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DIY Horseshoe Pit

DIY Backyard Horseshoe Pit Guide

illustration by Kate Wong Come summer, we’re ready to play lawn games. Horseshoes are a classic, and a horseshoe pit court can be as simple, or complicated, as you like, as well as a straightforward weekend project to build. Here are our tips: 1. PLOT THE COURT A regulation court requires the metal stakes to be 40 feet apart. To keep this simple, measure the distance across a relatively flat plane, and pound a metal stake in the ground at either end. However, to create a cushioned area for the horseshoes to land, prevent bounce and foster fair play, it’s best to build a pit. Build two pits across from each other, or a single one that players will take turns on. To get really fancy, add a backstop to the pit to contain the flying shoes. 2. PLAN THE PIT Each pit will be 3 x 4 feet, with…

Author Alison Jean Cole is redefining rockhounding for a new generation.

Modern Rockhounds

Portland author’s new book harnesses fresh energy and ethics around rockhounding interview by Cathy Carroll Alison Jean Cole is at the forefront of a new interest in the Northwest that’s no longer your granduncle’s pastime—rockhounding. Her second book on the topic, A Rockhound’s Guide to Oregon & Washington, has just been released amid a growing, youthful enthusiasm for the hobby that promises another way to connect with nature. The book covers rockhounding basics, sustainable collecting, Leave No Trace principles and, for sixty sites, the geologic history along with what types of rocks and fossils you may find. The region is a treasure trove for rockhounds who can explore ancient seafloors, epic lava flows, glacier-carved landscapes and evidence of 200 million years of tectonic action. This guide helps beginners find agates and jaspers in the volcanic Cascade Range, marine fossils along the Coast, petrified wood in the Owyhee Uplands and more….

Oregon sunshine in a jar – strawberry jam.

Oregon Strawberry Jam With Vanilla Bean

written by Thor Erickson | photography by Tambi Lane “I hope you’ve got a plan for all these berries,” said Tom, the strawberry farmer helping me load six flats of strawberries into my truck. “Tomorrow these won’t be the same,” he added as he wiped the sweat from his brow with a bandana. “Oregon strawberries are delicate little babies. You gotta use ’em or lose ’em. This May heatwave will spoil ’em.” “Uh, yeah,” I replied, having absolutely no idea what I would do with them. “Uh, I’ll make jam,” I said as I got into the overheated cab of my truck and rolled down the window. “There’s a feed store back in Dundee; you can get your canning supplies there,” Tom said with a smile as I pulled away. Following Tom’s advice, I bought canning jars and lids at the feed store, and upon arriving home, began making jam….

King salmon on a raft of risotto is as refreshing as a spring river rapid.

Perfect Grilled King Salmon Recipe

written by Thor Erickson | photography by Tambi Lane As I maneuvered my boat to the downstream ferry through Boxcar Rapid, my walkie-talkie started making noise. “Thor! Are you there? Give me your location!” the voice echoed off the sheer canyon walls on the side of the Deschutes River. I couldn’t reach my two-way radio as it was strapped to my pack on the floor of the boat, and I was a bit busy. Going stern first down the rapids wasn’t my first choice. But there I was with a boat full of coolers and cooking gear. I had no choice. As the boat slammed over the rapids, going backward over the whitewater, I looked from side to side to make sure that all was clear, and none of the gear broke loose. As the river calmed, my radio went on again. “Thor, please respond!” exclaimed the voice of Patty….

Wood slat accent wall

Build a Wood Slat Accent Wall

illustration by Sophie Barlow It doesn’t look like it, but a wood slat accent wall is a fairly beginner-friendly project. The idea is to create an accent wall in your room of choice—perhaps in an entry or hallway—composed of a series of 1×2 boards. It’s a modern look that adds architectural character, warmth and texture. 1. GATHER WOOD Measure for the accent wall dimensions, getting height and length. This project is based around boards that are listed as 1 inch x 2 inch x 8 feet (or 10 feet, depending on ceiling heights), yet the actual dimensions of the boards will be smaller, about 3/4 inch x 1½ inch. However, since there is about a ½-inch gap between each board, to determine the number of slats needed, just divide the length of the wall (in inches) by two, and add an extra board or two to the cart for mishaps….

