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.

Winter Birding

January 17, 2014
Winter is a wonderful time to look for feathered visitors. Oregon’s wildlife areas offer tremendous opportunities to see migrating and overwintering birds of all kinds. More
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Birding , Trip Ideas ,

Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea

December 26, 2013
sing plastic trash that had washed up on Oregon’s beaches, Pozzi created enormous sculptures of threatened sea creatures. More
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Art Galleries & Studios , Favorite Trips , Educational Activities , Trip Ideas , Attractions , Events ,

Wintertime at Crater Lake

December 2, 2013
While the exquisite beauty of Crater Lake lands it on many must-see lists, I’ve always imagined a winter when an average 44 feet of snow covers the rim road, closes the north entrance and thins the crowds. We plotted a three-day clockwise course around the 30-mile Rim Drive, hoping for an extreme experience of this national icon. More
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Southern Oregon , Favorite Trips , Filmed in Oregon , Snow Sports , Trip Ideas , Attractions ,

Cross-country Ski Mt. Hood

November 22, 2013
In the Mt. Hood area, there are cross-country ski trails for all levels, from beginner to expert. Here are some ideas to get you started. More
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Mt. Hood & Columbia River Gorge , Timberline Lodge , Ski Areas & Sno-Parks , Cross-Country Skiing & Snowshoeing , Snow Sports , Trip Ideas ,

Winter Memories

November 13, 2013
What’s your first, best memory of winter? Maybe you stood in the yard watching the white flakes spiral down out of the dark sky. Perhaps you recall the inaugural snowman rolled back and forth across the yard, one mittened hand at a time. Or was it the day you were old enough to ride the… More
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Family Fun , Snow Sports , Trip Ideas ,

Sip Cool-Climate Wines in Elkton

October 9, 2013
You don't have to be a sommelier to appreciate the unique wines of Elkton. More
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Oregon Coast , Elkton , Wine & Wineries , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink ,

Must-See Birds of the Pacific Northwest

October 1, 2013
If you sprint between windows to watch hummingbirds buzz in the yard, or Google "bird calls" (Was it a thrush or a meadowlark?), congratulations — you’re a budding bird nerd! And have I got a book for you: “Must-See Birds of the Pacific Northwest: 85 Unforgettable Species, Their Fascinating Lives, and How to Find Them”… More
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Birding , Trip Ideas ,

Eastern Oregon Lake Hikes

September 18, 2013
If fall is coming, nobody’s told Eastern Oregon. The warm, sunny days are the perfect time to hit the trail for late season wildflower meadows, deep forests and hidden alpine lakes. Check out these gorgeous hikes in scenic wilderness areas on the east side of the state. Strawberry Lakes, Slide Falls (near John Day) From… More
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Eastern Oregon , Lakes & Reservoirs , Parks, Forests & Wildlife Areas , Rivers & Streams , Hiking & Backpacking , Trip Ideas , Outdoor Recreation , Attractions ,

Paddle the Willamette

September 16, 2013
Fall is a beautiful season to get out on Oregon’s rivers in a canoe or kayak. The forests, aflame with fall color, come alive with migrating birds and other wildlife on the move. The Willamette River Water Trail, which comprises 187 miles of the valley’s major waterway, is a great place to dip your paddle.… More
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Kayaking , Trip Ideas ,

Mother Lode Cellars

September 4, 2013
As the fifth generation in a ranching family, Travis Cook follows a long tradition of working the land. But his work at Mother Lode Cellars is groundbreaking. Located in the foothills of the Wallowa Mountains near Baker City, Mother Lode is one of a handful of wineries on the eastern side of the state and… More
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Eastern Oregon , Baker City , Wine & Wineries , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink ,