Noah Thomas

1 week ago | opb.org | Noah Thomas

Every spring, an unusual gathering takes place in the Blue Mountains of Northeast Oregon. The Gambler 500, a rally-style event, brings together enthusiasts driving beat-up cars with quirky names like “Bat Claw” and “Corollavirus.” But these junker jockeys aren’t here for a race – they’re on a mission to clean up the national forest. The Gambler 500 started in Redmond, and has snowballed into a nationwide phenomenon, with events in every state and several gatherings in Oregon.

1 month ago | opb.org | Noah Thomas

For many Oregonians, camping seems to be hardwired into their DNA. However, for newcomers and urban transplants, the idea of spending nights under the stars can feel daunting. Hillsboro resident, Lestarya Molloy, knows this hesitation well — she didn’t find comfort in the wilderness until later in life. “I didn’t grow up camping,” Lestarya said.

Feb 24, 2025 | opb.org | Jenn Chavez |Noah Thomas

Chris Foltz works on an ice sculpture with a chainsaw as team member Dean Murray looks on in Fairbanks, Alaska, in this photo from Feb. 20, 2023. The sculpture, called "The Wild Child," was the team's entry in the multiblock division of the 2023 World Ice Art Championships. You might encounter an ice sculpture of a swan at a fancy banquet, or an ice luge on a night out. But have you ever seen an 18-foot-tall punk baby with a mohawk made of ice?

Jan 20, 2025 | opb.org | Julie Sabatier |Noah Thomas

Jory Olson stands on Mt. Hood with his two Siberian cats, Lewis and Clark. It’s pretty common to see people including their dogs in outdoor recreation activities, but a cat? That’s a different story. Oregon Field Guide producer Noah Thomas recently met some cats who go with their people on all kinds of adventures in the great outdoors. He joins us to share their stories, and we hear from some Evergreen listeners with adventurous cats.

Dec 2, 2024 | heraldandnews.com | Noah Thomas

Felines are evolving from neighborhood prowlers to adventure partners — on forest trails and even on the water. Nicol Alcain strolled through the trees in Stub Stewart State Park alongside her Bengal cat, Kazuki. Patches of March snow lingered on the trail, and Kazuki gingerly stepped over them. kAm“x E9:?< H6 H6C6 5@:?8 25G6?EFC6 42EE:?8 367@C6 25G6?EFC6 42EE:?8 H2D 2 E9:?8[” p=42:? D2:5] “w6 ;FDE AC676CD E@ 36 @FED:56]”k^AmkAm~E96C E92?