If we seem to be in rhapsodies over Corvallis, you’re right – and we have another activity to share. We happened into an event that features local vineyards paired with local stores. Great idea, right? Well, it was! (more…)
Oregon State University is a great example of a northwestern campus – a cross between imposing Greek-style buildings and some modern facilities.
With almost 22,000 students in over 200-plus different disciplines in undergraduate and graduate programs, OSU is training a lot of minds! Majors range from forestry – a natural with those tall pines – to oceanic and atmospheric sciences as well as education, business, agricultural sciences, veterinary medicines and more.
Memorial Union - "dining establishments," library and more
The environs around the campus have some heavy-hitters in the technology world as the Hewlett-Packard campus is nearby as well as other large companies.
Reser Stadium scoreboard
And, then there are the extracurricular experiences – may I interject – Go Beavs! The OSU football team (Pac-10) is known as the Beavers, conjuring up kindly, but intrepid creatures, gnawing away at the opposition. When we last looked, their season was at 7-3, so they are winners!
"Football"outside of Reser Stadium
Reser Stadium is just across the street from the Hilton Garden Inn where we were staying, but the campus was very, very empty, so we didn’t see ANY students. That felt strange. We passed by Reser Stadium, the athletic center and the student union, but they were locked tight. But, trust us, it was a great campus that honors both the modern and classic traditions.
We were also eager to see their “award-winning” library, but it, also, was closed.
Visiting a campus during intersession has mixed blessings. Getting around was easy, but we didn’t get the full flavor of what the campus and Corvallis are like with the thousands of students in session.
We’ll be going back.
Another campus we wandered onto in Corvallis does – apparently – top secret agricultural research. We were just looking for the covered bridge shown on the map. (See Irish Bend Covered Bridge below.) We were told that we weren’t supposed to be on this campus in the western part of the City, but lots of others were riding bikes in the vicinity. Be aware that a road shown on the map as a through road, isn’t. We took pictures quickly and headed back the way we came.
Irish Bend Covered Bridge
(The bridge had been relocated from elsewhere, but it is one of the wider covered bridges we’ve seen.)
We invite you back tomorrow for some Corvallis dining and entertainment experiences…
After traveling on the “Over the River and Through the Woods” Scenic Byway, we arrived in Corvallis, Oregon rather worn out. (The Scenic Byway was, indeed, scenic, but with numerous hairpin turns, it was wearing – just to observe.)
We had originally planned to stay in Corvallis for only one day, but decided to stay two and arrived a day early. We’re so glad we did!
One of the best things about Portland, Oregon is just getting around! Especially if you are in the downtown zone – “Fareless Square,” where you ride for free, Portland is one of the most accessible cities in which we’ve traveled. (more…)
Last Friday we went Old School in Portland to McMenamins Kennedy School, now it’s time to go Rogue!
Unlike someone who recently wrote a book entitled, Going Rogue, I actually had the opportunity to go to the Rogue Distillery & Public House, one of the many pubs that are scattered throughout the city of Portland, Oregon. (more…)
With a claim to fame such as: More breweries than any other city in the United States, you would think we are talking about the big names in brewing (TV commercials, big horses dragging wagons, etc.). But, Portland, Oregon’s breweries range from micro one-off locations to national and international distribution, all without the horses dragging wagons …
Don’t get me wrong, I think those big draft horses are impressive, but big breweries don’t necessarily mean the best beer, or the only beer. (more…)
After a two and a half hour drive over the Cascade Mountains on a road (U.S. 20) that wouldn’t win any awards for staying in a straight line, I arrived in Corvallis, Oregon. Most people will probably say, WHERE?
Although near Eugene, Albany, Salem and, ultimately, Portland, Corvallis is not the most well known of cities in the Willamette Valley. While the aforementioned cities have a common trait (they are all next to I-5 traveling north and south through Oregon), Corvallis is just a bit off the beaten track (8 miles west of the interstate highway.) Not so much a tourist destination as a sports and education destination, Corvallis is home to Oregon State University. GO BEAVS! (more…)
One of the major attractions in Central Oregon for those who want fabulous scenery is Mt. Bachelor and the Cascades Lakes National Scenic Byway. And, if you ski, during the season, Mt. Bachelor is a very popular location.
Mt. Bachelor with ski lifts (not taken during the ski season)
Bend has an interesting shopping area that was salvaged from a real old mill, a lumber mill.
Called the Old Mill District, it has become the center for some upscale shopping, restaurants and events.
In an effort to be evocative, the old smokestacks are still there and there is a sign that says, “Can you smell the sawdust?”
Old Mill District
After the strenuous drive on RT 242 (see our blog on September 17) to get to Bend, we were prepared to really relax!
Our hotel in Bend, the Shilo Inn, offered rooms with fully-equipped kitchens and a view of the river. A separate building contained an enclosed pool with spa and sauna. Furnishings were a little worn, but the amenities were good with freebies offered for their full breakfast buffet, so not a bad deal all together.
We headed to downtown to look around and saw the following fellow sitting on a bench. From a distance, he looked quite real!
Bench sitter in downtown Bend
We have already talked about the Farmer’s Market (see our blog on October 9) we visited and had a chance to stroll the path along the Deschutes River. We did not tell you about the very unusual restaurant that has a tree going through the roof in the middle of of a room.
Truly – a tree that goes through the roof! When the restaurant owners decided to add another room, they didn’t want to destroy the 300-year-old tree. Oregon people are like that. So, they built the tree into the room.
Trees in Pine Tavern Restaurant
Through the roof!
Besides the unusual attraction of a tree going through the roof, the Pine Tavern has a spacious patio overlooking the Deschutes River. We opted to sit there with an idyllic view. The patio has round tables with mis-matched linen napkins.
Our waitress Nikki, was most accommodating. She offered to make iced decaf tea for me, since they didn’t have anything decaf. Although I remember liking the food, I don’t remember what we ate because we suddenly had a hovering bee that just wouldn’t go away.
When we brought the bee to Nikki’s attention, she commented that there was no extra charge for the bee. The way she said it, it was funny and we laughed and relaxed.
The view was mesmerizing and,when it was time to leave, we did so reluctantly. As we left we saw two staffers sitting at empty booths in the restaurant folding napkins! All of those napkins do need to be folded!
We liked the Pine Tavern Restaurant. Good food with an old-fashioned, gracious atmosphere.
