About the Author

Eileen Garvin

Eileen Garvin lives and writes in Hood River. When she’s not hunched over her keyboard or digging in the garden, you can find her mountain biking, kiteboarding, hiking, skiing or camping somewhere in Oregon.

Road Trip: Albany

July 28, 2014
Located where the Willamette River meets the Calapooia River, Albany (pop. 51,000) was founded in the mid-19th century. Located just a few miles off of I-5, this farming city has retained a charming, walkable downtown and has more historic homes (350) than any other city in Oregon. Around Town: The Monteith and Hackleman Historic districts… More
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Willamette Valley , Albany , Trip Ideas ,

Meet Bandon’s Face Rock Creamery

In June 2013, the town saw the revival of its long tradition of artisan cheese with the opening of the Face Rock Creamery. Greg Drobot, who relocated to Bandon for a job, fell in love with the town, stayed, and now owns the company. Drobot had become enamored of the dairy history and decided to invest in Face Rock Creamery. “It really sparked something in me, he says. “I thought it would be a great industry to bring back to Bandon.” More
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Oregon Coast , Bandon , Artisan Producers , Favorite Trips , Culinary Experiences , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink ,

Finding Filberts

July 20, 2014
Magical things can happen at the Portland Farmers Market. Like when a baker of tiny, delicious cookies meets a Willamette Valley filbert farmer. Friendships are formed, filberts (aka hazelnuts) are tasted and the Hazelnut Bocce is born — a diminutive sweet shortbread cookie filled with rich chocolate ganache. That’s what happened between Elizabeth Beekley from Two… More
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Portland Region , Portland , Artisan Producers , Farm & Ranch Stays , Farmers Markets , Farms & Ranches , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink ,

Cheesemaker for a Day

July 16, 2014
In a small town in Southern Oregon, dairy cows amble through knee-high grass in a green meadow, curious calves poke their heads between fence slats, and a group of cheese makers creates award-winning, delicious blue cheeses. “Our spectrum of recipes comes from this natural native grass that’s right here at our dairy,” says David Gremmels… More
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Southern Oregon , Central Point , Artisan Producers , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink ,

Distiller for a Day

July 14, 2014
Ready to drink in one of Oregon’s newest culinary trends, Portland Chef Gabriel Rucker travels to Central Oregon to pay a visit to Bendistillery. Equal parts farming, production facility and tasting room, Bendistillery offers Rucker a lesson in another blossoming Oregon tradition. Here on a 24-acre organic farm under the snowy gaze of the Cascade… More
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Central Oregon , Bend , Spirits & Distilleries , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink ,

Fisherman for a Day

July 10, 2014
Portland Chef Gabriel Rucker’s commitment to fresh, local cuisine runs deep. “Oregon chefs are really passionate about the local, sustainable and farm-to-table,” he says. Rucker employs his own passion to the menus of his restaurants in Portland — LePigeon and Little Bird. In his ongoing quest to experience the freshest Oregon bounty, Rucker spends a day… More
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Oregon Coast , Depoe Bay , Seafood , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink ,

See Portland by Bike

Oregon native Todd Roll knows Portland and he knows bikes. The owner of Pedal Bike Tours, he’s helped thousands of visitors explore one of America’s most bike-friendly cities for the past six years. “We cater to novice cyclists, people who haven’t been on bikes in many years,” Roll says. Pedal Bike Tours offers bike rentals… More
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Portland Region , Bicycling , Trip Ideas ,

Casting for Steelhead

July 9, 2014
French-born Chef Philippe Boulot made his home in Portland’s Heathman Restaurant & Bar for more than two decades, but has always been equally at ease with a fly rod in his hand. Far from the urban bustle, the James Beard Award-winning Boulot takes time out in the sunny Central Oregon town of Maupin on the… More
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Central Oregon , Maupin , Seafood , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink ,

Float Your Boat This Summer

With more than 200 miles of ocean coastline, 2,000 boat-friendly lakes, and thousands of miles of rivers to explore, Oregon is a boater’s paradise. And you don’t have to be an expert to get out and enjoy the state’s waters. More
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Lakes & Reservoirs , Parks, Forests & Wildlife Areas , Rivers & Streams , Trip Ideas , Outdoor Recreation , Attractions ,

The Enchanting Chanterelle

July 8, 2014
When fall arrives and it's chanterelle mushroom season, it's time to slow down, set your sites low and search the forest floor for these beautiful and tasty wild gems. For advice on hunting and cooking the elusive fungi, I talked to Leather Storrs, mushroom sleuth and chef at Noble Rot in Portland. What is the best… More
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Portland Region , Portland , Culinary Experiences , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink ,