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.

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 ,

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 ,

Portland Film Festival

August 28, 2013
The inaugural Portland Film Festival rolled out on Tuesday, August 27, with aerial acrobatics, stilt walkers and contortionists — and that was just on the sidewalk. Inside Cinema 21, a full house enjoyed the opening film, “Without A Net,” which told the story of impoverished young Brazilians trying to fight their way out of poverty… More
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Portland Region , Portland , Theater & Performing Art , Trip Ideas , Attractions ,

The Bread Board: A Slice of Heaven

August 14, 2013
There’s something delicious happening in Falls City (pop. 955), a former mill town tucked in the foothills of the Coast range just 25 miles southwest of Salem. Falls City is home to The Bread Board, an artisan bakery that has quickly earned a reputation for being worth the drive. When owners John Volkmann and Keith… More
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Willamette Valley , Falls City , Artisan Producers , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink ,

Road Trip: Troutdale

July 31, 2013
Known as the gateway to the Columbia River Gorge, the town of Troutdale perches at the confluence of the Sandy and Columbia rivers just outside of Portland. It marks the start of 80 miles of dramatic beauty — the river winding from the east, sheer gorge cliffs and a string of rushing waterfalls. Before heading… More
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Mt. Hood & Columbia River Gorge , Troutdale , Trip Ideas ,

Crabbing with the Kids

Summertime is a great time to catch your own dinner on the Coast — namely Oregon’s state crustacean, the meaty, sweet and decadent Dungeness crab. More
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Oregon Coast , Fishing , Culinary Experiences , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink ,