by Natalie VanCleave Mt. Bachelor near Bend, Ore., soars more than 9,000 feet above sea level, a stunning display, white with snow over lush forests of evergreens. Skiers from all over the world flock to its slopes, but today my family and I are here for a different sort of adventure--the canine variety. The idea of dog sledding is enticingly, thrillingly exotic to our … [Read more...]
Discovering Animal Stewardship at Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary
by Natalie VanCleave It's a warm autumn evening in the farmlands of Oregon's Willamette Valley as my kids, a pack of their friends, and I are welcomed by Lisa Ryan and her 8-year-old son, Evan at the gate to Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary, 54 acres of fields, barns and animals worthy of Noah's Ark. As the youngsters pile out of the car, even the hard-to-impress 'tween girls … [Read more...]
Columbia River Gorge Hikes Along the Historic Columbia River Highway
by Kelsey Ivey - In a day's trip by car from Portland, Oregon, travel along the Historic Columbia River Highway to the deep, magical beauty of this lush region, and the Columbia River Gorge. Whether you have an afternoon, a day, or a week, you can take this journey amid trails once traveled by the early pioneers, see amazing modern engineering feats and spot wildlife in a place … [Read more...]