SUMMER 2015 thegorgemagazine.com
SUMMER 2015
FLYING HIGH Paragliding Takes Off
DISTILLERIES Crafting the Goods
STYLE+DESIGN Sensi Graves Bikinis
THE GORGE MAGAZINE thegorgemagazine.com Summer2015CoverandSpine.indd 1
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Windermere/Glenn Taylor Real Estate
windermere.com
WHY CHOOSE WINDERMERE? Kim Salvesen-Pauly Owner PB, CRB, ABRM, Licensed in OR/WA
(541) 386-3029 I kimsalvesen.withwre.com kimsalvesen@windermere.com
“When you hire a Windermere broker, you hire our collaborative team of industry professionals, a full support staff and a focused ownership and management team so you can be confident that every detail is expertly covered.” —Kim Salvenson-Pauly
New Hood River Location Visit our new (additional) location: 315 Oak Street, corner of 4th and Oak Downtown Hood River
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HO OD RIV E R
BI NGEN
S T E VEN S ON
TH E DA LLES
(541) 386-3444
(509) 493-4666
(509) 427-2777
(541) 298-4451
5/29/15 12:43 AM
Visit Historic Downtown
TROUTDALE the gateway to the gorge TAKE EXIT 17 OFF I-84
Visit our many Specialty Shops, Art Galleries, Antique Shops, Fine Restaurants, and more!
Taste of Village Chinese RestauRant & Lounge
Two floors full of: Kitchenware, Glass, Native American, Pottery, Furniture, Primitives, Toys, Artwork & more! public parking available behind antique mall
Open Daily Mon-Sat:11-5:30pm Sun: noon-5pm
(503) 674-6820 359 E. Columbia River Highway
{ Cantonese and Mandarin Cuisine }
277 East Columbia River Hwy Appointments (503)-328-8455 www.meltmassageme.net
oRDeRs to go: (503) 666-7768 302 e. historic Columbia River hwy sun-thur, 11-10pm • Fri & sat, 11-10:30pm
gifts HomE dECoR EspREsso
Troutdale Vision Clinic (503) 618-9394
celebratemehoameonline.com 319 E. Historic Columbia River Hwy
Eye exams, diagnosis and treatment Eyewear styling to fit your lifestyle Most insurance accepted
(503) 492-3897 • troutdalevision.com 226 E. Historic Columbia River Hwy
café • gifts • candy • souvenirs espresso • ice cream parlour
(503) 492-7912
289 E. COLUMBIA RIVER HWY
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Stand Up Paddling is fun, easy to learn, and a great sport to get you out enjoying the water! The staff at Big Winds are your friendly SUP experts. We stock one of the largest selections of SUP boards and paddles in North America – and we test them all so we can advise on the perfect setup for your needs and budget.
charge ! or re-charge
photos: Gorge-Us Photography
either way… we are your stand up source in the gorge
The Columbia River Gorge is the perfect place to learn to SUP, with spectacular scenery and our team of great coaches.
visit our event site rental location, our shop or website .com
• Lessons (Beginner to Advanced) • Rentals/Demos • Guided SUP Tours • Downwind Shuttle Service
207 FRONT
STREET • HOOD RIVER,OR
541-386-6086•888-509-4210•BIGWINDS.COM
Naish • Starboard • Amundson • Imagine • Bark • SIC • Quatro • Infinity • Surftech • Quickblade • Werner • Kialoa • Ke Nalu • O’Neill • Dakine • FCS
Cruise the Gorge
Brunch Dinner Sightseeing Landmarks Charters
• 23,000 square feet to explore • Meeting and event rentals • Family and group rates • Open 9am - 5pm daily
990 SW Rock Creek Drive, Stevenson, WA info@columbiagorge.org // 509.427.8211 Printing Sponsored By: City of Stevenson & Skamania County Lodging Taxes
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503-224-3900 800-224-3901 PortlandSpirit.com
THE GORGE MAGAZINE I SUMMER 2015
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UNIQUE JEWELRY
◉
HOME ACCENTS
◉
CUSTOM GIFTS
◉
SINCE 1994
305 OAK STREET • HOOD RIVER (541) 386-6188 • T WIGGS@GOR GE.NET
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CONTENTS FEATURES 54 REACHING FOR THE SKY
A dedicated group of paragliders is giving the sport a resurgence in the Gorge, where challenging conditions reap stunning vistas by don campbell
64 HIGH TECH BOOM
A cluster of high tech firms in the Gorge helps drive the regional economy by janet cook
74 OK RANCH
A photo essay by Jock Bradley
PARAGLIDING P. 54 6
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Discover your adventure…experience ours! MARYHILL WINERY Wine Press Northwest’s “2015 Pacific Northwest Winery of the Year”, 50+ award-winning wines, Tuscan-style terrace with views of Mt. Hood, Bocce, picnicking, live music every summer weekend from 1pm-5pm, tasting room, gift shop. (877) 627-9445 • maryhillwinery.com 9774 Hwy 14 • Goldendale
RIGGLEMAN’S FRUIT STAND
TRELLIS Fresh Flowers & Gifts We provide unique fresh cut flower arrangements delivered with a smile. We are known for our exceptional service and attention to detail that we put into each arrangement. Give us a call for expert floral guidance! (509) 493-4844 • trellisfreshflowers.net 165 E Jewett Blvd • White Salmon
MUGS COFFEE
Find a bounty of seasonal fruits, berries and veggies grown locally on our family farm! Also enjoy fresh fruit smoothies, u-pick flowers, and more. Located just off the Hwy 141 alternate. Open: July-Sept, 10am-6pm.
Delicious, locally roasted, fair trade, organic coffee, and fresh pastries. For lunch try a savory panini or wrap with a fresh organic green salad. We also serve local wine and NW beer. Dine inside or on our private patio. Ask about our catering services.
(509) 493-3828 • Find us on Facebook 21 SW Arnett Road • White Salmon
(509) 281-3100 • mugsco.com 120 West Steuben St • Bingen
WET PLANET Rafting + Kayaking Discover the adventure of whitewater rafting and kayaking on the scenic and exhilarating White Salmon River—spring thru fall. Last minute bookings possible, but call fast! (800) 306-1673 wetplanetwhitewater.com 860 Hwy 141 • White Salmon
TROUT LAKE FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS July 11th and 12th, 2015 Sat: 10am-5pm/Sun: 10am-4pm Fine Art…Live Music…Food Enjoy a Mount Adams view Next to the Trout Lake School troutlakefestivalofthearts.com Hwy 141 • Trout Lake, WA (22 miles North of Hood River)
RIVER DRIFTERS Perfect for families, groups, and friends with trips for all ages and abilities. Guided rafting on the White Salmon, Deschutes, Clackamas Rivers, and more! Last minute reservations okay. For updates and specials follow us on Facebook and Twitter. (800) 972-0430 • riverdrifters.net
HUCKLEBERRY FEST
September 11th-13th Fri: 5-11pm, Sat: 10am-midnight, Sun: 10am-5pm • Locally made Huckleberry pies • Great Brats & Beer Garden • Variety of vendors • Kids activities • Amazing local entertainment/live music (no cover charge) • Huckleberry pancake breakfast Saturday morning
VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER: 1 Heritage Plaza, White Salmon, WA 98672 • (509) 493-3630 • www.mtadamschamber.com
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CONTENTS DEPARTMENTS
88 OUR GORGE
OUTSIDE
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PERSON OF INTEREST
18
BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT
20
BEST OF THE GORGE
80 KEEPER OF THE TRAILS The 44 Trails Association is vital to maintaining a beloved part of the Mt. Hood National Forest
24
HOME+GARDEN
30
LOCAVORE
34
STYLE+DESIGN
38
ROADTRIP
40
WINE SPOTLIGHT
92
PARTAKE
98
EPILOGUE
34
by ben mitchell
ARTS+CULTURE 84 PROLIFIC PALETTE From murals to tattoos, Ethan Radcliffe’s artwork colors the Gorge by don campbell
WELLNESS
30
88 T HIS IS DOWNWARD DOG ON WATER Doing yoga on a paddleboard requires balance and humility by janet cook
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THE GORGE MAGAZINE I SUMMER 2015
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SUMMER 2015 JANET COOK Editor RACHEL HALLETT Creative Director/Graphic Designer MICKI CHAPMAN Advertising Director JENNA HALLETT Account Executive KIM STREIT Account Executive CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Don Campbell, Viki Eierdam, Doug Hopkins, LisaAnn Kawachi, Amber Marra, Kacie McMackin, Ben Mitchell COVER PHOTOGRAPHER Richard Hallman CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Jennifer Alyse, Paloma Ayala, Jock Bradley, Emma Browne, Jay Carroll, Silvia Flores, Jennifer Gulizia, Richard Hallman, Adam Lapierre, Maren McGowan, Kacie McMackin, Michael Peterson, David Waag, Denise Rehse-Watson
ADVERTISING INQUIRIES mchapman@thegorgemagazine.com SOCIAL MEDIA facebook.com/thegorgemagazine instagram/thegorgemagazine pinterest/thegorgemagazine twitter.com/TheGorgeMagazin THE GORGE MAGAZINE thegorgemagazine.com PO Box 390 • 419 State Street Hood River, Oregon 97031 We appreciate your feedback. Please email comments to: jcook@thegorgemagazine.com
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More than just another pretty place… find business advantages in The Dalles, Oregon Columbia Gorge Industrial Center » Shovel-ready industrial lots, 1-10 acres » Renewable, reliable, affordable public power » Utilities and high-speed fiber stubbed to lots » Transportation nexus: rail, river and highway » Short freeway drive to Portland Metro Area
For information contact: Andrea Klaas, Andrea@PortofTheDalles.com or Kathy Ursprung, Kathy.Ursprung@PortofTheDalles.com
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Live where you play.
MOSIER CREEK HOMES SALES:
Copper West Properties/Bill Irving, broker 503.816.9251 bill@copperwest.com
summer sale prices starting at
$229,000
Low-maintenance, easy access to recreation! Contemporary 2-3 bedroom homes
mosiercreek.com
Windermere/Tim Donahue, broker 541.386.3078 timd@gorge.net
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ED I TOR 'S NOT E
W
en I first came to the Gorge in the early 1990s, windsurfing was king. It was the reason I was here, and the same went for many of the people I knew. Seems silly now, but I couldn’t imagine there being a need—much less desire—for anything else. Now and then we’d see that guy with his weird kite thingy on water skis flying by us on a downwinder. What a flash in the pan, we thought. (Turned out that was Cory Roeseler, the godfather of kiteboarding, on one of his early prototypes.) The same went for other aspects of living in the Gorge. Restaurants? There were about two of them. Brewpubs? A couple. Wineries? I recall one. And for help with my cutting edge Macintosh PowerBook 100 with two megabytes of memory? There was ComputerLand, located in the Hood River Heights. Thankfully, the Gorge is a much more well-rounded place today. So much so that’s it’s almost hard to imagine what things were like a mere 20 to 25 years ago. As we were putting this issue together, it struck me that our line-up of stories highlights the incredible diversity of activities, businesses, culture, home-grown products and interesting people in our beautiful Gorge. Take paragliding, which is enjoying a resurgence in the area despite the challenging conditions (page 54). And there’s Aquaglide, a White Salmon business that has grown to become a worldwide leader in inflatable waterparks (page 18). A boom in high tech companies, led by those in the aerospace industry, has made a notable impact on the economy of the Gorge (page 64). A group of volunteers has been working tirelessly to maintain trails in a portion of the Mt. Hood National Forest for 25 years (page 82). Those people you see out on the river doing yoga on SUP boards are on to something, and also they’re getting a good core workout (page 88). Craft distilleries are coming into their own here (page 30). And a native son of the Gorge, Ethan Radcliffe, is coloring our communities with his considerable artistic talent (page 84). Whew. That’s far from everything in this issue, but it makes my head spin a little. In a good way. I have many fond memories from my first years in the Gorge, but I love this place today, with all its abundance. It makes me wonder what the next 20 years will bring?
Janet Cook, editor
The Gorge Magazine is published by Eagle Magazines, Inc., an affiliate of Eagle Newspapers, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronically or mechanically, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without the express written permission of Eagle Magazines, Inc. Articles and photographs appearing in The Gorge Magazine may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written consent of the publisher. The views and opinions expressed in these articles are not necessarily those of The Gorge Magazine, Eagle Magazines, Inc., Eagle Newspapers, Inc., or its employees, staff or management. All RIGHTS RESERVED. PRINTED IN THE U.S.A.
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SUMMER 2015 thegorgemagazine.com
FLYING HIGH Paragliding Takes Off
DISTILLERIES Crafting the Goods
STYLE+DESIGN Sensi Graves Bikinis
A B O U T T H E COV E R Richard Hallman took this photo of the Event Site during Kiteboarding 4 Cancer from a helicopter. KB4C is held every summer in Hood River to raise money to support young cancer survivors and fighters. The main attraction of the two-day event is a six-hourlong endurance kiteboarding race known as the Kite Derby. (freelanceimaging.com)
You dream it...we’ll create it
custom jewelry designs, made in our state-of-the-art studio using responsibly sourced gems and reclaimed gold and platinum
The Gorge Magazine is being produced by an environmentally conscientious group. Our publication is printed with text paper that is produced by a local mill located in West Linn, Oregon. West Linn paper mill and Journal Graphics, our publication printer, both follow FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) practices in the manufacturing and the printing of our product. This publication is also produced with soy based inks. When you have read this issue please pass it on to a friend or recycle it. Together we can make a difference in preserving and conserving our resources.
(541) 386-3977 3RD & OAK STREET HOOD RIVER, OR facebook.com/AplandJewelers
Handmade in meteorite, raw diamond, rose and white gold. ŠApland Jewelers.
