▶️ Destination Oregon: Cascade Locks

by Central Oregon Daily News Sources
September 21, 2023

You can make good time driving across the northern border of Oregon on Interstate-84 along the Columbia River.

But the truth is, you miss a lot flying down the road at 65 mph.

We are often encouraged to “stop and smell the roses,” but in this case, we suggest that you check out life in the exit lane off Interstate 84.

▶️ Destination Oregon: Astoria’s Pier 39

by Dave Jones
September 14, 2023

In Astoria, the oldest permanently settled American town west of the Rockies, sits its oldest waterfront building.

Pier 39, protruding into the Columbia River, housed the Hanthorn Cannery 175 years ago. It was the first and largest tuna cannery in Astoria. It operated as the Bumblebee Tuna cannery until just a few years ago.

The pier, located at the end of 39th Street in Astoria, is now a living mixture of its colorful past and its vibrant present. Once you arrive, you can begin your self-guided tour.

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Today, there are 26 tenants out on the pier — everything from professional office space to lodging to restaurants and shops.

Rogue Brewing set up shop here in 2006 and has been an anchor business ever since. And one of Astoria’s hottest local coffee shops — Coffee Girl — sits on the edge of the pier with stunning views.

The folks in Astoria are fiercely proud of their history and they are not at all shy about showing it off. And on Pier 39, you can feel, smell and see that history up close and personal. The Hanthorn Museum is a big part of the vibe here.

On your next trip to Astoria, carve out a couple of hours to immerse yourself in local history and retail.

If you’re nervous about driving out on the pier, although it’s perfectly safe, there’s always the Astoria Riverfront Trolley, which will drop you off right at Pier 39.

▶️ Destination Oregon: Enchanted Forest

by Central Oregon Daily News Sources
August 31, 2023

It is summertime and for many people that means family vacations. That often include visiting one of America’s theme parks like Disneyland or Six Flags.

Dave Jones takes us to a unique theme park much closer to home — the Enchanted Forest in Turner.

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▶️ Destination Oregon: Clear Lake Resort

by Dave Jones
August 24, 2023

If you’re looking for a place to escape the hustle and bustle of a crazy summer season, but you don’t want to drive too far, Dave Jones has scoped out the perfect place where you can spend the day recharging your batteries in a stunning natural setting.

Dave takes us to Clear Lake Resort, a secluded sanctuary in the Cascade mountains between Central Oregon and Eugene.

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▶️ Destination Oregon: Washington Park

by Dave Jones
August 17, 2023

Right in the middle of Oregon’s largest metropolitan area is an island of natural beauty. It is home to animals, hikers and stunning panoramas of the City of Roses.

In the west hills of Portland sits Washington Park, just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the city below. Just off Highway 26 — known as Canyon Road to locals — Washington Park is 410 acres of natural beauty

It is home to the world famous Oregon Zoo. But that’s just the beginning of what you’ll find at Washington Park. It is also home to the World Forestry Center.

Washington Park offers miles and miles of hiking through a Pacific Northwest canopy.

In addition to the zoo and the forestry center, there are tons of activities here. There’s an archery range, a kids playground, several public tennis courts.

And there are flowers — acres and acres of flowers. More specifically, roses.

The International Rose Test Garden at Washington Park is the oldest continuously operated public rose test garden in the United States. You can enjoy more than 10,000 roses in this garden May through October.

And just a few steps away is the Portland Japanese Garden, another stunning haven of natural beauty. There are eight different garden styles here and you can immerse yourself in Japanese art and culture.

Or, simply find a bench and spend some quality quiet time with yourself.

Finding a parking place here can be a challenge and that anxiety can ruin your zen-like experience at the park. But the good folks at Explore Washington Park have been hard at work creating a bunch of transit options to get you here, while leaving the driving to someone else.

After a couple of years of fewer visitors due to the COVID pandemic, things have really picked up at Washington Park. On your next trip to Portland, budget some time to take in some or all of what Washington Park has to offer. You can capture your own nature experience in the heart of the city.

▶️ Destination Oregon: Geiser Grand Hotel

by Central Oregon Daily News Sources
August 10, 2023

If you Google “Baker City, Oregon”, chances are the first thing that pops up is a picture of a historic hotel that is a landmark in this old west town.

Welcome to the Geiser Grand Hotel, where modern features hide behind the history and, some say, spirits go “bump in the night.”

Today, Baker City has a population of around 10-thousand. But when the Geiser Family built this hotel in 1889, there were far fewer folks here. So what was going on in Baker City that a grand hotel like this was needed?

This was the place to visit, meet, do business, eat, drink and when rowdy cowboys drank a little too much, they might take a pot shot at the hotel’s clock tower. There are bullet holes to prove that.

When the gold rush faded, things slowed down considerably.

Then came World War I. Then the great depression. Hard times.

The once proud Geiser Grand became less relevant.

Fast forward to the early 1990s. The place was literally falling apart. It was such a danger that the city issued a demolition order. But some forward thinking history buffs in Baker City were not about to let the Geiser go away.

Enter Barbara Sidway who initiated a five-year, multimillion dollar restoration project and soon the glory returned to the Geiser Grand.

The hotel boasts fine dining and has a comfortable bar where they hold cocktail making classes. 130 crystal chandeliers light the way for visitors. Original mahogany woodwork abounds. Modern amenities cloaked in 1889 history.

Each Friday, Saturday and Sunday they give tours of the Geiser Grand. Manager Dylan Smith shares the colorful history of both Baker City and the hotel. He even addresses those spirits in the night that many guests report seeing. One such “spirit” is Annabelle, who they say was an actual resident of the hotel in the late 1800s.

They’re buying the building next door and adding 14-18 jacuzzi rooms. And they are restoring a nearby five-bedroom mansion as a vacation rental.

So, while looking ahead, the owners of the Geiser Grand never lose sight of their colorful past, which is highlighted each and every day.