Damian Fagan

Damian Fagan is a freelance writer, outdoor enthusiast and avid birder. He is the author of several wildflower field guides including "Wildflowers of Oregon" and "Wildflowers of North America." Fagan lives in Bend with his wife, Raven, and a pollinator-friendly garden.
Posted inOutside

Nordic Fun for Racers and Everyone Else

In addition to its other events, Meissner Nordic Ski Club introduces a classic ski race for the everyman this season
Damian Fagan

For cross-country skiers, Meissner Sno-Park, located along Century Drive offers an extensive venue for classic or skate skiing. While a trio of events take place at the sno-park throughout the season, this year a new race, happening Jan. 5, is also part of the action. The management of the popular winter recreation site is a partnership […]

Posted inOutside

Get off the Couch and Curl

Bend Curling Club promotes the sport in Central Oregon
Damian Fagan

The closest many people have gotten to the sport of curling is by watching matches during the Winter Olympics on TV, maybe thinking “I think I can do that.” With the opening of The Pavilion ice rink in 2016 and the founding of the Bend Curling Club, that distance from couch to ice has narrowed. […]

Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides

Avalanche Dogs to the Rescue

Mt. Bachelor utilizes trained dogs as part of its avalanche rescue and snow safety program
Damian Fagan

Skiers at the Mt. Bachelor ski resort may encounter some unexpected company while carving turns: four-legged members of the mountain’s avalanche rescue team. Many ski resorts in North America have avalanche rescue dog programs as backup insurance policies. A dog’s ability to cover terrain quickly and sniff out someone caught in an avalanche is key. […]

Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides

Hemp for Pets

CBD and hemp oil have the potential to provide natural healing for animals
Damian Fagan

The budding marijuana industry has caught fire as states legalize cannabis use for humans—but the market for hemp-based products for pets has also seen significant growth. Botanically, hemp and marijuana are different varieties of the same species of plant (Cannabis sativa). As an example, think of golden doodles and yellow labs; they’re different varieties of […]

Posted inOutside

Running of the Dogs

Mt. Bachelor Kennel Club hosts Fall Agility Trials in Prineville
Damian Fagan

If you’re new to the sport of dog agility, then head to the Crook County Fairgrounds this weekend, Sept. 27-29, for the Mt. Bachelor Kennel Club’s Fall Agility Trials. Watch dogs weave through poles, leap over jumps or charge through tunnels on timed courses. Besides speed, the challenging courses require the dogs and owners to […]

Posted inNews

Cleaning up the Caves

Graffiti removal project targets Boyd Cave in the Deschutes National Forest
Damian Fagan

A popular lava cave in the Deschutes National Forest was “untagged” this month as part of a graffiti removal project. Using commercial sandblasting equipment, volunteers from the Oregon High Desert Grotto, Western Cave Conservancy and Wanderlust Tours tackled the challenging job of removing graffiti from Boyd Cave along Forest Road 18, also known as China Hat […]

Posted inOutside

Battle at Bachelor

A premier disc golf competition, set amongst towering trees and mountain views, continues to grow
Damian Fagan

The discs will be flying during the Battle at Bachelor premier Pro Disc Golf Association event of Central Oregon Aug. 10 and 11. Hosted by the Central Oregon Disc Golf Club, at least 163 participants are registered to compete against elevation, tight fairways and towering trees as they play a specially created 18-hole course that […]

Posted inNews

Send in the Clown

Rodeo Clown JJ Harrison brings a barrel of laughs to the Deschutes County Fair and Rodeo
Damian Fagan

Rodeo fans need little introduction to JJ Harrison, one of the most sought-after rodeo clowns on the Northwest Pro Rodeo Association and Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association circuits. His quick humor and walk-and-talk antics have made him a fan favorite at rodeos from Central Oregon to Louisiana. Catch Harrison and his “act” each night during the […]

Posted inOutside

Calling All Citizen Scientists

Local projects encourage people to contribute toward science and conservation
Damian Fagan

Looking for a way to contribute something toward understanding wildlife, the origin of our solar system or other scientific pursuits? A number of local groups offer a wealth of worthy citizen-scientist projects that anyone, young and old alike, can pursue. These may vary from looking at light pollution at night to counting butterflies, bees or […]

Posted inOutside

Surfing on Snow

Mt. Bachelor’s Gerry Lopez Big Wave Challenge marries surf culture with snow culture
Damian Fagan

The 2019 Gerry Lopez Big Wave Challenge is a snowboard-only event, meshing surf and snowboard cultures on a kahuna course. During the one-of-a-kind competition, participants will carve, spin, and slash their way down a course defined as “freestyle snowboard snow-surfing.” “The Challenge is more a ‘have fun’ type event than a hardcore one,” said Gerry […]

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