THE GORGE MAGAZINE I SUMMER 2015
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Come see the
Best of the GorGe Art exhibition | June 3-August 2 Consignment and Resale Home Furnishings 1202 First Street · Mosier OR · In the Funky Old Gas Station Historic Columbia River Highway · Get off on Exit 69 Open Friday / Saturday / Sunday · 11am-6pm Find cool stuff @ thedwellingstation.com (503) 880-1233 · christina@thedwellingstation.com Christina LaFever, owner
certified in interior alignment, space clearing & feng shui
live beautifully—live sustainably
“Hood River Road” by Cathleen Rehfeld
experience art created by the best artists in the Columbia Gorge. open daily 11am-6pm Thank you to our sponsors:
“Green Home helped us achieve our goal to be sustainable and also showed us how choosing solar would be the right dollars and cents decision.” — Peter Belmont
215 Cascade Avenue Downtown hood River (541) 387-8877 columbiaarts.org
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541.948.1280 www.greenhome-designbuild.com 1824 Cascade Ave., Hood River, OR SOLAR
CCB#182083 WA#GREENHC917JM
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PERSON OF INTEREST, BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT, BEST OF THE GORGE, HOME+GARDEN, LOCAVORE, STYLE+DESIGN, ROADTRIP, WINE SPOTLIGHT
Camp 1805 Distillery and Tasting Room
LOCAVORE P. 30 THE GORGE MAGAZINE I SUMMER 2015
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OUR GORGE
person of interest
Jack Perrin
Gorge MakerSpace founder finds joy in teaching the physics of everyday stuff BY JANET COOK / PHOTOS BY ADAM LAPIERRE
J
ack Perrin has always been a maker. He grew up in West Linn, south of Portland, and his smarts led him toward physics and math. But in his heart, he wanted to build stuff. In high school, in those days, there seemed few opportunities for those two interests to mingle. “Back then, physics, math and chemistry didn’t mix with shop,” he says of his high school years in the late 1970s and early ‘80s. Fortunately, Perrin had a physics teacher who recognized his disparate passions. “He encouraged me to get my hands on stuff,” Perrin recalls. “He was the first guy who said, ‘You don’t have to do one or the other.’” So, during his senior year, Perrin built a windmill out of five-gallon plastic buckets. It was installed on the roof of the school and connected via an electrical line (through a hole in the roof, to the dismay of the custodial staff ) to a car battery set up at the back of the physics classroom where Perrin and his classmates could observe how much energy the windmill generated. Perrin went on to study quantum physics at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, where he excelled. “I did fine, but I really liked the physics of just how stuff
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worked,” he says. “That’s what gets me excited about physics: just everyday phenomena.” He also knew he wanted to teach. After earning a double major in physics and education, Perrin got a job teaching high school physics at an American school in Turkey. In the rigid school, where students were used to being lectured to, Perrin brought his passion for “everyday phenomena” into his classroom by creating experiments using mundane items from Turkish life. “I started doing a lot of hands-on stuff,” he says, recalling a demonstration he did one day of centripetal force using Turkish tea glasses. The students, unused to teachers doing anything but lecturing, “were just beside themselves,” Perrin recalls, with a sheepish grin. After his experience in Turkey, Perrin knew he wanted to pursue a career in alternative education. While earning his masters in education at Northern Arizona University, Perrin got a job teaching science at an alternative school in Paonia, Colorado. A few more teaching stints in Paonia led him eventually to teaching sustainable living skills there, where he co-founded the High Desert Center, a sustainable living school. His own off-the-grid home provided a living laboratory. “The thing that came alive for me is that people get so much out of learning when they can build something,” he says. “There’s such a tangible feeling of accomplishment.” After 15 years in Paonia, Perrin felt the pull back to the Northwest, and he and his wife and young daughter moved to White Salmon in 2013. While Perrin was following his alternative education path, a worldwide grassroots movement called makerspace was rising. A makerspace (which is a public domain name) is simply a community workshop/laboratory stocked with tools where users can learn from others, collaborate on projects and simply create things. Makerspaces often have a science and technology bent, but some also facilitate art. “They give people a space to build, invent and create things they couldn’t do in their own home,” Perrin says. It seemed a perfect platform for Perrin and last year, he opened Gorge MakerSpace in the Community Youth Center in White Salmon. The entire first floor of the building has been turned into a student-centered makerspace workshop, filled with hand tools, computers and specialty items like sewable LEDs and even a 3D printer—all of it paid for with charitable contributions from private foundations and individuals. Along with being on-hand at Gorge MakerSpace every Wednesday afternoon, when anyone registered with the Youth Center can participate for free, Perrin offers after-school classes, weekend workshops and week-long camps in electronics, 3D printing, e-textiles and recycled crafts for students from 8 to 18 years old. During the school year, he offers a makerspace after-school enrichment program at Henkle Middle School in White Salmon, and he also occasionally offers a “family makerspace” event, where parents and kids work together. Perrin is particularly excited about the “maker” camps he is offering over the summer. “In a camp, we can go deeper into the makerspace concept,” he says. “I can see kids repeatedly and we can just do a lot more things.” Although Perrin provides some “recipe-oriented” projects, he prefers to let kids find their own way, offering guidance. “I’d rather say, ‘Here are the tools and materials we have, what do you think would be fun to make?’” he says. With the tools, and the freedom to create and build, kids come up with all kinds of inventions, according to Perrin. “My favorite thing is just watching a kid take something in a direction I hadn’t even thought of,” he says. That is the true essence of Gorge MakerSpace. For more information about Gorge MakerSpace, go to gorgemakerspace.com.
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10.375 in. Live
Inspired Minds Inspire the World
At Insitu, mentoring the engineers and scientists of tomorrow is a passion, which is why we support a comprehensive portfolio of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) initiatives right here in The Gorge. From robotics tournaments to student tech tours, providing skill development opportunities to our local youth is a privilege we embrace. It’s one of the many ways we help to make life in The Gorge an inspiration to all.
THE GORGE MAGAZINE I SPRING 2015
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OUR GORGE
business highlight
Go Play in the Water
White Salmon-based Aquaglide has become a global leader in waterparks and other inflatable fun BY JANET COOK / PHOTOS COURTESY OF AQUAGLIDE
A From left: Dave Johnson, Brian Griffin and Doug Hopkins.
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bout 15 years ago, Dave Johnson and Doug Hopkins looked to the future of windsurfing and began to worry. Their White Salmon-based company was then the U.S. distributor for world-wide windsurfing behemoths Mistral and North Sails. But the sport, which had enjoyed a meteoric rise in popularity during the 1980s and ‘90s, had begun to decline. The unwieldy equipment, steep learning curve and precise conditions necessary for windsurfing were taking their toll. Kiteboarding was on the rise, standup paddling on the horizon. So, with an eye toward attracting more people to the sport, Johnson, along with windsurfing icon and innovator Ken Winner, came up with an idea for a user-friendly inflatable windsurfer. They called it the Windglider, and Mistral put it into production. It sold well in the U.S., but not in Europe, where Mistral is based. The company eventually told Johnson and Hopkins it didn’t want to continue the Windglider;
the pair could do with it what they wanted. “It didn’t save windsurfing,” Johnson said. But it did launch a new business for Johnson, Hopkins and a third partner, Brian Griffin. The trio made some changes to the Windglider so that it could be used as a windsurfer, a small sailboat and a towable behind a powerboat. They named it, aptly, the Multisport. With a potential market well beyond the confines of windsurfing, the Multisport was brought to market under a new company name: Aquaglide. “We decided to try and build a business that didn’t have anything to do with windsurfing or kiteboarding,” Johnson said. Aquaglide’s next product came about almost by accident. For a trade show, the partners had some inflatable walls made to enclose the company’s booth. At the end of the show, people wanted to buy the walls. That was the impetus for the creation of the Airport, an inflatable raft that can be used as a swim platform, lounge, and launch pad for watersports. From there, more and more inflatable products aimed at having fun on the water took shape. The company went through some ups and downs—including being bought by its European manufacturer, and then bought back by the three partners—but the company steadily built on its reputation for quality products and superior customer service. “It grew slowly, and not easily,” Hopkins said. “We had stuff that we tried that didn’t work.” But the last few years have seen steady growth for the compa-
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we have it all... ny. Their product line is spread among categories including the “sport range” with products like floating trampolines, slides and towables. “It’s things people buy to put in front of their lake house dock,” Hopkins said. The “adventure series” includes products for commercial waterfront and pool customers, and the “resort range” is aimed at customers looking to create entire aquaparks. Aquaglide’s product line also includes a series of inflatable SUP boards, as well as some composite boards, and last year, the company launched a line of inflatable kayaks which has “hit the ground running,” according to Hopkins. From its humble beginnings, Aquaglide’s line has grown to include 120 products. Sales are strong in the Midwest, where Aquaglide items are popular on lakes. Florida and the Northwest are also substantial markets, and the company is starting to grow its brand in Asia and Europe, as well. Participation in several European boat shows has helped open up markets in the Mediterranean, home to many large resorts and where wealthy yacht owners proliferate. ( Who wouldn’t want a towering inflatable climbing wall to mount to the side of their yacht?) The European market for Aquaglide inflatable SUP boards and kayaks is also promising. “Cars and storage areas there are smaller,” Hopkins noted. According to Johnson, Aquaglide’s export sales make up 40 percent of business. “That’s really high in watersports,” he said. Along with many countries in Europe, Aquaglide products are distributed in the Middle East, Australia, Japan, China and Hong Kong. From their White Salmon office and warehouse, Hopkins and his partners—along with 21 employees—also distribute Amundson SUP boards, North Kites and ION accessories. “We’re pretty diverse,” Johnson said. Which is another way of saying, it doesn’t matter if the wind blows or not.
bakery, floral, deli, local wine and beer, extensive meat and fish counter, fresh produce and organics, plus Huckleberry’s Natural Market.
1867 12th St., Hood River // rosauers.com
For more information about Aquaglide, go to aquaglide.com.
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OU R G O R G E
best of the gorge
Gorge Paddle Challenge
1
The Naish Columbia Gorge Paddle Challenge takes place August 22-23 at Waterfront Park in Hood River. The popular event draws paddlers from the Gorge and beyond for two days of paddling fun, including an $18,000 cash purse. Events include a course race, a distance downwinder and a team relay. There are also SUP demos and exhibits, free lessons and live music. (gorgepaddlechallenge.com)
Festival of Speed
2
The Maryhill Festival of Speed, June 24-28, is North America’s largest gravity sports festival. Don’t miss watching 230 of the world’s best downhill skateboarders/street lugers compete with each other and the 22 challenging corners of the historic Maryhill Loops Road. The event also features action sports exhibits, contests, food and live music. (maryhillfestivalofspeed.com)
Pacific Crest Trail Days
3
The 9th annual Pacific Crest Trail Days is August 28-30, headquartered at Marine Park in Cascade Locks. The weekend is free and filled with activities centered around the trail, recently popularized in the movie Wild. Along with a trail work party, there is an outdoor gear expo, free classes and activities, and a raffle—with proceeds benefiting the Pacific Crest Trail Association and the American Long Distance Hiking Association. Participants can camp on Thunder Island for a small fee. (pctdays.com)
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Ride ’Em, Cowboy
4
Summer is rodeo season and the Gorge has a few of its own that are not to be missed. Most have been happening annually for decades—a couple of them for nearly a century. Saddle up and check ‘em out.
• Glenwood Ketchum Kalf Rodeo: June 20-21 (find it on Facebook) • Fort Dalles Days Pro Rodeo: July 16-18 (thefortdallesrodeo.com) • Wasco County Fair and Tygh Valley Rodeo: August 13-16 (find it on Facebook) • Pendleton Round-up: September 16-19 (pendletonroundup.com)
Farmers Markets
6
Kiteboarding 4 Cancer
5
North America’s largest amateur kiteboarding event draws kiters from around the world to the Hood River Event Site for a weekend of kiting, partying, auctions, live music and more—all to benefit an outdoor program for young cancer fighters and survivors. KB4C takes place July 11-12, with an opening kick-off party July 10. The main event is a six-hour endurance kiteboarding race known as the Kite Derby. Other events include a silent and live auction and “Kite Relay on the Green,” which is fun for participants and spectators alike. (kiteboarding4cancer.org)
Summer is the season of farmers markets, and the Gorge has plenty of them. Here’s the line-up. (gorgegrown.org)
•H ood River: Thursdays, 4pm-7pm at the Hood River Middle School •H ood River Saturday Market: Saturdays, 10am-2pm, 4th and Oak streets •M ercado del Valle: Saturdays, 3pm-6pm at Mid-Valley Elementary School, Odell hite Salmon: Tuesdays, 4pm-7pm at •W Feast Market & Deli •M osier: Sundays, 4pm-7pm in downtown Mosier • S tevenson: Saturdays, 10am-1pm on the courthouse lawn • T he Dalles: Saturdays, 9am-1pm at The Dalles City Park •G oldendale: Saturdays, 9am-2pm at Ekone Park • Trout Lake Saturday Market: Saturdays,9am-3pm at Trout Lake Grange
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OUR GORGE
Trout Lake Annual Arts Festival
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The Trout Lake Festival of the Arts takes place July 11-12 on the Green at the Trout Lake School. The regionally renowned festival, which has been taking place for 19 years in the scenic setting at the foot of Mount Adams, features 55 juried artists displaying their work for sale. There’s live music all weekend, as well as food carts and a special children’s area featuring art projects, music and face painting. (troutlakefestivalofthearts.wordpress.com)
Emporium
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A unique pop-up shop at the historic Butler Bank building in downtown Hood River happens during the first weekend of each month, from June through October. Known as Emporium, the shop is a curated collection of apparel, jewelry, accessories, gifts and home goods made in the Pacific Northwest. During First Friday of each month, from 5 to 8 p.m., Emporium features live music, performances and demonstrations, along with local beer, wine, cider and specialty cocktails, as well as small plates, for those 21 and over. (butlerbankingcompany.com)
Dufur Threshing Bee
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The annual Dufur Threshing Bee, August 8-9, is a harvesting of the wheat done using old-time machinery and draft horses, as it would have been done at the turn of the 20th century. Attendees can go out in the fields and see horse-drawn threshers and a steam-powered wheat separator in use. The event, which has been happening for more than 40 years, includes a parade, a tractor pull, demonstrations of historic equipment and a classic car show. (dufurthreshingbee.org)
Gorge Art Exhibit
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The Columbia Center for the Arts hosts its annual Best of the Gorge exhibit from June 5 through August 2 in the center’s gallery. The show features artwork by mid-Columbia residents in an exhibition juried by Jennifer Zika, manager of the Portland Art Museum Sales and Rental Gallery. The show features work in all media, including drawing, painting, photography, glass, ceramics, sculpture and mixed media. Cash prizes go to the best works. (columbiaarts.org)
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Carol@DonNunamaker.com RealEstateinTheGorge.com HoodRiverProperties.com
Parkdale $1,375,000: Large custom home with unique features. Mt. Hood, Mt. Adams, and valley view. 4BR, 3.5BA, 4126 sqft plus 1662 sqft basement. On 46.64 acres of forest and pasture.
Hood River $320,000: Single level ranch style home built in 1990. Open great room, 2 gas fireplace inserts, 4 car attached garage, in-ground pool, close to town. 3BR, 2BA, 2001 sqft on .4 acre lot.
Life is always a special occasion!
Westside $400,000: Build a dream home in your own orchard! Double mountain views from 8.6 acre pear orchard w/ full irrigation rights. Easy access to town. Existing doublewide currently rented.
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(541) 490-5099 • (800) 544-1930 Oregon & Washington Broker
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home+garden
Creating Beauty Wherever She Goes Bonnie Heemeier makes the world a prettier place BY LISAANN KAWACHI / PHOTOS BY JENNIFER ALYSE
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f you ask Bonnie Heemeier, Stevenson is the prettiest place in the Gorge. And who better than Heemeier, owner of Bloomsbury of Kanaka Creek Farm, a flower and home décor shop, and Out on a Limb, a women’s clothing boutique, to know about pretty things?
