About the Author

Kim Cooper Findling

Kim Cooper Findling grew up on the Oregon Coast and became a Central Oregon girl in the mid-90s, taking in the sunny skies and never looking back (except a few wistful glances at the ocean). She is the managing editor of "Bend Magazine" and the author of “Bend, Oregon Daycations: Day Trips for Curious Travelers,” "Day Trips From Portland: Getaway Ideas for the Local Traveler” and “Chance of Sun: An Oregon Memoir.” Catch her around the state sampling microbrews, hiking river trails, walking beaches, and hanging out with her family. www.kimcooperfindling.com

Hiking in a Desert Paradise

May 25, 2012
Perched on Wildhorse Lake Overlook at the top of Steens Mountain, I found myself wondering why, exactly, I should bother hiking down the incredibly steep, rocky trail extending from our feet to the sparkling blue lake below. More
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Eastern Oregon , Frenchglen , Lakes & Reservoirs , Favorite Trips , Parks, Forests & Wildlife Areas , Rivers & Streams , Hiking & Backpacking , Trip Ideas , Outdoor Recreation , Attractions ,

Sand Lily Lovin’ in Central Oregon

May 22, 2012
Spring comes to Central Oregon a bit later than other parts of the state. Our elevation and easterly location in the rain shadow of the Cascade Range means we’re colder and drier for longer than other Oregon regions. In March or April, when fruit trees are going bonkers with flowers and tulips have already been… More
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Central Oregon , Wildlife Viewing , Trip Ideas , Attractions , Events ,

Tony Smiley Rocks the House

February 3, 2012
It's going to sound clichéd to say so, but you haven't lived until you've seen Tony Smiley play music. Also known as The Loop Ninja, Smiley is a one-man band who singlehandedly puts most multiple-member bands in their places. Using loop technology, which stacks musical segments on top of one another, Smiley builds an entire,… More
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Central Oregon , Bend , Theater & Performing Art , Trip Ideas , Attractions ,

The Fabulous North Umpqua

November 22, 2011
Oregon amazes me. Just when I think I've seen every gorgeous wonder in a lifetime spent in this incredible state, I happen along a place that takes my breath away all over again. That's what happened a couple of weeks ago, when my husband and I visited the North Umpqua River. I had never seen this… More
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Southern Oregon , Roseburg , Lakes & Reservoirs , Parks, Forests & Wildlife Areas , Rivers & Streams , Waterfalls , Hiking & Backpacking , Trip Ideas , Outdoor Recreation , Attractions ,

Family Vacation Bliss at Brasada Ranch

October 10, 2011
My four-year-old daughter loves Brasada Ranch. Quite possibly more than her other favorite things—strawberry ice cream and swings. As we drove in late August under Brasada Ranch's signature feature, an old irrigation trestle, once used to carry water to livestock back when this beautiful parcel of land northeast of Bend was the working Shumway Ranch,… More
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Central Oregon , Powell Butte , Farm & Ranch Stays , Family Fun , Farms & Ranches , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink ,

Shades of Blue: Summer Lake Hot Springs

June 21, 2010
My personal feeling is that if you are willing to wade into unusual waters, you'll be gifted with something unexpectedly rewarding. That's the way it was Memorial Day weekend at Summer Lake Hot Springs. As a local resident of Summer Lake said to us during our stay, "People either love it here, or they think… More
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Southern Oregon , Paisley , Camping , Family Fun , Bicycling , Trip Ideas , Outdoor Recreation , Attractions ,

Ode to Shevlin Park

February 24, 2010
Last Saturday, 8:15 a.m. Weather: snowing lightly. Trail conditions: snowpack with good traction. One other car in the parking lot. I step out of my car, tuck the key in my pocket, and run. Up the hill in the woods, Ponderosa pine too big to hug anchor the horizon. Manzanita glistens with fresh powdery snow.… More
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Central Oregon , Bend , Sustainable Travel , Hiking & Backpacking , Trip Ideas ,