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.

Inspiring Cooking at The Kitchen at Middleground Farms

February 11, 2015
In the brightly lit center of The Kitchen at Middleground Farms, we’re learning something I thought I already knew — how to core an apple. Jessica Hansen, chef and owner of this recreational cooking school in a renovated cow barn, demonstrates the best way to slice the juiciest meat out of each plump heirloom orb. Cores… More
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Willamette Valley , Wilsonville , Farm & Ranch Stays , Culinary Experiences , Farms & Ranches , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink ,

Get Schooled at the Oregon Cheese Festival

February 9, 2015
Like many cheeses, the Oregon Cheese Festival gets better with age. For more than 15 years, the gathering of Oregon's artisan cheesemakers, vintners and brewers has attracted foodies from all over to Rogue Creamery in Central Point. More
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Southern Oregon , Central Point , Culinary Events , Artisan Producers , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink , Events ,

Road Trip: Medford

January 26, 2015
Set in the rugged beauty of the Rogue Valley, Medford (pop. 77,700) is Southern Oregon’s largest city. Visitors will enjoy the town’s network of green parks, walkable downtown, great food and a host of family-friendly activities. Fab for Families: Check out the Rogue Air Trampoline Park — 20,000 square feet of indoor airborne fun for all… More
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Southern Oregon , Medford , Trip Ideas ,

7 Winter Hikes

January 15, 2015
If you’ve never hiked in Oregon in winter, here’s what you’re missing: the drama of rain-flushed waterfalls; seabirds hanging on the updraft of a cliff’s edge; views of the ocean’s stormy moods; and elk and deer browsing on the wintry landscape. Hiking during the winter is also a fantastic way to experience these areas without the crowds of the summer months. You’ll also be experiencing the trails with a whole new seasonal lens: Wildlife is often more active in the winter, waterfalls are fuller, trails... More
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Parks, Forests & Wildlife Areas , Hiking & Backpacking , Snow Sports , Trip Ideas , Attractions ,

9 Ways to Celebrate Winter in Oregon

December 23, 2014
When the sky is full of fluffy flakes and the mountains are covered with a white blanket of snow, what’s the best way to have fun in Oregon? We asked and you answered. Here are nine of our readers' favorite ways to celebrate winter in Oregon. More
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Snow Sports , Trip Ideas , Outdoor Recreation , Attractions ,

Road Trip: Astoria

December 22, 2014
With quaint Victorian homes perched on a steep hillside above the wide mouth of the Columbia River, it’s easy to see why the bustling port town of Astoria has been called “Little San Francisco.” Astoria was founded in 1811 as a fur trading post and became the first permanent U.S. settlement on the Pacific coast.… More
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Oregon Coast , Astoria , Trip Ideas , Attractions ,

Howling and Mushing

December 18, 2014
Eastern Oregon is known for its wild mountain peaks, but it’s also making a name for its wild mountain race — the Eagle Cap Extreme Sled Dog Race. January 18 through 21, 2017, scores of mushers and hundreds of dogs will fill the streets of Joseph and Enterprise in preparation for three thrilling races — the… More
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Eastern Oregon , Joseph , Sporting Events , Snow Sports , Sports , Trip Ideas , Events ,

Southern Oregon Dining Guide

December 12, 2014
It's no big secret: Southern Oregon is full of flavor — and plenty of award-winning restaurants. There are a lot of reasons to take a trip down south; food just might be at the top of the list. Enjoy these don’t-miss restaurants. Ashland Alchemy Restaurant & Bar, located in The Winchester Inn, presents a rich… More
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Southern Oregon , Roseburg , Restaurants , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink ,

Bandon’s Coastal Mist is Chocolate Heaven

December 5, 2014
Coastal Mist chocolate boutique in Bandon is a treasure trove of beautiful and delicious treats. On a given day, the glass case holds two dozen of 132 different types of handmade chocolates as well as caramel bars, pralines, and dragées (chocolate-covered or candied almonds, dried cranberries, espresso beans, pecans, hazelnuts and the like). The list… More
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Oregon Coast , Bandon , Artisan Producers , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink ,

Ox Portland

November 20, 2014
It’s a cloudy morning in North Portland. Gabrielle Quiñónez Denton and Greg Denton sit over steaming cups of coffee at the dining room table of their Craftsman bungalow and talk through the day’s menu for Ox, their award-winning restaurant in Northeast Portland. A Neapolitan Mastiff named Mabel sprawls at their feet, snoring, while Niko, a… More
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Portland Region , Portland , Favorite Trips , Restaurants , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink ,