Oregon is home to nearly 500 bird species and when spring migration hits, thousands of exotic birds come to rest and feed under the Pacific Flyway. Gather the family to these bird sanctuaries around the state and witness their passage.

With the largest concentration of bald eagles in the Continental U.S., it’s no wonder Sunset Magazine rated the Klamath Basin Bird Trail in Southern Oregon one of the top five destinations for birding. In addition there are more than 40 bird watching locations dotted along the trail among the mountains and marshes of the area.

April 9-11 marks the 29th annual John Scharff Migratory Bird Festival in the Eastern Oregon town of Burns. Bird enthusiasts and beginners alike can witness the spring migration in high desert country at Harney Basin. In addition to round-the-clock birding activities, the festival also has historical and cultural events for the whole family.

Nestled in the coastal range foothills outside of Eugene in the Willamette Valley is the Fern Ridge Wildlife Area. Its extensive wetland habitat plays host to more than 250 species of birds during the spring migration. There are over 10,000-acres to explore a lake that’s popular with sailors and anglers.

For more information on birding in Oregon, check out OregonBirdingTrails.0rg

Located just outside of Portland, the Jackson Botton Wetlands Preserve is one of only 10 urban wildlife refuges in the country. The 725-acre wildlife preserve is home to numerous bird species, as well as deer, otter and beaver.

The Watson Falls trail leaves from a parking lot, and climbs up a short, somewhat steep but well-tended path, and crosses a series of bridges at the base of the falls. Pause here for an attractive view of the falls, and then proceed along a path to your left for a closer view of the basin several hundred feet farther along the path. Return back down the side trail to the juncture and complete the loop back to the parking lot for a total hike of approximately 0.8 miles.

Highway 138 parallels the North Umpqua River, and connects Roseburg with Crater Lake. While the drive is of exceptional scenic beauty, it also offers unrivaled access to many recreational activities on the river. The North Umpqua River has a Wild and Scenic designation for 33.8 miles, and you will find opportunities to fly fish, hike, backpack, camp, mountain bike, swim, and raft along its class II-class V rapids. The North Umpqua Trail is a 79-mile long trail open to backpackers, campers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders, and parallels the North Umpqua River for most of its length.

Getting There: From Roseburg, take Highway 138 for approximately 61 miles. Turn south on Road 37, and park at the trail head parking lot approximately 0.2 miles down the road. The trail head has picnic benches, pit toilets, and interpretive signs. Sadly, due to storm damage, nearby beautiful Toketee Falls has been closed to the public for repairs since January 2008.

Andrea Niemiec is a veteran (and survivor) of the cruise ship industry. She is currently studying mathematics and education at the University of Oregon, and dreams of teaching overseas and traveling to all of the countries on her world map shower curtain. If you’d like to read about more of her adventures, visit her blog, Shoestring Traveler, at www.shoestring-traveler.blogspot.com

Ashland Springs Hotel, the historic downtown boutique-inn, is hosting the chocolate festival all weekend. Start your Friday night off right with a gallery walk; nibble on local wines and artisan chocolates while perusing Ashland’s illustrious arts scene.

Oregon chocolatiers show off their best and most unique combinations at the tastings, going on Saturday and Sunday between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the hotel. Try unexpected combinations like chocolate-and-tequila truffles or bite into a square inch of pure decadence from Coastal Mist or award-winning candies from Lillie Belle Farms.

And don’t fret about that 10-pound New Years resolution, chocolate can actually be the dieters friend. Learn about the additional benefits from this magical plant at the “Secret Health Benefits of Chocolate” demonstration on Saturday or check out the “Use of Cacao in Spa Treatments” session to learn about the healing powers of coco (Chocolate and massage? Yes, please!).

This truly indulgent weekend isn’t complete without a visit to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Opening on February 26, this almost 9-month-long festival attracts thespians and enthusiasts from around the world. Be one of the first to see this year’s performances. Kicking off the season are classics including Hamlet and Pride and Prejudice, alongside modern pieces such as Well.

Salem's Elsinore Theater

Sprinkled throughout the state are historic theaters that illustrate times gone by. Through careful restoration and some local TLC, these establishments have been renovated and refurbished for a second life. Take a drive to one of these iconic Oregon theaters.

The Liberty Theater in downtown Astoria on the Oregon Coast is one of the last standing models of 1920s vaudeville motion picture palaces. Its ornamental structure, distinctive moldings and delicate lighting have been restored and updated for modern use. Get a ticket for one of the classic films they feature weekly.

When the Eltrym Theater in Eastern Oregon’s Baker City opened its doors in the summer of 1940, it received telegrams of well wishes from luminaries like Cary Grant and Bob Hope. Its debut film, “Ghost Breakers,” starred Mr. Hope. Today the Art Deco theater still shows modern films and thanks to two historic renovations, it added two new screens but maintained its mid-century charm.

Designed to resemble the castle in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, The Elsinore Theater in the Willamette Valley first opened its doors in May of 1926. It hosted Vaudeville Theater, silent films, live stage shows and modern film. In 1980, after years of neglect, a threat to turn the historic landmark into a parking lot motivated residents to save the sacred space and in 2002 the two-year “Return to Grandeur” project renovated the majestic theater to its original splendor. Today the venue hosts classic films, silent movies and live concerts.

The Rogue Theater in Southern Oregon opened its doors in 1938, during the heart of the Great Depression, showing the latest of the silver screen. It endured decades of prosperity and then economic decline, closing its doors in 1999. A year later it was renovated and reopened as a regional non-profit performing arts center. Today its Grants Pass’ most prominent historical building, its Art Deco exterior and glowing neon marquee is a local attraction, hosting international music artists and speakers year-round.

*Image Courtesy of Travel Salem

You’ll want to take binoculars, camera and a thermos of hot coffee when you join my thrilling getaway this week. It’s the ‘early birder who catches the most spectacular wildlife show’ on a dawn patrol to see the largest gathering of bald eagles in the country at the Klamath Wildlife Refuge in Southern Oregon.

Stillness at daybreak accompanies the arctic air that plummets the early-morning to sub-freezing. It’s a lonely time as the only headlamps for miles–ours–pierce the darkness on a back road in Oregon’s Klamath Basin.

We have come to Bear Valley Wildlife Refuge (part of the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuges Complex), a large forest of old-growth timber that provides the eagles with protection from the wind and cold. It is the staging area for the eagles’ daily fly-out as the birds take wing and search for food.

Over a thousand eagles arrive at Klamath Basin each winter from Canada and Alaska, following their food supply of ducks, geese, and other birds. Despite the frigid conditions during much of the winter, large bodies of water such as Upper Klamath Lake often remain unfrozen, and large flocks of ducks help prevent some of the smaller ponds from freezing over as they paddle about.

Multiple auto tour routes make the travel easy, so be sure to stop in at the Klamath Refuge Headquarters where free maps and brochures will set you on the right trail to enjoy the show.

Visitors to Klamath Wildlife Refuge or those who wish to explore the Klamath Birding Trail have a wonderful educational opportunity just around the corner at the annual “Winter Wings Festival” on February 12, 13, 14.

The Klamath Basin Audubon Society produces the three-day event with more than 100 volunteers from the local community who give thousands of hours to help people learn and understand more about Oregon’s wildlife heritage.

Editor’s Note: Grant’s Getaways is a production of Travel Oregon brought to you in association with Oregon State Parks, Oregon Dept. of Fish & Wildlife and Oregon State Marine Board. Episodes air Fridays and Saturdays on KGW Newschannel 8 and Saturdays on Northwest Cable News Network.

1. Central Oregon’s Mt. Bachelor has workshops and private lessons for beginners of all ages. Just introduced this year is the Ski or Ride in 5 program, where participants get five lessons, a lift ticket and free equipment rental. At completion of the lessons, graduates get a free 12-day pass to get back on the slopes.
2. The Discover packages at Timberline on Mt. Hood are an easy way for the novice skier or snowboarder to get started. Sign up for a three-hour group lesson and get a complimentary, full-day equipment rental and a lift ticket.
3. In an effort to get middle school students on the slopes, Eastern Oregon’s Anthony Lakes is offering free lift tickets every Sunday to 5th and 6th graders who take a lesson between Jan.-Feb. Students who participate are eligible for a special season pass for 2011 and accompanying adults get a substantially discounted lift ticket.
4. Mt. Ashland in Southern Oregon is making learning to ski or snowboard as easy as 1, 2, 3. Their 1 2 3 program includes three days of lessons with free equipment rentals and lift tickets. Graduates get a Mt. Ashland Slider card, which discounts future purchases on lift tickets.

Find more Learn to Ski and Snowboard Packages

I boarded one of these boats a few weeks ago… it’s one of my favorite Southern Oregon things to do, and every time I get to this area of Oregon, I always book a trip.

Starting in the heart of downtown Grants Pass, we wound our way down an easy ramp to the water’s edge, where we boarded for our exciting ride. The water was moving at a pretty good clip, so I knew that navigating this current would require a lot of power. No worries! With a low rumble, the boat started and the engines roared to life. Ooooh, the power! I smiled and clamping my hat on, we were off.

The sun shined down and the fresh cool air of the river swept over us as we swooped our way down the river. The guide/driver expertly navigated the river, pointing out historic and natural features of our ride with aplomb and an almost encyclopedic knowledge. He also playfully carved some arcs on the river, with a few resulting waves splashing down on the delighted kids who had plunked themselves up in the front of the boat to get in the middle of the action.

Residents living along the river closer to town waved to us as we passed, and still others gave us smiles as they were fishing along the banks or on drift boats along the way. Our guide respectfully slowed down to not ‘wake’ those boats or the swimmers near some of the parks scattered along the shoreline.

Rumbling on, we slowed down so the driver could point out wildlife including some osprey hovering overhead. The scenery continued to get even more spectacular, especially when we entered the narrow chasm known as Hellgate Canyon. Toothy rock walls surrounded us and I could feel the energy of the river rise as it was channeled through such a narrow space. As it was pointed out, this particular section of the river was featured in the movie “River Wild” was filmed with Kevin Bacon, as was parts of “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.” The light filtering into the canyon never fails to take my breath away, and is iconic in my mind to the beauty of Southern Oregon.

The thrum of the engines, wind in our hair and the warm sunshine was exhilarating. But the best was yet to come. Dinnertime took place at the OK Corral, which is owned by the jetboat company. Passengers disembark onto a dock and can either walk up the short hill or take a ride on a tractor wagon that shuttles everyone up to the corral. I decided to stretch my legs and was up at the lodge within a couple of minutes. There, a delightful spread of home cooking tempted our palates. Surprisingly, despite the fact that we hadn’t exactly been exerting ourselves on this ride, I was ravenous and enjoyed the barbeque favorites on the menu.

But one of the special treats of this place was discovered when I got up and spied a group of deer fearlessly walking up to one side of the outdoor seating area. Apparently, they knew it was dinner time too, and weren’t disappointed when some of the kids started tossing crumbs out. It was great seeing these graceful creatures up close.

But dinner was over, and the sun was starting to get low, so it was time to go. We piled back onto the boat, and the pilot driver wended his way up the river back towards town. Even within the span of a few hours, the light had again changed and the river looked entirely different, and there were new animals and things to see on the way back. This just proves that the ever-changing landscape is something to experience and revere, and this jetboat ride was just the perfect way to get to experience a sliver of it for myself.

Day three of On the Road with Oregon Bounty and we’ve made our way to Central Point in Southern Oregon to meet two culinary artisans.

Jeff Shepherd of Lillie Belle Farms Hand Made Chocolates is an artist whose medium happens to be chocolate. Jeff is equal parts Willy Wonka and savage Deadhead. He began his candy career selling four flavors of hand-dipped truffles out of the trunk of his Jeep at farmers’ markets throughout Oregon. Today he creates more than 60 exclusive flavors of chocolates, truffles, caramels, bars and toffee. Jeff also owns a small organic berry farm, which supplies the fruit he infuses into his ganaches and truffles.

David Gremmels of Rogue Creamery has turned a small, nearly extinct creamery into a world-renowned maker of blue cheese. In 2002, David discovered the fledgling creamery on the brink of closure. He loved their handcrafted blue cheese, so he did what any dairy-loving Oregonian with a dream would do: he and a partner bought the historic facility. Over the past seven years, the creamery has increased production, developed new cheeses, and garnered over 100 trophies and ribbons in competitions around the world. Most recently, their Rogue River Blue was named “Best in Show” at the 2009 American Cheese Society Judging and Competition.

David and Jeff are the artisan producer mentors in our Oregon Bounty “Cuisinternship” contest, which will give seven lucky people the chance to win an all-expenses paid trip to Oregon for an ultimate foodie getaway (that’s right, you could spend a week as a winemaker, chef, brewmaster, cheesemaker and chocolatier, distiller, rancher or fisherman). Check out the videos about these two passionate foodies and learn how to enter the contest.

Southern Oregon has so many culinary gems, like the fresh-baked heirloom berry turnover in the cottage at Pennington Farms in the Applegate Valley, fabulous wineries like Abacela and Brandborg in the Umpqua Valley, and Grandma Nirene’s apple crisp at the historic Wolf Creek Inn north of Grants Pass. Go to Travel Oregon’s new culinary travel website to plan a Southern Oregon getaway.

Check back tomorrow… “On the Road” will be in Central Oregon to learn all about artisan distilling. Cheers!

Seski on the boat. But, where are the other passengers?

His first feat? A Hellgate Jetboat Excursion.

Seski looks carefree and relaxed, but we happen to know that he was a wee bit nervous about his jetboat ride. He sent us the following messages on Twitter.

Seski get nervous for Jetboat in Grants Pass. Not natural habitat and not like wet fur.

It turned out to be alright for Seski, after his ride, he told us this:

Seski survive… barely. Seski need nap from adrenaline rush. Lots of new friends. Content!

We’re proud of Seski for facing his fears and hopping on that jetboat! He’s fulfilled the Outdoorsy Stuff requirement and now only needs to go to four more places to be designated an Official Oregonian!

So, tell us.. Where should Seski go next? Want to follow Seski as he completes the rest of his challenge? Follow him on Twitter, or become his Friend on Facebook!

Brat, Brews and Blues Festival

Head to Klamath Falls to see four of the region’s best blues bands. Located on Klamath Lake, this festival features Texas, Chicago, New Orleans and Classic Blues. What’s more? A bratwurst dinner and locally brewed beers!

Britt Festival

This festival, in Southern Oregon is in it’s 47th year and features performers such as Portland’s own Pink Martini, as well as Elvis Costello, Crosby, Stills & Nash and Blondie. The concerts are held in a naturally-formed amphitheater, surrounded by ponderosa pines.

Music on the Halfshell

In it’s eighteenth year, Music on the Halfshell has attracted performers such as Kathy Mattea, Cowboy Junkies and the Dixie Chicks. What does this year’s lineup hold? You’ll have to check back on May 19th to find out! Music on the Halfshell concerts are always free.

Oregon Jamboree

Country music acts such as Tim McGraw, LeAnn Rimes, and Montgomery Gentry headline this 3-day festival in Sweet Home, Ore. Want to attend all 3 days? RV and tent camping sites are available. But, act quickly, tickets are sure to sell out soon!

Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival

Catch the largest blues festival west of the Mississippi in Portland’s Waterfront Park this summer. Attracting over 100,000 blues fans, this festival features Etta James, Ryan Shaw and Johnny Winter. In addition to music, there is a Lousiana Pavillion, activities for kids and fireworks on the 4th of July!

Tell us… What are your favorite Oregon Music Festivals?