On July 20 of this year, Camp Sherman resident Peter Eshrick was making his annual pilgrimage hike into the saddle above Canyon Creek Meadows with his daughter Katrina and her two kids Camila and Samuel (ages 12 and 10), when Camila suddenly shouted,”What’s that over there on the mountain side?” “What, over where?” Granddaddy Peter […]
nature
Posted inNews
Clash in the Canyonlands
Some want to turn a giant swath of land in Southeast Oregon into a National Monument. Others think it’s a waste of time.
If you want to ponder the wonder of the universe under a vast umbrella of stars, head to Owyhee country. Native Oregonian and Bend-area resident Karl Findling calls it “one of the darkest and most remote regions” in the lower 48 states—and that renders it perfect for watching the stars. Findling, who grew up in […]
Posted inOutside
Playing Rough
Local rugby champions host annual tourney this Saturday
What sport combines the endurance of soccer, the dexterity of basketball and the toughness of football? A local team of athletes known as the Lady Roughriders knows the answer: Rugby. And with that, these champions are ready to take the field for another winning season. The Bend Lady Roughriders Rugby Club will host the annual […]
Posted inOutside
Go Here 8/17-8/24
Women’s Fly Fishing Women angling to get out on the river for some fishing should check out two upcoming events aimed at female fly fishers. Fin & Fire in Redmond will host a “Gear and Beer Ladies Night” where female angler Heather Hodson and reps from Simms Fishing Products and Patagonia will preview the latest […]
Posted inOutside
Flying Old School
Touching the sky in WWII plane rides
In today’s modern commercial aircraft, flying can be a relatively boring experience. Being cramped in a narrow seat with only a small window to look out of isn’t particularly adventurous. Luckily, Central Oregon thrill-seekers have a chance to fly boldly like the pilots of old. With the Erickson Aircraft Collection at Sunriver Resort, budding aviators […]
Posted inOutside
Natural World: Crab Spiders
Crabs may be living in your flowers…and they’re good at mimicking bird droppings, too
It’s that time of year, dear ones, for garden lovers to be on the lookout for the local crabs that hang out in your flowers. Well, not real “crabs,” but crab spiders, who are masters at camouflage. Look for it in the photo provided; it’s perched right there among the stamens, a forward pair of […]
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Bringing Back the Floodplain
Deschutes Land Trust launches its restoration of the historic wetlands at Whychus Creek
It’s being touted as one of the most “significant restoration efforts in the American west,” and it’s taking place right in our backyards. Reconstruction efforts got underway this month on a 1.5-mile stretch of Whychus Creek, a part of the Whychus Canyon Preserve owned by the Deschutes Land Trust. The effort is part of a […]
Posted inBest Of Central Oregon
Best Outdoor Gear Shop
1st place | Pine Mountain Sports
Taking on the great outdoors is a serious game here in Bend. Whether it’s biking around Crater Lake or skiing down Mt. Bachelor, it’s important to have the right equipment. Luckily, Pine Mountain Sports stacks the deck with the best gear in town. Looking for mountain bikes? Pine Mountain carries the latest wheels from some […]
Posted inOutside
Why Count Butterflies?
Pretty pollinators play a key role in ecosystems
Over the last couple of months, my wife, Sue—a long-time member of the North American Butterfly Association (NABA) and student of the beauty and ecology of butterflies—has conducted several butterfly counts in the region. She counts them because their numbers are vital to knowing what’s going on in our world, and she loves to teach […]
Posted inOutside
Go Here 8/10-8/17
Relay for Love Wedding Chapel This popular event invites friends and families to celebrate life and joy with a fun day of running, walking and ceremonies to honor cancer victims, survivors and caregivers. This year’s participants will experience an extra dose of joy and fun with a different kind of ceremony: one that involves a […]