By Linda Ballou, NABBW’s Adventure Travel Associate

Overview of the Willamette River as viewed from Corvallis. Photo courtesy of Linda Ballou

Nestled in the heart of the fertile Willamette Valley, Corvallis, Oregon is located just forty-five minutes from the Oregon coast. It enjoys mild temperatures year-round, without the dense fog and blustery winds of typical coastal towns.

It is also just far enough off Hwy 5, the main artery from Portland south, to avoid industrial development. Corvallis offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown.

In addition, a tapestry of organic farms as well as vineyards that produce world-class wines carpet the Valley.

Country-fresh Corvallis is a walkable small town that offers visitors both the charm of a bygone era and the youthful energy of today. Perhaps part of the community’s palpable energy comes from the fact that it is home to the highly regarded Oregon State University (OSU), where students and professors are recognized nationally for advancing research in critical areas like climate science, robotics, clean energy, artificial intelligence and biotechnology.

Linda Ballou at the Finley Refuge.

In contrast to the high tech being advanced on campus, Corvallis visitors quickly note the town is more about high touch. Neighborhoods featuring crisply painted Victorian homes framed in brilliant blooms line leafy lanes. No one seems to be in a hurry. Cars, bicyclists and joggers comfortably share the roads. Approximately half of the 60,000 residents are students and professors at OSU.

A stroll along the Riverfront Commemorative Park’s River Walk, which follows the banks of the mighty Willamette as it flows through the heart of town, is a relaxing activity at any time of day. Towering oaks, red-leaf maples, and spruce provide shady glens, while benches, and a play area for kids encourage people to linger and enjoy the outdoors.

As might be expected in a college town, there are plentiful options for healthy dining and relaxing. The Bodhi Artisan Kitchen and Bakery, located in downtown Corvallis and just one block up from the river walk, offers wholesome choices for breakfast and lunch. Locals gather here for smoothies, lattes, and artisan bakery treats. Castor, Caves Corvallis, and Lucca Taverna offer healthy choices for dinner. Young chefs pride themselves on creating unique dishes using local, organic, and garden-fresh ingredients. The organic farms and vineyards in the nurturing Willamette Valley take pride in the fact that they don’t use dangerous chemicals in food production.

The Corbin B&B where Linda Ballou stayed during her Corvallis visit.

I felt at home at the Corbin B&B, high on a knoll in a forested tract about ten minutes out of town. The stately house, with massive beams and extensive use of wood throughout, was built with fir trees downed to allow the sun to enter the sheltered setting. Hostess Shannon prepared a savory breakfast with eggs that tasted like eggs — compliments of the neighbor’s hens.

Linda’s view of Fitton Green during her walk. Linda Ballou photo.

While enjoying a crisp morning walk on nearby Fitton Green Loop, I found myself surrounded with lavender lupine, dewy mosses, and ferns while I enjoyed  a view of the Coast Range. Billowing white clouds cast shadows on the valley dotted with farms below. Breathing deeply of the crisp, clean air, I felt vitally alive. The nearby expansive Mulky Ridge trail network, which links Bald Hill Farm to the Fitton Green Natural Area is dog-friendly and suitable for more advanced hikers.

For the ultimate farm-to-table food experience, head out to the Gathering Together Farm. They serve delicious fresh produce as well as meats and other products from the Willamette Valley. Everything is prepared from scratch, including bread and pasta. Menus are seasonal. Relax in a charming, rustic restaurant on the working organic farm, warmed by a wood-fired pizza oven. Fans of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), the grassroots movement designed to bring consumers into a closer relationship with their food producers, will be fascinated to learn that folks at the Gathering Together Farm started the CSA movement back in 1996.

A curvaceous drive on the Pacific Scenic Byway through a canopy of green brought me to the Leaping Lamb Farm, the Thyme Farm, and the road to Mary’s Peak. Yes, it can be drippy in Coastal Oregon, but when the sun comes out, it is dazzling with dew diamonds sparkling on mosses, ferns, and wildflowers. This water-rich region is vibrant, lush, bursting with green life.

Iris growing at the Thyme Garden. Linda Ballou photo.

The beautifully manicured Thyme Garden features a stunning display of herbs and spices in its raised planting beds. A river shaded by towering oaks and red-leaf maple with inviting seating areas beckons the visitor to stay awhile. Weddings and other special events are held here. Trails  meander through the forest, allowing you to wander beyond the planting beds. You can arrange a tour if you would like detailed information on how to use the plants that are for sale.

Nearby, down an unpaved road, is the Leaping Lamb Farm & Stay, is nestled in a magical “old-growth forest.” Owner Scotty Jones has created a fairyland for kids to explore. They can pet sheep, play with miniature goats, collect eggs, and connect with the natural world. Families can stay in the 1895 farmhouse or just come for a day tour led by Scotty, stay for a picnic, and enjoy the tranquil setting.

A snaking road spirals up to Marys Peak. At an altitude of 4,097 feet, it is the highest point in the Coastal Range. Once aloft, you can see the Pacific Ocean and everything that lies in between. I wanted to stroll the vast network of trails there, but it was too blustery and cold at the top for my comfort. I suggest dressing warmly or coming later in the summer to enjoy the staggering vistas and alpine terrain. (I visited in May.)

The boardwalk at the Finley Refuge takes you to a birding blind. Linda Ballou photo.

On my bird walk with Spencer of Nature In Flight Tours, we entered Bald Hill Park via an easily accessible trail that locals frequently enjoy. It circles a meadow dusted with lavender, yellow, and pink wildflowers. Western bluebirds and yellow finches sit on fences lining the trail while swallows flit about and raptors hover overhead. He then took me to the 5,700-acre Finley Refuge, which features 12 miles of trails through oak savannas and seasonal wetlands. A well-maintained boardwalk takes you to a birding blind. We spotted a Bald Eagle circling overhead, herons, and other waterfowl in one of many ponds in the refuge. For more information about the birds and animals you might see, visit the William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge.

The Silver Falls State Park, home to the Ten Waterfalls Trail, is a loop hike located an hour east of Corvallis. I did not have time to get there, but I am told it is a thrill to walk behind the waterfalls on a trail that meanders through a temperate rainforest.

Ready to retreat from the frenetic pace of the city? Corvallis might just be the place to take a break. Culinary delights, fine wines, and outdoor adventures await.

I recommend the Alltrails app for detailed directions to the numerous trails in the region.

For more tips head over to Visit Corvallis.

Linda Ballou Freelance Writer

Linda's mission is to experience as many beautiful places on our planet as she can before they are no more. Travel tales relating her experiences while kayaking, horseback riding, sailing, birding and hiking about the globe have appeared in numerous national magazines. She had great fun collecting travel stories, and profiles of people she met in “naturally high places” for her book, Lost Angel Walkabout-One Traveler’s Tales. Her latest book Lost Angel Unleashed is the third book in her Lost Angel Trilogy

Go to LostAngelAdventures.com for more adventures.

For more about Linda’s novels and media offerings go to. www.LindaBallouAuthor.com