Nature and mindfulness converge in Oregon’s most serene meditation escapes written by Cathy Carroll Eyes closed, seated on a sky blue cushion on a wood floor, you listen to a poem by the fourteenth-century Persian poet Hafiz: “There is a beautiful creature living in a hole you have dug.So late at night I set fruits and grains and little pots of milk beside your soft earthen mounds and I often sing,But still my dear you do not come out.I have fallen in love with someone who hides inside you.We should talk about this problem,Otherwise I will never leave you alone.” This medieval ode to attending to your inner, true self is a perfect entrée into a guided meditation. Its aim is to let you switch mental gears, shifting you and the half dozen others in the session away from modern cultural demands—or whatever else might be holding you back from…

Four days of rafting and glamping on a legendary Oregon wild river written by Cathy Carroll The wide ribbon of clear, teal water is picking up speed, and the four women in the raft glance back at guide Katie Duffie as she tells just how they’re going to ride Horseshoe Bend rapids. Duffie, wielding two oars—each twice the length of the paddlers’ single, lightweight models—scans the white peaks boiling over a jumble of boulders ahead. “OK, ladies, give me two strokes forward!” she commands. The women lean, digging into the gurgling Rogue River, swirling eddies giving way to a turbulent roar and thwap! It raises its great, ice-cold liquid hand, slapping the front two squarely in the face, an age-old prank of this ancient river of snowmelt. Momentarily stunned, their eyes squeeze tightly shut before opening simultaneously with a giant belly laugh that’s joined in by the river and fellow…

Wanderlust and Love written by Cathy Carroll The spray off a waterfall, the rush of a salty ocean wave, the lapping of a meandering river, the placid surface of a mountain lake—they woo us, beckon us, seduce us. Whether you plunge in, paddle in or perambulate by them, they heighten our senses, soothe us and provide the perfect setting for relaxing, romantic fun. They abound. Here are a select few. NETARTS + PACIFIC CITY Waves Kayaking through mellow Netarts Bay between Cape Meares and Cape Lookout, connect with your partner as you take some lessons in play and relaxation from seals and sea lions lounging in pristine surroundings. Fully exhale as pelicans, great blue herons and bald eagles soar overhead, and western snowy plovers—palm-sized, sand-colored puffs—skitter on the shore. Songbirds serenade, and cormorants perch on rocks, spreading their great black wings out to dry. Follow suit, warming your own wings…

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…

Going beyond light pollution for celestial arrays written by Jen Sotolongo Outside of Oregon’s metropolitan areas lies a celestial sanctuary, where expansive landscapes, high desert elevation and commitment to preserving natural darkness create ideal astro-tourism opportunities for stargazers. With two designated International Dark Sky Places in Central Oregon and remote destinations hundreds of miles away from light pollution, Oregon offers cosmo lovers an abundance of stargazing options throughout the state. CENTRAL OREGON Central Oregon is a haven for stargazing enthusiasts thanks to its high desert location and frequent clear skies. Dedicated to preserving night skies, the region is home to two designated International Dark Sky Places offering ample opportunities to stare into night skies. From the Prineville Reservoir to dedicated observatories, Central Oregon offers a celestial symphony for all to enjoy. Prineville Reservoir: Oregon’s First Dark Sky Park In May 2021, Prineville Reservoir became Oregon’s first state park to earn…