CAPTAIN ADVENTURE

[June 22nd, 2005] Geocacher, rock climber, dodecathlete, and Olympic pearl-diving champ Drew Daringmore (civilian name) was poised to conquer the wide world of extreme outdoor sports with sheer determination and charm when his career was tragically cut short by a freak accident of nature. Then he was caught in a squall while kiteboarding in the Columbia Gorge. A bolt of lightning welded his kite to his torso, raising him into the heavens and then cruelly dropping him in the Mount Hood National Forest. Reborn as Captain Adventure , our hero has developed a sixth sense for impending danger and has rededicated his life to helping others enjoy the great outdoors-safely. Here are his tips to conquer the wild blue yonder.

^Car Camping-Without the Car

Overnight bike trips beckon the bravest of summer's superheroes.

By Jonathan Maus

Car camping is an American tradition. Unfortunately, so are full campgrounds, heavy traffic and high gas prices. But don't fret: Captain Adventure says to leave the car at home, pack your camping gear and dust off that old wanderlust for a biking experience you won't soon forget. Here are a few pedal-propelled propositions to set the gears in motion.

Oxbow Regional Park

Oxbow is nestled in the hills above the Sandy River a mere 25 miles from downtown Portland. In addition to wooded camping areas, the park boasts old-growth redwoods and an impressive collection of wild critters. Depending on your fitness level (or lack thereof), you can get there via the Springwater Corridor Trail or by hitching a ride on the MAX to the east end of the Blue Line. Work your way to Division Street and follow the signs to the park. 3010 NE Oxbow Parkway, Gresham, 663-4708.

Vernonia and Astoria

Test your pedal mettle with this Goonie-rific adventure. From Portland, hop on the MAX Blue Line west to Hillsboro. Then make your way north to the sweet little town of Vernonia. After a good night's rest, continue on to Astoria and get a ride home courtesy of the Lewis & Clark Explorer Train, which will take you all the way back to Linnton, just north of the St. Johns Bridge. Explorer Train leaves Astoria at 4:45 pm Friday-Monday through Oct. 3; www.lcbo.net/traingo.html.

Nestucca River Road

From the Hillsboro MAX terminus, you can also reach the Nestucca River Road, nirvana for any cyclist who appreciates low-traffic, high-beauty back roads. From the small rural town of Carlton (south of Forest Grove) you'll pick up Meadow Lake Road and soon be spinning west along the Nestucca River, wondering why you've never done this before. It's about 20 miles from Carlton to Dovre Campground, where you can sleep for the night. Dovre Campground info: (503) 815-1100.

Ainsworth State Park

A few miles northeast of Multnomah Falls, amid a rushing waterfall wonderland, Ainsworth State Park is ready to indulge your bike-camping habit. Channel your inner Lance and ride the 40 miles from Portland via Marine Drive and the Historic Columbia River Highway. Or take the MAX Blue line to Gresham and shave off a few miles. If you've got the energy, Ainsworth is also a gateway to some stellar hiking. www.oregonstateparks.org/park_146.php.

Clackamas River

Ride in the direction of our postcard peak, Mount Hood, and get to know the mighty Clackamas River. From the old logging town of Estacada southeast of Portland, it's only 15 miles east on Highway 224 to Armstrong Campground. Be sure to explore the four-mile off-highway side trip at North Fork Reservoir. With a relatively short ride into camp, you might have time to enjoy some river rafting (it might screw up the balance on your bike, so you might want to have a gas-guzzling friend bring out the boat)-just remember to lock up your bikes before leaving camp. Armstrong Campground info: 668-1700 .

^Five Wild Ways to Get Wet

A short guide to getting out and getting in.

By CASEY JARMAN

Following the advice of Mark Twain: "Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody." With recent swimming-pool closures in town and some of our best lakes full of algae, it might take a little extra work to get wet this summer. Captain Adventure offers some alternatives for both the casual swimmer (danger index: 1) and the thrill-seeker (danger index: 10).

Silver Falls State Park

It's a 60-mile drive from Portland, but Silver Falls is packed with so many miles of scenic hikes, lakes and, of course, waterfalls that it makes the drive look like a piece of cake. There are so many makeout spots that if you bring a partner, you best carry a few tubes of chapstick and be prepared to live out any Goonies-style fantasies. Danger: 3. Take I-5 south to exit 271. Turn left off the ramp, then follow signs on Highway 214 to Silverton. Go through town and follow signs to the park, about 12 miles south of town; www.oregonstateparks.org/park_211.php.

High Rocks Park

Sometimes you gotta take the good with the bad, and swimming is no exception. Clackamas High Rocks offers calm river waters, multiple natural basalt-rock diving platforms, and plenty of options for napping by the riverside. It also offers excellent, uh, people watching, with an even mix of middle-school kids hawking loogies and yokels swilling tallboys by the riverside. Danger from water: 7. Danger from fellow river rats: 9.5. Take 84 east to 205 south. Follow exit 11 (Gladstone) to the big bridge at the dead end.

North Clackamas Aquatic Park

If you can handle screaming snotty-nosed toddlers and zit-faced hyperactive teens, there's no better place on earth to suffer a nervous breakdown than this indoor swimming paradise. You got your wave pool, lap pool, hot tub, and the holy grails of kid-swimming, three brightly colored waterslides that ensure at least one painful collision a day. Just make sure you let the kids cut in line. Danger: 3. 7300 SE Harmony Road, Milwaukie, 557-7873, www.pdxsurf.com. $4-$5.

