Posted inOutside

No Snow, No Problem

Mountainboards help riders conquer the summer slopes

If thereโ€™s one drawback to summertime in Bend, itโ€™s the lack of snow on the mountains. Skiing and snowboarding down Mt. Bachelor and the other wintertime slopes is an exhilarating experience that isnโ€™t easily replicated. But just because the snow has melted, doesnโ€™t mean those mountains are useless. Mountainboarding is an alternative extreme sport that […]

Posted inOutside

Go Here 6/22-6/29

Cascade Lake Kayak Tour For explorers looking to rest their feet, taking to the water offers a unique way to discover Central Oregon’s natural wonders. Paddle into the High Cascade Lakes for a spectacular and relaxing session of kayaking with Wanderlust Tours. A naturalist guide will give a crash course on paddling before leading kayakers […]

Posted inOutside

The Perfect Day

Breakdowns, books and baby eagles in the Oregon Outback

When my wife, Sue, and I start out each morning to conduct our golden eagle survey for the Oregon Eagle Foundation, we never know what the day will hold, except that it will be a wonderful adventure, and at some point we’ll end up lost in Oregon’s Great Sandy Desert, and we’ll be very happy […]

Posted inOutside

Skydiving in Central Oregon

The closest thing to flying

It’s easy to explore Central Oregon by hiking and biking its single-track trails, paddling its pristine rivers, and climbing its rugged mountains. But there is one outdoor area that is often overlooked: its big, blue skies. For the intrepid Bendite, the terrain above is now accessible. Two skydiving businesses—Skydive Awesome! and Velocity Sports Equipment—are putting […]

Posted inCulture

Growing Wild

Wildflower show highlights native and floral diversity

Hikers hitting the trails this summer can expect to see tons of beautiful scenery, especially when it comes to wildflowers. Central Oregon is full of them—blue ones, pink ones, tall ones, short ones—full of them. However, describing these flowers beyond simple color and size adjectives can be intimidating. “The problem that people often come across […]

Posted inOutside

Our Only Backyard Salamander

It’s always a pleasure for me to come out the back (or front), step off the porch and suddenly see a long, slender amphibian with a bright yellow patch on its back, madly scrambling for cover under the porch. If that happens to you some stormy night after a rain, don’t be surprised, for it’s […]

Posted inOutside

Go Here 6/8-6/15

Oregon Senior Games Athletes ages 50 and older can enter, but all ages are welcome to watch and enjoy this entertaining and fun competition. There are 16 different sporting events taking place from Thursday, June 9 through Sunday, June 12. Athlete entrance fees vary based on event, but spectating is free. Visit www.oregonseniorgames.com or call […]

Posted inOutside

The Other End of The Deschutes

Head North for early season hiking

With the Deschutes River running straight through town and the Cascades just beyond, it’s no secret that Central Oregon is an outdoor lover’s paradise. The Cascade Lakes Highway and Three Sisters Wilderness are just a few miles away, providing easily accessible world-class skiing in winter and top-notch hiking in summer. But as with most things, […]

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