Urban geocaching

November 20, 2009 4:00 am

In recent years, geocaching — a sort of high-tech treasure hunt using GPS technology — has exploded in popularity, and caches can be stashed anywhere and everywhere, urban or rural. So you ....MORE

Hello, Metolius River

Trail near Camp Sherman still has something to offer in autumn

November 19, 2009 4:00 am

I'm almost ashamed to admit this, but here it is: Somehow, after living in Central Oregon for nearly five years and in Oregon my entire life, I discovered the Metolius River for the first time this....MORE

Mountain biking

November 13, 2009 4:00 am

The Deschutes River Trail is in prime form this time of year, and between Benham and Dillon Falls, the brisk temperatures, rushing water, lava flow and fragrant, manzanita-scented air are part of the ....MORE

Tumalo Creek

November 13, 2009 4:00 am

Looking for a close-to-home place to hike and enjoy some spectacular scenery? Tumalo Creek Trail might be just the place. Because the trail is close to town and is one of the lowest-elevation trails....MORE

City search

Looking for geocaches amid the pavement and pocket parks of Bend

November 12, 2009 4:00 am

As of Tuesday morning, here were my impressions of geocaching:1) It's a hobby tailor-made for the kind of rugged men and women for whom traipsing across uneven ground is not exciting enough, so they....MORE

Ride on

Prime time to ride the Deschutes River Trail

November 5, 2009 4:00 am

There are all kinds of adages and aphorisms that essentially say the same thing: Make hay while the sun shines. Strike while the iron is hot. There's no time like the present. Get while the getting is ....MORE

Pole Creek for firewood

October 30, 2009 4:00 am

This area 10 miles southwest of Sisters is beautiful and is home to standing, dead lodgepole pine and Douglas fir, perfect for cutting firewood. Get the proper permits and follow the cutting....MORE

Steelhead Falls

October 30, 2009 4:00 am

Steelhead Falls, along the Deschutes River near Crooked River Ranch, is a popular swimming spot in the summer, but the easy hike can be nice in the fall as well. Keep your eye out for golden eagles....MORE

Rocks and relaxation

October 29, 2009 4:00 am

When it comes to hiking spots close to home, I thought I had it covered. First Street Rapids: Check. Pilot Butte: Check. Lava Butte, Shevlin Park, Tumalo Falls, Dry River Gorge, Dillon Falls, Benham....MORE

Steelhead Falls

October 23, 2009 4:00 am

Steelhead Falls, along the Deschutes River near Crooked River Ranch, is a popular swimming spot in the summer, but the easy hike can be nice in the fall as well. Keep your eye out for golden eagles....MORE

Juniper Hills disc golf course

October 23, 2009 4:00 am

Madras’ nine-hole Juniper Hills disc golf course covers a hillside on the eastern edge of Juniper Hills Park, a large recreational complex on the east side of town. Unlike at some more congested ....MORE

Cutting the first cord

Firewood cutting an experience of nature, bonding and teamwork

October 22, 2009 4:00 am

Sometimes a girl just needs to get sawdust in her hair and dirt under her fingernails, so I decided to try cutting firewood in the forest. Over the weekend I accompanied two colleagues and seasoned....MORE

Stahlman Point

October 16, 2009 4:00 am

The relatively short but steadily ascending hike to Stahlman Point offers gorgeous views of the Santiam River and Mount Jefferson. The hike, located at the east end of Detroit Lake, is a perfect....MORE

Juniper Hills disc golf course

October 16, 2009 4:00 am

Madras' nine-hole Juniper Hills disc golf course covers a hillside on the eastern edge of Juniper Hills Park, a large recreational complex on the east side of town. Unlike at some more congested....MORE

Falling for nature

Soaring eagles and more at Steelhead Falls

October 15, 2009 4:00 am

I took off early from work one day a couple of weeks ago to check out a spot I've been meaning to hit for some time now: Steelhead Falls. My fantasies about the place were based on summer tales I'd....MORE

Stahlman Point

October 9, 2009 4:00 am

The relatively short but steadily ascending hike to Stahlman Point offers gorgeous views of the Santiam River and Mount Jefferson. The hike, located at the east end of Detroit Lake, is a perfect....MORE

Devils Lake

October 9, 2009 4:00 am

If you’ve been by or to Devils Lake, you’re likely wondering why anyone would ever need a guidebook for a lake so small and shallow. Scenic as all get-out, sure, but it’s the kind....MORE

‘Winter' golf fun

A disc golf retreat in the High Desert banana belt A disc golf retreat in the High Desert banana belt

October 8, 2009 4:00 am

If you're like me — and a bunch of Bendites I know — you spent Sunday morning jostling the trees around your home, shaking their leaf-laden limbs and causing buckets of wet, heavy snow to ....MORE

Highway 22 : Gateway to Santiam

Hike to Stahlman Point a highlight along an (eventually) colorful fall route

October 1, 2009 4:00 am

Driving home from Portland on Monday, I hoped to spot signs of fall. The area around Detroit Lake and along the Santiam River can offer a showcase of colors at the right time. Unfortunately for me, I....MORE

Steens Mountain

September 25, 2009 4:00 am

Whether by road or by trail, Steens Mountain provides stupendous views across the Alvord Desert and four massive, glacier-carved gorges. Tucked into the corner of southeastern Oregon, the mountain is ....MORE