Oregon's Grand Canyon

March 27, 2008

Video courtesy of Ouzel Outfitters

By Brian Sykes of Ouzel Outfitters

Hidden away in the southeastern corner of Oregon is a little known natural wonder. A place where golden eagles soar alongside massive cliffs tinged pink and red with the rising sun. Where Indian paintbrush and desert primrose provide a colorful contrast to the stark landscape. Where a long-deserted pioneer home stands lonely and neglected, defying the harsh elements – a testament to the hardy folk who carved out a life here. Where the deep quiet provides the perfect atmosphere for pondering the meaning of ancient petroglyphs carved in the living rock. These are the canyons of the Owyhee River – Oregon’s Grand Canyon.

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Hatfield Marine Science Center's Octopus Conquers A New Frontier

March 21, 2008

Last week, Jimmie the Octopus ventured out into the wild after leaving her home at the Hatfield Marine Science Center. Jimmie loved her home at the Marine Science Center, and enjoyed interacting with people. Because of this, she was reluctant to leave her cozy tank in Newport. After a little bit of coaxing with the help of a delicious crab, Jimmie ventured into the wild at the Yaquina Bay jetty, while onlookers cheered for her. Apparently Jimmie loved living in Oregon as much as we do! To read the entire Oregonian article, please click here.

And be sure to visit the Hatfield Marine Science Center and Oregon Coast Aquarium this spring break!

Dinosaurs Are Invading Portland!


These ancient creatures have decided to make an appearance at Portland's very own Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI). If you're looking for a fun and educational spring break idea for the whole family, check out this interesting exhibit, titled "Dinosaurs: China's
Ancient Giants". View actual dinosaur skeletons, fossils, dinosaur eggs, Chinese murals and more. You will discover the lives of such dinosaurs as the Mamenchisaurus, Velociraptor and Lufengosaurus...just to name a few.

OMSI's dinosaur exhibit will be open until September 1, 2008. Please visit www.omsi.edu for more information, and have a blast learning about China's ancient giants!

There are a number of other exciting dinosaur events taking place in Portland, from a dinosaur egg exhibit at the Portland Classical Chinese Gardens to a rainforest full of dinosaurs at the Oregon Zoo. Please visit www.TravelPortland.com for more information.

A Trip to Hells Canyon

March 18, 2008

By Kari Whitacre

We woke up to the first beautiful, warm Sunday of the season. The sun was bright, the birds were singing, and the sweet smell of Baker County spring was in the air. It was the perfect day for a long, lazy drive. After grabbing a latte from Sorbenots and fueling up the car we decided to head east towards Hells Canyon.

The drive was easy and the scenery was breathtaking. Eagles and hawks were flying overhead and the geese were returning to build nests along the banks of the Powder River. Our drive took us past the quaint towns of Richland, Halfway, and Oxbow. We traveled through the majestic rock canyons of the deepest river gorge in North America, to the visitors overlook at the base of the damn.

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Oregon Is Better Than OK!

March 14, 2008

If you're one of our regular readers, you know that WE LOVE Live Wire! - the quirky but scintillating radio variety show on OPB. We already knew that the crew of Live Wire! were super talented performers...but "music archaeologists"? Who knew!

They've apparently recently discovered that Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical, Oklahoma, was originally, going to be about Oregon. The story goes that at the last minute Oregon withdrew financial backing in favor of building a dam or a fish ladder or something, and Oklahoma was a hasty and awkward substitute. Here's proof!

~Happy Friday!
ps: if you're curious about the lyrics, you can read them here on the Live Wire! blog

Editor's Note: Celebrate the four year anniversary of Live Wire! this weekend at the Aladdin Theater in Portland - see the details here

Jeff Newman Wins "Oregon Naturally" Photo Contest

March 13, 2008

Photo by Jeff Newman

Bend's very own Jeff Newman recently won the "Oregon Naturally" Photo Contest, sponsored by Intel Oregon (and co-sponsored by JELD-WEN Communities, KGW Northwest Newschannel 8 and the Oregon Travel Information Council). The contest was originally created to increase tourism, and to emphasize Oregon's natural beauty. Jeff's gorgeous photo of Mt. Bachelor (left) definitely shows the true beauty of Oregon- and definitely makes me want to go skiing!