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As a 16-year resident, Heemeier has poured the passions of her life—flowers and fashion—into the Stevenson community. Originally coming to the area to live on an herb farm and pursue a career in landscape design, Heemeier’s career has blossomed into something quite different than she originally anticipated. Along with opening her floral and clothing businesses in downtown Stevenson, Heemeier also owns and manages a flower farm and a vacation rental. Heemeier believes, as she puts it, in “making people’s lives more beautiful in all aspects and being a service to others.” Heemeier started the first of her businesses shortly after moving to the area when she purchased
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desig n | bu i l d | re mo d el | re p ai r
RELOCATING TO THE GORGE? READY FOR A NEW HOME? Curtis Homes can help build your family’s next home. From start-to-finish our unparalleled customer service and dedication to quality sets us apart as a premier home builder in the Columbia Gorge.
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hiking Dining
The water is always running. Follow iT.
Hiking
Relaxation
History
Adventure
Fishing
Need a home base for your hiking spirit? You already have one. With hundreds of trails nearby—ranging from Beacon Rock to the spectacular Dog Mountain—Stevenson, Washington, is hikers’ paradise found. And at the end of the day, we have the spas and cozy beds to soothe tired soles.
CITYOFSTEVENSON.COM
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Bloomsbury, a flower shop in downtown Stevenson. She changed the name to Bloomsbury of Kanaka Creek Farm in reference to her nearby property overlooking Kanaka Creek. According to Heemeier, she aims to incorporate more elements from the garden in her floral arrangements—to be more unstructured and organic in feel. “We’re more of a naturalistic florist as opposed to a traditional florist,” she said. “I love working with color, bold, interesting shapes like berries, pods or branches—things that add nice textures to the bouquets.” Heemeier goes to the Portland Flower Market at least once a week to hand pick flowers. By choosing
the flowers herself she can judge their quality and freshness firsthand. If a specific variety she intended to purchase is not up to her standards, she can reevaluate its use and come up with another option. Another reason Heemeier prefers to hand select her flowers is because she’s very visual. “I’m not good at designing at my desk,” she said. Although Bloomsbury of Kanaka Creek has become a popular choice for brides, weddings are only one part of the business. “We’re a full-service florist,” Heemeier said. “We provide flowers for all aspects of people’s lives.” Many of the seasonal flowers available at Bloomsbury from May through October are grown nearby on Heemeier's one-acre flower farm. The farm was
Residential and Commercial Design + Build Renewable Energy Systems Weatherization + Home Performance
541.386.7283 www.greenhome-construction.com 1824 Cascade Ave., Hood River, OR 97031 CCB#182083 • WA#GREENHC917JM
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COLUMBIA GORGE REAL ESTATE columbiagorge-realestate.com
As Right As Rain A Mosier couple looks to the sky for their water needs Last year, when Kim and Pam Owen moved to the Gorge from Portland, they found the perfect home. It sat on a tree-covered, sloping hillside east of Mosier with views and plenty of open space around it. After they moved in, they found it had just one flaw: the water. “The water was undrinkable,” Kim Owen said. “The iron content was so high, it was staining our teeth.” It turned out the well on the property was going dry. After some research, Owen discovered it was the second one to be drilled on the property after the first one had dried up. Rather than drill deeper, or try for a third well, the Owens decided to source their water from the sky rather than the ground. They hired Hood River-based Green Home Construction to install a rainwater collection system that would provide for all their water needs. “The house is blessed with a standing-seam metal roof,” said Andrew McWilliams of Green Home, who installed the system. “That’s a great collection system for rainwater.” The house also had steel gutters and downspouts, ideal for delivering clean water. McWilliams tasked the Owens with figuring out how much water they used daily. Then, using information from a detailed climate website, they factored in average monthly rainwater amounts for their location. With July, August and September being the driest months in the eastern Mosier hills, McWilliams had to figure out how much storage capacity was needed to get the Owens through. He installed two 1,700-gallon below-grade cisterns, which are fed, through PVC pipes, with rainwater from the home’s roof. Water from the cisterns is pumped into a pressure tank, which in turn flows through filters and into the regular water delivery system in the house. This summer and fall will be the first dry months the Owens will have with their new system, but they’re not worried about running out of water. The cisterns will likely remain mostly full through June, and the storage capacity should provide plenty of water until the fall rains come. When they do, a single inch of rain translates into about 700 gallons flowing off the roof and into the cisterns. Green Home Construction has already installed a couple of rainwater collection systems in the Gorge, according to McWilliams. “I think we’re going to see more of them,” he said, adding that building more “resiliency” into our homes is critical. “What’s more fundamental to a home than a reliable source of good, clean, potable water?” The Owens know that first hand. After months of drinking from water jugs and scrubbing away orange stains, they are happy to have clean, clear water flowing from their taps. —Janet Cook For more information, contact Green Home Construction: greenhome-construction.com
$386,000–Open living space with lots of natural light into the loft and main level. Lower level has radiant floor heat, 3 bedrooms, full bath with a claw foot tub. Enjoy this cooks kitchen with granite counters, gas range and lots of cabinets.
$355,000–Beautiful one level, 4 bedroom home finishes include: granite counters, lighted tray ceiling, gas fireplace, large dining deck, walk-in closets, water filtration systems, recessed lighting, a jetted soak and tub as well as a large workshop.
$185,000–Charming 3 bedroom 2 bath home with a wrap-around porch, gingerbread trim, claw foot tub, and it fits all the requirements for the old house lover. PLUS a nice double garage and a basement to make the ultimate MAN (or Woman) CAVE.
“Sisters by Chance, Partners by Choice”
Becky Schertenleib, CRS, GRI, SRES Nan Wimmers, CRB, CRS, EPRO 235 E. 3rd Street I The Dalles, Oregon facebook.com/columbia.gorge.real.estate THE GORGE MAGAZINE I SPRING 2015
licensed in oregon and washington
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planted several years ago by Heemeier and her now husband, Jon, whom she met when he was a customer at the store. According to Heemeier, the farm grows popular flowers that people want, like dahlias, peonies and sunflowers, but also some unusual varieties, such as the Cinco de Mayo amaranthus, eryngium thistle, David Austin garden roses and castor bean fuchsia, with its pink spikey pods. The flower farm was not always the blooming oasis that it is now. In the beginning the entire property had to be cleared of blackberries. Fencing had to be put up to keep the deer out and an irrigation system
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was installed. Most of this start-up work for the flower farm was accomplished by Jon. “He’s my farmer Jon,” said Heemeier. “None of this would have been possible without him and his support.” Even now, much of the couple’s time is spent in their garden on the flower farm. “Gardening is how we spend our time together—our reconnecting time,” said Heemeier. She adds that it also provides them with exercise and stress release. “It’s very therapeutic,” she said. Although the farm is not currently open to the public, Heemeier hopes to have a u-pick flower farm up and running on the property by next year. Her vision is to create a garden that would be a venue for small weddings, parties and other special events. She envisions a place where people can enjoy nature, a place where brides and their bridal parties can come and pick their own centerpieces and bouquets, a place people can simply enjoy. “It’s my favorite place to be,” Heemeier said. “To be among the flowers, hear the birds chirping and then look up and see the mountain, it’s truly amazing.”
While Bloomsbury of Kanaka Creek is inspired by gardens, Heemeier’s clothing store has an urban industrial feel. As Heemeier describes it, the two businesses are a yin and yang sort of thing. Out on a Limb opened in July 2013. The name comes from the idea that Heemeier was going “out on a limb” in starting it. The store promotes women-owned local businesses and sells clothing, shoes, handmade soap, organic tea, bath products, jewelry, cards and other gift items. Heemeier prides herself in selling products not just from the Gorge, but from all over the Northwest including Washington, Idaho and other parts of Oregon. Within the store, each rack is organized according to colors and textures—almost like a bouquet of flowers. According to Heemeier, she has always loved retailing and helping people convey their feelings through flowers. Now, through Out on a Limb, she’s able to do this through clothing as well. “I love helping women feel good about themselves and putting together a great outfit,” she said. Prior to opening the store, Heemeier sold clothes and accessories out of her flower shop. The separate business eventually developed out of Heemeier’s desire to create a stronger retail sector in downtown Stevenson, where she is very involved with the town’s revitalization. “I really believe in Stevenson and want to see more happening here,” she said. As if three businesses weren’t enough for Heemeier, she and Jon also own a vacation rental cottage on the flower farm property. The Kanaka Creek Farm Guest Cottage is approximately 1,000 square feet and is ideal for a couple wanting to spend time surrounded by nature. The cottage is secluded, hidden by shrubs to keep it separated from any garden traffic during the day. “More and more people are discovering this community,” Heemeier said. “There’s good energy here and great river and mountain views.” She hopes her businesses will help bring more attention to the community she loves. “All these businesses are just a creative outlet for me, they all fuel each other,” Heemeier said. “My husband always says I make the world a more beautiful place. I think that’s a nice mantra to have.” For more information, find Bloomsbury of Kanaka Creek Farm and Out on a Limb on Facebook, or call Bloomsbury at (509) 427-4444. LisaAnn Kawachi is a writer and lifelong resident of Hood River.
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locavore
Getting in the Spirit Craft distillers are making their mark BY DON CAMPBELL / PHOTOS BY SILVIA FLORES AND COURTESY OF MCMENAMINS EDGEFIELD, CLEAR CREEK DISTILLERY
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istillation is a centuries-old process that renders a steam-derived essence, a sort of noble purity, if you will. Aristotle wrote about it. Stills have been found dating to ancient China. Arabs in the first century A.D. used it for chemical experiments. Through the millennia distilling has taken on a poetic and nearly mythic appeal when it comes to liquor. The process is simple—combine carbohydrate-containing plants, yeast, water and heat. It is a fascinating chemistry of evaporation, condensation,
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and flavor-inducing agents, with decidedly tasty, euphoric, and intoxicating results. The rise in Northwest craft brewing and winemaking, by logical extension, lit a fire under a new craft distillery industry. No less so in the Columbia River Gorge. Changes in various local, state, and federal laws have enabled small producers to park steampunk-looking pot stills in back rooms and begin bottling a sumptuous array of tasty craft spirits. Here are four in the Gorge who are contributing some fine sipping.
history near this spot on July 4, 1805, when they allegedly, says Taylor, “ran out of booze.” “Spirits are an enigma to most people,” says Taylor, from the cozy and upscale bar/distillery he and Slayton operate near Hood River’s popular Solstice Pizza and Pfriem Brewery. The distillery thus far cranks out three distillates: Mt. Hood Vodka, Backbone Rum, and Endurance Whiskey, all clear and unaged liquors cooked up on Camp 1805’s 200-gallon Hoga pot still. The whole process essentially begins as crude beer, a fermented “mash” which gets cooked down to essential alcohol as the water in the mash is boiled off, leaving behind the spiritual goodness. “We’re really proud of what we make,” offers Taylor, “and because we’re smaller we can pay attention more to each batch.” The entrepreneurial duo, who still both have day jobs, got big small-business help from Mid-Columbia Economic Development, The Dalles Small Business Development Center, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission and the federal government, and pride themselves on using local products and materials. They also got a marketing hand from Portland’s North Advertising Agency, which has branded the company with a pioneer look and feel. The inviting Camp 1805 bar not only serves as outlet for its own products but also enlists the powerful mixological skills of former Portlander Eric Bottero. “He elevates the level of cocktail-making,” says Taylor, who’s also the Oregon Distillers Guild treasurer. Look for further experiments in aged Kentucky-style whiskeys, aged rums, and other potables.
Camp 1805 501 Portway Ave, Hood River (541) 386-1805, camp1805.com Down on Hood River’s burgeoning waterfront, good things come out of Chris Taylor’s back room. Camp 1805, which White Salmon residents Taylor and partner Roy Slayton opened on Independence Day in 2014, is an intrepid adventure akin to the spirit from which they drew inspiration—Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery, which marked itself indelibly in
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TAST IN G ROOM A N D BOT T LE SA LES WH I S K EY, RUM, V ODKA HA N D C RA FT ED ON SIT E ENJOY OUR SMA LL P LAT ES MEN U
Skunk Brothers Spirits 40 SW Cascade Avenue, Stevenson (360) 213-3420, skunkbrothersspirits.com Famed paddle wheeler Queen of the West, docked on Stevenson, Washington’s waterfront, is an odd throwback to a different time, yet today, not at all out of place. It sits in placid waters near a small industrial section of Stevenson where Skunk Brothers Spirits lives, a tiny operation that harkens back to speakeasies, bathtub gin, and illegal backroom stills. And true to form, Skunk Brothers co-owner Scott Donoho, from a vintage-looking lobby, slides open a nondescript bookcase to reveal the Skunk Brothers tasting room. Here he doles out samples of the craft distillery’s Moonshine, Apple Pie, Cinnamon Whiskey, and a sneak-treat of Cherry Cordial, with more brandies, single-malt whiskies and cordials to come. A large glass window behind the bar reveals the 300-gallon “hillbilly” still from Barlow, Kentucky, that Donoho picked up and delivered personally. Donoho, a retired National Guard firefighter, his wife, brother and another partner founded the distillery after dabbling in home brewing and some experiments in distilling, likely inspired by a
grandfather who was a moonshiner. The company prides itself on using local produce, including 100-percent Washington-grown corn for its Moonshine, and Ryan’s Juices fruit for the Apple Pie. “There are so many distillers doing great things,” he says. “It’s not so much competition, but a constant challenge to be better. I’m on the do-it-till-I-die plan.” McMenamins Edgefield 2126 SW Halsey Street, Troutdale (503) 669-8610, mcmenamins.com If your mind tries to imagine what a rumrunner looks like, it might be the visage of Edgefield’s James Whelan. He smiles from behind a thick beard as he stands next to the copper Holstein pot still from which emerge the Edgefield’s liquors—Hogshead Whiskey, Edgefield Brandy, and Penney’s Gin, as well as Longshot Brandy and Pear Brandy. McMenamins, a pioneer in Oregon’s craft brewing and partly responsible for the entire brewpub model, began making wine in 1990, and a logical extension was to distill some of that wine into
5 0 1 PO RT WAY AV E / HOOD RIV ER WAT ERFRON T www. camp 1 8 0 5 . com / f ol l ow u s @C amp 1 8 0 5
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c l e a r c re e k di st i l l e ry pe ndl eton® si nfi re® ul l r® ya z i®
©2015 HOOD RIVER DISTILLERS, INC. HOOD RIVER, OR USA. Pendleton Blended Canandian Whisky, 40% Alc./ Vol. The Bucking Horse logo and Let’er Buck are registered trademarks of the Pendleton Round-Up Association. Pendleton is a registered trademark of Pendleton Woolen Mills. Stay in control®.
—pl e ase dri nk re sp onsi b ly —
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brandy, which it began doing in 1994 when it shipped some of its pinot noir and chardonnay to California’s now-defunct Carneros Alambic distiller to make brandy and house some barrels. Full distilling operations began at Edgefield in 1997. Whelan has been head distiller almost since the beginning, and brings several years of brewing experience to the party. The operation is small, tucked away in the old poor farm’s agricultural building which also holds the clubhouse of Edgefield’s par-three golf course. What will be Penney’s Gin is dribbling out of the steaming still. A dipped finger renders a delicious
taste of the young essence in the style of a London dry gin, like Boodles or Beefeaters. Whelan explains that McMenamins only distributes its liquors onsite, to maintain the company’s “family and friends” ambience. The distilling building also houses the barrel room, an earthy place where prolonged resting ages the whiskeys (all distillates come out clear; barrel-aging is what renders the color and additional flavor), including a new offering called Aval Pota, or apple brandy, and other limited releases.
lifestyle photography by silvia flores
v is it online p o r t f o lio a t s il v ia fl o re s . com
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Celilo Restaurant and Bar Pacific Northwest cuisine with an emphasis on locally grown products, extensive wine list, and full bar.
Clear Creek Distillery 2389 NW Wilson Street, Portland (503) 248-9470, clearcreekdistillery.com Clear Creek Distillery’s Steve McCarthy lays claim to being Oregon’s oldest craft distiller. With deep family ties to the Hood River Valley and its pears, McCarthy began making his now widely acclaimed pear brandy 30 years ago, earning accolades from far and wide for his melding of European tradition with local produce. The Northwest Portland distiller now makes an intriguing array of Eaux de Vie, brandy, grappa, cordials, and whiskey using locally grown fruit and grain (some half million pounds of Bartlett pears from Hood River annually), including those that are intriguingly grown inside brandy bottles for special bottlings of the flagship Pear Brandy. As McCarthy contemplated retirement, he struck a deal with Hood River Distillers to take over Clear Creek in February 2015, a move that ensured continued success for the tightly run 10-person company that distributes worldwide. “It was an awesome fit for us,” says director of operations Rachel Inman, who’s worked for McCarthy for practically the entire run of the company. The company built its reputation on its bonedry pear brandy, a magnificent aperitif, or as Inman calls it, with a sly grin, “regional village moonshine.” All of the Clear Creek liquors have a mature quality that displays the maker’s deft skill. One Eaux de Vie that stands out is the Douglas Fir that alchemizes fresh spring buds of Doug fir trees
Try Clear Creek spirits at the new Hood River Distillers Tasting Room, 304 Oak Street in Hood River.
in clear brandy. It’s beyond complex and bears repeated sippings. Up and down the Gorge, this millennia-old process steams on, joyously releasing the poetic angels’ share—the distillery term for what evaporates into the heavens—while capturing the heady sips we are lucky enough to pour into our glasses.
Don Campbell is a frequent contributor to The Gorge Magazine, and swears no writers were harmed in the making of this story, though his liver begs to differ.
Open Daily: 541-386-5710 16 Oak Street, Hood River, OR www.celilorestaurant.com Lunch 11:30-3, Dinner from 5
Celilo Catering: 541-490-0275 Weddings • Private parties • On/Offsite
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style+design
Sensi Graves Bikinis
Surf Suit-Island Palm/Blood Orange Suggested retail $79
Swimwear for active women BY JANET COOK / PRODUCT PHOTOS BY DENISE REHSE-WATSON
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fter Sensi Graves learned to kiteboard in San Diego during college, she began spending nearly every day in the water. The California native kited or surfed whenever she could, eventually landing a job teaching kiting in North Carolina and becoming a sponsored rider. Life was good—except when it came to her bikinis, which never seemed to stay put. So she took her ability to rip on the water, her entrepreneurial drive and her sense of style and set out to build a better bikini. Sensi Graves Bikinis, launched more than three years ago, now does a bustling business from its home base in Hood River, where Graves moved in 2012. Graves creates all the designs, works with a fabric cutter in Hood River and has her swimsuits made in Portland. From there, they go to retailers around the country and beyond—including Australia, Spain, Italy, Norway, Zanzibar and the Netherlands. Graves also sells direct from her website. “I make suits for women who are active,” says Graves, who also promotes healthy living and an earth-friendly ethos. (Excess fabric trimmings from her bikinis are donated to Materials for the Arts and other organizations to be used in art projects.) “It’s all about empowering women and giving them confidence on the water.” For more information, go to sensigravesbikinis.com
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Jenna Top (Periwinkle) Suggested retail $59
Gillian Bottoms (Periwinkle) Suggested retail $46
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Colleen Top (Pink Ikat/Black) Suggested retail $54
Oceanea Bottoms (Pink Ikat/Black) Suggested retail $45
Claire Top (Island Palm) Suggested retail $52
Colleen Top (Island Palm/ Blood Orange) Suggested retail $54
Melanie Bottom (Island Palm) Suggested retail $46
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Dawn Top (Moonlight Yellow) Suggested retail $48 Lindsy Bottoms (Marrakesh) Suggested retail $42
Dawn Top (Blue Ikat) Suggested retail $48, shown front and back
Kyla Bottom (Blue Ikat) Suggested retail $50 Sensi Graves Bikinis are available in Hood River at The Ruddy Duck and Big Winds.
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Resource Guide
roadtrip
Bellingham County Tourism, Bellingham.org City of Bellingham Washington, Cob.org Historic Fairhaven District, fairhaven.com Where to Stay • Fairhaven Village Inn, fairhavenvillageinn.com • Hotel Bellwether, hotelbellwether.com • The Chrysalis Inn & Spa, thechrysalisinn.com • T he Lakeway Inn, thelakewayinn.com
North to Bellingham
This city on the bay provides plenty of adventures, from the nearby North Cascades to the Salish Sea BY VIKI EIERDAM / PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE BELLINGHAM VISITORS CENTER
B
ellingham holds the distinction of being rated, simultaneously, one of the best places to retire, the best paddling town in the country, and one of the top 10 dog-friendly cities. It is this diversity that allows the city of approximately 83,000—nestled an hour-anda-half north of Seattle and 30 minutes south of the Canadian border, with Mount Baker to the east and Bellingham Bay to the west—to appeal to such a wide range of visitors. Wintertime boasts all manner of mountain activities from snowshoeing and backcountry skiing to downhill skiing and snowboarding. But when beautiful summer days roll around, look to sea kayaking and canoeing in the Chuckanut, Birch and Belling-
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ham bays, the calm waters of Lake Whatcom and a combination of rapids and peaceful stretches along the Nooksack River. Sail boating and kiteboarding are also popular watersports here, and excellent swimming conditions can be found at Lake Padden Park. For still more outdoor fun there are miles of hiking trails to explore throughout the nearby North Cascades as well as right in town—including two thought-provoking sculpture gardens located at Big Rock Garden Park and on the campus of Western Washington University (the latter of which also offers stunning views of Bellingham Bay). Bellingham is bike-friendly, from rugged mountain terrain to routes like the South Bay Trail, which takes you along Bellingham Bay, Boulevard Park and into the historic Fairhaven neighborhood with little effort. The Fairhaven district is anchored by 12 historic buildings dating as far back as 1888, which now
Getting There
Distance: 325 miles, Driving Time: 5.5 hours From Hood River, take I-84 to Portland, then I-5 north to Bellingham (exits 250-260).
Dining and Drinking • Acme Diner, acme-diner.com • Avenue Bread, avenuebread.com • Bridgewater Bistro, bridgewaterbistro.com • Horseshoe Café, horseshoecafe.com • I l Caffe Rifugio,Ilcafferifugio.com • Keenan’s at the Pier, thechrysalisinn.com • L ettered Streets Coffeehouse, facebook.com/letteredstreetscoffeehouse • T he Oyster Bar on Chuckanut Drive, theoysterbar.net • The Temple Bar, templebarbellingham.com
Sites to See Farmers Market, Maritime Museum, Railway Museum, Big Rock Garden Park, Camel Safari, Everybody’s Store, Hovander Homestead Park, Mount Baker Theatre, Mount Baker Vineyards, Pickford Film Center, Schooner Zodiac dinner Sails/Day Cruises, SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention, Western Gallery Whatcom Museum
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house quaint shops, bookstores, cafes and restaurants. Download a walking map or research this neighborhood’s colorful history beforehand. A bronze sculpture of Dirty Dan Harris (known as the unkempt founder of Fairhaven) sits out front of the Colophon Café—a perfect lunch spot that’s been around since 1985. Another fun dining option is Fairhaven Fish & Chips, housed in a red double-decker bus. Enjoy salmon and chips in the sunny courtyard. Mambo Italiano, inside Sycamore Square (circa 1890), has an authentic, Tuscan flair. An expanding beer and wine scene makes for exciting adult discoveries. Check out the shops run by knowledgeable owners like Seifert and Jones Wine Merchants and Perfectly Paired. There are also long-time staples Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro and The Temple Bar, as well as newer options destined to become classics, including Vinostrology Wine Lounge & Merchant, Honey Moon Mead & Cider, Uisce (pronounced Ish-Kah) Irish Pub and Fireside Martini. Take a scenic drive along Highway 542 and enjoy the communities that make up the Mount Baker foothills. Once outside the city limits, postcard moments of this majestic mountain with the Sisters keeping it company will come into view. Just after crossing the Nooksack River in Nuggent’s Corner there’s a dirt road on the right-hand side that leads to a great picnic spot. Up the road about five minutes you’ll arrive at Mount Baker Vineyards. Enjoy a tasting from this
Stay & Play in The Dalles Free SuperStart® breakfast All Guest Rooms are Smoke Free High Speed Wireless Internet Microwave • Refrigerator Cable/HBO Guest Laundry Pool • Pet Friendly
winery established in 1982 and then rabbit-trail a couple of miles south on Highway 9 to peruse Everybody’s Store, which has been written up in the Los Angeles Times and is chock-full of everything imaginable from incredible, made-on-the spot deli sandwiches to a dizzying array of imported cheeses, a small but ample wine selection, games, gifts and a variety of grocery items. If you haven’t yet eaten, the Acme Diner is a retro spot to enjoy large portions of madefrom-scratch meals and baked goods less than a 10-minute drive south along Highway 9. Back on Highway 542, you’re in for a treat at The North Fork Brewery, which dubs itself a “pizzeria, beer shrine, wedding chapel, and microbrewery.” Highway 542 continues through the quaint mountain towns of Maple Falls and Glacier. When you’re ready to head back to town, be sure to stop at Il Caffe Rifugio Restaurante in Deming for al fresco dining in Amelia’s Gallery & Gardens. From sea to mountains, city vibe to small town feel, Bellingham has something for everyone.
609 Cherry Heights Road The Dalles OR 97058 541-296-6888
www.super8.com
Making History Come Alive…
VISIT OUR HISTORIC Hood River Photo Blog: historichoodriver.com DISCOVER culture and history through fresh, engaging exhibits, and exciting programs EXPLORE hands-on activities and educational displays for families and children of all ages
300 East Port Marina Drive • Hood River thehistorymuseum.net • (541) 386-6772 hrheritagecouncil@gmail.com OPEN: Monday-Saturday, 11am-4pm
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wine spotlight
Jacob Williams Winery A tasting room with a view––and so much more BY AMBER MARRA / PHOTOS BY EMMA BROWNE
B
rad Gearhart has always sought to entice Columbia River Gorge visitors and locals alike with stellar wine, but one step inside of the brand new tasting room at Jacob Williams Winery completes the experience. Gearhart started Jacob Williams in 2007, but that wasn’t his first time dabbling in the wine industry. In 2003 he and some friends founded Dry Hollow Winery in The Dalles, from which he garnered a working relationship with his winemaker and consultant, John Haw. The two have worked together ever since, watching as Jacob Williams, named for Gearhart’s two sons,
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grew into the recently expanded tasting room located between Dallesport and Wishram on the Washington side of the eastern Gorge. Though they’re only in high school, Jacob and William both make appearances at the winery from time to time to either help put together wine club shipments or aid in the bottling process. Gearhart’s father also spent years pouring wine for guests; it’s been a family affair. From the former modest tasting room and production facility to the new tasting room with its sweeping views of the Columbia River and Mount Hood, Jacob Williams has followed a long-held plan by Gearheart,
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THE NEXT GENERATION OF WASHINGTON WINE
can be found in the heart of the incredible Columbia Gorge, only 75 breathtaking minutes east of Portland.
For individual winery info: WINERIESOFLYLE.COM
“wine on our scale is an intimate encounter– a snapshot of a grape, a place, and a season, transmuted by human influence” –Grower and Winemaker, Brian McCormick
Memaloose Memaloose / Idiot’s Grace
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34 State Street (hwy 14), Lyle, WA 98635
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360-635-2887
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WinesoftheGorge.com
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General Tips for Visiting Gorge Wine Country Courtesy of the Columbia Gorge Winegrowers Association (columbiagorgewine.com)
and he’s glad to see it come to fruition—especially after working meticulously with the Columbia River Gorge Commission to ensure that the e xpansion met the specifications set forth by the federal National Scenic Area Act. “The key is having such a nice location in addition to the quality of our wine,” Gearhart said. “You’ve got to see it.” The tasting room, with its wrap around patio, is
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enhanced by the impressive views of the Gorge as well as the courteous, knowledgeable staff led by Crystal Borup, tasting room manager. “All of our wines have been really consistent over the years,” Borup said. “To me, they all have a really nice finish. They’re not too harsh or overly tannic.” That consistency likely stems from the sustaining relationship between Gearhart and Haw over the past 12 years. Haw has made wine for more than 40 years in multiple states, and was Maryhill Winery’s original winemaker. But despite his vast experience elsewhere, he maintains that the Columbia River Gorge is the best wine-growing region in the nation. “I’ve made wine in Michigan, California, Oregon and Washington and this is the place, no question,” he said. “You have so many different micro-climates around here, from our high-altitude, cold Pinot Noir vineyard to the Horse Heaven Hills area, which is super warm. You can get a very elegant, austere Cabernet or a late-harvest Zin, a classic Pinot Noir, Char-
• Consider hiring a designated driver. • Refrain from wearing heavily scented items, such as perfumes and lotions. Even lipstick can affect your wine tasting experience. Allow the day to be filled with the aromas of wine! • Explore varietals unfamiliar to you. Often these can be a delightful surprise. • Ask questions of the tasting room staff. Gorge residents are proud to live here and serve local wines, and love to share wine knowledge with others. Ask staff where to have dinner or to stay, where to hike and where to play. • Don’t be afraid to use the dump buckets. It is not a sign that you don’t care for a wine, and no one will be offended if you spit out a wine or dump what is left in your glass. On the contrary, most wine staff appreciate that it may be necessary to not swallow every wine in order to maintain your wine tasting pleasure and maintain your palate. • Try a mid-week excursion. Often tasters who visit on a weekday find the tasting rooms more intimate and the experience more one-on-one. • Have fun. Don’t take it too seriously. After all, wine is about enjoyment on your personal level. Drink what you like and enjoy with others.
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The Sadie Red, named for Gearhart’s 8-year-old Labrador Retriever, is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, all of which were grown between 2006 and 2009.
have a permanent home and often had to move locations. “We moved around a few times before we found our home, so a lot of times we weren’t able to bottle as soon as we traditionally would have,” Haw said. “Over the years I found that certain vineyards’ fruit greatly benefits from 24-plus months in oak, and we’ve been able to do that and we’re continuing to go in that direction.” Haw and Gearhart’s patience pays off both in quality and accolades. Every wine is aged between 18 and 36 months, which results in enhanced complexity and smoothness. Gearhart points to the 2011 Merlot that he says recently turned a corner to reveal flavors of dark cherry, cocoa, vanilla, and hints of smoke. Great Northwest Wine has called the Merlot, along with the 2012 Pinot Noir, “Outstanding.” The winery boasts a dozen medals from the Northwest Wine Summit and other competitions. “The Merlot is more expressive with the fruit and flavors,” Gearhart said. “2011 was a very cool year and as a result it’s got these really nice, delicate
donnay, Gewurztraminer, Viognier. It’s a cornucopia of opportunities.” With so many different varietals at hand, Haw is able to ensure that each is aged to perfection. He and Gearhart have a strict rule of allowing wines to age to maturity—a rule that Haw says came to be almost by accident in the winery’s early years when it didn’t
fabulous wine tasting in a beautiful place
n
formatio
r more in
call us fo
This summer join us for a one-of-a-kind wine experience Standard Tasting • Reserve Tasting Tour & Tasting • Barrel Tasting • Cellar Tasting and Connoisseur Tasting open daily year round 11am-6pm (541) 386-2882 • 4200 Post Canyon Drive, Hood River
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From vine to bottle flavors. It’s evolved, which wine does. That’s part of the enjoyment of all wine. It keeps changing. It’s really dependent on the season, the soil, when you pick, and the natural conditions of the year, so there’s a lot to it.” The winery’s bestseller is a microcosm of Gearhart and Haw’s dedication to allowing wine to mature. The Sadie Red, named for Gearhart’s 8-year-old Labrador Retriever, is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, all of which were grown between 2006 and 2009. The reserve Zinfandel is another red that Jacob Williams produces which benefits from being aged since 2010. It has a plummy nose followed by jammy fruit and black pepper. Another standout in the Jacob Williams’ lineup is the reserve Chardonnay. Unlike its red counterparts, this white wonder has been on stainless steel since 2013, but the natural oak and nut flavors produced by the grapes make this one almost unbelievably smooth. “It has a nut finish and almost a woody taste without being oaked,” Gearhart said. “People have come into the tasting room and argued with staff, saying that they think it’s been on oak because they can taste it.” One thing that’s hard to argue with at Jacob Williams is the quality of the wine, or the view from the tasting room.
Our beautiful Hood River wine tasting room is open daily, from 11am to 5pm. Here you can experience not only fine Mt. Hood wines but also extraordinary vineyard views.
Trust us...you’ll come for the wine and stay for the views! We specialize in estate grown Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, and Riesling, along with Barbera, Chardonnay, Grenache, & Syrah.
541.386.8333 2 8 8 2 Va n H o r n D r . Hood River i n f o @ m t h o o d w i n e r y. c o m / / m t h o o d w i n e r y. c o m
Mt. Hood Winery
award-winning hand-crafted wines from estate grown grapes & fruit sourced from top notch vineyards
Jacob Williams Winery is located at 3 Avery Road in Wishram, Washington. For more information, go to jacobwilliamswinery.com.
welcoming tasting room & patio
5.5 scenic miles south of hood river on hwy 35
541.386.1277 / wyeastvineyards.com currently open on weekends: noon-5pm or so after mid-april, open daily: 11am-5pm or so
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Winery Events Lyle Wine Weekend The “Wineries of Lyle” host a weekend of wine tasting June 27-28 at the four wineries: Cor Cellars, Domaine Pouillon, Memaloose and Syncline. Enjoy free wine tasting at all four wineries when you purchase a commemorative wine glass at any of the wineries. (wineriesoflyle.com) Wine and Disc Golf Domaine Pouillon kicks off summer with a Father’s Day disc golf doubles tournament June 21 at the newly-finished disc golf course located on the winery grounds. All ages and skill levels are welcome. The course, dubbed the Lost Barrel Disc Golf Course, features homemade wine barrel baskets. The tournament has two categories: amateur (father-son/daughter) and advanced (for anyone who wants to find a partner and play). The $40 registration fee includes a bottle of Black Dot (a red blend), two signature stemless logo glasses and logo putters. (domainepouillon.com)
Maryhill Winery hosts “Live Music on the Terrace” PHOTOS COURTESY OF MARYHILL WINERY
Maryhill Winery hosts “Live Music on the Terrace” every weekend afternoon through September. Featuring folk, jazz, blues and everything in between, “Live Music on the Terrace” is a free, family- and dog-friendly outdoor music event at Maryhill Winery’s tasting room in the eastern Gorge. Guests can relax on the terrace while enjoying live music, stunning views of the Gorge and Maryhill’s award-winning wines. Performances are Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. Maryhill Winery has been named the 2015 Pacific Northwest Winery of the Year by Wine Press Northwest. It’s the 10th largest winery in Washington state and produces 80,000 cases annually. Maryhill’s 3,000-square-foot tasting room and 1,200-square-foot
Reserve Room draw more than 75,000 wine enthusiasts from around the world each year, ranking it among the top five most visited wineries in the state. Maryhill sources more than 30 different varietals of grapes from some of the most highly-regarded vineyards in the state. It produces over 50 different wines, and has claimed more than 3,000 awards since its first vintage in 2001. (maryhillwinery.com)
Ruins Tuesday Springhouse Cellar hosts its popular Ruins Tuesday event every Tuesday throughout the summer. The weekly event features live music, Springhouse wine, craft beers and a local food vendor onsite. All ages are welcome from 5:30 to 7 p.m., no cover. From 7 to 9:30 p.m., 21 and over are welcome with a $3 cover. (springhousecellar.com)
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Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum
Welcome to the Heights
At Good News Gardening you'll find plant starts, soil, gardening supplies, and more.
HO OD R I V E R , OR E G ON
9am: Start your day with breakfast in the Garden CafĂŠ at Good News Gardening. Stop at Marley's Corner Pub for some handmade pasties and a pint of imported beer or cider.
10am: Head south on Tucker Road to Hood River Coffee Roasters to pick up some fresh-roasted coffee by the pound. 11am: Stop by Grow Organic, where you can find organic solutions to all your gardening needs. Noon: Choose from a wide variety of lunch spots, including Marley’s Corner Pub, the Farm Stand, Pine Street Bakery, and the Hood River Taqueria. 1:30pm: Stop by Ovino Market for a cold mug of cider in the Beer & Cider Garden.
2pm: Take a scenic drive south to WAAAM, the renowned Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum, home to one of the largest collections of still-flying antique airplanes in the country. 5pm: Celebrate happy hour at Volcanic Bottle Shoppe, with its rotating taps and more than 260 beers in bottles and cans. 6pm: Grab some fresh, organic produce and meat for the grill at Rosauers Supermarket.
The Farm Stand offers fresh, seasonal fish delivered weekly, along with a wide variety of gluten-free foods.
Find organic soil, organic pest control, and growing supplies for your summer garden.
8pm: Grab dessert at Heights Ice Cream or Cherries Frozen Yogurt.
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m arketpl ace : h o od river h eigh ts HOOD RIVER COFFEE ROASTERS
GROW ORGANIC
We have changed our name from Hood River Coffee Co. to Hood River Coffee Roasters to better reflect what we do! For 26 years we have been the Gorge’s premier roaster supplying fine restaurants, espresso bars, grocery stores, and we even sell our fresh-roasted coffee by the pound to retail customers, like you! We are open Mon-Thurs, 9am-5pm and Fri, 9am-3pm.
This summer, find your organic pest control, livestock feed and growers supplies at Grow Organic. Pests devouring your garden? Ask us about integrated pest management techniques and find organic solutions that work. We carry an array of organic poultry feed for all stages of development including unique treats for your hardworking hens. We also have organic soils and amendments for your special plants.
1310 Tucker Road • (541) 386-3908 hoodrivercoffeeco.com
2015 12th Street • (541) 632-3478 groworganics.org
GOOD NEWS GARDENING
VOLCANIC BOTTLE SHOPPE
Find everything you need for your summer veggie garden plus herbs, vines, roses, shrubs, trees, annuals and perennials. We also have a great selection of seeds, fertilizers, soil, tools, and decorative pots. Visit our Garden Café for breakfast or lunch, the daily menu includes: salads, sandwiches, homemade desserts, tea, espresso. We use fresh, organic sustainably-grown food right from our garden.
Visit Volcanic for the most extensive and diverse selection of craft and import beer, cider, mead and gluten-free beer in the Gorge! We rotate over 260 beers and 30 ciders in bottles and cans, along with 10 meads and 50 wines. We feature rotating taps of 11 beers and one cider. Enjoy your drinks in our private beer garden or carry them out to wherever the wind blows you.
1086 Tucker Road • (541) 386-6438 goodnewsgardening.com
1410 12th Street • (541) 436-1226 volcanicbottleshoppe.com
MARLEY'S CORNER PUB
WAAAM
We are a casual, pocket-sized neighborhood pub and patio. Our menu has a little something for everyone, including savory homemade pasties (European-style hand pies), fish & chips, soups from scratch, salads, a few signature sandwiches, and more. We pour Scottish beer on tap, an excellent selection of bottled UK imports, wine, and ciders. All ages are welcome. Open MonSat, 11am-9pm. Happy Hour, 4pm-6pm.
Visit the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum and see one of the largest collections of still flying antique vehicles in the country. A large new expansion has recently opened to accomodate more cars and antique engines, and allow for an expanded Kid’s Zone. Open daily from 9am-5pm.
1216 C Street at 13th Street • (541) 386-0153 www.facebook.com/marleyscorner
1600 Air Museum Road • (541) 308-1600 waaamuseum.org
Reserve ad space for the Fall 2015 issue!
Analemma Vineyard in Mosier (photo by Michael Peterson)
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Gorge Dog has everything you need for a heathy, happy and stylish pooch.
Sentiment Tattooed Steel Cuff Bracelet, find it and other fine accessories at Hood River Jewelers.
Enjoy wine and tapas style food pairings at Aniche Cellars’ new tasting room.
Discover Downtown HO OD R I V E R , OR E G ON
Spend a day in this beautiful and vibrant hub of the Gorge 9am: Gab coffee and a pastry at Gound.
3pm: Head to Cutie Pie Consignment for a wide selection of quality, gently used clothes and toys for the little ones.
10am: Go jewelry shopping. Check out the variety of unique jewelry retailers, including Hood River Jewelers, Apland Jewelers, Twiggs and Silverado.
3:30pm: If you’re a quilter, don’t miss ETC for all your supplies and classes.
11am: Head to Sparkling Creations for beads and other supplies to make your own jewelry. Noon: Choose from a variety of restaurants serving lunch, including Sixth Street Bistro, Full Sail Brew Pub, and Brian’s Pourhouse. Or grab a sandwich at Boda’s Kitchen or Doppio, or pizza at Andrew’s or Pietro’s. 1pm: Cool off with an iced coffee drink at Dog River Coffee or Doppio. 2pm: Do some serious shopping at the one-of-a-kind boutiques, including Ruddy
Everything you need for your next sewing or quilting project is at ETC.
Duck, Plenty, Melika, Parts & Labour and Doug’s. Send the guys to check out 2nd Wind Sports and Big Winds. Hand-crafted jewelry and wedding sets designed by Ken Apland.
4pm: Don’t forget Fido. Check out Gorge Dog for all your canine needs. 5pm: Hit one of the tasting rooms for a glass of wine. Be sure to check out the new downtown AniChe Cellars Tasting Room. 6pm: Head to Celilo for dinner. Other good options include Sushi Okalani, Double Mountain Brewery and Big Horse Brew Pub. 8pm: Go to Mike’s Ice Cream for dessert. 9pm: Find some live music at River City Saloon, Double Mountain Brewery or one of the wine tasting rooms.
Find high-end clothing, accessories, and toys for your little ones at Cutie Pie.
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marketpl ace: d owntown ho od ri ver CUTIE PIE
ANICHE TASTING ROOM
An eco-chic children's boutique, specializing in high-end, modern consignment. We carry only the best for your babes! In addition to rad clothing, we feature some of the safest products on the market and many locally crafted lines, from moccasins to wood teething rattles. Honored to be Hood River's family spot, where there's always a friendly parent ready to assist!
AniChe Cellars is a small family run, artisan winery located in the Columbia Gorge. We make wines honoring the traditional European style and the symbiosis between wine and food. Our winery boasts an all female winemaking team, making food friendly, approachable wines. Visit us in our downtown Hood River location for tapas style food pairings with our award winning wines!
212 4th Street • (541) 436-2777 Find us on Facebook
311 Oak Street, Suite B • anichecellars.com
APLAND JEWELERS
GORGE DOG
Craftsman jewelers and designers, we sell and repair in our state of the art shop. A second generation jeweler, Ken Apland brings 33 years of experience. Our other goldsmiths and designers bring an additional 31 years of combined experience. We have an intimate understanding of what an item might need, from rebuilding an heirloom to creating your own unique design from scratch.
With our love for animals and longtime relationship with retail, we set out to offer great canine products with excellent service and a fun store environment. We invite you to dig through our vast collection of animal accessories, bedding, treat and more. And of course, friendly dogs are always welcome.
216 Oak Street • (541) 386-3977 info@aplandjewelers.com
412 Oak Street • (541) 387-3996 gorgedog.com
ETC (Every Thread Counts)
HOOD RIVER JEWELERS
Our store is a quilters dream...you will findsewing supplies, fabric, thread, patterns, and kits. We also offer quilting and sewing classes for beginners to advanced. See our web site for more information.
We are artists and professional jewelers. If you are looking for something special, we can custom design it. We work with silver, gold, platinum and more. We can use your stone or work with you to find the perfect stone for your needs. Hood River Jewelers also carries beautiful timepieces, diamond jewelry and designer collections.
514 State Street • (541) 386-5044 etcquiltshop.com
(541) 386-6440 • 415 Oak Street hoodriverjewelers.com
Celebrating fresh local food
A new publication by the Hood River News highlighting the growing array of producers and the flourishing movement in the Gorge.
“local food first”
available at select businesses and these newspapers: Hood River News, 419 State St. Hood River The Dalles Chronicle, 315 Federal St. The Dalles
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Stay overnight at the historic Camas Hotel, which has been hosting guests for 103 years. The boutique hotel features elegant rooms and a light-filled atrium, and its location in the heart of historic downtown Camas makes it the perfect base for guests who want to explore the city on foot.
Visit Historic Downtown
Birch Street Uptown Lounge offers classic cocktails, along with draft beer and wine.
C A M AS , WASH I N G TON
Summer Events
Discover this charming, historic town at the gateway to the Gorge 9am: Start your day with coffee and a pastry at Caffe Piccolo Paradiso. 10am: Go shopping for gifts and antiques at Camas Antiques. 11am: Head to Lizzabeth A for unique home décor.
Nuestra Mesa features authentic Mexican food.
Noon: Have lunch at Nuestra Mesa.
1pm: Hit the boutiques, including Lily Atelier, Bella Vita and Lil’ Dudes and Divas for the younger set.
CAMAS •C amas Farmer’s Market: Every Wednesday, June thru September, 3-7pm • Camas Car Show: July 11, 4-8:30pm •C amas Days: July 24-25, Crafts & Food Court: 10am-8pm and Wine, Microbrew & Music: 5-11pm • L aCamas Lake Half Marathon & 5K: July 26, 7:30am-Noon, Hosted by Fit Right. •C amas Vintage & Art Faire: August 29, 9am-4pm, Hosted by Camas Antiques and the DCA WASHOUGAL •R ace for the Future 2015: June 14 Washougal Motocross • Columbia Gorge International Film Festival: August 6-16 • SUP Salmon Classic: August 30, 9am-4pm
3pm: Shop for shoes at Arktana. 5pm: Head to K’Syrah for happy hour. 6pm: Have dinner Camas Hotel’s Harvest Restaurant. 8pm: Settle in at the Birch Street Uptown Lounge for a nightcap and, on weekends, live music.
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m a rk etpl ace : h istoric d ow ntow n ca mas CAMAS HOTEL
BIRCH STREET UPTOWN LOUNGE
This delightful boutique hotel, located in the heart of Historic Downtown Camas, is walking distance to nearby restaurants, pubs, shops, and salons. Just 15 minutes from PDX the hotel provides a unique and relaxing landing spot to explore Portland, Vancouver and the scenic Columbia River Gorge. Most rooms include: complimentary breakfast, free wifi, and offstreet parking as well as movie tickets for the vintage Camas Liberty Theater.
Our vision was to create a space that you might find in the entertainment districts of Portland, Seattle or New York City. We serve classic-style handcrafted cocktails, draft beer, wine, and a little food in a beautiful setting with a vintage vibe in a building that dates to 1928. Live entertainment every Friday and Saturday, open 4pm to midnight every evening. (360) 210-7219 • 311 NE Birch Street birchstreetuptownlounge.com
(360) 834-5722 • camashotel.com
DOWNTOWN CAMAS ASSOCIATION (DCA)
NUESTRA MESA Owners Todd Moravitz lived in Mexico, his wife Tania grew up in Mexico City and together they brought the vibrant flavors of Mexican cuisine to their restuarant, Nuestra Mesa. Enjoy delicious food, vegetarian options, signature cocktails, and beer on tap while dining in their downtown location or drinking in the newly expanded bar area. Locally sourced, sustainable, and organic ingredients are used when possible.
We invite you to come enjoy Downtown Camas! Stroll the charming streets, shop in our boutiques, dine in one of our many eateries and pubs. Take in a movie at the historic Liberty Theatre and enjoy live music every weekend. Pamper yourself with a spa massage and unwind at our beautiful hotel. We are proud of our heritage and community. We have a vibrant historic downtown and we want to share it with you!
(360) 210-5311 • 228 NE 4th Avenue nuestramesacamas.com
DOWNTOWN WASHOUGAL
WA S H O U GA L
(360) 216-7378 • downtowncamas.com
COTTONWOOD BEACH
CAPE HORN TRAIL
MORE ATTRACTIONS, MORE FUN.
V I S I T WA S H O U GA L . C O M
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BY DON CAMPBELL P H O T O S B Y J AY C A R R O L L , RICHARD HALLMAN, AND ADAM LAPIERRE
A dedicated group of paragliders is giving the sport a resurgence in the Gorge, where challenging conditions reap stunning vistas
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L
ike a bird, Jon Malmberg makes flight look easy. He goes where few go, does what few do. He is fearless, not in a wild and recklessly abandoned way, but in a quiet, bird-natural, almost Zen way. In a life that has taken him around the world and earned him a highly regarded international reputation, the 47-year-old tackles a heart-stopping array of assumed-risk sports with the spirit and discipline of a sensei. You get a distinct impression that standing still holds little interest for him. He would rather soar, slide, jump or fall in a crazy adrenalin rush of controlled mayhem, all in the name of adventure sport. Malmberg by vocation is an engineer at Insitu, a company that deals with its own kind of aviation—the unmanned kind electronically and remotely guided by humans planted firmly on Earth. But Malmberg, in addition to his world-class exploits as a skier, mountain biker, windsurfer and kiteboarder, base jumper and speed flyer (wing and snow) is—and forgive the awful pun—the
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wind beneath the wings of a growing number of Columbia River Gorge paragliders. Think parachute, with the ability to control, steer, and stay joyously aloft for hours at a time. You’ve likely seen the graceful and colorful arcs of these aerodynamic wings harnessed to pilots near Bingen, Cliffside to the east above the John Day Dam, Bald Butte near Parkdale, and a fresh site at The Dalles Mountain Ranch. Paragliding enjoyed a heyday here in the early ‘00s, with some of the world’s best coming here to soar, though the Gorge, a deep 2,000-foot chasm, is not an ideal location for this sport born in Europe. Conditions have to be nearly perfect for foot-powered aviation. Nonetheless, the Gorge does offer bird’s-eye vistas that rival any place on the planet. But the sport waned as many of those famed pioneer pilots left to try skies in other areas until recently, when Malmberg, an accredited instructor with thousands of hours of flight time and a well-honed and innate sense of who’s ready to solo and who isn’t, begat what he calls a new “tribe” of pilots in the area. “We’re building our army,” he says with a smile, with some 20 people who fly regularly here, and another 10 newbies who are going through exacting training and accreditation. In every sport he does, Malmberg aims to not necessarily be the “best” but the best educated, most knowledgeable, and accomplished. As an engineer, he deals with cognitive learning, over-studying and over-understanding every aspect. “Everything I do, I do that way,” he says. “It’s how I get good. It’s the ability to control the adrenalin and function in that space. It’s control in a moment of chaos.” It requires, and he gives it, his total focus and attention. It is truly in-the-moment living. Malmberg is among a small handful of instructors in the Gorge. For him, teaching is not about making money, but continuing to build his cadre of accomplished flyers. Though he will teach you a
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rigorous discipline of technique, knowing how to read conditions, risk mitigation, and knowing when to fly and when not to, there is only one true requirement: dedication. “Things can go wrong fast,” he says. “The skillset we develop must be maintained. We don’t have perfect flying conditions. You have to commit.” Malmberg can generally tell within ten minutes of meeting someone who thinks they’re interested in becoming a pilot if they’re going to follow through. It’s a sixth sense in observing general disposition, how they do in other sports, and an excitement level. “It’s quickly apparent,” he says, “if they have the touch.” THE SPORT OF WINGS Jay Carroll had the touch and was one of the early paragliding pilots in the area. He easily name-drops his compatriots who brought the sport here—Mark Telep, Bill Gordon, Pete King, Dr. Peter Reagan, Ancil Nance—most of whom have departed for other places. He has essentially retired from the sport himself, after a
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nasty crash in the Alps in 2000 that broke both of his ankles but spared his life. He is an ardent supporter and passionate spokesperson for the sport. The storied history of paragliding is adventurously long, dating back to the ‘60s and early experiments with double-surface and single surface wings. It picked up speed in the late ‘70s with Frenchmen Jean-Claude Betemps, Andre Bohn, and Gerard Bosson, known as the Choucas Club, who experimented with launching ram-air parachutes on foot, giving birth to the sport of parapente. The sport took root in the Northwest in the mid-‘80s, with some major exploits in Washington’s Cascades. It naturally spread to the Gorge. “Guys came out here for paragliding,” Carroll says. “It was a natural place.” Paragliding, he explains, is an actual aircraft that conveniently fits in a backpack. Unlike hang gliders, with fixed frames, paragliding is simple in form, but requires significant skill. Pilots are equipped with a wing, a harness, a radio, a vari-
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ometer, and often GPS. Governed in the United States by the U.S. Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association, local clubs including the Cascade Paragliding Club, are largely responsible for helping to enforce stringent training and access to launching and landing sites. The first step for any novice is generally a tandem ride, which doesn’t require much except finding a certified tandem pilot. From there, the excited newbie can take classes from an instructor such as Malmberg and begin the qualification process. Carroll says he can’t stress strongly enough the safety side of the sport. “Everyone has had an accident,” he says, “or some sort of incident. It is a dangerous sport. It’s never a bad decision to not fly. For instructors it’s nerve-wracking to impart that sensibility.” For Malmberg, it’s a simple edict: “It’s better to be on the ground wishing you were in the air, than in air wishing you were on the ground.” Interested and motivated beginners should be able to run at a picnic table and jump up on the bench. It does require some strength. Experienced pilots like Carroll and Malmberg have logged 75 continuous miles or more in the air (and have often stuck out a thumb to get home). But for Carroll, the rewards are out of this world. “It’s the simplicity,” he says. “You can smell and feel the air. I started ‘seeing’ air. It’s a connection to the environment.”
knew Malmberg, and out of idle curiosity, the fitness enthusiast sought him out for a tandem flight to learn more about the sport. “It wasn’t like just getting on a roller coaster,” she says. It was about feeling what was happening. Malmberg asked her inflight if she could sense what the wind was doing to the wing. “It was learning at the same time. And then you see the birds flying in front of you.” That led her to Cape Kiwanda on the Oregon Coast, where, in short flights, she got the wing over her head. “That was the first time my feet left the ground,” she says. “You land barefooted on the
A NEWBIE TAKES OFF Even though paragliders are, says Malmberg, “The slowest thing in the sky,” and take on significant risk to life and limb, the lure to lift off under a paragliding wing was too great for Mary Creighton to ignore. A Gorge resident and a sales director for Vacasa, Creighton had a conversation about the sport with a friend who
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beach in soft sand. It’s one of the best feelings I’ve ever had. I didn’t expect that because I was concentrating so hard. Once I finally did land and my feet touched the sand, it was an amazing feeling.” She was hooked, and began her instruction to learn the mechanics of flight, how to understand her surroundings, weather and communications, and then on to the requisite tests to start moving her through the P1-P4 ratings, where P1 is a pure student, P2 is solo flying, P3 is intermediate and P4 is expert. To get to that P2 rating, you need a minimum of 25 flights. When conditions are exactly right, Malmberg sends out a text message to the tribe, and they convene at a specified location. Just recently at Cliffside, Creighton got a shot at her first true extended solo flight. It was only 1,200 feet and a hair-raising three minutes, but it gave her the first opportunity to make turns over the landing zone, and perhaps more importantly, see the Columbia River from
that height. She still thinks about the feeling of her feet leaving the ground. “I thought my stomach would drop,” she says, “But instead I felt weightless. To be honest my hands shook a little bit in the air the whole time.” She admits to landing on her butt instead of her feet at the end of her flight, but Malmberg consoled her with the fact that most novices do that on their first flight because in the excitement, they actually forget to use their feet. She figured she’d be nervous. In her other athletic pursuits—trail running, yoga, cycling—there’s plenty of chance to ruminate. Paragliding is different. “I didn’t think of a single thing, other than where I was,” Creighton says. “I even forgot where I was, except as it related to flying.” In the course of her first solo venture, she launched herself correctly in what’s called the “torpedo” position with hips and body
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forward and arms behind, akin to the form of a flying superhero but with a wing overhead instead of a cape. But her heightened enthusiasm got the better of her so much so that she entirely forgot to sit back in her harness and relax. “The entire time,” she says, “I was sitting almost entirely forward with uncontainable excitement, eyes unblinking, and a big smile like a toddler in a baby swing.” On her second attempt of the day, she was more relaxed and could concentrate more on the details—sitting back in the harness, taking deep breaths, and fully enjoying the thrill of the wind in her face. “I appreciated how gentle the movements were,” she says. “It’s really an elegant motion when done correctly. I have a ways before I make it look like it should be done.” But there’s no measuring the joy and power of a soaring spirit.
Don Campbell is a freelance writer who lives in Portland and Mosier. He's a frequent contributor to The Gorge Magazine.
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High Tech Boom
A cluster of high tech firms in the Gorge helps drive the regional economy
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B Y JA N E T C O O K
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PHOTOS BY MICHAEL PETERSON
he Gorge is known for the things that have put it on the map: wind, outdoor recreation, scenic beauty, fruit. There’s also the lifestyle that has grown up around all this, a laid-back vibe with an ethos of working hard and playing hard, of flip-flops as office-appropriate attire, of lunch-hour sessions on the river or the trail, of five-minute commutes. It’s these very things that have also given rise to one of the most notable economic shifts to happen in the Gorge since the downturn in logging more than three decades ago: the rise of technology as an economic driver. There may be no need to put a catchy label on the Gorge à la Silicon Valley. After all, we already have an enviable regional identity. But make no mistake: the Gorge is home to a substantial number of a high tech businesses, some of them major players or up-andcoming contenders in their fields. A majority of the Gorge high tech “cluster” is based around the aerospace industry, but it’s gone beyond that core, too. The Gorge Technology Alliance, a professional trade organization that supports and advocates for the tech industry, has been tracking this trend for the past 10 years. The organization got its start after the Mid-Columbia Economic Development District received a grant in 2004 to do “cluster strategy work” in the five-county region it encompasses: Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Skamania and Klickitat. The grant allowed the agency to conduct research that would identify industries “where there was a lot of activity happening,”
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according to Jessica Metta, executive director of the GTA. Five clusters were identified: the arts, wine, renewable energy, alternative healthcare and high tech. MCCED began outreach to Gorge tech companies in order to identify what it could do to support the tech cluster. “There came out of that a desire to create an organization to help grow and brand that cluster,” Metta said. The GTA was formed shortly after, with its core mission to grow the tech industry in the Gorge. This year marks its 10th anniversary. The roots of high tech in the Gorge began before that, of course. It dates back to the early 1990s when Andy von Flotow, then an aeronautics professor at MIT, decided to pack up his East Coast life and his family and move to Hood River, where there was, among other perks, better windsurfing. He soon founded Hood Technology, an aviation-centered engineering company. Von Flotow lured his former Stanford classmate, Tad McGeer, to the Gorge a couple of years later. McGeer was then working on developing small robotic planes, a venture that, in 1994, became Insitu, co-founded by von Flotow and McGeer. The company that has become synonymous with unmanned aerial vehicles— drones—was bought by Boeing in 2008. It was, and continues to be, the nexus around which the high tech industry in the Gorge has grown. As Insitu expanded, small companies that supplied components to it sprung up—sometimes started by former Insitu employees who’d ventured out on their own. By the time the GTA was formed, a tech cluster had officially planted itself in the Gorge.
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Although the aerospace field is heavily represented, many other tech firms are located here. There’s Google, which built a data center in The Dalles in 2006 and has expanded twice since then. Cardinal Glass, which manufactures its insulating glass windows and doors south of Hood River in Odell, employs more than 200 people. According to the GTA, at least 18 high tech companies have started here over the last decade. That doesn’t include companies that were here before that, or others that aren’t members of the GTA. The high tech boom in the Gorge has done no less than help shape a new economy here. Insitu employs about 650 people, dispersed among its Bingen, White Salmon and Hood River offices. Hundreds of other jobs are spread across smaller tech firms. And those jobs pay well. A 2013 study by the GTA found that the average annual salary in the UAV industry was $68,000, compared to $17,000 and $24,000 in tourism and agriculture respectively, two of the region’s largest industries. In Hood River County, the number of professional and business jobs, a category that includes engineering, increased 31 percent from 2008 to 2014, according to the Oregon Employment Department. Average annual wages in that category increased 49 percent, from $41,000 to $61,000 over the same period. According to an article published in May by Quartz, an online business news publication, Klickitat County (where Insitu is based) boasted a rise in median income of 23 percent from 2010 to 2013. The rise in median income for the country as a whole during that period was two percent.
Metta sees the high tech scene in the Gorge continuing to expand. The GTA has grown to include about 100 members, representing companies of all sizes that are tech-related or support the mission of the GTA. The business members of the GTA represent upwards of 2,300 employees in the Gorge. Metta, who is employed by MCCED and works part time overseeing the GTA, has recently had her GTA hours expanded. That will allow her more time to focus on creating networking opportunities for tech businesses, engaging with members on workforce issues, education outreach, and branding the Gorge for high tech. Part of that branding, according to Metta, is focusing on the very things that have attracted the tech pioneers—and a lot of other people—here to begin with. “When we think about how we can attract more companies or employees, a lot of it is the focus on the lifestyle,” she said. “Everything that everybody else in the Gorge wants to do is what tech folks want to do, too.” The Gorge has become a tech hub, Metta said. “Our hope is to just keep fostering that environment, to bring more companies here, to help grow the ones that are here,” she added. “We want to create that Silicon Valley environment, where it’s easy to recruit and keep employees.” In the following pages, we’ve profiled a few of the high tech companies based in the Gorge to show the diversity of the industry here.
Gorge Technology Alliance hosts “Robot Rendezvous” The GTA hosts a 10th anniversary celebration on July 31 at the Columbia Gorge Hotel. The GTA, which supports the tech industry in the Gorge, is marking its first decade with a scholarship fundraiser dinner. Members of the GTA, as well as students who have worked in Lego robotics and other programs supported by the organization, will be on hand with products and demos. In addition, there will be a silent and live auction. Proceeds will fund a college scholarship being established by the GTA for students in the Gorge who plan to pursue degrees in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The event is open to the public. For more information, and tickets, go to crgta.org/robot-rendezvous, or call the GTA at (541) 296-2266.
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4-Tell
Location: Stevenson Founded: 2011 Employees: 8 Web: 4-tell.com
4-Tell sells an integrated suite of software products that helps retailers acquire and convert shoppers to buyers. The company’s software provides personalized product recommendations for shoppers via web, mobile devices, e-mail, ads and in-store, and re-engages shoppers with abandoned site and cart e-mail. “By analyzing shopper behaviors, we automatically and intelligently personalize the shopping experience,” says Ken Levy, co-founder and CEO. 4-Tell’s proprietary technology came out of the company co-founders’ work for the Netflix Prize competition held from 2006-09. More than 40,000 contestants from around the world competed in the challenge from Netflix to develop an improved algorithm for predicting how much a viewer was going to like a movie based on their movie preferences. The team that would become 4-Tell beat 98.5 percent of the entries and became convinced they could transfer their work into a commercially viable product superior to the costly consulting-based models that dominated the market for product recommendations. 4-Tell now serves two billion personalized actions per month for more than 200 clients, including The Clymb, ExOfficio and Lukie Games. Levy calls the Gorge “a great place to start a company.” “The Gorge attracts a personality type that is perfect for startups, and employees want to move here,” he says. “The same person who is great at extreme sports, like kiting, kayaking and skiing, is also a great employee for a startup that is disrupting the status quo.” He says he and his co-workers are “thrilled” not to have to fight traffic, among other things, and to be able to “live, breathe, work and play” in the Gorge. “We’ve found that happy founders and employees mean a more successful company,” he says.*
By analyzing shopper behaviors, we automatically and intelligently personalize the shopping experience. –Ken Levy, co-founder and CEO
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We take 3D models and lay extremely thin layers (of the powdered metals), then weld the micron layers together. It comes out denser than a cast part. –Erin Stone, CEO
i3DMFG
From its engineering and manufacturing headquarters in The Dalles, i3DMFG specializes in 3D metal printLocation: The Dalles ing. It provides rapid protoFounded: 2013 types and production parts Employees: 7 for the aerospace, medical, Web: i3dmfg.com firearms, robotics, energy, automotive and recreational gear industries. Using Direct Metal Laser Sintering, as well as other technologies, the company creates finished products from 3D models using aluminum, titanium, inconel, stainless steel, maraging steel and custom metal powder. “We take 3D models and lay extremely thin layers (of the powdered metals), then weld the micron layers together,” says Erin Stone, CEO. “It comes out denser than a cast part.” With its four different 3D printers and other equipment onsite in The Dalles, along with engineers on staff, the company can provide cost-effective 3D printing, scanning and post process finishing services for big and small companies. The company’s technology and manufacturing process minimizes waste and cost, and produces “a finished part that is a finished part,” Stone says. “It can be put into a spacecraft or an aircraft.” Parts manufactured by i3DMFG can be put directly into production, Stone adds. “They can be part of a manufacturing line.” The company chose The Dalles for its manufacturing facility for several reasons, according to Stone. She and her partner, Matt Garrett, received instrumental help from Mary Merrill, director of the Small Business Development Center at Columbia Gorge Community College, in seeking start-up financing. And Wasco County and the Port of The Dalles were very accommodating to their needs when they began looking for space for their manufacturing facility. “We’re very, very happy with the quality of the employees we’ve gotten from the area,” she adds. “We’ve had some great luck thus far.”* THE GORGE MAGAZINE I SUMMER 2015
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When manufacturing (these units), we seal in the atmospheric pressure of that elevation. Going up in elevation causes stress to the seal system, and also induces stress on the glass which can lead to breakage. –David Windsor, General Manager
Cardinal Glass
When Minnesota-based Cardinal Glass was looking for a place to set up a manufacturing facility for its insulating glass windows and doors, Hood River—or, more precisely, Odell—presented itself as a Location: Hood River perfect location. Why? Elevation. Founded: 2004 “When manufacturing (these units), we seal in the atmospher(in this location) ic pressure of that elevation,” says Employees: 200 David Windsor, general managWeb: cardinalcorp.com er. “Going up in elevation causes stress to the seal system, and also induces stress on the glass which can lead to breakage.” Similarly, going down in elevation causes the glass to “go concave,” Windsor says, reducing thermal performance and causing distortion in the glass. It turns out that 700 feet is the sweet spot. When manufactured at this elevation, glass can be shipped to both higher and lower elevations with no problem. In 2004, Cardinal opened its 186,000-square-foot manufacturing facility on the site of the former lower Hanel Mill, then long dormant, ushering in a new industry to replace one then dwindling. Along with its ideal elevation, being located in the Gorge makes transport of its glass products easy for Cardinal. “Hood River is ideally situated to access California, the Northwest and also Canada,” Windsor says. Cardinal employs 200 people at its Hood River facility. Windsor, who has headed up the Hood River plant since it opened, has found the Gorge to have a “great employee base.” “It’s exciting to see the Gorge grow in all varieties of business and life,” he says. “It’s a vibrant area full of people who care.”* 68
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Innovative Composite Engineering Location: White Salmon Founded: 1990 Employees: 70 Web: innovativecomposite.com
Innovative Composite Engineering (ICE), which manufactures structural carbon fiber parts, was one of the first technology companies in the Gorge. Founder Steve Maier launched his company in the heyday of windsurfing by making some of the first carbon fiber masts. Soon after, the company landed a contract to manufacture antennae enclosures for cell phone towers. Since then, ICE has grown to become an industry leader in composite engineering, design, testing and manufacturing—specializing in tubing and hollow products. It works with clients in a broad range of industries, including aerospace, automotive, industrial, oil and gas, military and recreational. Like many techies who came later, Maier moved to the Gorge for the lifestyle. One of his major requirements was being within an hour of an international airport. “It was a good place to start a business,” he says. “Floor space was cheap and it was very easy to find employees.” He’s watched as the Gorge—and the tech scene—have evolved over the years. “There was no tech scene here when we started,” he says. While the pool of highly qualified tech employees may be bigger, for Maier, the changes have made it somewhat more difficult to find employees for entry level manufacturing jobs. “We have people commuting here from Goldendale and Dufur,” he says. “That’s where they have to live to be able to afford it.” But growth has also helped ICE to expand its business—it works with customers around the U.S. and worldwide—and grow its base of operations. The company is now headquartered in a state-of-the-art custom facility on 13 acres in White Salmon. The 65,000-square-foot building has an additional 20,000 square feet available for rapid expansion should the need arise.*
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PerceivIt Location: Hood River Founded: 2014 Employees: 4 Web: perceivit.com
PerceivIt is on the cutting edge of what is being called the next phase of the Internet: the Internet of Things, or IoT. “It’s getting inanimate objects on the Internet,” says Jonah Peskin, company co-founder and MIT-educated computer scientist and electrical engineer. PerceivIt makes a device that can be plugged in to different meters—electricity, water, gas—to monitor and manage consumption (or generation) of resources. The device transmits data to the Internet for real-time monitoring. The technology can also be used to monitor critical machines and identify problems before they lead to expensive downtime. “There’s a whole industry of efficiency,” Peskin says. “Once a client gets information about how much energy or water or gas a commercial or industrial building is using, it can help those businesses reduce their costs by reducing usage.” PerceivIt’s systems are managed through web dashboards and mobile apps, making them easy to use and affordable. Lately, with the regional drought affecting much of the western U.S., Peskin and his co-workers have been working with water users like farmers and irrigation districts to help increase water conservation. Peskin moved to the Gorge in 2002 and, at the time, owned an electronics manufacturing company. “I came here for the quality of life and access to commerce and airports in Portland,” he says. PerceivIt evolved from Peskin’s former company as he began to see the growing need for electronic sensors. “One of the things I’ve found living here,” Peskin says, “for a small community, there’s really a large number of talented people here because it’s a wonderful place to be. That’s an asset to the Gorge in terms of attracting talent.”*
PerceivIt makes a device that can be plugged in to different meters—electricity, water, gas—to monitor and manage consumption (or generation) of resources.
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We provide a lot of services around all that, including project management, supply chain management, prototyping, product development and integration of different systems. –Andy Mack, president
Zepher
Zepher began in 2002 as a structural composites engineering company founded by Jaime Mack. When she was recruited by Insitu a couple of years later for a position as an enLocation: Bingen gineering design lead, Jaime’s husband, Andy, Founded: 2005 repurposed Zepher as a contract manufacEmployees: 20 turer. Today, Zepher operates as a turnkey Web: zepherinc.com manufacturer with the expertise and ability to source, build, test and deliver a wide variety of products, in industries ranging from aerospace to oil and gas. “We provide a lot of services around all that, including project management, supply chain management, prototyping, product development and integration of different systems,” Mack says. Zepher’s headquarters include a 24,000-square-foot production facility. In the 13 years Mack has lived in the Gorge, he’s watched the tech scene evolve. “A lot of the tech growth centered around Insitu,” he says. But he’s seen other tech firms grow from their work with different companies and industries. Although Zepher has done a lot of work for Insitu and the aerospace industry, Mack says, “We always work on diversifying.” Zepher has benefited from the tech cluster in the Gorge with its pool of highly qualified people for hire. “Some of our current staff started working for other companies in the area and either got laid off or wanted a change,” Mack says. “We’ve picked up great employees that way.” And, like others who have been lucky enough to build a viable business in the Gorge, Mack and his wife (who again works for Zepher) enjoy the perks of living here. “Having a good quality of life is important,” he says. “It’s why we live here and do our best to make a living here.”*
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A rustic, nature inspired venue for indoor or outdoor events with awe-inspiring views as the backdrop and beautiful lighting to set the mood. Make it an event to remember for years to come! Call us for more information and a tour.
Insurance and financial services agency specializing in all lines of property, home, and auto insurance. Also offering commercial and health insurance for small and medium size businesses.
(503) 516-9402 • capehornestate.com
For more information: (509) 427-5517 farmersagent.com/jlanz 25 SW Russell Avenue • Stevenson
THE PORT CASCADE LOCKS: 355 Wa Na Pa Street, Cascade Locks, OR • (541) 374-8619 • portofcascadelocks.org
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BLOOMSBURY Vintage and nature inspired collections for home, garden and gifts. European-style flower shop specializing in natural, organic designs and weddings in the Gorge. Our flower farm provides a seasonal selection of fresh flowers (for the DIY bride). (509) 427-4444 • bloomsburyshop.com 240 SW 2nd Street • Stevenson
STEVENSON MASSAGE
Amber Corey, LMP MA00024433 Jacque Lemon, LMP MA60486698
Come relax and rejuvenate with Stevenson Massage. We offer spa quality massage, without the spa price. For more information visit our website. (360) 865-9706 • Find us on Facebook stevensonmassage.com 77 SW Russell Avenue • Stevenson
WALKING MAN BREWING Established in 1999, we have become a must-stop destination for beer enthusiasts, travellers and friends near and far. Enjoy a spectacular dog-friendly beer garden or cozy up with a pint and a bite in the brewpub. (509) 427-5520 • walkingmanbeer.com 240 SW 1st Street • Stevenson
OUT ON A LIMB
Playful, Fresh and On Trend Modern cottage lifestyle, unique gifts and contemporary women’s clothing collection. Pared down, repurposed, industrial inspired interior sets the tone for an urban shopping experience in a small historic mill town. (509) 427-2271 • Find us on Facebook 240 SW 2nd Street • Stevenson
SKAMANIA COVES Close to all things Gorge, our luxury vacation rental homes and select RV spaces are nestled on 30 private acres along the Columbia River. Each rental home has Cascadian-style finishes, river access and stunning views of the Columbia Gorge. (509) 427-4900 • skamaniacoves.com 45932 State Hwy 14 • Stevenson
RIVER DRIFTERS Perfect for families, groups, and friends with trips for all ages and abilities. Guided rafting on the White Salmon, Deschutes, Clackamas Rivers, and more! Last minute reservations okay. For updates and specials follow us on Facebook and Twitter. (800) 972-0430 • riverdrifters.net
ASPEN LIMO TOURS
GATOR CREEK GARDENS
Since 2003 we have passionately strived to obtain the finest vehicles in the industry. We offer year-round executive transportation covering the Norhwest region, specializing in wine countries. Dept of Licensing, UTC, USDOT, State of Oregon, City of Portland, and PDX approved.
Wander leisurely along the pathways of our gardens…through majestic trees, unique shrubs, and assorted flowers…all planted with love. Our gift shop is filled with handmade treasures and variety of pottery. We also carry bark, compost, and rock.
