Ryan Pointer

Albany Beer Run

The Corvallis Lions Club, with over 35 years of service to the communities of Corvallis and Albany, Oregon, has established itself as a pivotal organization, not only through its various service projects and financial assistance programs but also by orchestrating events that bind the community and support noteworthy causes. The club, known for its annual See’s Candy sale and its dedication to various service projects, such as vision and health screenings, youth outreach, and disaster relief, also organizes events like the Albany Beer Run, which serve both as a community gathering and a fundraiser for specific causes.

Ryan Long, exploring the inaugural Albany Beer Run, shared insights and experiences from participants, stating, “Today I’m at the inaugural Albany Beer Run, all the way from Calapooia Brewery to Deluxe Brewing Company, almost a quarter of a mile.” The event, which spans almost a quarter of a mile from the Calapooia Brewery to the Deluxe Brewing Company, is not merely a run but a community event that brings together participants from various walks of life.

The Albany Beer Run, set to occur on Saturday, September 9th, 2023, is described as an event for the “below-average athlete and weekend warrior in all of us,” and it is dedicated to supporting **Canine Companions**. This organization provides service dogs to adults, children, and veterans with disabilities and facility dogs to professionals working in healthcare, criminal justice, and educational settings. The event, while light-hearted and community-oriented, serves a dual purpose of bringing people together and supporting a noble cause. A participant, reflecting on the event, mentioned, “I learned that our race director had pulled in dogs for a better life. So this is a new collaboration between Corvallis and Albany, that’s a new world we live in.”

The event, while seemingly casual and lighthearted, is not without its challenges, as participants navigate the 0.3K from one brewery to the next. One participant humorously noted the challenge, stating, “Well, it was a long way to the first donut stop; that was the hard part. I think that was about two-thirds of the way down, wasn’t it?” Another participant, reflecting on the length of the race, quipped, “It’s the longest one I’ve ever run, I understand it’s about three football fields.”

The Albany Beer Run, with its blend of community spirit, light competition, and a dedication to supporting worthwhile causes, encapsulates the ethos of the Corvallis Lions Club. The club, through its various initiatives, from health screenings to supporting organizations like Canine Companions, continues to weave a tapestry of service and community engagement in Corvallis and Albany, Oregon. The events and service projects, while diverse in nature, all converge on the club’s mission to strengthen and serve the community, providing a platform where service, community, and enjoyment harmoniously coexist.

Albany Beer Run Website | Facebook | Instagram

Kaua‘i Hikes – Wai Koa Loop Trail

The Wai Koa Loop Trail, situated in Kilauea, Kaua’i, Hawaii, presents a moderate 3.7-mile out-and-back trail, interwoven with the distinct natural tapestry of the area. A path that guides through variegated natural scenes, it curates a journey through forests, by a river, and towards a final destination of a stone dam, equipped with an inviting scenic area that provides opportunities for swimming. Julian Coiner, a hiker familiar with the trails of Kaua’i, invites others to engage in what he deems a “great, safe” hike, encapsulating 4.5 miles of the North Shore’s terrain.

Access to the trail, which slices through private property, requires hikers to sign a waiver at the Anaina Hou Welcome Center. Coiner underscores this necessity with a straightforward advisory: “please stop in at Anaina Hou to sign the waiver, pick up a map, and purchase some water, sunblock, lunch, or snacks” to equip for “this fun-filled adventure.” Maintaining this compliance and respecting the property by staying on the designated path is crucial to preserving future public access.

Offering both tranquility and an opportunity for physical activity, this trail, well-veiled in “Kilauea Forest” before extending through what Coiner identifies as “the largest mahogany plantation in North America,” navigates through diverse ecological domains. On the note of preparedness, Coiner candidly admits, “As you can see, I didn’t always bring extra water,” an unadorned acknowledgment that subtly reinforces the criticality of adequate hydration on the route.

Engaging with the trail’s presence, the hike takes hikers “between 2 and a half to 4 hours” to complete according to the trail guide, while accommodating diverse activities including hiking, mountain biking, and running. Its dog-friendly nature, with the caveat of leash necessity, adds a nuanced consideration for those wishing to embark on this natural exploration with canine companions.

Concluding at the stone dam, a locale that, in some narratives, invites a refreshing swim or a playful swing on a rope into the water, the Wai Koa Loop Trail orchestrates an accessible yet multifaceted outdoor excursion. It hovers between its inherently peaceful quality and a subtle adventurous spirit. Coiner’s playful inclusion of “Baby Paulo,” “Baby Magical Unicorn,” and “Sebastian the Amazing Pony,” characters encountered during his journey, add a whimsical, yet unobtrusive layer to the otherwise serene and straightforward narrative of the trail.

