Beds National Monument including short hikes into Skull, Blue Grotto and Catacombs Caves.
The Extraordinary Fly Geyser… Its on Earth Not Mars! Al Hansen 2021-10-28 | The Fly Geyser near Gerlach, Nevada is an accidental wonder that is a must see attraction for adventure seekers! The Fly Geyser was created accidentally in 1964 after a geothermal power company drilled a test well at the site. Since the water was not hot enough the company improperly plugged the well. In any event, the scalding hot water shot from the well hole leaving calcium carbonate deposits resulting in what we see today. The colors on the outside of the mounds are the result of thermophilic algae, which flourishes in moist environments! The different colors of Fly Geyser result from different minerals deposits. Sulphur creates the mustard yellow color, iron creates the red and the green color is from algaeThe Geyser sits on land privately owned by the Burning Man Project. The only way to see the geyser is to coordinate with the Friends of Nevada Black Rock High Rock.
Storm Watcher Taunts Ocean & Gets Drenched by Massive Wave @ Shore Acres, Oregon October 2021 Al Hansen 2021-10-27 | The wave explosions at Shore Acres are fast becoming a "must see" event for adventure seekers from around the world. Unfortunately, the event happens just a few times a year mostly during the Winter. Water the explosions has reached heights exceeding 300.' Yes, 300'! The explosions are caused by a combination of a deeper ocean depth, an incline that goes downward towards the east and waves hitting the surface suddenly.
Colorados Most Colorful Little Known Park - The Paint Mines Al Hansen 2021-10-01 | The Paint Mines are named for their colorful clays that were collected by American Indians to make paint. The paint mines have evidence of human life as far back as 9,000 years ago.The Paint Mines Interpretive Park is located on the west edge of the Great Plains of Eastern Colorado, in El Paso County, is . It is unequivocally one of the most colorful parks found anywhere in the United States.Oddly, most Colorado residents are either unaware of or have never visited the park.
Climbing Mt Jefferson, Oregon Whitewater Glacier Route Circa 1981 Al Hansen 2021-09-21 | It took 40 years for me to finally put this video together... LOL! The video features a mountain climb of Mt Jefferson via the Whitewater Glacier from Jefferson Park in... 1981. As much as things change some things never change i.e. climbing Mt. Jefferson is still just as difficult and fun now as it was back in 1981! This was an official Mazamas Climbing organization climb.
