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.

Snow Kiting the Columbia River Gorge

November 9, 2015
Snow kiting in the Cascade Range mountains is limited by the fact that most of the snow falls above 5,000 feet and is, therefore, difficult to reach. Eventually, I realized that a snowmobile could get me to previously inaccessible locations, even Mount Defiance. I scouted the area with Google Earth, and after a few trips to the summit on my snowmobile, I discovered a snowfield about five times the size of a soccer field. More
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Sno-Parks , Favorite Trips , Snow Sports , Windsurfing & Kiteboarding , Trip Ideas ,

Winter Fun in Central Oregon

October 30, 2015
Fire and ice, dogs and kids, stars and snow. Winter in Central Oregon has all the right ingredients for some serious family fun. Here are just a few ideas to put the stoke in your season this winter. Lace ’em up: The brisk high desert air and slick ice of Central Oregon’s rinks will make… More
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Central Oregon , Bend , Snow Sports , Trip Ideas , Attractions ,

Road Trip: John Day Fossil Beds Country

October 26, 2015
The first time I saw the Painted Hills in Eastern Oregon, I was in a hurry. My group had stopped at the Thomas Condon Paleontology Center, which acts as the interpretive center for the hills and the rest of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, and learned about its stunning history — 55 million… More
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Eastern Oregon , Mitchell , Parks, Forests & Wildlife Areas , Trip Ideas , Outdoor Recreation , Attractions ,

Salem’s Archive Coffee & Bar

October 16, 2015
The town of Salem has been buzzing since the opening of Archive Coffee & Bar in December 2014. Co-owners Jesse Hayes and Justin Doyle’s operation is one part small-batch coffee roaster and one part classic cocktail haven. And in between all of that drinkable goodness is a locally sourced menu of small plates and entrees.… More
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Willamette Valley , Salem , Coffee & Tea , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink ,

Solstice Woodfire Cafe & Bar

October 15, 2015
It’s a lazy weekday afternoon in Hood River, long past lunch and hours before dinner, but Solstice Woodfire Café & Bar is hopping. Young families cluster around the kids’ play area on one side of the room, and a group of young kiteboarders fresh off the water fills the patio. Out the window, the Columbia… More
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Mt. Hood & Columbia River Gorge , Hood River , Restaurants , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink ,

Chef Justin Wills’ Wildly Local Cuisine

October 13, 2015
When he opened Restaurant Beck in 2009, Justin Wills began adding the wild-foraging element to the menu. In addition to getting 95 percent of his ingredients from local farms and fishermen in Lincoln County, Wills delved into the woods and the ocean to see what he could find. “If I can get stuff at its peak of freshness, I am going to use that over everything else,” he says. More
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Oregon Coast , Depoe Bay , Favorite Trips , Restaurants , Seafood , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink ,

Road Trip: Classic Portland

October 2, 2015
Portland is full of the new and shiny: There’s a brand new bridge spanning the Willamette River, fabulous breweries like Culmination Brewing popping up every day and award-winning chefs pulling down national awards left and right. But before this town was quirky and trendy, it was the City of Roses, so named for its elegant… More
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Portland Region , Portland , Trip Ideas , Attractions ,

5 Coast Culinary Secrets

October 1, 2015
You told your family you’d be right back; just a quick trip to the small-town mercantile to grab a few things — firewood, a six-pack, marshmallows. Who knew you’d get lost in a wonderland of craft beer, gourmet cheeses and coastal culinary delights? Visit these small grocery stories along the Coast and you’ll unearth a… More
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Oregon Coast , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink ,

Go for a Run in the Gorge

September 29, 2015
It's time to play in the Columbia River Gorge, and there's no better way to explore than a run. For those who like scenic trail and road running, look no further, the Gorge is practically made for runners. “We have it all here,” says Brian Shortt, owner of Hood River’s Shortt Supply. “If you like the… More
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Mt. Hood & Columbia River Gorge , Hood River , Running , Parks, Forests & Wildlife Areas , Trip Ideas , Outdoor Recreation , Attractions , Events ,

Top Fall Hikes

September 11, 2015
We asked some of the state’s best-known guide companies and trail enthusiasts where to hike for excellent fall fun. Here are the top picks for hiking this season. More
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Sustainable Travel , Hiking & Backpacking , Trip Ideas ,