Aaron

Aaron

At 93 feet, Yaquina Head is Oregon’s tallest lighthouse.
Adventure, Explore Oregon

Why You Should Visit These Stunning Lighthouses on Oregon’s Coast

Seek out lighthouses for a coastal adventure this summer that shines written by Cathy Carrollphotography by Christian Heeb/Travel Oregon Why venture out to Oregon’s lighthouses? Ben Ervin, a state park ranger in Florence, summed it up thusly: “They’re cool!” That is, they offer a tempting trifecta. First, these beacons of bygone days, when sea captains squinted toward shore for guidance, reel us in by piquing our imaginations. Secondly, they offer stellar views and prime perches for spotting seabirds and seals in summer and fall and, in spring and winter, migrating gray whales. Finally, they cast light on century-old stories, offering an enlightening blend of nature and culture. FLORENCE 1. Heceta Head Lighthouse Walk a half-mile up the paved path to the Queen Anne-style lighthouse, 206 feet above sea level, for stellar views. Watch cormorants, common murres and puffins nesting on rocks offshore in Oregon’s largest protected area of ocean, the…

Rankin Renwick
My Workspace, Think Oregon

Filmmaker and Creative Rankin Renwick Finds Inspiration Off the Beaten Path

written by Joni Kabana Imagine yourself sweeping floors for an Oregon-based designer who is creating puppets for The Lion King on Broadway when the thought occurs to you that you should be focusing solely on your own art. You quit your job on the spot and start laser-focusing on your lifelong passion in experimental filmmaking, documentary, video installation, writing and whatever tickles your artistic fancy. Freedom is what defines Rankin Renwick’s artistic style. Take Renwick’s gonzo film promotion process, for example, of calling museums, grange halls, universities and film centers on the fly. The game, Renwick said, is not driving more than one day without securing a paid showing. Renwick still takes extended backroad trips meandering through impromptu artists’ studio visits, following leads to rooms full of stored film footage and stopping along the road to capture something inspired by an intuitive feeling. “Everything I do I consider is working…

An aging classic, Surfsand Resort gets a wave of renovation.
Explore Oregon, Lodging

Surfsand Resort: A Family-Friendly Coastal Retreat

written by Kerry Newberryphotography by Surfsand Resort A classic coastal retreat, this family- and pet-friendly stay in Cannon Beach combines everything we love about summer at the beach. Cute cabanas and nightly bonfires with s’mores? Just a few of the many seasonal traditions you’ll find at this resort during the dog days of summer. You can also join craft beer (and root beer) tastings on Fridays, ice cream socials on Saturdays and hot dog roasts on Sundays. Other perks include a kite concierge who glides novelty kites (like a groovy giant octopus) and teaches kids how to soar on their own. Even better, the oceanfront getaway just unveiled a significant renovation, refreshing all the rooms and revamping gathering spaces. In the modernized reception area, you’ll find a stunning mosaic wall in lava stone tiles, elegant oak chandeliers and an ethereal glass installation by Thompson Studio Glass that’s a tribute to…

Participants explore Oregon’s central coast during an Adventures Without Limits CampAbility event.
Adventure, Explore Oregon

All Out

Barrier-busting adventures around the state let everyone embrace the outdoors written by Cathy Carroll Skis? Check. Raft paddle? Check. Wig, heels, false eyelashes and fishnet stockings? Yes. When Bend’s John Kish takes to the outdoors as drag queen Fertile Liza, they’re on a mission. “We are trying to use our art as a platform to not only make change but inject inclusivity into the outdoors by just showing up and being in these spaces,” he said. “If a drag queen can do these things in nature, then anyone of any shape, size and background can equally be welcomed and enjoy the lands that surround us. Making Oregon more inclusive in the outdoors truly comes down to just exposure and acceptance.” From ocean and forests to lakes and mountains, adventuring is for everyone. Here are some of the barrier-breaking ways to dive in, no matter who you are. Willamette Valley and…

Find a campsite with a good, flat area for setting up your tent.
Featured

The Ultimate Tent Camping Guide for Beginners

… AND THE GEAR TO GET YOU THERE written by Jean Chen Smith | illustrations by Maggie Wauklyn Something stirs in my soul when I am surrounded by nature in our state. It is an awakening of the senses—hearing the birds sing their unique melodies, smelling the Douglas firs, watching the flutter of branches as a bluebird takes flight, and even feeling the raindrops on my face. These are some of the reasons I love camping so much. When temperatures warm, one of my favorite things to do is pack the car up for a two- or three-night tent camping adventure. Tent camping can be both easy and affordable. You are able to drive up to the campsite location without having to lug all your gear on your back. In some instances, you must reserve a spot ahead of time. Some campgrounds have facilities such as communal showers and bathrooms….

