Outside Features
Posted inOutside

Eyes in the Sky

Low-tech fire lookouts remain a key tool in finding fires before they spread
Caitlin Richmond

In a time when technology is taking over, the team managing the Deschutes National Forest still does some things the old-fashioned way. In addition to airplanes and helicopters, fire lookout towers are a critical part of finding fires early. “It’s all about early detection,” says Joey Hodgson, a Forest Service employee who’s been a lookout […]

Posted inOutside

Picklers Assemble

Bend Pickleball Club hosts players from all over the U.S.—including a much-younger crowd than in previous years
Avatar photo Isaac Biehl

Founded in 2013, the Bend Pickleball Club was formed to provide more ways to play the beautiful game here in Central Oregon – which is exactly what they did. In partnership with the Bend Park and Recreation District, BPC raised money and help build 16 new pickleball courts at Pine Nursery Park. And that’s where the […]

Posted inOutside

This Land is Our Land

A local, Latinx-led group forms to encourage participation in the outdoors
Caitlin Richmond

A new partnership is aimed at opening up outdoor activities for people who might not otherwise feel confident taking part. “I want to make the outdoors more inclusive and accessible for people who don’t have the tools to get out there, and for the Latinx community in general,” says Zavier (Zavi) Borja, who grew up in […]

Posted inOutside

Running for the Medals

The tale of a self-described “medal junkie”
Caitlin Richmond

Some people collect plants. Some collect makeup; others, gear. Jen Padilla collects something that takes a little more effort to get: race medals. “I’m a medal junkie!” she exclaims. “I do so many races because I like racing, but also because it gives me a purpose and something to train for. But I also really […]

Posted inOutside

Wild and Scenic Paddler

Oregonian, river advocate and photographer Tim Palmer releases Forever Heritage Art and authors his 28th book
Avatar photo K.M. Collins

Against a Deschutes River and basalt backdrop at Tumalo Creek State Park, nationally renowned river advocate, Tim Palmer, gave a heartfelt dedication for the release of 12 forever stamps, commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Among the dozen, Palmer’s own photographic creations showcase the Skagit River in Washington, Flathead River […]

Posted inOutside

Cascade Cycling Classic is Back

After a year hiatus, North America’s longest running stage race is back
Chris Miller

That’s right bike peeps, the Cascade Cycling Classic is back. After taking last year off, in part due to logistics, the 39th running of the race is back with new dates, new events and a new focus on community and spectator engagement. On June 1, CCC introduces the newly created Sul Fiume Criterium and Cycling […]

Posted inOutside

The Rep Life

These are the road warriors who bring us the brands
David Sword

From skiing to biking to climbing, Central Oregon attracts outdoor enthusiasts worldwide. Many people work hard during the week to get out and about on the weekends—but a small cadre of committed enthusiasts make their lives and careers out of the industries that support the lifestyle. Being a product rep for a ski, surf, bike […]

Posted inOutside

A furry gravel ride: The Alpaca Loop

David Sword

As the interest in gravel riding continues to grow at a feverish pace, people are mapping out more and more routes. Apps including Strava and Map My Ride allow people to develop and share routes with others, thus increasing the exposure. One such ride, ridden for year by locals, and recently penned by the gravel […]

Posted inOutside

Sights From Above Bend

What it looked like to fly in a Ford Tri-Motor airplane
Avatar photo Isaac Biehl

In this week’s Outside section, the Source covered the Fly The Ford tour that is currently making a pit stop in Bend. I got the chance to fly in the Tri-Motor on Thursday, and when I say it was an awesome experience – that might be underselling it.   While the “Tin Goose” was a giant […]

Posted inOutside

Spreading its Wings

Take a trip back in time with the Ford Tri-Motor airplane
Avatar photo Isaac Biehl

Over Mother’s Day weekend, from May 9 to 12, a little piece of history will be flying over the skies of Bend and Central Oregon: A Ford Tri-Motor Airplane. The Tri-Motor was built back in 1928 as one of the original faces of commercial airliners. “It was the first airplane built to hold people and […]

Sign up for newsletters

Get the best of The Source - Bend, Oregon directly in your email inbox.

Sending to:

Gift this article