Marie Melsheimer

There’s no need to leave a precious family member behind when you travel to Bend. Bring your fur baby along and enjoy the area with many dog-friendly options for your next vacation. More

One way we made it through those days of Nordic skiing with my parents was knowing that there was a banana split waiting for us at a little café on the road down. Now, we like to round out a day on the mountain with a little more sophisticated fare, such as enjoying all that Bend’s Old Mill District has to offer. More

My teenage son loves the holidays. It always surprises me how he is a stickler for every detail, remembers every small tradition that I have (mostly unwittingly) set up over the course of his life. We suggested a family vacation over Christmas break this year and he voted to stay here, at our home in Bend, to keep up those traditions that still make the holidays magical for him. More

Bend's craft-beer-loving community comes together for the annual Bend Brewfest at the Les Schwab Amphitheater. There are many reasons why the Bend Brewfest is top of everyone's summer bucket list. More

While our beautiful state is known for year-round fun, I recently re-discovered the beauty and variety that Southern Oregon offers in every season. Nestled halfway between Portland and San Francisco, this region boasts an array of adventures, no matter the time of year. Here are some of my favorite ways to experience Southern Oregon all year long. More

Living east of the Cascades is fantastic. Like so many other people I live here for about 150 good reasons and most of them included spending time outdoors. And I’m a rarity in this booming region; I actually grew up in Bend. Even old timers like me agree, this winter has been epic. Unparalleled snowfall has made for some amazing winter sports opportunities and some serious happiness for locals and visitors alike. More

Fall is a time of change in the high desert. We have beautiful blue sky and sunny days mixed with the crisp cool air of fall — and the weather isn’t the only thing that’s changing. Our local Deschutes River fills up with runs of fall steelhead, which means I have a 50/50 chance of… More

As a sixth-generation Oregonian, and an on-again, off-again resident of Bend since 1977, sometimes it’s easy for me to forget all the amazing things to do in this place I call home. When I was growing up, the section of the Deschutes River where the Old Mill District now sits was completely inaccessible. (Unless you… More