A Roadtrip to Albany, Oregon

February 27, 2007

By Amy Nyberg


If you haven’t been to Albany lately, its time to experience the town again. Being fairly new to Oregon, I was a bit unsure about what to expect from Albany, a charming small town about 30 minutes south of Salem. However, my curiosity got the better of me and I found myself tagging along with some of our staff on a guided tour of the city by the Albany Visitors and Convention Bureau.

I am happy to report that I was pleasantly surprised! Albany has lots wonderful reasons to make the trip, from historic homes to gourmet cuisine and a thriving downtown. Located in the heart of the Willamette Valley about 70 miles from Portland, there is something for everyone.

Continue reading "A Roadtrip to Albany, Oregon"

Frogz Frolic at the Elsinore Theater

February 23, 2007


By Carina Reed

I spent this past Saturday night partaking in the wacky world of FROGZ at Salem’s Historic Elsinore Theatre . The production was produced by Imago Theater in Portland and has been on Broadway twice. This was the third time it has been in Salem, and the first time in 5 years.

This play was a great theatrical event, suitable for the whole family. The varied program provided nearly two action packed hours of fun. It started out with three performers doing acrobatics in stretchy green suits and detailed frog masks. I was amazed at how realistic they made the creatures.

Continue reading "Frogz Frolic at the Elsinore Theater"

Nordic Skiing and the Team Oregon in the International Snow Sculpting Contest

February 22, 2007

I have only Nordic (Cross Country) skied a handful of times, but each time brings more fun and enjoyment than the last. From learning new techniques to learning to navigate every turn and twist is an added joy to my life.

It’s not like you get a chair to sit down on and ride up a hill, so you can just glide and enjoy the downhill rush. It does involve work…well, it is as much work as you put into it. And there is a rush, a huge rush, especially if you have never tried.

Continue reading "Nordic Skiing and the Team Oregon in the International Snow Sculpting Contest"

Oregonians Love Books!

February 21, 2007

By Jennifer Archer

You may have heard that Oregonians love books. We love to read them, write them and host book clubs about them. In fact, did you know that we have a City of Books with a fully-fledged Mayor? Ummm ok...well maybe we're stretching it a wee bit...but you get the picture. Oregonians love books!

Being the book lovers that we are, we've compiled a list of some fabulous books written where Oregon figures as a main character. Because we love characters, I mean, dreamers.

I dig stories about people who leave their creature-comforts behind and set out on epic road trips or crazy journeys to experience a new part of their world. William L. Sullivan, a fifth-generation Oregonian, has hiked pretty much every trail in Oregon. His entertaining book, Listening for Coyote: A Walk Across Oregon’s Wilderness recounts his earnest and sometimes amusing search for true wilderness.

Continue reading "Oregonians Love Books!"

Inside Scoop: The Grandest of Grand Floral Parades

February 16, 2007

If you take the 2 million visitors to Portland's Rose Festival and give them all big, gloriously puffy wands of cotton candy, how many napkins would you need?

Now in its 100th year, this iconic Portland celebration takes over Waterfront Park for 18 days in June. The festival entices people from all over the world with such attractions as carnival rides, dragon boat races, queen's coronation, starlight parade and the Grand Floral Parade, one of the nation's top two all-floral parades.

Marilyn Clint, Associate Executive Director & Grand Floral Parade Manager, grew up admiring the splendor of this parade. Read on for a special "inside scoop" on this year's grand celebration, as well as its fascinating background.

Continue reading "Inside Scoop: The Grandest of Grand Floral Parades"

Netarts, A Crabbing Story

February 14, 2007

Winter is a great time for crabbing. Our good friend Dermot recently launched his own crabbing excursion, and has some great tips for the expert (as well as the newbie, or even the wannabe) crabber. Be sure to read his story below.

What is so wonderful about crabbing in Netarts Bay is that you always find yourself among friends! The bay is unique in Oregon as there is no major river feeding into it. Because of this, the salmon fisherman head elsewhere and the bay is left to those who chase an elusive creepy, crawly bounty called the Dungeness crab.

Netarts Bay can be found about 6 miles west of Tillamook, Oregon on the way to Oceanside and Cape Meares. On any given day, when the crab is in season, a legion of small boats and a few large ones can be found in the shallow bay with their occupants hauling traps and checking pots. As well, along the shore, there is a smattering of people with “snares” attached to the end of a fishing pole looking to get 1 or 2 crabs for dinner that night. To the uninitiated, they all look like experts. But that isn’t so.

Continue reading "Netarts, A Crabbing Story"

Inside Scoop: The World’s First Dedicated, Lift-Assisted Downhill & Freeride Mountain Bike Park

February 13, 2007

Fat-tire fanatics already know that hundreds of mountain trails, designated bike lanes and widened shoulders make Oregon a haven for incredible bicycling adventures (just have a look at the trails on our site).

We’re psyched to announce some really exciting news from our friends in the mountain biking community. We’ve just heard that Oregon will soon be home to the world’s FIRST dedicated, lift-assisted downhill and freeride mountain bike park.

For those of you unfamiliar with this sport, “freeriding” is to traditional mountain biking as the demolition derby is to bumper cars. And it's performed by adrenaline-junkies seeking the ultimate thrill of gravity defying free-flight…on a bicycle!

For more about the world’s first dedicated lift-assisted downhill and freeride mountain bike park, read the following blog by Iris R, Oregon’s “bike guru” at the Dept. of State Parks:

Continue reading "Inside Scoop: The World’s First Dedicated, Lift-Assisted Downhill & Freeride Mountain Bike Park"

Oregon's Seafood & Wine Festival- Oyster Shooters, Bisque, and Much More!

February 8, 2007


As you read our blog or peruse through our website, you will probably notice that there’s always something fun and exciting to do in Oregon. And very often, there's something delicious to taste! Our very own Amy visited the Oregon Seafood & Wine Festival this past weekend- read on to hear more about her culinary adventure.

Sampling Seafood and Wine...what could be better? Benefiting the Multiple Sclerosis Society at the same time!

The Oregon Seafood & Wine Festival was held at the Oregon Convention center February 2nd and 3rd. The festival offered 20 Seafood Restaurants, 65 wineries, live Oregon Jazz, and dozens of other exhibitors.

Continue reading "Oregon's Seafood & Wine Festival- Oyster Shooters, Bisque, and Much More!"

Culinary Delights at the Oregon Truffle Festival

February 6, 2007


The Oregon Truffle Festival took place on January 26-28, 2007 in Eugene, Oregon. Harvesters, chefs, growers and gastronomic aficionados came together to celebrate one of Oregon's most incredible treasures (and to try some really great food, too!)

This festival is the first of its kind in North America, and has run for two consecutive years in the Willamette Valley.

Read on to hear about Jessica's very own truffle adventure!

Continue reading "Culinary Delights at the Oregon Truffle Festival"

What's going on in Oregon this February?

February 5, 2007

This month we’re going all out for romance! We have 7 romantic getaway suggestions, fabulous ideas for the single-and-independent crowd plus staff picks for a good place to steal that kiss.

We're also excited to give you a chance to win an escape for two to the Tony Award-winning Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland.

Finally, we’re sharing a delectable dinner recipe from Bend’s Pine Tavern Restaurant, a winter road trip idea and the low-down on February’s BIG events, from the Portland Jazz Festival to the Oregon Chocolate Festival.

See you in Oregon ~ The Editors

Newsletter

Sign up for news:


Add to Technorati Favorites


Order your free Travel Oregon magazine

Travel Oregon features unique travel ideas and information that can inspire your own Oregon adventure. And it's free!