Willamette Valley Cheese Company: Salem

I love driving Oregon's back roads. You never know what you are going to find among the tractors, corn fields, and filbert orchards. Yesterday, it was Willamette Valley Cheese Co. We were somewhere west of Salem on our way to the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum in McMinnville. The directions we had started out with …

Snag Boat Bend: Finley National Wildlife Refuge

We were welcomed to Snag Boat Bend with the sound of bird song. From the time we opened our car doors, until we closed them again to leave, bird song was our constant companion. Part of the Finley National Wildlife Refuge, Snag Boat Bend is operated with the same conservation goals, to protect the winter …

Woodpecker Loop: Finley National Wildlife Refuge

We made our first visit to Finley National Wildlife Refuge last winter and at that time, I resolved to go back often. The refuge -- and more precisely the incredible number of birds -- fascinated me and I wanted to explore throughout the year to see how it changed with the seasons. Well, that was the goal anyway; …

Linn County Historical Museum: Brownsville

I have read many good things about the Linn County Historical Museum; so earlier this year when I found myself in Brownsville doing research on their Stand By Me filming locations, I made sure to have time for a visit. Since 1984, the museum has been located in the old Brownsville train depot (circa 1895) which was …

4 Spirits Distillery: Corvallis

Walking into the door of the 4 Spirits Distillery tasting room is a lot like walking into a small museum, and there is a lot of history tied into this little distillery, from the location of the tasting room to its name. It is hard to know where to start, but we’ll begin with the …

Thompson’s Mills State Heritage Site: Shedd

The first time I saw a picture of Thompson’s Flouring Mill, I knew I wanted to see it in person. Later, when I learned that it is the oldest water-powered grist mill in the state and is open for tours, I knew I had to experience this historic site for myself. Located an hour north …

Stand By Me: Brownsville

Last year I wrote about the local, Cottage Grove filming locations for the movie Stand By Me. These locations are along the Row River Trail, which we visit often to ride our bikes or walk our dogs. Every time I watch the movie, it is fun to see places that are a regular part of …

Charmed by Brownsville

Established in the 1840s, Brownsville is a small, rural town about 50 miles north of Cottage Grove. Today it has a population of just under 1,700 people, but while it might be slight in human numbers it is big in charm and friendliness. Lately, I have been doing a little freelance writing for a regional …

Stayton-Jordan Covered Bridge

The Jordan Covered Bridge began life in 1937 straddling Thomas Creek east of Scio in Linn County. It looked like many covered bridges built at that time by Linn County, with its sides open to expose the trusses. This design feature increased light in the bridge, improved visibility for motorists, offered less wind resistance, and …

Wigwam Burner in Sweet Home

“Wigwam burners” used to be a common feature in our Oregon landscape. They were used by the timber industry to burn wood waste before it was discovered that the “waste” could be turned into something profitable, and at a time before stricter air pollution standards. Phased out of use in the 1970s, they have quickly …