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Celebrate Oregon's Bounty This November

October 31, 2007

It's the perfect time of year to curl up in front of the fireplace with a glass of Pinot noir and a piping hot plate of Oregon cuisine. Treat your senses this season with a taste of Oregon Bounty's many events!

During the month of November, you will have the opportunity to meet local winemakers, attend an Oregon Bounty Winemaker Dinner, and participate in the fantastic lodging packages offered throughout the state.

And don't forget about our exciting Oregon Bounty getaway, and our Wine Country Thanksgiving in both Southern Oregon and the Willamette Valley. They are guaranteed to make your mouth water!

See you at the Oregon Bounty Celebration, where we’ll be clinking our wine glasses together and shouting, "Cheers!"

~ The Editors

P.S. Tell Us How We're Doing!

Iovinos Ristorante- A Fabulous Dining Experience

October 30, 2007

By Anthony Davis of the Corvallis Visitors Bureau

I have been a Corvallis native for a long time now and had never been to Iovinos Ristorante (yes it is Ristorante not Restaurant), but had heard some wonderful things. Last week I decided to indulge myself in a new restaurant experience with a group of friends (No I did not pay for them, I am nice but not that nice). Overall, I was pleasantly surprised with the restaurant. The food was wonderful and the atmosphere was just as good. There is an extensive wine list and a full service bar which adds to the fabulous experience that this Italian restaurant has to offer. The building is in the new Renaissance Towers at 136 SW Washington St., in Corvallis Oregon. The Renaissance is Corvallis' new and first high-rise condo building overlooking the beautiful Willamette River.

Corvallis has many great restaurants to choose from. Please visit our Places to Dine section for more information.

A Great Day for Golf – Tokatee Golf Club

October 29, 2007

By Larry Moran

It’s a beautiful Sunday morning in mid-October. The choices are to organize the workshop after the summer projects, or go GOLFING! After weighing the options for about a second, this past Sunday I drove from Eugene up Hwy 126, along the McKenzie River, to play golf at Tokatee Golf Club. It was a lovely clear morning after a couple of days of rain, and I was early enough to catch the sunrise as I arrived at the course.

Tokatee has often been described as the most beautiful place to play golf in Oregon, and I couldn’t agree more. The course is set in lightly rolling terrain in the Cascade Foothills, with The Three Sisters mountains overlooking the valley. At this time of year there is an abundance of fall colors – yellows and reds – and the light is perfect for golf. I was lucky enough to have the course to myself for the first few holes, and really enjoyed sharing it with a variety of birds, many of which seemed not to care that there was someone knocking small balls at them apparently at random.

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A Weekend Excursion in Bend, Oregon- Part 2

October 25, 2007

By Jamie Porter

This blog is a continuation of Jamie's last post, on her adventures in Bend.

You Better Believe I Can Carry a Canoe…
That’s right, I was put up to the challenge. We got to the storage unit where the 15-foot canoe was stored, prepared to lift it onto a brand-new white Jeep without making a mark. No problem, right? We managed to flip the canoe only a couple times, but left the jeep completely unharmed. Once the canoe was securely tied to the jeep, we hopped in and headed for a refreshing drive to see what all this Cascade Lake hype was really about. Turns out the Lakes are worth all the hype. We first stopped at Todd Lake. We found convenient parking as soon as we turned in and hiked a short ten minutes into the lake before deciding that we weren’t too big on the idea of dragging the canoe in with us. Our short jaunt was just enough to appreciate the beauty of the lake and meet some Cascade Lake gurus who were able to direct us to some canoeing hotspots.

Continue reading "A Weekend Excursion in Bend, Oregon- Part 2"

Hidden Gems of Yamhill Wine Country

Howdy, Sean here with Travel Oregon's International Department. It is not to say that this job is not without perks.

Japanese guests from Northwest Airlines World Traveler magazine were in town for a Fall tour of Oregon and its "countryside." So we headed down to wine country to get a first-hand look at the wine harvest experience.

After a quick breakfast, well, hold on now, it wasn't quick and it should not go without saying. Possibly the most yummy breakfast that I have found on the streets of Portland lie at the corner of NW 11th and Everett. The Everett Street Bistro has the feel of exactly what is intended, a little slice of Parisian ambiance on the streets of Portland.

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What's New At Oregon's Ski Resorts This Season?

October 24, 2007

Oregon's '07-08 ski season is here, and our mountain resorts are anticipating another epic year. Beyond incredible conditions, skiers and boarders have many reasons to be excited, including new snowcats, a new lift and so much more...

