With bikes on our brain, here are a few of the cycle events happening in our area over the next two months The 20th Annual ChainBreaker XC May 13 XC Beginner โ Fancy foraying into the world of mountain bike racing? Well, look no further than the Chainbreaker โ a race that’s a bit more […]
Outside
Protecting the High Desert We Love
This old man is going on 80, and ever since I rolled into Oregon in ’51 on my beautiful 1947 Harleyโand in later years literally soared over the sprawling sagebrush and rim rocks, sharing airspace with eaglesโI’ve discovered more and more animals, plants and places and people to keep me busy helping to save. I’ve […]
Tough Contender
Smiling uncontrollably at Riverbend Park, the paddle leg put-in for the U.S. Bank Pole Pedal Paddle, Lauri Powers lays out her hand-crafted clay chalices. Only the top three finishers in each class of the multi-sport race earn a chalice, but unlike some winners, Powers says: “My mugs aren’t displayed, they are my daily drinkers.” Powers, […]
Finding Hidden Treasure on the Owyhee
Though we spent hours speculating as to the whereabouts of the rock art, in my wildest dreams I didn’t hope to find it. The previous spring, my raft guide Topher Robertson had rowed the same 65-mile stretch of the Owyhee River, from Rome to Birch Creek, and hadn’t found the cache. This time, we pored […]
20/40/60: Aerial Yoga
Let’s just get this out of the way right now: Aerial yoga is not exclusively for circus performers, gymnasts and dancers. They’re the source of inspiration for this increasingly popular form of yoga, but the deep stretches and strengthening beneficial for people who move their bodies for a living can also benefit the rest of […]
Natural World: An unexpected encounter
The last thing the people at Lowe’s in Bend expected to see last week was a lone common poorwill (a bird very closely related to a nighthawk) standing in the middle of the garden center. You have to admit, that bundle of feathers with red eyes just doesn’t fit into a bird categoryโunless someone knows […]
Natural World: Lights out for birds!
In the mid ’70s, Oregon’s environmental watchdog governor, Tom McCall, started the 1,000 Friends of Oregon. Those were heady days for old-growth forest management, water usage, fuel shortages and the use of electricity. McCall advocated the shutting down of unnecessary lights after sundown, and in his usual sledge-hammer style of making suggestions, targeted the businesses […]
Go Here: Bikes, Paddles, Frisbees – Oh My!
Are you awakening from hibernation? Dusting off those cobwebs? Alas, dear reader, spring has (sort-of) appeared and this has aroused a serious sense of FOMO related to all things outdoors. Be sure to mark your calendars โ here’s a roundup of upcoming Central Oregon spring and summer outdoor activities. Gandy Goose 2017 April 8 & […]
Hella Big Air offers a hella big party and more
HELLA โ (adverb) very; extremely BIG โ (adjective) large, as in size, height or width AIR โ (noun) a jump or airborne stunt The stakes high, risks consequential, speeds unnerving, airtime maximized. What is it about a big jump that brings people together? Is it for the glory, the gold or both? An 82-foot-gap jump […]
Natural World: It can be tough to spot a pygmy owl, but sighting one is well worth the effort
Ken Hashagen, president of East Cascades Audubon Society of Bend, and I often get together to discuss bluebirds, kestrels, Great Gray Owls, eagles and other boring topics. “Boring!?” I should say not. After just a few minutes we’re waving our arms about and I can feel my blood pressure building up as we get into […]