DIY, Live Oregon

Picture Framing and Matting

illustrations by Allison Bye Custom framing is not cheap—and there’s a reason for that. It takes skill and often specialized tools to build a custom picture frame. Read on for a quick guide to the components of the project. Depending on your skill level and shop setup, you might be able to make your own frames. Or, perhaps repurposing vintage finds is more your speed—we cover that, too. MATERIALS For the frame: Use scrap wood or search out old frames at Goodwill, garage sales or antique stores. Both can be refinished according to your tastes, and cut to the size needed. Tip: If you’re putting together a gallery wall and need a lot of frames at once, our favorite way to do it is to purchase antique frames, which are often made of higher-quality materials, then cut the mat and glass to fit, and assemble it all together. For the…

One of Cannon Beach’s finest bakeries, Sea level Bakery makes many breads and pastries for adoring patrons.
Food+Drink, Live Oregon

Eat Your Way Through Cannon Beach in 24 Hours

written by Kerry Newberry Start your morning with the locals at Sea Level Bakery (www.sealevelbakery.com), a husband-and-wife-owned spot serving up scratch-baked bread, veg-packed quiche and pastry specials like a crispy, caramelized kouign-amann, blueberry scones and sticky buns the size of frisbees. Expect a line on most days, but it’s easy to pass the time watching cute beach dogs bustle by. Next stop, picnic provisions for the beach, which you can find a few blocks away at Fresh Foods Cannon Beach (www.freshfoodsmarketplace.com). Early summer, local berries start to roll in and you’ll find ready-made snacks to tuck in beach totes. After exploring the town’s art galleries, boutiques and indie bookstores, swing by the boat-to-table Ecola Seafoods (www.ecolaseafoods.com) for a classic crab cocktail or a deeply satisfying seafood-and-chips basket. Find your afternoon refresh at the beloved Sleepy Monk Coffee Roasters (www.sleepymonkcoffee.com) or Suzy’s Scoops (www.suzysscoops.com). After more beachcombing, enjoy a convivial happy…

A Portland interior designer undertakes a difficult mission—modernizing a classic cabin.
Home + Design, Live Oregon

How to Decorate a Log Cabin

A Portland interior designer crafts a delightful, rustic-meets-modern retreat in Black Butte Ranch written by Melissa Dalton | photography by Kayla McKenzie When interior designer Wendy Scott bought this log home in Black Butte Ranch, the sale included not just the house, but everything inside it. “You name it, we inherited it,” said Scott. “Forks, cups, art, baskets of dusty fake ivy upon baskets of dusty fake ivy, log beds, phones from 1980, linens that were thirty years old, and games with missing pieces.” As one of the oldest, most traditional forms of American architecture, log cabins are storied enough without all the additional stuff. This one, built in 1990, is a more contemporary version, but still came with the design problems unique to its typology. For Scott, deciding what to keep or toss was the first of many issues to tackle. Add to that, the fact that the thick…

A late Geminid meteor and fireworks illuminate dense fog right before the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Eve at Goldendale Observatory.
Explore Oregon, Northwest Destination

Goldendale Observatory

From cuisine to art to the starlit sky, things are looking up in Goldendale written by James Sinks Above the Columbia River in Central Washington—past a patchwork of vineyards, sentries of spinning windmills and the weathered farming community of Goldendale—the universe is waiting. In a cavernous dome and with a whir, a refrigerator-sized telescope with a 24.5-inch-diameter lens pivots and focuses, bringing into view distant celestial celebrities like star clusters, planets, galaxies and nebulae. The reflector-style scope is the star attraction—well, along with the stars—at Goldendale Observatory State Park, which invites visitors to climb a ladder for a peek during two free shows, several days a week, on a hilltop overlooking the city. Afternoon sessions are all about the sun, and offer views of the fiery surface that you’re not able to see anyplace else. “No one else does it like we do,” said Troy Carpenter, the observatory director and…