That’s Dwight!: Rainn Wilson, the man behind Schrute, tells us about faith, art and ninjas

busting a culinary move at the bite.As the saying goes, those who can’t do, critique. Okay, maybe that’s not exactly how it goes, but when it comes to cooking and me, that’s certainly the case. Generally, I sit in judgment anonymously at a corner table scribbling in my notebook at a safe distance from the action in the kitchen. But at last weekend’s Top Chef competition at the Bite of Bend, I had the opportunity to witness eight of the area’s best go head-to-head live, and never has the depth and talent of Central Oregon’s culinary pool been so evident. Chefs were given a list of the pantry’s contents in advance but not the main protein they’d have 45 minutes to incorporate into both an appetizer and an entree.

busting a culinary move at the bite.As the saying goes, those who can't do, critique. Okay, maybe that's not exactly how it goes, but when it comes to cooking and me, that's certainly the case. Generally, I sit in judgment anonymously at a corner table scribbling in my notebook at a safe distance from the action in the kitchen. But at last weekend's Top Chef competition at the Bite of Bend, I had the opportunity to witness eight of the area's best go head-to-head live, and never has the depth and talent of Central Oregon's culinary pool been so evident. Chefs were given a list of the pantry's contents in advance but not the main protein they'd have 45 minutes to incorporate into both an appetizer and an entree.

dining by the tracks at terrebone depot.I’ve never been much for climbing. Stairs, okay. Ladders, fine. But rocks, particularly when they’re positioned at a dead right angle to the ground, absolutely not (and for the hundredth time, honey, no, I will not be your belay bunny). But even if carabiners and crampons aren’t your thing, summer in Central Oregon wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Smith Rock. With a network of trails on and around the dramatic rock formations, Smith Rock State Park, less than 45 minutes from downtown Bend, is one of the most accessible daytrips in the area (day-use fee, $3). Work up a sweat and an appetite with a hike to spectacular panoramic views on the Misery Ridge Trail-more scramble than climb and manageable even for us mortals-and down along the Crooked River past some of the world’s premiere climbing routes dotted with the intrepid souls who travel from far and wide to attempt them.

dining by the tracks at terrebone depot.I've never been much for climbing. Stairs, okay. Ladders, fine. But rocks, particularly when they're positioned at a dead right angle to the ground, absolutely not (and for the hundredth time, honey, no, I will not be your belay bunny). But even if carabiners and crampons aren't your thing, summer in Central Oregon wouldn't be complete without a visit to Smith Rock. With a network of trails on and around the dramatic rock formations, Smith Rock State Park, less than 45 minutes from downtown Bend, is one of the most accessible daytrips in the area (day-use fee, $3). Work up a sweat and an appetite with a hike to spectacular panoramic views on the Misery Ridge Trail-more scramble than climb and manageable even for us mortals-and down along the Crooked River past some of the world's premiere climbing routes dotted with the intrepid souls who travel from far and wide to attempt them.