Private tour in Portland Marcus B
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Marcus B.
5.0
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26
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7 hrs
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I am a natural explorer, born in Oregon and raised in Portland. I left for 15 years, ending in a PhD in forestry. Trying to escape the politics of academia, I returned to Oregon and fell into the wine industry for two years, before becoming a tour guide in 2016 to spend more time outdoors. I've traveled to most States and Provinces, as well as France, Spain, Japan, and the UK. When I'm not guiding, I spend my time parenting, climbing, hiking, biking, and learning. Combining my education of the region and nature, I provide tours that intrigue and excite one's inner explorer. My tours tend to be off-the-beaten-path, often including wine tasting, with a solid foundation of enology, natural history, cultural history, geography, and engineering/architecture, with a little humor thrown in now and then, so things don't get too serious. Although my tours can be purely focused on sightseeing, my aim is to make them more intimate, with some physical activity, such as hiking, and something to stimulate the palate, whether it is wine, some other beverage, food, or some combination. Unless specifically requested, the tasting rooms I visit are always boutique. The city and surrounding areas are a Mecca for food, beer, wine, bridges, gardens, and outdoor recreation. The area within a 3-hour drive of Portland is extremely diverse, and you could never do it all in one tour. However, my tours are customized, so I will do my best to accommodate your interests and passions. I hope that when you leave, you will want to return for more. First time visitors are usually surprised by the quantity and diversity of leisure activities in the Portland region, and as a local, I'm still discovering new hiking areas to explore and new eating & drinking venues to taste. If you don't see what you're looking for on my menu, message me. Warm regards, Marcus Portland grown. Full-time tour guide since 2016. PhD in Forestry; MS, BS in Natural Resource Management. Work experience in wine industry, ecology/biology, archaeology, econometrics. Fully insured and permitted by the City of Portland as a private-for-hire-driver. Two years of experience at a winery; 12 years of cumulative experience research & teaching in biological, earth, and social sciences. I've participated in research in Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, California, North Dakota, and Provence, France. No restrictions.
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Marcus B.
Travel to Mt. St. Helens and environs, from Portland, with a naturalist guide who will discuss the geology, ecology, climate, history, and legends of the area, as well as the history of US public lands. Your guide will lead you on hikes near waterfalls, through lava tubes, and within oldgrowth forests. You will see some of the most unique geological features in North America, including North America's third longest continuous lava tube and a lava tree mold forest. Weather and road conditions permitting, you will be driven to the closest viewpoint into the crater of the volcano, where you will be provided a picnic lunch, overlooking Spirit Lake. No matter how hot the weather, you'll enjoy natural air conditioning as you hike by dramatic waterfalls and through primeval forest. This tour is always customized based upon the day's forecast and the physical ambitions of the guests.
-Mount St. Helens, WA 98649 - (7 hours) -Ape Cave Lava Tubes, WA, United States - (1-2. 5 hours) *NOTE THAT APE CAVE IS CLOSED NOVEMBER 1 - MAY 17* Other stops that vary, depending on the weather forecast and road closures: -Windy Ridge Viewpoint, WA - (1 hour) -Johnston Ridge Observatory, WA - (1 hour) -Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center, WA - (1 hour) -Trail of Two Forests Trail, WA - (20 minutes) -Mount St. Helens Visitor Center, Castle Rock, WA - (1 hour) -Lava Canyon, WA - (20 minutes) -Cedar Flats Research Natural Area - (20 minutes) -Multnomah Falls, OR - (30 minutes) -Latourell Falls, Guy W. Talbot State Park, OR - (20 minutes) -Portland Women's Forum State Scenic Viewpoint, OR - (10 minutes)
Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.
Air-conditioned van with PA system.
Portland, Oregon, United States
Pickup and drop-off are available at any of the following locations: Any Portland address, or meet me at 523 NE 19th Ave; Airport; American Cruise Lines terminals in Portland/Vancouver Metro; Vancouver and other Clark County locations; Woodland; Tour start time and total duration are based on my departure from and return to Portland, so your drive time varies by pickup and drop-off location.
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If your tour is valued over $200 USD and booked at least 45 days before the tour date, you can book with a deposit!
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