Peter's Walking Tours and Continuing Education Classes
Swifts and Other Local Birds: Adaptation to Life on the Wing
Saturday, September 13, 2025
Course Number SC417X or SC517X 1 Credit $140
There can be additional materials and entrance fees. Check with the instructor for specific details for this class.
Note: This class will be taught by Jake Gordon
In this exciting class, we‘ll explore the unique phenomena of the Vaux swifts annual migration, and their nightly pilgrimage during September to Portland’s Chapman School chimney. We will be joined by a bird expert, who will teach us ways to identify local birds using a variety of sensory clues, and many ideas will be discussed for integrating bird study throughout the curriculum. The class will culminate with an opportunity to view the arrival of the swifts at sunset, a truly unique natural and cultural event in Portland. On some September evenings, more than 25,000 swifts enter the chimney at dusk. In addition, we will learn about predatory birds and the challenges facing all local birds in an increasingly more urban ecosystem. Our adventures will include lesson ideas that will energize science, art and language arts activities across the curriculum in K-12 classrooms.
Biking the Columbia Gorge State Historic Trail
Saturday, September 20, 2025
Course Number SS413a or SS513a 1 Credit $140
There can be additional materials and entrance fees. Check with the instructor for specific details for this class.
In this fun and informative adventure, we will explore three different sections of the Columbia River Gorge State Historic Trail. Along the way, we’ll learn the history of the old highway, and we’ll discuss the geology, geography, waterfalls and flora of the area. Our morning explorations will take us from Cascade Locks to Tooth Rock, and from Wyeth to Starvation Creek. In the afternoon, we’ll make our way from Hood River to Mosier, passing through the Mosier Tunnels. TOTAL BICYCLING: Approximately 20 miles.