The Wallowa Mountains of northeastern Oregon turned out to be the first of our many planned summer trips. The choice was a good one. Driving east along the Colombia River on I-84, near the town of Pendleton, everything suddenly became lusher and greener. By the time we arrived at Wallowa Lake, I could see why […]
Outside Features
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Paddling Central Oregon
Summertime means floating on the river or a mountain lake
Summertime in Central Oregon means dipping your paddle in the Deschutes River or one of the High Cascade lakes. Between the river, subalpine lakes and a couple of large reservoirs, there are options for everyone, from tubing to wakeboarding. If you’re inclined to avoid the motorized crowd, here are a few options for a flatwater […]
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Boarding Babes Branch Out
Bend paddlers do more than just paddle the river on standup paddleboards
When Cady Lindsey first invited women in her social media group to paddle the Deschutes together on standup paddleboards, she couldn’t have imagined how that simple post would blossom into a burgeoning community, now numbering over 900 women. “That first post had 40 responses, so I started my own group,” she says. “In the first […]
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From the Dunes of Arrakis to the Oregon Coast
"Dune" morphology is more than just a sci-fi genre
The connection between the movie “Dune: Part Two” and Oregon invites fans to explore the writings of Frank Herbert, ecological principles and the shifting dune environments along the coast. And, if you do happen to explore these dunes on foot, just remember to not make your steps regular. Frank Herbert (1920-1986), author of “Dune” and […]
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The Godfather of Ultralight Backpacking Comes to Bend
Glen Van Peski’s new book, “Take Less. Do More.” encompasses life lessons learned from ultralight travel spiced with generosity, gratitude, and curiosity
Author Glen Van Peski’s byline reads “Entrepreneur/Engineer, Author/Speaker, Philanthropist/Dishwasher,” which provides a unique introduction to this man of many accomplishments, especially the “dishwasher” moniker. Van Peski will do a book signing and presentation at Roundabout Books and Cafe in Bend on May 2 for his new book, “Take Less. Do More: Surprising life lessons in […]
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Where to See Wildflowers in Spring Basin
Find color in one of the least-visited treasures of Oregon
How about a spring adventure in a gorgeous place you haven’t yet been, to find some wildflowers you don’t yet know? Spring Basin Wilderness is such a place: A small, protected wilderness area abounding in sweeping vistas, home to abundant varieties of animals and packed with rare desert wildflowers waiting to be found. One of […]
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The Gardening Sessions: A Round-Up!
A curation of exciting events from the Deschutes Public Library,just in time to help get your spring gardens going and growing
I‘ve never been the best with plants. My college succulent died after I, admittedly, forgot I had it on my desk. Since then, I’ve tried my hand various times to evolve into a successful gardener; the most I’ve managed is to keep a beautiful money tree alive for a few months. This April, the Deschutes […]
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Snowy Adventures
Outdoor family enjoyment away from the weekend Mt. Bachelor hustle
Need a break from the downhill slopes? Finding day outings that everyone can enjoy is essential to embracing the extended winter season here in Central Oregon. It’s time to take advantage of the hundreds of miles of marked trails, charming warming huts and pillowy powder found in our backyard Cascades. After all, that’s why we […]
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Local Teen Neve Gerard Slays Nordic Skiing on the World Stage
Bend XC skier competes internationally, forging her path in women’s professional athletics
R eturning from Gangwon, South Korea, with several top 20 rankings in the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games and winning Gold in Utah last month, competitive Nordic ski athlete and Bend teen, Neve Gerard, crushes cross-country racing. In Gangwon, Gerard took home sixth place in the Women’s 7.5-kilometer Classic, 17th in the Freestyle Sprint, and […]
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Hot Spring Hype
Why these hot, mineral-rich pools are good for your health, and some soaking dos and don’ts
Whether day tripping or planning a perfect weekend getaway, nearby hot springs offer Central Oregonians a comfortingly warm escape from the winter cold. These geothermally heated, mineral-rich waters rise out of the earth’s interior through fissures and cracks after making contact with very hot rocks deep below, and in the right conditions pool — naturally […]