About the Author

Guest Author

Oregon Cheese Trail

June 17, 2013
Sarah Marcus has followed both her passion and a dream. While working at other careers, she began to make cheese at home, curious about the art and science of cheesemaking. Starting in the spring of 2005, Sarah worked behind the counter at Cowgirl Creamery in San Francisco's Ferry Building, selling and learning about some of… More
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Artisan Producers , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink ,

Summer Weekend at Crater Lake

May 30, 2013
Some of America’s greatest authors have waxed rhapsodic over the sight of Crater Lake’s blue waters. It’s the same view that compels people from all over the world to visit Oregon’s most popular national park site each year. More
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Southern Oregon , Prospect , Lakes & Reservoirs , Favorite Trips , Parks, Forests & Wildlife Areas , Rivers & Streams , Family Fun , Trip Ideas , Outdoor Recreation , Attractions ,

Canyons, Peaks and Orchards

May 17, 2013
When Randy Kiyokawa was a kid, he dreamed of growing up to be a policeman or a disk jockey. His parents had other ideas. Nice thing is they happened to own orchards in one of the most stunning places on earth. After college and three years working in Portland, Randy returned home to join the… More
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Mt. Hood & Columbia River Gorge , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink ,

How to Ride the Old West Scenic Bikeway in Five Days

August 29, 2012
There’s a little-known secret about cycling in Oregon: Some of the best riding in the state isn’t in Portland or even along the Pacific Coast. You have to cross the Cascade Mountains and head into the open country of Eastern Oregon, where cows in the road constitute a traffic jam, and where the impressive scenery shifts between ponderosa pines and basalt rock. More
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Eastern Oregon , John Day , Favorite Trips , Historic Sites & Oregon Trail , Bicycling , Sustainable Travel , Trip Ideas , Outdoor Recreation , Culture & History , Attractions ,

Dogged Fortitude

June 1, 2012
Twenty-five years ago, my friend, Shirley, and I attempted to climb the South Sister. The South Sister is an old volcano, considered still active, in Central Oregon near the city of Bend. It is 10,358 feet high, which is the third highest mountain in Oregon. The wonderful thing about South Sister is, during the summer, you can hike… More
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Central Oregon , Bend , Parks, Forests & Wildlife Areas , Hiking & Backpacking , Trip Ideas , Outdoor Recreation , Attractions ,

The Other Side of the Mountain

May 21, 2012
Jason Stoller Smith, Oregon’s Most Elevated Chef: Jason Stoller Smith has one of the best commutes in Oregon. As the executive chef at the historic Timberline Lodge, Jason’s route to work takes him more than halfway up Mt. Hood. There, he creates menus featuring products sourced from a cadre of farmers and foragers, when he’s not out… More
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Portland Region , Welches , Culinary Experiences , Sustainable Travel , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink ,

Foothills, Forests & Foraging

May 20, 2012
T.R. McCrystal, Chef and Weekend Warrior: For chef T.R. McCrystal and his wife Jennifer, a search for balance led them to the mountain town of Sisters, where they opened Jen's Garden Restaurant in 2006. Before landing in Central Oregon, T.R. wandered through Europe and fell in love with the pace and ethic of food preparation that begins… More
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Willamette Valley , Eugene , Scenic Drives , Culinary Experiences , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink , Scenic Byways ,

Oregon Beer Loop

May 19, 2012
Jack Harris — Oregon Craft Brewer Jack Harris’s brewing career has included stints throughout the western United States, including living in the front office of a brewery with his dog. He’s come a long way since. His philosophy as a brewer is to be original, avoid fads and keep it local. In a historic building in Astoria, where… More
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Oregon Coast , Astoria , Beer & Breweries , Culinary Experiences , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink ,

Oregon Outback

May 18, 2012
Jim Prosser, Winemaker with a Wild Side: Jim Prosser makes Pinot Noir at J.K. Carriere in the Willamette Valley. He didn’t always. Jim grew up equal parts free and reckless where the Cascade Mountains meet the high desert in Central Oregon. There was plenty of sunshine and sagebrush out there, but alas, no grapes. When he… More
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Central Oregon , Bend , Culinary Experiences , Wine & Wineries , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink ,

The New Wine Pioneers

May 17, 2012
Barbara Steele – Biodynamic Oregon Vintner: After years in the corporate world on Wall Street and in California, Barbara Steele and her husband Bill moved to Southern Oregon in 2005, bought a farm, and built Cowhorn Vineyard & Garden. On this 117-acre tract outside of Jacksonville they created a certified Biodynamic® farm and winery where they… More
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Southern Oregon , Jacksonville , Culinary Experiences , Sustainable Travel , Wine & Wineries , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink ,