Samantha Bakall

Stephanie Craig née Wood remembers hearing the story of her grandmother sitting in the middle of a cold river to peel sticks for her aunt and other family members to use for weaving baskets. But she never learned to weave with them. This traditional weaving knowledge survived the Indian Removal Act in 1830, which consolidated tribes across the country onto reservations to allow for white settlement of their lands. Native Americans young and old were forced to assimilate into mainstream […]

Categories: Writing

It’s hard to imagine the marine prowess Native American tribes wielded along the mighty Columbia River, undeniably the most epic river in the Pacific Northwest. The wild, unknown waters — then untethered by dams — carved a path through mountains and plains, and connected thousands of miles of people, trade goods and food between British Columbia and the Oregon Coast. Today those waters still serve as a main thruway for goods, people and that flighty temptress: adventure. Paddlers of all […]

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At dusk, in September, something spectacular happens in Portland. For the last 30-plus years, anywhere from hundreds to tens of thousands of Vaux’s swifts, the smallest swifts in the Chaetura family, come to roost inside the chimney of Chapman Elementary School as they head to Central America and Venezuela for the winter. The chittering birds fly in expansive, cyclonic patterns as a flock before dramatically hurtling into the chimney crown as if sucked in by a vacuum. Thousands of spectators […]

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Portland is home to hundreds of breweries, brewpubs, and taprooms, but there’s only one place where you can have a pint while you brew a keg of your own beer. “Bigger brewers have a small pilot system to test new beers on,” said U Brew owner Zach Vestal. “We only have the pilot system.” Portland U-Brew and Unicorn Brewing were opened eight years ago in southeast Portland by father-son duo Cliff and Jason Webb. Inspired by the Canadian “brew-on-premises” model, […]

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Carlo Lamagna wants to bring Filipino food into the spotlight in Portland. The Philippines-born chef spent three years at beloved downtown restaurant Clyde Common, quietly introducing Filipino dishes onto the menu. He also ran a Filipino pop-up off and on for close to a decade. Now that he’s set to open his eponymous restaurant, Magna, in Southeast Portland, the pressure of the opportunity isn’t lost on Lamagna. “This is our chance to define us as: one, a cuisine to be reckoned with and, […]

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One of Oregon’s most distinctive features is its rugged, mountainous landscape. Those peaks, forged in large part due to volcanic activity and converging fault lines, have helped form one of the West’s most alluring — and elusive — attractions: hot springs. Those steaming pools, whether naturally formed or piped into luxurious private tubs, offer visitors and Oregonians alike a chance to relax and recharge in some of the state’s finest mineral-enriched water. Many as far back as the earliest Native […]

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What’s traveling when you have to leave your best friend at home? Thankfully, options abound for our furry friends across the state, where dozens of hotels, resorts and state parks do much more than simply allow your good girls and boys to share your room. From personal, proportionally sized pet beds to psychic readings (really), here are some favorite places to stay with your best bud on your next Oregon road trip. Suttle Lodge by Robbie McClaran Waterfront Stays We […]

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Sometimes after a long, grueling day on the trail or cruising through pounding rapids, the last thing you want to do is set up a tent. For those outdoor enthusiasts who prefer a cushy bed over a sleeping bag, we’ve rounded up a host of accommodations from luxe properties and cozy bed-and-breakfasts to only-in-Oregon resorts and timeless lodges. These lush spots are perfect for complementing your springtime adventures —no construction required. Rogue River by Nate Wilson / Northwest Rafting Co. Rafting/Jet […]

Categories: Writing