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Travel Oregon – What’s New – Summer 2014 The days are long, the pours are cold, and the drive to get outside is in high gear across Oregon. It’s summertime. As sunny days stretch into long weekends and vacations, we’re lining up adventures only Oregon can provide. Be they afternoon breakaways or journeys that last until autumn returns, it’s a playground out there, and we’re not coming in until the moon is high.
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| Not Your Grandmother's Three Rs
But that’s not to say that grandma won’t be there. It’s the Ride-Row-Run race and relay in Maupin. Each September, the adventurous descend on the town for a challenging and entertaining event. Participate solo or with a team to run a mile, bike a 26-mile loop, kayak 3 miles downstream on the Deschutes, and run 4 miles along the riverbank to the finish. Or, tag along as part of a cheering squad and savor a cold one while others work up a sweat. See who can resist the “temptation station” of adult beverages in the middle of the race, and enjoy a Central Oregon feast at the finish line. Presented by the Maupin Area Chamber of Commerce and X-Dog Events, Ride-Row-Run kicks off at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 21 at The Imperial Hotel.
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| Passport to Adventure
Just west of Portland, Washington County offers numerous opportunities for the nature lover to get their fix. The new Nature Passport highlights the best nature spots in the region for activities like bird watching, fishing, paddling and cycling, and covers more than 727 square miles of wetlands and wildlife habitats. Immerse yourself in the great outdoors and explore hiking trails that meander through lush forests, along bubbling streams and open meadows. Visit the Washington County Visitors Association for the Nature Passport, guide descriptions and directions on stamp locations.
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| Go Tell It on the Mountain
Or sing it. It’s time for the annual Timberline Mountain Music Festival. Spend the day with the best of the Northwest: tunes and brews, two ways. Teaming up with Mt. Hood Brewing and Boyd Coffee Company, Timberline Lodge brings roots music to its outdoor amphitheater on Labor Day, September 1. Starting at 1 p.m., some of the country’s most youthful and talented roots music bands take to the stage. The line-up includes Monocle Band, Nora Jane Struthers and the Party Line, and Eli West and Cahalen Morrison. Headliners The Black Lillies take the stage at 5:30 p.m. Bring an instrument and jam on the pickin’ patio, or just enjoy the food, beverages and fantastic views at this free music event.
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The Hills are Alive…
With the scent of lavender. Southern Oregon gives Provence a run for its money with the Southern Oregon Lavender Trail. Five family-run lavender farms in the Applegate Valley beckon visitors for a multisensory experience. From u-pick flowers and potted plants to culinary treats, crafts, distilled oils and exquisite products, each farm showcases the varied uses of this fragrant, versatile herb. The farms are open to visitors in July and August while the lavender is in full bloom. Enjoy the views of the stunning Siskiyou Mountains along the way, and consider extending a visit to explore the National Historic Landmark town of Jacksonville and surrounding wineries.
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Photo credits: Kevin Wright, Not Your Grandmother's Three R's; Scott Spiker, Passport to Adventure; Chantal Anderson, Go Tell It on the Mountain; Oregon Bikepacking, On the Rocks; Eugene, Cascades, Coast, Trail of Beers
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| Jewel of the Coast
The Egyptian Theatre in Coos Bay reopened in June with fanfare worthy of this gem. When owners put the historic 1925 property up for grabs in 2005, community members moved swiftly to deny the opportunity for just anyone to take over. On the National Register of Historic Places, the Egyptian Theatre is one of the country’s four surviving movie palaces designed in the Egyptian Revival style of architecture, made popular in the 1920s with the discovery of King Tutankhamen’s tomb. Purchased by the City of Coos Bay Urban Renewal Agency, the theatre offered movies and entertainment along with fundraisers for returning the Egyptian Theatre to all its former glory. The centerpiece, a Wurlitzer Hope-Jones Unit Orchestra organ, boasts strong pipes and more. Fashioned to provide a complete soundtrack to silent movies of the time, the organ is in top condition despite nearly 90 years of play time.
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On the RocksThis summer, go beyond the road routes, scenic bikeways or mountain biking trails. It’s time to rock the world of cycling and hit the gravel. More than 10,000 miles of gravel roads traverse the Oregon landscape, including those meandering through the wheat fields surrounding Heppner, Ione and Hardman in Eastern Oregon. These backcountry roads are remote and rugged, but come with views that can’t be beat. The Oregon Bicycle Tourism Partnership and the Statewide Gravel Riding Work Group are evaluating the accessibility of these roads. By early 2015, the partnership should have some recommendations to share, so check back with rideoregonride.com for tips on the best bikes for the terrain, gear to pack, and routes for everyone from newbie novices to bold and seasoned cyclists. In the meantime, we invite you to explore OregonBikepacking.com, a comprehensive website filled with unique routes, compelling images and inspiring stories on biking adventures in Oregon. If you're ready to ride, check out the Oregon Coast Gravel Epic taking place on August 24. Not for the faint of heart, the 73-mile Abomination route features more than 10,000 feet of steep gravel climbing and technical descents.
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Trail of BeersIs Tracktown USA ready for the nickname Brewgene? The city’s breweries certainly make a convincing argument with the Eugene Ale Trail. Bottle shops, tap houses and growler fill stations are within easy distance around town, so walk, run, bike or taxi from one tasting to another. The Eugene Ale Trail features a sampling of 10 of the region’s best craft breweries, including Ninkasi, Hop Valley, Oakshire, Falling Sky, Rogue, Steelhead, McMenamins, Plank Town, Claim 52 and Agrarian Ales. Pick up a trail passport, get it stamped by at least eight of the 10, and receive a 16-oz. amber growler. For ultra-dedicated brew fans, a side trip 44 miles east to Oakridge Brewers Union Local 180 will net a bonus prize of a stainless steel pint cup. Enjoy a diversity of beer styles, the influence of local ingredients, and the difference of pure water sourced from the McKenzie River. Cheers!
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