In its entirety, the Wai Koa Loop Trail, while presenting a somewhat easy-to-navigate topography, inherently encapsulates a multitude of possible interactions with the Kaua’i landscape, be it through the direct, albeit cautious, interaction with its natural components or the passive absorption of its quiet beauty.

Wai Koa Loop Trail

Benton County Fair

The Benton County Fair, situated in Corvallis, Oregon, is an event steeped in local tradition, typically offering a range of attractions and activities, potentially including carnival rides, animal exhibitions, contests, and live entertainment. The fairgrounds, located at 110 SW 53rd St., Corvallis, OR 97333, serve as a venue for these community events, which might extend beyond the annual fair to include other gatherings such as concerts and exhibitions throughout the year.

In a video hosted by Ryan Long of the Sue Long Realty Group at Keller Williams, viewers are introduced to various aspects of the Benton County Fair and Rodeo. Long expresses, “Welcome to the Benton County Fair and Rodeo, a Corvallis tradition.” The video provides a glimpse into the 4-H program, which is highlighted as a significant part of the fair. A participant explains, “4-H stands for head, heart, health, and hands,” and it’s described as a program aimed at elementary and high school students, designed to educate them about agriculture through practical experiences like raising dairy goats.

The fair also showcases various animal exhibitions and contests. One exhibitor shares insights into poultry showing, noting, “Quando is the champion large fowl rooster,” and explains the process of preparing poultry for shows, emphasizing the importance of muscle memory and stance. Another exhibitor, discussing a different bird, shares, “Yeah, he’s my bird for breeding, and he will go to be shown as a potential champion in the national show.”

Moreover, the fair seems to provide a platform for local programs and teams to showcase their projects and achievements. A member of a high school robotics team shares, “We’re here demonstrating our robots,” and elaborates on their achievements, “We actually qualified for the world’s and went to Houston, Texas, and competed in the world championships.” The fair, therefore, not only serves as a venue for traditional agricultural displays and contests but also as a space where local programs, like the robotics team, can engage with the community, as the team member notes, “The Benton County Fair is a good place for us to meet a lot of local Willamette Valley people and get the word out about our program.”

The Benton County Fair and Rodeo, through its various exhibitions, contests, and showcases, provides a multifaceted experience, intertwining traditional agricultural displays with modern programs and competitions, thereby offering a diverse and enriching experience to the community members and visitors who attend.

Benton County Fair Website | Facebook | Instagram

Bald Hill Hike

Bald Hill Trail, nestled within the Bald Hill Natural Area in Corvallis, Oregon, extends 2.7 miles and is characterized by a 452-foot elevation gain, offering a moderate level of hiking difficulty. The loop trail is accessible throughout the year and is utilized for a variety of activities such as birding, hiking, and horseback riding. It is a locale where nature enthusiasts frequently converge, and while dogs are permitted, they must be leashed. The trail provides panoramic views of the Willamette Valley and Coast Range Mountains, and on clear days, portions of the Cascade Mountain Range are visible. The terrain varies, offering both well-maintained paths and more rugged areas, and is sufficiently wide to accommodate two horses side by side in most sections. The trail is heavily wooded until it reaches the relatively bare top of Bald Hill, which provides expansive views. The trail is suitable for a range of activities, including hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, walking, bird watching, and running, and is open year-round, offering a scenic escape in any season.

Ryan Long, from the Sue Long Realty Group at Keller Williams, provides a visual journey through the Bald Hill Natural Area in a video, introducing viewers to the trail system, which encompasses over 8 miles. Long notes, “The trail we’re taking today is 2.2 miles with an elevation gain of approximately 230 feet.” He highlights the availability of blackberries in August and points out the Bald Hill barn, which is “about one mile in from the trailhead and is rentable for your events.” Long describes the hike as “easy to moderate,” while also noting that other trails in the system could be considered “moderate to advanced.” The Bald Hill Natural Area is underscored for its high accessibility, with a paved multi-use path that connects to the Midge Cramer Trail, passing the fairgrounds campus and extending to downtown. Upon reaching the summit, Long showcases the panoramic views of Corvallis, Marys Peak, and the Coast Range, affirming, “the short hike was definitely worth it for these gorgeous views.” The video serves as a visual guide, intertwining the scenic beauty and practical information about the Bald Hill Natural Area.

Bald Hill

Down to Earth – Sustainable Boost

In the lush surroundings of Kauai, Sustainable Boost is carving out a niche in the health and sustainable food market, focusing on producing nutrient-dense food powders with a minimized environmental impact. Fostering an intriguing combination of entomology and nutrition, the business explores the potentials of cricket farming, a practice informed by the principles of nutritional density and ecological mindfulness. Lourdes and her partner Leo, the scientists behind the operation, harness their expertise to guide the meticulous development of these nutrient-rich, environmentally considerate products.

Lourdes shared, “We farm crickets […] for human consumption,” elucidating further that the crickets, belonging to the species Acheta domesticus, are “completely in harmony with the entire ecosystem of Kauai.” The house cricket, as it’s commonly known, is not an invasive species and plays a symphonic role within Kauai’s ecological tableau. The aim here transcends the mere farming of crickets. It’s a circle, Lourdes explained, where they “farm their food,” such as edible hibiscus and banana leaves, underlining a commitment to a “fully sustainable circle” in their cricket farming practices.

Within the walls of Sustainable Boost, the crickets undergo a transformation into a powdered form, creating a high-protein, nutritionally complete blend. Lourdes detailed, “Our best seller has dehydrated taro, so you can put it in your smoothies, you can put it in your yogurts, you can put it in your pancakes, you can bake with it, you can add it to your banana bread.” In this way, the farm synthesizes two distinct nutritional elements: the rich, dense protein of crickets, and the versatile, wholesome taro.

A keen observer might notice that Sustainable Boost’s innovative approach is not isolated to cricket farming. The creation of various food powders, from Taro to a Cricket & Taro blend and beyond, reflects an organizational ethos aimed at providing individuals with access to foods that are simultaneously nutrient-rich and ecologically sustainable. The farming practices, while innovatively pairing crops like taro with cricket farming, hold potential applications, suggesting a flexible and adaptive model for sustainable agriculture.

Despite a doctoral background in entomology, Lourdes shifts her attention from the intricacies of insect study to a broader ecological and nutritional panorama. She remarked on “untapped potential for us to produce sustainable protein on the island,” suggesting a larger vision that seeks to extrapolate this method to wider applicability, potentially beyond the boundaries of Hawaii.

During a visit, Lyndsey Haraguchi-Nakayama sampled a chocolate chip cookie, which was, as Lourdes elaborated, made with their “high-protein and nutritional blend protein powder.” This cookie, serving as a tangible embodiment of Sustainable Boost’s mission, represents the integration of sustainability with convenience and nutritional affluence, marrying a “mild, nutty flavor” with “a lot of protein” and “a ton of nutrition, a ton of vitamin B12 and omegas.”

In an ecosystem like Kauai’s, where the interplay between human activity and natural stability is starkly evident, endeavors such as those undertaken by Sustainable Boost signal a path that keenly attends to the coexistence of nutritional prosperity and environmental stewardship. This path, while distinct in its application, is holistic in its approach, uniting underutilized resources with innovative production methods and navigating toward a horizon where sustainability does not compromise nutrition and vice versa.

Sustainable Boost Website | | Instagram

Down to Earth – Lydgate Farms

Positioned amid the lush landscape of Kapaa, Hawaii, on the island of Kaua’i, Lydgate Farms stands as a representative model of sustainable agricultural practices closely interwoven with a rich family lineage that extends deeply into the annals of the Hawaiian kingdom. Recognized for its cacao farming and resultant chocolate production, the farm notably adheres to the Hawaiian principle of Malama ‘Aina, translating to a caring, nurturing approach toward the land, thereby facilitating an environmental stewardship that prioritizes sustainability for succeeding generations.

The farm extends an offering of a three-hour tour, meticulously curated to provide visitors with an immersive excursion through botanical gardens, allowing them to experience, firsthand, the farm’s award-winning palm-blossom honey and vanilla beans, and to explore the subtleties of Theobroma Cacao, the esteemed chocolate tree. Notably, as owner and manager Will Lydgate highlighted, the farm is distinguished as the “largest chocolate farm on Kauai and one of the largest in the state of Hawaii as well as in the United States.” He further elucidates, “One of the things that we do on the farm tours is we actually eat chocolate fruit…most people have never got to experience that before.”

Under the stewardship of the Lydgate family, the farm not only intertwines the quality of its cacao beans with a rich legacy but also aspires to deliver a comprehensive experience for visitors, thereby allowing them access to its renowned products which include single estate chocolate, vanilla beans, and notably distinctive palm blossom honey. These products, symbolic of an enduring commitment to both quality and sustainability, are available for purchase directly from the farm’s gift shop.

A visual exploration, hosted by Lyndsey Haraguchi-Nakayama, provides viewers with a detailed journey through Lydgate Farms, highlighting its vast offerings and the pervasive, inherent beauty that permeates throughout. It’s not merely an environment of horticultural prosperity, but one that also affords viewers an insight into the meticulous care with which the Lydgate family approaches each cacao bean. This process, which converts raw seeds into the finished, flavorful chocolate, is portrayed as an intricate one. As Mr. Lydgate stated during the presentation, “Our chocolate made it to the finals in the Cocoa of Excellence Awards. We made it in the top 50 of the best cacao beans in the world.”

During the farm tour, participants encounter an intricate process wherein they “compare a number of our different kinds of chocolate to some of the best chocolate from all over the world,” according to Mr. Lydgate. The experience, which also allows patrons to “try some of our award-winning palm blossom honey,” proves to be more than a mere educational outing. It’s an embodiment of the farm’s commitment to share its award-winning chocolate, which has been recognized globally at the Cocoa of Excellence awards.

This visual narrative accentuates not merely the meticulous processes undertaken at Lydgate Farms, but also draws attention to the family’s steadfast dedication to both quality and sustainability within their chocolate production endeavors. Will Lydgate affirmed the nutritional values, asserting, “Absolutely, chocolate is one of the most powerful health foods known to man.”

The multi-faceted approach of Lydgate Farms, wherein an emphasis on both sustainable agricultural practices and the perpetuation of a rich family heritage are highlighted, propels it into a realm wherein it functions as more than an agricultural entity. It emerges as an establishment that harmoniously fuses quality product creation with educational and experiential offerings, all underpinned by a steadfast commitment to environmental and quality sustainability. And as visitors embark upon a journey through its lush and fertile lands, Lydgate Farms stands, resolutely, as a testament to sustainable agricultural practices seamlessly melded with deep-rooted familial and cultural ties.

Lydgate Farms Website | Facebook | Instagram

Kaua‘i Hikes – Canyon Ridge Trail

The Nu’alolo Trail, meticulously carved through the terrain of the Ku‘ia Natural Area Reserve in Kaua’i, Hawaii, unfurls a 7.6-mile journey—both to and from its designated starting point—accentuated by an elevation gain of 2,398 feet. Documented to be of substantial difficulty, this trail sets its stage within a myriad of terrains, encompassing forests and rock-strewn expanses, ultimately culminating in an encompassing view of the Na Pali Coast.

In what can be described as a vibrant discourse between topography and voyager, Julian Coiner, in his recount of a different but similarly challenging trail, the Canyon Trail of Kokole Point, provides tangible insight into the perils and precautions such explorations may necessitate. He emphasizes, “Hazardous cliffs, flash floods, no diving, don’t jump.”

Coiner’s emphasis on precaution becomes particularly relevant in the context of the Nu’alolo Trail’s well-documented rigor. The evident steep inclines and declines are inherent components of the route, becoming not just obstacles but an integral narrative of the hiker’s journey. A noteworthy mention from a hiker from September 30, 2023, spoke of this landscape saying, “It gets steep and the hike back is tough,” highlighting the terrain’s tangible demand on those who navigate its path.

Simultaneously, an intertwining narrative of sublime natural spectacle persists. Despite the undeniable physicality of the trek, an enveloping reward manifests in the form of panoramic vistas. Coiner, in reflection upon reaching a scenic point in his hike, states, “This is what you have to look forward to once you get to the end of this hike before you turn around.” This dual narrative of challenge and aesthetic reward may very well be an unspoken trope of Kaua’i’s trails.

Advisories for trail-goers to equip themselves adequately—bringing essential gear and ample water—are pertinent across the board. Coiner emphasizes the need to be judiciously prepared, advising, “Make sure you take plenty of water; part of this trail is exposed.” Given his indication that “part of the trail is exposed” and considering the hazards present, preparation emerges as a key theme. For instance, previous hikers have commented on the necessity of hat, sunscreen, and possibly trekking poles for the Nu’alolo Trail.

Precipitation is another vital element to consider, impacting not just the physical terrain but the experience’s overall safety and viability. Coiner noted the presence of rain during his journey, a relevant note for those contemplating any of Kaua’i’s trails. The Nu’alolo Trail, like many in the region, can present particularly treacherous conditions, becoming “muddy and slippery” in certain areas when wet, and it is imperative that one assesses the weather conditions prior to embarking.

Ultimately, the journey across the Nu’alolo Trail does not shy away from presenting a tangible physical challenge to its traversers. With its steep ascents and descents, varying terrains, and the persistent demand for attentiveness to climatic conditions, it ensures that those who embark upon it not only witness but become active participants in the evolving narratives of Kaua’i’s landscapes. The trail, through its various twists and turns, imprints upon the hiker a multifaceted experience that intertwines the tangible physicality of the trek with moments of aesthetic and tranquil reprieve offered by its panoramic vistas.

Canyon Ridge Trail