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.

Gear Up for Biking

May 12, 2012
It’s time to get reacquainted with that two-wheeled thing in the garage that you have been ignoring all winter. Are you up for some white-knuckled criterium spectating, or a muddy mountain bike race? How about a funky art-bike parade? Or Maybe you just feel like going for a ride. Here are some ideas to get… More
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Central Oregon , Bend , Bicycling , Sustainable Travel , Sports , Trip Ideas , Events ,

Spring into Cooking Class

April 16, 2012
Bounty returns in the spring, and we are getting fired up in the kitchen. Oregon is the heart of Northwest cuisine, and now Bend has a new artery.  If you love to create good food as much as you love to eat it, step into the kitchen at the Cascade Culinary Institute (CCI). Opening its… More
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Oregon Coast , Bend , Culinary Events , Culinary Experiences , Educational Activities , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink , Events ,

Road Trip: Gearhart

April 2, 2012
In the cold of winter, we suggest going coastal for some sand, surf and sunshine. Head to Gearhart (pop. 1,462), a little town tucked away between Seaside and Astoria. This quaint and quiet beach town makes the perfect getaway year-round. Hit the green: Check out Gearhart Golf Links, the oldest golf course in Oregon (and arguably… More
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Oregon Coast , Gearhart , Family Fun , Fishing , Golfing , Trip Ideas ,

Get Ready for Whale Watch Week

March 15, 2012
Amazed by the greatness of gray whales? You're not alone. Countless people come to watch whales at the Oregon Coast every year. Late December is prime time to look for migrating gray whales as they head south to the warm lagoons of Baja, Mexico. You can learn more at Oregon Whale Watch Week, with trained volunteers stationed at more than a dozen locations coastwide to help visitors spot thousands of gray whales as they make their winter migration along the Coast. More
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Oregon Coast , Depoe Bay , Lakes & Reservoirs , State Parks , Parks, Forests & Wildlife Areas , Rivers & Streams , Family Fun , Sustainable Travel , Trip Ideas , Outdoor Recreation , Attractions , Events ,

Finding Oregon

March 7, 2012
We thought we knew Oregon like nobody’s business. Then we watched “Finding Oregon,” a video from Uncage the Soul Productions, and fell in love all over again. More
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Lakes & Reservoirs , Parks, Forests & Wildlife Areas , Camping , Rivers & Streams , Trip Ideas , Outdoor Recreation , Attractions ,

Road Trip: Redmond and Sisters

March 1, 2012
Get a dose of spring sunshine in the high desert towns of Redmond and Sisters. Located within 20 miles of each other just north of Bend, Redmond and Sisters both offer a small-town feel in the dramatic backdrop of the Central Oregon mountains. Play: Hike or climb at Smith Rock or take a shorter walk… More
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Central Oregon , Sisters , Shopping , Trip Ideas , Attractions ,

Celebrate Celtic Pride

February 7, 2012
St. Patrick's Day rolls around just once a year, but Celtic pride reigns around the state during all seasons. If you are looking for a special St. Patrick's Day celebration, take part in the 30th annual "A Wee Bit O' Ireland" in Heppner, Oregon. Located southwest of Hermiston, Heppner doesn't look like the Old Country,… More
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Oregon Coast , Yachats , Fairs & Festivals , Family Fun , Trip Ideas , Events ,

Roadtrip: Alberta Street in Portland

February 6, 2012
If you've got a case of the mid-winter blues, we have the perfect cure — retail therapy on Alberta Street in Portland's northeast quadrant. With dozens of unique storefronts and plenty of options for great food and drink, you're sure to find just the pick-me-up your spirits need. For a morning start, Fuel up at… More
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Portland Region , Portland , Culinary Experiences , Shopping , Restaurants , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink , Attractions ,

Skinny Ski Time – Nordic Trails in Oregon

January 22, 2012
Skiing in Oregon isn't just about the vertical. Our mountains and meadows also offer great access to Nordic skiing. Here are some ideas to get you kicking and gliding on those skinny skis. Ski Trillium Lake's four miles of trails for unparalleled views of snowy Mt. Hood. Nearby Teacup Lake Nordic offers 20 kilometers of… More
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Mt. Hood & Columbia River Gorge , Downhill Skiing & Snowboarding , Trip Ideas ,

Walk on the Wild Side

January 6, 2012
Nothing thrills the kids (or the child within) like a brush with the wild. And Oregon has plenty of opportunities for human contact with wildlife —both native and exotic — from the ocean to the desert and everything in between. More
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Oregon Coast , Newport , Aquariums & Zoos , Family Fun , Trip Ideas , Attractions , Events ,