Becky Brun

Hood River is the cat’s meow for dogs. Located in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and about 45 minutes from snow-covered trails on Mt. Hood, this picturesque city has lots of dog-friendly trails, beaches, restaurants and places to stay. Walk through downtown Hood River and you’re bound to find bowls of water, “dog parking” at restaurants and plenty of dog treats for your pooch. More

Bordered by the Oregon Coast Range and the Cascade Range, the Willamette Valley’s temperate forests provide some of the most varied and scenic mountain biking terrain for experts and beginners alike. Like most places in the Pacific Northwest, the key to winter mountain biking in the Willamette Valley is knowing where to go. More

My legs shook as I used a long, one-bladed paddle to push my stand-up paddleboard (SUP) away from shore. I engaged my core, bent my knees and kept my board at a 45-degree angle to the current. “Remember, look where you want to go,” said Tim Thornton, owner of River Drifters and one of our guides. That’s easier said than done — at least for me. I’m not a “water person.” I prefer high alpine hikes on Mt. Hood, long trail runs in the Columbia... More