Warm Up With Ramen at These New Spots

written by Kerry Newberry When wetness peaks in Oregon, ramen is a balm. Luckily, there’s a new crop of restaurants and bars serving up soul-satisfying bowls from wine country to the coast. First stop: Alpha Bravo (115 S. Washington St., Newberg; www.alphabravobar.com). This speakeasy-style ramen bar is located in the back room of the new urban tasting hub and gallery for Artist Block. Similar to her studio-gallery-tasting room in Dundee, founder Anna Sweet transformed a simple vision into something sensational. The hidden bar is packed with moody vibes—from vintage decor and feathery chandeliers to velvet booths. Ever wondered about pairing ramen with wine? A local list with glass pours points you in the right direction. In Portland, Takibi (2275 NW Flanders St., Portland; www.takibipdx.com), the warm and woodsy restaurant tucked inside Snow Peak’s U.S. headquarters, recently brought back its lunch program (Wednesday through Sunday) with a new menu featuring ramen,…

Brussels Sprout Gratin is elevated with the addition of bacon and lemon juice.

Brussels Sprout Gratin: A Simple & Versatile Recipe

written by Thor Erickson | photography by Tambi Lane “Don’t get lost this time!” my dad shouted to my sister Heidi and me as he backed our van into the loading dock at the bustling wholesale produce market. The towering stacks of fragrant fruits and vegetables were perfect for hide and seek. “Bonjour!” bellowed a deep voice as we opened the door of the van. “What is you are looking for today?” said Louis with a thick French accent. “Whatever is on special,” Dad said. Louis was one of the many vegetable vendors that dad bought from at the market and had relocated from Paris twenty years earlier. “Your lucky day!” Louis said joyfully. “Brussels sprouts are very special, and I will give a better deal if you buy six cases.” Dad was not one to pass up a good deal. “I’ll take six then,” Dad said, smiling. Heidi and…

The tasting room at Furioso Vineyards in Dundee.

Road Trip-Worthy Winery Lunches

written by Kerry Newberry In our fast-paced world, there are too few slow-down moments. But one easy way to embrace the art of slow living is with a leisurely lunch in a beautiful place. Enter the Willamette Valley, one of the most renowned wine regions in the world. Here are just a few of the region’s wineries where lunch feels like a mini-vacation. At Soter Vineyards (10880 NE Mineral Springs Road, Carlton; www.sotervineyards.com), most of the herbs and vegetables on the menu come from the surrounding 240-acre biodynamic farm and vineyard—also home to a herd of pictorial Scottish Highland cattle along with chickens, goats and heritage breed pigs. Book the Provisions Tasting, and you’ll feast on family-style dishes like squash bisque, poached leeks sprinkled with hazelnuts and mushroom arancini. For Italian-inspired bites and moody vineyard views, head to Furioso Vineyards (8415 NE Worden Hill Road, Dundee; www.furiosovineyards.com), named “one of…

Hors D'oeuvres

Beer Pairings for the Holidays

written by Jeremy Storton | illustrations by Yoko Baum I must admit I’ve gotten bored with the typical holiday feast. Unless I want to do all the cooking myself, the simplest way to make things interesting is to bring some stellar beer pairings to the table. Here are a few combinations I offer: COURSE 1 HORS D’OEUVRES Let’s start with an aperitif. I love the light body and snappy bitterness of a German pilsner paired with homemade popcorn. Or, I’d enjoy the light citrus and herbal tang of a Belgian witbier with smoked salmon. Both beers serve to stimulate my senses and tease my appetite. My Picks: Breakside Brewery’s Pilsner; Monkless Belgian Ales’ Shepplekofeggan Witbier COURSE 2 GREENS Now, I want complex sweetness and assertive bitterness. A German-inspired altbier balances the simple yet delightful grilled romaine lettuce with olive oil, salt and pepper. Or, if we grill fall vegetables, a…