Jeff received a 24-month Oregon state park day-use pass as his prize, and his photo was featured on a KGW Northwest NewsChannel 8 newscast. You may also view his photo on the KGW website.

Interested in capturing Oregon's beauty on your own camera? Enter to win the next "Oregon Naturally" Photo Contest by visiting www.intel.com. Monthly and quarterly winners will be chosen. Get out there and explore Oregon's wonders!

All Comers Meet 2008


By Randy Dreiling

I have learned that not all mountain biking events are alike, some are downhill races that last just 4 minutes, while others are multi-day races or events that are simply fun to attend. The All Comers Meet (ACM) fits that definition. While the trails have fun and creative names, the trails you ride are not on any maps. You park “by the gravel pile”.

ACM is held in the middle of the woods outside the tiny town of Lorane, Oregon.
The trails are not on any map, because they are on private timber land and built by your event host, “Disciples of Dirt” (DOD). DOD is a local mountain biking club, and its riders are also the guides for Mountain Bike Oregon.

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Find the Best Burger in Town at Barley Brown's Brew Pub

March 12, 2008

Photo: Tyler, owner of Barley Brown's Brew Pub

By Kari Whitacre

It is with welcome anticipation that we watch the clock count down the minutes until Barley brew. Wednesday evenings are spent, with friends, around a table at Baker City’s one and only Barely Brown's Brew Pub. We pull up a stool, and pints of cold sudsy wheat beer magically appear in front of us. Kathy, the bar-maid, knows what we drink and greets us with a smile and a menu. Usually, we order a burger (recently selected as the best in Baker) and fries or a nacho with extra jalapenos and settle into a few hours of downtime.

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What's Going On In Oregon This March?

March 5, 2008

Spring is a lovely time to be in Oregon. Nature’s palette is in full bloom, brightening the landscape with canary yellow daffodils, crimson tulips, pink cherry blossoms and purple crocuses at parks, gardens and flower festivals all over the state.

This month, we have a fantastic giveaway to the Southern Oregon Coast, inventive and delicious Spring Asparagus Lasagna and Hazelnut-Raspberry Brownie recipes and a brand-new issue of Travel Oregon magazine – it’s hot off the press and better than ever (if we do say so ourselves).

See you in Oregon, where we’re learning to make wooden shoes.
~The Editors

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

A Hike to Wauna Point

March 4, 2008

Photo: Scenic falls along the trail; by Brad Rasmussen

By Dawn Rasmussen

It’s a tough decision on where to go and what to see in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic area, or just the “Gorge”, as everyone fondly refers to this section just east of Portland. With 620-foot monster double waterfalls like Multnomah Falls beckoning and drive-up falls dotting the entire length of the Historic Columbia Gorge Highway, sometimes getting away from the madding crowds is just the ticket. You can still serve ‘wow’ to guests (or even yourself) if you are up to venturing off of the beaten path.

Fortunately, there are some waterfalls in the Gorge that offer an intimate portrait of what makes this place special and endearing to all those who visit.

Brad and I had spent most of the winter lounging around and not making much use of our hiking gear (“It’s raining cats and dogs outside!” was our excuse), but this past weekend, the skies dawned clear and bright, and with robins singing away, our spirits were put into high gear.

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A Letter From Travel Oregon Magazine's Very Own Editor

March 3, 2008


The team at Travel Oregon is very excited to unveil the Spring/Summer 2008 issue of Travel Oregon magazine. Inside you'll find gorgeous photography and great stories about white water river rafting, organic craft beer, horsemanship, this year's Olympic Track & Field Trials in Eugene, and so much more. Also, you'll find the fourth-annual Golf in Oregon guide, which features 166 course listings as well as in-depth profiles on some of our more famous places to play.

Emily Aanderud, Travel Oregon magazine's fabulous editor, decided to share a few thoughts on the new issue:

As I sit here flipping through our Spring & Summer 2008 issue of Travel Oregon magazine, I remember all the great behind-the-scenes adventures of the last few months.

When the Nelscott Reef Tow-in Classic got the green light, I raced to Lincoln City to watch big wave surfers from all over the world tackle gargantuan 40-foot waves.

Continue reading "A Letter From Travel Oregon Magazine's Very Own Editor"

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