About the Author

Stu Watson

A freelance writer based in Hood River, Stu Watson spent nearly 30 years writing and editing for newspapers and magazines in Medford, Anchorage and Portland. After moving to Hood River in 2000, he and his wife also owned and operated two restaurants. He loves to windsurf.

Road Trip: Veneta

December 23, 2016
Just 15 miles west of Eugene, Veneta is located at the intersection of Highway 126, a direct path to the scenic Oregon Coast, and the Territorial Highway, one of the oldest roads in Oregon and the gateway to Willamette Valley Wine Country. As such, Veneta is a fitting locale in which to explore both the… More
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Willamette Valley , Veneta , Lakes & Reservoirs , Parks, Forests & Wildlife Areas , Fairs & Festivals , Rivers & Streams , Trip Ideas , Outdoor Recreation , Bicycling , Eat & Drink , Attractions , Events , Wine & Wineries , Windsurfing & Kiteboarding ,

Road Trip: Hillsboro

November 17, 2016
Just west of Portland, Hillsboro gets plenty of visitors, drawn by the many things that make it a great (and booming) place to live. People move here from all over the world to work for large employers like Intel and Nike. Still charming, Hillsboro smacks the casual visitor with surprises — and not just during… More
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Portland Region , Hillsboro , Trip Ideas ,

A Taste of the Grain at Bob’s Red Mill

October 31, 2016
At 10 a.m. on a sunny autumn morning, I find myself in a meeting room at Bob’s Red Mill Natural Foods, the St. Peter’s of whole-grain, stone-ground natural goodness in Milwaukie, just south of Portland. I’ve joined a group of other whole grain enthusiasts for a tour, and though we don’t know each other, we… More
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Portland Region , Milwaukie , Artisan Producers , Culinary Events , Educational Activities , Trip Ideas , Culinary Experiences , Eat & Drink , Events ,

Sipping Guide to Forest Grove

October 7, 2016
Positioned between Beervana (aka Portland) and world-famous Willamette Valley wine country, Forest Grove has quietly vaulted onto the GPS of craft-beverage quaffers in its own right. First-time visitors may be surprised to learn that it has been home for two decades to the nation’s top brewer of saké, a popular Japanese rice wine. More recently, the… More
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Portland Region , Forest Grove , Beer & Breweries , Cider & Cideries , Trip Ideas , Eat & Drink , Spirits & Distilleries ,