A native Oregonian, K.M. Collins is a geologist-gone-writer. Covering everything outdoors and a spectrum of journalism, she's a jack of all whitewater sports and her favorite beat is anything river related. Don't blow her cover as a freshwater mermaid amongst humans.
There she was, dodging grizzlies on the shoreline, sharp green seas marching toward her like angry soldiers, and cold, snotty water bitch-slapping the sides of her kayak. It was nine years ago when, for 66 days, Susan Conrad endured those conditions for 1,200 miles during her solo kayak tour of the Inside Passage. Weaving through […]
Snow blasts our faces as we race down the Trail of Dreams behind Sunrise Lodge with Mt. Bachelor Sled Dog Rides. Owner Rachael Scdoris can be heard from behind, naming each of the 10 dogs pulling our sled. She knows their likes and dislikes and marshals a list of the adoptive homes ready to pluck […]
Donning colors of pink, red and purple, women of all backgrounds and appearances acted out Eve Ensler’s riveting writings at this year’s mid-February performances of “The Vagina Monologues“, held in both Bend and Madras. Having a performance in a place beyond Bend is just one way the show producers aimed to make it more inclusive. […]
When I was a little girl, combing outdoor magazines for inspiration, there was rarely a woman to be found—and if there was, she was always a top performing, elite athlete. While there are many women who can keep up with the boys and even lead the pack, I know I’m not alone in wanting to […]
Like some other Central Oregonians in a changing economy, Topo, age 50, Thiel and Patti—two sisters in their mid-30s—along with Jackson, Herbie, CJ and Emma, are facing eviction this spring. In this case, though, the prospective evictees are chimpanzees. Since Topo was transported to Chimps Inc., a facility in Tumalo, in 1995, the primate community […]
In a region as amped on winter sports as Central Oregon, there’s really no sense in delaying the inevitable with young children. Whether enrolling them in group lessons, privates or settling on parent teaching, there are ample opportunities to get kids started on being comfortable in this winter recreation mecca. Skiing and Snowboarding When learning […]
During certain times of the year, it can be difficult to walk Bond or Wall Street past sundown without seeing a parade of females dressed to the nines, the leader in a tiara and sash which reads, “Bride to be.” Bend is a hot spot for more than just Après Ski events, delicately man-scaped facial […]
Whether on her farm, at market, or on the river, Sarahlee Lawrence, owner/operator/founder of Rainshadow Organics, is perpetually surrounded by an entourage of farm folk, or “farmily” as she coins it. In talking to the interns, apprentices and other Rainshadow contributors, it’s clear they’re committed to the new wave of modern farming—and Lawrence is leading […]
For Meg Chun, being near or on the water is a non-negotiable. As an Aquarius who grew up in Wisconsin, near the Great Lakes, her fascination with water was amplified when she began her teaching career in Hawaii and began participating in outrigger canoeing. The sport introduced her to her husband, Dave, and together they […]
With the holidays fast approaching, many Central Oregon families soon will be wanting an evergreen yuletide centerpiece for their home. Weather a visit to the national forest or to a corner lot fits the bill, this guide to finding the perfect timber (plus post-mortem options) should set everyone on their way to finding that ideal […]
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