Credit: OregonLive.com

SEE SOMETHING SPECTACULAR…
From Crater Lake to Painted Hills and the Rose Garden to Cape Perpetua, there are plenty of spectacular places to explore in our beautiful state.

And what’s more, through April 30, incredible views at Oregon’s hundreds of day-use and overnight parks come at great values with special “Discovery Season” rates and packages.

Got a hankering to explore Oregon’s spectacular scenery? Here are some ideas to get your started….

Crater Lake National Park
Home to the deepest lake in America, Crater Lake National Park is an 183,224-acre vacation wonderland. Visit and experience the awe-inspiring first look from the edge of the six-mile wide caldera into the lake that is known for its azure waters. Hike the old-growth forests, take a boat ride to Wizard Island, fish and camp—or stay and dine at Crater Lake Lodge (open May to October). See Crater Lake…

Cape Perpetua Scenic Area
Part of the Siuslaw National Forest at the central Oregon coast, Cape Perpetua sits high above the Pacific Ocean and offers stunning views all around. More than 20 miles of forest-view and seashore-view trails weave through 2700 acres of preserved land. Here, you can hike to see a 500-year-old Sitka Spruce Tree, among other spectacular specimens of nature. Visit Cape Perpetua…

Painted Hills & Fossil Beds
Trails running through the Painted Hills Unit of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument in Eastern Oregon offer up close looks at the colorful hills and huge collection of fossils in this area. Nearby, the Thomas Condon Paleontology Center has nearly 40,000 fossils on display, including early cousins of Rhinoceros, Saber Tooth Tigers and other exotic animals. Experience the Painted Hills and Fossil Beds…

International Rose Test Garden
From May through October, you can see for yourself why Portland is called the Rose City. Venture to Washington Park to experience the huge spectrum of colors and splashes of fragrant blossoms from more than 10,000 rose plants. On a bright and sunny day you can see the cityscape with Mt. Hood, Oregon’s tallest peak, as backdrop.

Giddy up…you’ve got some exploring to do!

OregonWineCountry.org

– OregonWineCountry.Org: If it’s Oregon wine you’re after, you probably already know about the Willamette Valley. However, you may not know that the Willamette Valley Visitors Association has recently revamped its website, OregonWineCountry.org, to make it even easier to plan your next trip to Oregon Wine Country.

Packed with photos and information galore, this online resource is a fantastic tool for learning about new Willamette Valley vacation options. And what’s more…the site also allows you to view their travel guide, ask questions via the blog see upcoming events in the wine country and sign up for quarterly e-mail alerts.

- DiscoverPortland.net – Hankering for even more information about the shopping, dining and arts scene of the greater Portland area? Check out DiscoverPortland.net for the inside scoop on Portland’s eclectic neighborhoods, shopping, restaurants and culture. Don’t forget to sign up for their e-newsletter for timely information and deals on all things Portland!

Moon Bridge at the Portland Japanese Garden

Our friends at the Portland Japanese Garden are holding a writing contest in search of the “most memorable Portland Japanese Garden experiences.” Entrants are encouraged to write up to 150 words describing how the Garden has been important in their life or about a significant experience that happened at the Garden.

From marriage proposals to a place for rejuvenation and solace from the hustle and bustle of daily life, the Japanese Garden has served as a refuge for many Oregonians. Tell them your story and win a two-year individual membership to the Garden and a $100 gift certificate to the Garden’s online Gift Store! The Garden is also offering second- and third-place winners $50 gift certificates to the Garden’s online Gift Store. All winners and notable entries will be published in the Garden’s newsletter and in future Garden publications.

For more on the contest and how to enter visit the Portland Japanese Garden’s website here.

The brisk winter day is perfect for bundling up and exploring the outdoors, and then traveling somewhere cozy to warm up. This past weekend, my boyfriend and I enjoyed a delicious meal at Deschutes Brewery in Portland, after hiking through Forest Park. The day had been beautiful- just fallen leaves crunched beneath our feet and the sun shined brightly through the trees. After an excellent workout, we were hungry for some high quality Oregon cuisine. Which ultimately means we needed a local microbrew and a tasty burger.

We sat at a corner table away from the hustle and bustle of the restaurant, which provided an excellent view of the wood carvings that surround the interior of the restaurant. The details of these carvings are amazing- many of them include mountains, trees and even an Oregon beaver or two- all with intricate detail. This, along with the log cabin-like building, made the brewery feel like home.

I ordered the classic cheeseburger, which included gruyere cheese, sauteed onions and italian spices, along with an Organic Amber Ale to wash it down. Mike ordered their traditional hamburger, with a chicken sausage and white bean soup, and a Black Butte Porter. Deschutes also has an inventive Oktoberfest menu, with items such as schnitzel and German chocolate cake. Stop by and try it before October ends! The food is very filling and cooked just the way you like it. The atmosphere is very relaxing as well, and great for a casual gathering with friends (and kids too)! Better yet, Deschutes Brewery is located right next to the Portland Armory in the Pearl. It’s an excellent location for seeing a show or doing a little shopping before dinner.

Bon Appetit!