Central Oregon turns into a different environment in the summer. The sunshine reveals beautiful works of nature that are typically hidden beneath the winter snow. Pathways and activities that were impossible to weather in the cold are now on every Bendite’s to-do-list thanks to the warm, pleasant air. Take the Cascade Lakes, for example—these gorgeous […]
Outside Features
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Taking a Stand for Wilderness
Central Oregon’s Great Old Broads
In some social circles the term “great old broads” might be considered offensive. However, the Great Old Broads for Wilderness are proud of the label. The organization was formed in 1989 as a protest to Utah Sen. Orin Hatch who opposed a wilderness proposal in his state, declaring that wilderness is inaccessible to the elderly […]
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Women’s Rugby Gains Momentum
Bend Lady Roughriders reach regional playoffs
“Rugby? I didn’t even know it existed in Bend,” says Mara Burnell in summarizing the common response when the sport is brought up in conversation. There is women’s rugby competition in Bend – and at a high level thanks to the Bend Lady Roughriders, whose following is growing as the sport becomes more popular. They […]
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Friends of the Columbia Gorge
National Scenic Area is for everyone to enjoy
Beginning approximately 15,000 years ago, ice dams on massive Lake Missoula in Montana began to break, sending torrents of deep water rushing through Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. The process continued for thousands of years with up to 40 major floods eventually forming what is now the Columbia River Gorge. The geology and climate of the […]
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Mountain Bikers Seek Changes to 1964 Wilderness Act
Conservationists fear too much is at stake
Thus far, 2016 has been a controversial year for federal public lands, especially in Oregon where the federal government manages more than 50 percent of the state’s geographic area. First, there was the armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge south of Burns. Then, Malheur County residents overwhelmingly voted against creating a possible National […]
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Wildflowers in Springtime
Hikes in the Columbia River Gorge
Seasoned Oregon hikers and backpackers will often advise taking springtime hikes because they offer cooler weather and often an endless array of wildflowers, particularly in the Columbia River Gorge area. Deschutes River State Recreation Area The Deschutes River State Recreation Area is a very popular place for hiking. Located about 10 miles east of The […]
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Ancient Oregonians
Archaeologists recover oldest remains in North America near Summer Lake
Dr. Dennis Jenkins, senior staff archaeologist at the University of Oregon, likes to discover and document ancient life—really ancient life in Central and Eastern Oregon, dating back at least 14,500 years. At a recent public lecture at Bend’s Old Stone Church, sponsored by the Oregon Natural Desert Association, Jenkins described the Paisley Caves site near […]
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Lone Wolf Walking, Searching for a Mate
Oregon wolf population grows to 110
Since the gray wolf was reintroduced by federal wildlife officials, the program hasn’t been without controversy as the animals move west through Idaho and into Washington and Oregon. A wolf can travel long distances quickly. Take OR 25, a male wolf that dispersed from his Imnaha pack in northeast Oregon just a year ago. In […]
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Oregon Desert Trail
A vision in progress from the Badlands to the Owyhee Canyonlands
The Oregon Desert Trail is a journey following a rugged, remote and in many places incomplete 800-mile trail through the southeast Oregon desert. Renee Patrick, with 10,000 miles of trail experience behind her, is the Oregon Desert Trail Coordinator for the Oregon Natural Desert Association (ONDA). Patrick’s first major hike was the Appalachian Trail in […]
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Bend Champion Student Athletes Head to University Teams
Storm golfer Alyssa Kerry reports from William Penn
In February, student athletes from the Summit Storm, Mountain View Cougars and Bend Lava Bears signed letters of intent to attend and play sports at various colleges across the United States. From Mt. View, Zach Emerson [featured in the Source, Feb. 4] and Cam McCormick will head to the Oregon Ducks football team. At Summit, 11 […]