Rugged BeautyBandon is a bit of Scotland on the Oregon Coast by Kim Cooper Findling It was never a sure thing that tiny, charming Bandon, Oregon would become a world-famous destination. Founded in 1891 and named for Bandon, Ireland, the small town on the rural Southern Oregon Coast supported a modest population by growing…
Best Wildflowers in the WestExplore the beauty and diversity of wildflowers in Oregon and Idaho by Damian Fagan Wildflowers bursting with color define summer in the West. The show starts in spring at lower elevations and follows the receding snow line up the mountains through fall. A palette of wildflowers paint mountain meadows and…
Rodeo CultureRounding up the best of the West by Adam Sawyer The American rodeo, like so many other ingrained aspects of culture across this continent, has its roots in a melding of customs and traditions. With heavy American Indian as well as Spanish and Mexican influence from the vaqueros’ the word “rodeo” comes from…
Music CityHitting the high notes in Nashville by Katy Koontz Country-music icons such as Dolly Parton perform in Nashville, along with up-and-coming artists. Nashville has long been heralded as the mecca of country music, and for good reason. Most country stars old and new have lived, frequently performed, or recorded here. Just don’t assume…
Traveling with PetsPet-friendly journeys with a furry companion by Teresa Ristow It’s a scenario pet parents know well: You’re on vacation exploring an attraction, taking a scenic hike or enjoying an al fresco dining experience, when you run into a fellow traveler with their pet. Suddenly, you miss your own four-legged companion back home,…
OjaiVisit Shangri-la at California’s valley paradise by Garrick Ramirez With palm trees and aromatic citrus groves bounded by the soaring Topatopa Mountains, it’s little wonder Ojai is regarded as California’s Shangri-la. Set within a mountain-ringed valley 80 miles northwest of Los Angeles, the diminutive town’s oversized scenery and balmy Mediterranean climate have made it a…
Dunes of the WestLandscapes from the pages of a science-fiction novel by Matt Wastradowski In 1965, science-fiction writer Frank Herbert published “Dune,” a sweeping novel that takes place largely on the planet Arrakis—where natural resources could be extracted from beneath a desert-like sand-covered surface. In writing the epic tome, Herbert found inspiration for the far-off…
Orcas IslandREWARDS OF A VISIT TO THE SAN JUAN ARCHIPELAGO by Lucas Alberg Some people are fortunate enough to marry into money; I was fortunate to marry into a destination. My partner of seventeen years grew up on Orcas Island, located off the coast of the northwest corner of Washington state. The biggest of the archipelago,…
E-Bike EvolutionComfortable Riding With Ease by Dan Shyrock The popular Banks-Vernonia State Trail leading into Oregon’s northwest timber country is decidedly uphill. It’s not steep, but there’s a steady tilt that can make a bicyclist’s legs weary. However, more people are discovering a way to enjoy this remote, forest-shaded bikeway without worrying about getting tired by…
National parks create another world under a blanket of snow by Rebecca Jacobson For many, winter in the West means a ski resort getaway. For powder paradise beyond the lift lines, head instead to one of the region’s national parks or monuments for show-stopping scenery, wildlife watching opportunities and recreation ranging from cross-country skiing to…