Facility Improvements at Mt. Hood Meadows Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort has had a very busy summer of capital improvement projects. Projects ranging from a new ski patrol headquarters building to remodeled rest room facilities will improve the overall guest and employee experience at the resort.

New Patrol Headquarters Building
Located near the upper terminal of the Blue Chair at the top of South Canyon, this two-story, 1,240 square foot structure will house the new Mount Hood Meadows (MHM) Patrol Headquarters. Patrol dispatch and a larger professional patrol staff will call this attractive and functional new facility home. This will be MHM’s first LEED’s ("Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design" green building rating system) certified building and will be a real milestone in our continuing environmental sustainability efforts.

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28th Annual Portland Ski and Snowboard Show Coming This November!

Ski season is just around the corner, and we are very excited to gear up for the occasion! Join us at the 28th Annual Portland Ski and Snowboard Show this November, for lift tickets, exciting entertainment and much more!

The 28th Annual Portland Ski and Snowboard Show is November 2, 3 and 4, 2007 at the
Portland Expo Center. This year's line-up includes Ski Reps with the latest gear, the Northwest's Largest Ski Swap, exciting entertainment, vacation ski resorts and all of Portland's best major winter sports retailers with endless opportunities to save up to 70% on ski and snowboard gear! Everyone who attends will receive a 2 for 1 lift ticket to all of the following ski areas: Mt. Hood Skibowl, Mt. Ashland, Mt. Hood Meadows, Mission Ridge, Timberline, Whistler/Blackcomb and Hoodoo. Features include Honda Tower of Power Aerial Show, New School Freeride Show, Giant Rail Jam, Widmer Brothers Boardrider Saloon, and Ski Oregon Freeride Theater. Show times are Friday 1pm - 10pm, Saturday 10am - 10pm and Sunday 10am - 6pm. Visit www.portlandskifever.com for more information.

Last Chance for Hoodoo Anycards and Season Pass Discounts
The Portland Ski Show will be your last chance to purchase Hoodoo Anycards at a discount. The Anycards ($165) are good for 5 lift tickets, on any day, for any time and for anyone. What a great gift for the whole family! They are completely transferable. This is also the last chance to purchase your season passes at their fall sale price! Hoodoo expects to open their 70th season on November 23, 2007.

Fall Pleasures: Afternoon Drive Nets Unexpected Treasure

October 23, 2007

Photo: Partners in crime, Breanna Grover and Andrea Hartman

By Andrea Hartman

After sitting in the office all week listening to my co-worker (also known as the human behind our Fall Foliage Hotline) describe the seasonal beauty currently surrounding our nearby scenic byways, I decided it was time to see some of it for myself.

I talked my best friend into taking a Saturday afternoon drive, and as luck would have it, the weather was on our side! We headed due East on highway 126, snaking along the McKenzie River with the tunes on, sunroof open and the sun beating down on our heads. Our destination: milepost 45, the turn off for Aufderheide Drive National Scenic Byway, and all the fall foliage we could spy.

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A Weekend Excursion in Bend, Oregon

October 22, 2007

By Jamie Porter

The Drive—Can You Hear Me Now?
As a recent graduate of Oregon State University and a newcomer to the Travel Oregon staff, I was blessed to have a two week vacation (some call it unemployment) between the end of summer school and the beginning of a new job to live up my short, but oh so sweet summer. So, where does a born and raised Oregonian take a mini vacay? Beautiful Bend, Oregon, of course. Make that three mini vacations in the course of two weeks. After all, the 2 ½ hour drive over the pass is full of beautiful, “only in Oregon” sights and a bittersweet hour-long stretch of yes, you guessed it…no cell phone service. Ah, the peace (and the misery). After only a small glimpse of Oregon’s picturesque scenery from my car window, I found myself driving through the small town of Sisters, not minding the 20 MPH speed zone, because there is so much to see.

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Oakridge Oregon: A Mountain Biking Mecca

October 20, 2007

Mountain biking enthusiasts everywhere are spreading their love for this sport, by transforming the Oakridge/Westfir area into a mountain biking mecca. Check out comments from Randy Dreiling, owner of Oregon Adventures, on this growing phenomenon.

“Oakridge/Westfir, Oregon is clearly becoming more popular for mountain bikers- you can tell by the amount of cars with bikes on them around town. So this has me thinking, what will Oakridge look like in 2, 5, 10, 20 years? I personally think the changes will be great. I believe Oakridge/Westfir will become a mountain biking hot spot, and attract a number of skilled and adventurous bikers (most of our trails are for intermediate and above skill levels). Our location also allows Oregonians to escape the city and enjoy nature. I also think that more people will buy houses here because of the strong mountain biking community.”

Interested in participating in the growing community of Oregon mountain bikers? Head on over to the Oakridge/Westfir area. If you would like a few ideas on where to get started, check out Randy’s previous blogs, and hit up some of his favorite trails. You may also find additional information on the Oakridge/Westfir area by visiting their Chamber of Commerce.

For more information on mountain biking throughout Oregon, please visit our Outdoor Recreation section.

Visit the Ace Hotel This Fall

October 19, 2007

Looking for a cozy place to get away this fall? Perhaps a modern, sophisticated hotel located near some of the best attractions in the Portland Metro area? If so, the Ace Hotel may be the perfect destination for your fall vacation.

The Ace Hotel is known as a very chic, cozy hotel located in Portland. Its rooms feature artwork from local and national artists, ranging from realistic animals such as cats to more modern, abstract pieces. The room numbers were designed to appear like the numbers on telephone polls, which also give the hotel a very simple but fascinating look. Bathrooms in the Ace Hotel include original cast iron tubs and sinks with vintage fixtures, the lobby area carries local Stumptown coffee, and the hotel offers an eclectic event space called “The Cleaners”, which may be rented by guests. When visiting the Ace Hotel, you may also feed your hunger with delicious local food from their restaurant, the Clyde Common.

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A Ramble in Oregon's Fall Woods

October 18, 2007

By Dawn Tryon

It’d been awhile since Brad and I had laced up our hiking boots, and autumn is one of the best times to enjoy some great hikes, so off we went.

We decided to hit one of the Columbia Gorge hikes since it isn’t too far of a drive from our home in Portland. Selecting Herman Creek, a short drive about 50 minutes away, we packed up the dogs (who are always up for a good long walk) and pointed the car east.

Arriving at the campground sign set near the I-84 freeway, we parked outside the gated area. The trailhead is normally open during the summer (it is located up off the campground), but during the off-season the campground is closed.

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Apple of My Eye: Fall Harvest Days in Harrisburg, Oregon

October 12, 2007

By Andrea Hartman

From the sight of orange pumpkins and red leaves to the feeling of cool air on my face, fall has long been my favorite time of year. And on this chilly but beautiful October weekend, the girls and I headed out in search of the quintessential fall activity, for the quintessential fall day.

We headed for the cozy farm town of Harrisburg, Oregon, where we came upon Detering Orchards, just in time to join in their Apple Days fun. Read: free apple pie, apple cider and lots of apple picking!

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Behind the Scenes of An Oregon Ad: Part 2

October 11, 2007

This blog article is a continuation of a "behind the scenes" look at the creation of a Book of Oregon campaign ad. You can read Part 2 here.

On a sunny spring afternoon, a group of Oregonians headed over to Hayward Field to create an ad. But not just any ad. This ad in particular starred Jordan Kent, Oregon’s resident track, football and basketball star. Because Jordan has represented Oregon in so many ways, what better title to give him than the Oregon Overachiever? Read on for a continued behind-the-scenes look at this exciting ad shoot…

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What's Going On In Oregon This October?

October 8, 2007

In Oregon the sky is blue, trees are changing colors and there’s a crispness in the air that means Halloween is near.

To celebrate this cozy time of harvest, hot apple cider and carved pumpkins we put together some fun trip ideas – destination lodges and hotels, culinary adventures and family fun – as well as a fall-icious recipe of the month.

Also, we tapped our crafty side and came up with a silly-fun Halloween mask-making project, complete with a few Oregon twists, just for you.

See you in Oregon, where we’re on our way to an Oregon Bounty Winemaker Dinner.

~The Editors

P.S. Tell Us How We're Doing!

Halloween Mask-Making Fun with Travel Oregon

By Ashley Moran

If you have children, or are simply a child-at-heart, we’ve got a treat for you. Emily
(editor for Travel Oregon magazine) and I recently rounded up a group of our favorite kids, and created some creative (and, authentically Oregon) Halloween masks. Check out our video, and try your hand at creating your very own Oregon Dungeness crab, beaver, or salmon.

Our mask-making adventure began at the craft store, where we stuffed our cart full of paper plates, stickers, colored felt, puff paint (which is still just as fun as it was in the 80’s, I must admit), glitter crayons, and of course, Halloween candy and other goodies. Once we felt we’d purchased the full amount of supplies we could handle (or our wallets could handle, for that matter) we were off.

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On the Road with Oregon Bounty- Day 7: A Passion For the Land, and A MySpace for Bovine

October 5, 2007

(Greg and Sean head to Eastern Oregon, to visit a ranch in North Powder).

When I was in my early 20s, fresh out of college and with no clue about what I would do with the rest of my life, I had this fantasy about being a rancher. Perhaps it was the lack of any discernible career direction, but the thought of living through the rhythms of land and livestock seemed grounded and real.

I’d grown up around farms and ranches in Oregon, and shared classrooms with the offspring of rugged men and women whose livelihoods were cyclical, based on weather, commodity prices, and their ability to survive tough times. As an early teenager, I’d labeled those farm kids as slow, simple, and on a dead-end path to repeat their parents’ existence. I couldn’t wait to leave rural Oregon, and had grand plans for a bright future somewhere far away from the pastures and pigs.

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On the Road With Oregon Bounty: Day 6 - Smells Like Home

October 4, 2007

(Greg and Sean head to Oregon's outdoor haven, Central Oregon, for a whiff of organic coffee and the Deschutes County Fair.)

The aromas of Central Oregon are branded on my brain. Born and raised there, I had a lot of time to follow my nose. It amazes me sometimes how many memories of Central Oregon I can recall by the odors, fragrances and pungencies of my childhood: a newly-mowed hayfield after a late spring rain: driving outside Madras in the summer and being assaulted by ripe peppermint -- as if the entire region was chewing green Dentyne and exhaling simultaneously; asparagus juice on my hands from picking the wild spears that grew in rock patches along the roads; sage when it’s in bloom; snow, just before a big storm; our pig farm.

Yes, a pig farm. And yes, it smelled. But I also learned what real bacon tasted like. From the huge garden my mother tended each summer, I discovered how minutes-old corn melts in your mouth. I realized that tomatoes actually have flavor.

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Day Five- On the Road With Oregon Bounty - A Degree in Organics and Torta-ology

October 3, 2007

Today, Greg visits Southern Oregon for a degree in organics and torta-ology.

In the early 80s I was a disc jockey on a country music station in Central Oregon. One of the songs on regular rotation back then was a Barbara Mandrell/George Jones number called “I was country when country wasn’t cool.” When it comes to organic foods, the same can be said for Elizabeth Fujas, and her company Rising Sun Farms.

Around the time that song was hitting the airwaves, Elizabeth and her husband, Richard, were moving onto a remote farm outside of Medford, in Southern Oregon. Fresh from a life at sea (she as a chef aboard racing yachts, he as a ship captain in the West Indies), this seemed like the ideal spot to retire into full-time parenthood.

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Day Four: On the Road with Oregon Bounty - A Big Fish Tale

October 2, 2007

Video: Today, Greg visits the Oregon Coast for a deep sea fishing expedition.

I caught my first salmon in July of 1974, off the Oregon coast near Florence. A full 33 years would pass before I would again be out on the open ocean, looking back at Oregon’s rugged coastline clinging to the horizon. This time, I was there to shoot a segment for “On the Road with Oregon Bounty” highlighting sport fishing in Oregon. What a perfect idea, I thought. Call it work, and go catch a big one.

My guide on this adventure was Lars Robison (we spell our name differently, but pronounce it the same), a second-generation fishing guide who has operated Dockside Charters out of Depoe Bay since 1983. The fish in Lars’ blood was passed from his father, who started the family business in the early 1930s, rowing clients around Siletz bay in search of lunkers and Dungeness crab. Cost of an outing back then, lunch not included: a nickel a day.

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Day Three: On the Road with Oregon Bounty: Cow horns and compost and Pisces, oh my

October 1, 2007

Video: Today, Greg visits a biodynamic winery in the famed Willamette Valley wine growing region of Oregon.

I remember the day as if it was, well, six years ago. In the summer of 2001, those attending the annual International Pinot Noir Celebration in McMinnville, Oregon, were audience to an incident that would shake – if not gently nudge – the foundation of winemaking in Oregon. I wasn’t there for the presentation, but attended a tasting the next day. The place was abuzz.

Madame Lalou Bize-Leroy, considered the Grande Dame of wine in Burgundy, was a keynote speaker, presenting her philosophy of "biodynamie," or biodynamic practices for growing and making wine. Bize-Leroy is an icon, having built Domaine Leroy after years guiding Domaine de la Romanee-Conti – a.k.a. DRC, arguably the leading wine estate in Burgundy, if not the world. DRC wines are in a stratosphere all their own, commanding upwards of $1,000 a bottle…if you can even get your hands on some. Their stone wall-guarded vineyards outside of Beaune in central-eastern France are considered Mecca for those who want to make great Pinot noir.

Continue reading "Day Three: On the Road with Oregon Bounty: Cow horns and compost and Pisces, oh my"