Rogue River

For the more adventurous water-hound, the Ashland area provides kayakers the perfect setting for a leisurely float down river or a relentless whitewater spin-cycle. Yes, these waters can kill you. You wouldn't be the first Rogue victim should you hop into uncharted waters unprepared. Fortunately, river guides and instructors abound. Danger: 8. Go to www.sova.org for information.

Santiam River area

Make sure you actually know how to swim before you hit the Santiam. Despite the gentle appearance of Santiam swimming holes, there are often rapids just downstream. A little searching goes a long way in the wild world of swimming, and if skinny dippin's your bag, you can surely find a place to get naked on the beautiful banks of the Little North Santiam. For easy access, check out Salmon Falls or North Fork Park, just a quick jaunt down the trail from the parking lot. Danger: 6. Take I-5 south to exit 253. Turn left onto Highway 22. After milepost 23 past Mehama, turn left at the sign for Santiam River Recreation Area. The road follows the Little North Santiam River.

For more swimming holes, see the Oregon destinations at gorp.away.com

^Out of the phone booth...

Into the wild blue...tepee? Let your inner scout out and hit the trails.

By Seth Lorinczi

In downtown Portland, Captain Adventure recently spotted a jacked-up pickup truck flying the stars-and-bars from a flagpole in the bed. A sticker depicted the cruelly co-opted, cowboy-hatted Calvin urinating on the words: "City Boys." Well, city boys (and girls), here's your chance to show the country folk with these offbeat yet testosterone-fomenting camping ideas:

Tepees

Yes, those pointy things with pictures of buffalo on the outside. Actually, these days they tend to be made of canvas and done up in a pleasing beige. What's more, they're an awful lot of fun, and considerably roomier than most tents. You can rent one from $27-$29 at several state parks. Visit www.oregon.gov/OPRD/PARKS/index.shtml for details.

Whale Watching

If counting squirrels, chipmunks and pumas no longer floats your boat, trek out to the North Coast to spot some of the largest mammals on the planet: migrating gray, humpback and sperm whales. Most migration takes place during the winter and spring, but a summer watch week is set for Aug. 29 through Sept. 5. Visit www.oregonstateparks.org/park_188.php for details.

Hunt Dinosaurs...

...or whatever's left of them. The floor of Eastern Oregon's John Day Valley contains a 40-million-year-old record of plant and animal life in the region. Actual digs are restricted to paleontologists working the site, but you can see fossils on display at the visitors' center and visit a working laboratory. There is no camping onsite, but several nearby national forests and state parks offer facilities. For more on the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, visit www.nps.gov/joda or call (541) 987-2333.

Leave No Trace

No, silly conspiracy theorists, it's not a sexy abduction website, but a compellingly commonsense approach to respecting our natural spaces. Its tenets include planning properly, leaving what you find, and not engaging wildlife in unnecessary conversation. Visit www.lnt.org for details.

^Summer Kicks Are for Kids

Swoop down and save yourself: Send your young and your restless off to play for the day.

By Jason Coyne

Most comic-book superheroes appear to gain special powers after a freak accident involving radioactive materials or spider bites. But we believe the credit belongs to their proud parents. Hold off just a minute on those stuffy summer schools for the gifted and those overzealous sports camps, though, and give your little hero what she really needs: some good, old-fashioned summer fun-with a twist.

Any caped crusader worth her mask and tights will tell you her inner superhero is looking for rad, pedal-to-the-metal, super-vehicle action. So swing over to Malibu Raceway for track-burning, curb-bending, go-kart fun. Kids, the F-50 is designed specifically for you and your drag-racin', bad guy-chasin' agenda. And adults, well, stick to your Pathfinders. 9405 SW Cascade Ave., Beaverton, 641-8122. $13.70-$21.95.

Do Jump! Summer Camp provides a challenging yet safe atmosphere where superkids can work on their daredevil and acrobat skills. Young superheroes develop confidence, balance and grace of movement through juggling, stilt-walking and trapeze classes. Even grown-ups would be tempted to run off and join the circus after a few days of this. Echo Theater, 1515 SE 37th Ave., 231-1232. June 20-Aug. 5. $55-$300.

Hurrah! Hyperactivity and rambunctiousness have found their kingdom, and it's inflatable. So don some gigantic blow-up gloves and bounce around like the Boxing Rubberband Avenger (a superhero not yet invented, so here's your chance!). Pump It Up: The Inflatable Party Zone is great for birthday parties and afternoon diversions. These bouncy funhouses and festive environments will help young avengers develop their secret powers. 9665 SW Allen Blvd., Suite 110, Beaverton, 644-6488. $150-$240.

Capes, wall crawling and gadgetry are great, but a superhero's greatest assets are generosity and bravery. At Camp Ky-o-wa, disabled and non-disabled kids between the ages of 5 and 11 discover that courage defines a true hero. Also, high-schoolers can volunteer as junior counselors and take part in the camp's many activities, including, swimming, boating, arts, crafts and, of course, songs around the campfire. Roslyn Lake Park, 4140 SE Thomas Road, Sandy, 668-5690. Free, $3 weekends and holidays.

Expecto Patronum! Twelve thousand watts of digital sound immerse fledgling sorcerers in the crisp and brilliant detail of Omnimax's Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Be whisked away through perilous realms on a Nimbus 2000 with Harry and his entourage of witches and wizards, the perfect charm for the dog days of summer. Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, 1945 SE Water Ave., 797-4640. $6.50-$8.50.