(503) 274-9505 • aspenlimotours.com
For more information: (509) 427-0010 51 Hot Springs Road • Carson
SKAMANIA COUNTY VISITORS CENTER: 167 NW Second Street (Hwy 14), Stevenson, WA • (800) 989-9178 • skamania.org
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A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO WHILE DRIVING TO JACKSON HOLE FOR A PHOTO SHOOT, I PASSED TWO COWBOYS MENDING A FENCE. It was a cold, snowy day and their horses’ heads hung low in the wind. The cowboys had their oilskin drovers buttoned tightly around their necks; their hat brims sheltered their faces from the driving snow. For the briefest of moments I had a glimpse of Americana flashing by at 70 mph. It was a view of both the present and the past. The West was settled on the backs of cowboys and they have become a symbol of this country matched only by the bald eagle. Thinking about these men toiling in the elements of a late fall Wyoming afternoon, I was struck by how honest their work is. In this day and age of Gen X Internet millionaires, here is a way of life that has stood the test of time. I was compelled to try and understand why these men and women work as hard as they do for both their land and their animals. Thus was born a personal documentary project that has taken me from Wyoming to Colorado to Glenwood, Washington. John Jorgenson has a small ranch outside of Glenwood. The vast majority of the work he does is by himself, with his wife Tina, or during roundup with friends that are willing to help with the sorting, inoculating and branding of the calves. It’s a hard way to make a living, even with beef prices hovering around all-time highs. His is a labor of love and his bank account is carried on the hooves of his livestock. This is not a way to become financially secure, but then how do you put a price on a longstanding American way of life? —jock bradley
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903 EAST BROADWAY ▪ GOLDENDALE, WA (509) 773-3400 ▪ GOLDENDALECHAMBER.ORG
The Goldendale Charm Trail: follow the Golden Charm Trail for a special souvenir from your visit to Goldendale
EXPERIENCE GOLDENDALE and its year-round opportunities for fun and adventure. Plan your trip around favorite events or activities, and stay awhile to take in some of the most magnificent scenery in the west. local & regional art
BROKEN BOULDER FARM 290 Pipeline Road • (509) 250-0480 Find us on Facebook (509) 773-4928 • Find us on Facebook www.theglassonionrestaurant.com (See our ad on page 97)
CLIFF FLEURY REAL ESTATE Lucille A. Bevis, Sales Associate For more information (509) 773-9122 Affordable dream properties in spectacular Klickitat County! We offer nearly 40 years of combined real estate experience.
August 15, 2015 - August 16, 2015 For more information (509) 250-2001 Car Show • Bike Show • Talent Contest Presented by Columbia Gorge Chapter ABATE of Washington. Proceeds benefit New Hope Farms and Goldendale Little League. Sunday Poker Run at 9am Vendors and Tent camping Dry RV sites available
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We have a diverse array of lavender products. U-pick lavender in season, lavender plants, bedding plants, annuals and perennials, as well as veggie starts and produce.
Come visit one of the nations largest public telescopes!
GOLDENDALE OBSERVATORY STATE PARK
www.parks.wa.gov
Our artists work in media such as painting, glass, mosaics, wooden toys, fine weaving, jewelry, pottery, handmade cards, and more. 509-773-5100 1040 E Broadway, Goldendale www.bigriverartandcrafts.com
QUALITY INN & SUITES (509) 773-5881 • 808 E. Simcoe Drive www.choicehotels.com You get your money’s worth…and enjoy a good night’s sleep, breakfast service and overall value with complimentary high speed internet, newspaper and local calls.
GOLDENDALE CHAMBER 903 E Broadway • (509) 773-3400 www.goldendalechamber.org Open: Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm
Check out our website, facebook and twitter. When in Goldendale, come by the Chamber/Visitor Center. We’ll show you the way to the stars, wines, art, history and magnificent scenery.
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STAY, PLAY & ENJOY KLICKITAT COUNTY WASHINGTON
Finish a beautiful driving loop tour with a visit to our premium wineries, museums, colorful shops, farmers markets, and festive restaurants. Oh, and meet some of the friendliest folks around. Life is just better on the northside, join us…WE KNOW SUMMER. Enjoy a scenic whitewater rafting excursion, kiteboarding or windsurfing, world-class fishing, cycling trails, or star-gazing at the Goldendale Obeservatory…Klickitat County has it all! Whitewater Rafting
Farmer’s Markets
Maryhill Museum
Wine Tasting
Maps and Activity Brochures available at: www.KlickitatCounty.org/tourism www.MtAdamsChamber.com • (509) 493-3630 • Highway 14 at the Hood River Bridge www.GoldendaleChamber.org • (509) 773-3400 • 903 Broadway, Goldendale
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Kidding Around The Gorge The “ultimate guide for family fun” is revised and updated
Keeper of the Trails The 44 Trails Association is vital to maintaining a beloved part of the Mt. Hood National Forest BY BEN MITCHELL • PHOTOS BY DAVID WAAG
Several miles south of Parkdale, and beyond the eastern flank of Mount Hood, lies one of the most unique networks of trails in the entire Mt. Hood National Forest. The “44 trails” comprise over 100 miles of trails located within the eastern portions of the Hood River and Barlow Ranger Districts, just before the pines and firs of the forest give way to the sagebrush and dry grasses of the high desert. The name doesn’t refer to the number of trails, but rather the number designated for the U.S. National Forest Service Road that they all eventually flow into.
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There are, of course, many special areas around Mount Hood, but what makes the 44 trails unique is that they make up one of only a few areas that allow non-motorized multi-use recreation in the national forest for activities such as hiking, horseback riding, and in this case especially, mountain biking. But this network of trails, which features mountain-biking hotspots like Surveyor’s Ridge, and family-friendly hikes like Lookout Mountain (in this author’s opinion, one of the best hikes and views in the Gorge area), likely wouldn’t be what it is today without the 44 Trails Association. The group, made up
Two mom authors and adventurers have teamed up to produce a brand new edition of Kidding Around the Gorge—the Hood River Area’s Ultimate Guide for Family Fun. Since the second edition of the book was published in 2008, Berkowitz and her family sailed across the Pacific Ocean on a sailboat. By the time they returned, the kids had turned into teenagers. She began looking for an adventurous Gorge mom with a young child who could bring fresh insight to the book. She found one in Lisa Kosglow, an Olympic snowboarder, founder of Gorge-based adventure camp “Let’s Get Out,” and mom of a five-year-old. Together, Berkowitz and Kosglow have created a full-color exploration guide for Gorge adventure-seekers with kids from toddlers to teenagers. All of the hundreds of activities in the book are kid-tested, and there’s even a key to finding not-to-miss adventures for those on a short visit. “Kidding” ideas include watching salmon spawn, hiking behind a waterfall, biking in Post Canyon, going stand-up paddling on the Columbia, picking blueberries and cherries, and eating huckleberry ice cream. With the help of Kidding Around the Gorge, families will find plenty to do in the Gorge, rain or shine. The book is available at local bookstores and other retailers throughout the Gorge.
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Follow your feet to for all your favorite footwear brands
of volunteers, is actively involved with the planning, building, maintenance, and stewardship of the trails, performing such activities as logging out blowdown (fallen trees) at the start of the spring recreation season, erosion control, and improving signage. The association was only officially established in 2012, and just received its nonprofit status last year, but it has existed since 1990 as a loose-knit group of individuals, primarily from the Columbia River Gorge, who would get together to work on the trails. Since then, 44 Trails has logged approximately 10,000 hours of volunteer and community service. As the trails are on national forest land, the 44 Trails Association works in close concert with the U.S. Forest Service in what has grown into a relationship of mutual benefit. Dave Waag of Hood River, who publishes a backcountry ski publication called Off-Piste Magazine and serves on the 44 Trails Association’s board of directors, said because the group can provide volunteer labor and materials, it serves as a cost-saving measure
for the Forest Service and allows for more trail maintenance. According to the association, this relationship has resulted in an estimated cost savings of $150,000 in manpower and materials just from 2011 to 2013 alone. “The Forest Service is not in a position right now to be expanding its trail network without a public group like 44 Trails advocating for it and then supplying the energy and volunteer hours to make it happen,” Waag explained. In addition to performing trail maintenance and improvements, the group has also been responsible for creating 20 miles of new trail since
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the mid-1990s, says Jim Thornton, land manager for the Barlow and Hood River Ranger Districts, who has worked with 44 Trails since 1990. Thornton helps the group navigate government paperwork and processes, and educates members on how to construct and maintain trails that meet Forest Service requirements. “The group isn’t just a bunch of folks lobbying to build more trails,” Thornton says. “It’s actually a group of people integrating with federal agencies or private lands to better design and construct infrastructure that will be long-lasting for the next gener-
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ation. It’s more than just throwing dirt, digging holes in the ground. There’s a big difference between considering the social and the environmental impacts when you’re designing a trail system and just showing up to a job with a bucket and a shovel.” That kind of trail design is another reason why the 44 trails are unique. On the 44 Trails Association’s website, there’s a quote underneath the group’s name: “Keep single track single.” Single track is a reference to the style of trail present in the 44 system, as opposed to double track, which would be a path that four-wheeled vehicles could travel on. Thornton says that the 44 trails are classified as primitive or semi-primitive and are no more than one or two feet wide per Forest Service standards and designed to have as minimal an impact as possible on the surrounding lands. Waag notes that “all of the dirt work is done by hand,” as opposed to using bulldozers. “We’re pretty proud of that,” he says. It’s hard work to construct the trails within those standards, but Waag says it’s work that’s worth doing. “It’s great to keep the zone like that,” he says. “And
it’s great that we have these other areas where we can build more free-ride trails. It helps distinguish the 44 trails area and keeps it unique.” Like so many other areas in the Gorge, the 44 trails seem to be increasing in popularity every year, and Waag expects this summer recreation season to be a good one for the high-altitude 44 trails, as they will open sooner due to the low snowpack. To help newbies become more familiar with the 44 trails, Waag says the group is planning on releasing a map app that will consist of a “georeferenced PDF” showing the user’s location within the trail system. And on July 11, the 44 Trails Association will be holding a “Trailgate” festival to help celebrate the area with music, food, and riding. For more information about the 44 Trails Association, go to 44trails.org.
Ben Mitchell is a writer who lives in Hood River.
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Cooper Spur Mountain Resort has been hosting Mt. Hood travelers and their families for generations. Nestled on the north side of Mt. Hood, you’ll be sure to fall in love with the charming tavern and rustic log cabins. Escape to the mountain and enjoy cozy accommodations just 40 minutes from Hood River.
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A RTS + CU LT U R E
Summer Art Events
Prolific Palette From murals to tattoos, Ethan Radcliffe’s artwork colors the Columbia Gorge BY DON CAMPBELL • PHOTOS BY PALOMA AYALA
There may be no more supple canvas than human skin. Though clay was the first medium that excited Ethan Radcliffe’s artistry, he early on discovered that ink and epidermis created a permanent mobile canvas—wearable art—that would fuel the lifelong pursuit of his passion. Art touches nearly every aspect of Radcliffe’s life. The 36-year-old Goldendale native who now lives in White Salmon spends the better part of every day working on a diverse array of art projects, from inking skin at Raven’s Eye Body Art in Hood River and executing a staggering array of commission pieces
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Columbia Arts hosts Plein Air event The Columbia Center for the Arts hosts the 11th Annual Pacific Northwest Plein Air Event, August 7-30. Artists and writers from around the country will draw creative inspiration from the incredible vistas throughout the Gorge and elsewhere in the Pacific Northwest. Watch the artists paint at several locations in the Gorge, and at the QuickDraw event where artists will set up and paint within a two-hour timeframe in Hood River’s downtown. The event is curated by Bryan Mark Taylor, an accomplished San Francisco-based landscape and cityscape painter. Paintings from the plein air event will be hung salon-style during August at the Columbia Art Gallery, inside the Arts Center. Attend the Collector’s Preview Party on August 7 from 4 to 6 p.m., followed by the Opening Reception to meet the artists and the award-winners. (columbiaarts.org) American Indian Painting: 20th Century Masters The Maryhill Museum of Art hosts an exhibition featuring 35 paintings of a type seldom, if ever, exhibited in the Pacific Northwest. Curated by Maryhill’s Steve Grafe, the exhibition features some of the most important American Indian artists of the 20th century. The featured artists were residents of the Southern Plains and Southwest, and affiliated with the University of Oklahoma, Bacone College and the Santa Fe Studio. Artists include Stephen Mopope (Kiowa), Allan Houser (Chiricahua Apache), Fred Beaver (Creek/Seminole), Jerome Tiger (Creek/Seminole), Harrison Begay (Navajo) and Tony Da (San Ildefonso). All of the paintings are from the collection of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. The exhibit runs through July 5. (maryhillmuseum.org)
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(which include everything from the bigger-than-life Sunshine Mill silo-side mural in The Dalles and the G. Willikers mural to an upcoming project recasting the giant panda at the China Gorge restaurant) to his own fantastical-meets-realism paintings and sculptures. A serenely gentle handshake emerges from his rough, calloused hand. He is soft-spoken, with eyes
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that clearly see deeper into a world of nature, fantasy, humor and spiritualism than most of us ever will. He credits a high school art teacher, Carol Wilde, with teaching him realism. “She taught and inspired me to accurately draw what you see,” he says. He took those lessons to heart, beginning first with a homemade tattoo ink pen which led to him building a successful career that finds him working six days a week and up to 12 hours a day. His biggest piece is likely the Sunshine Mill mural, a commission he turned down repeatedly, though he had done smaller murals for the winery. “[Owner] James [Martin] wouldn’t leave me alone,” he says with a smile, and he relented. The process involved projecting the logo image up on the silos in the night, and chalking the rough outline. Up on scaffolding he painted in the finished product. Radcliffe finds inspiration in nature, in light, and his own vision, and draws his discipline from a long family lineage of artists, as well as old European renaissance painters. “They were just so beyond mod-
ern-day,” he says. Though he took formal classes at the California College of the Arts in Oakland, he came to loathe the city and returned home to the Gorge. These days he finds a particular satisfaction in oil paint. “It’s forgiving,” he says, “and requires a finesse in blending. There are so many color tones. It has infinite possibilities.” Though he is easily lost in the art process when he is working, tattooing requires significant focus. He calls it “intense mental work,” but work that is satisfying on a most challenging medium. “It moves and stretches, and has to heal,” he says. Though one might expect that tattoos and body art are largely the province of those with alternative lifestyles, Radcliffe offers that the form is exploding across age groups,
THE GORGE MAGAZINE I SPRING 2015
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genres, lifestyles, and economic class. He has two regular 72-yearold women on whom he adorns body art, and says average clients are middle-aged women. “It’s not that many young punks,” he says. “They come from every walk. It’s a way to own art and share art. It’s a new art world.” Radcliffe, though happy in all the mediums in which he works, may next explore glass, working with Laurel Hagner at Hood River’s Glassometry Studios. There are other commissions on the books—murals, portraits and sculpture—and he has his own fine-art and woodworking projects done out of his home studios, space which now includes the addition of a 16-monthold son, plus the imminent opening of his own gallery in Bingen. His work colors the Gorge. It’s a comfortable living that has followed what he loves.
THE GORGE’S ONLY FULL-SERVICE BEAD, ROCK, AND MINERAL EXTRAVAGANZA
For more about Raven’s Eye Body Art, find it on Facebook. Don Campbell is a freelance writer who lives in Portland and Mosier. He's a frequent contributor to The Gorge Magazine.
Gorgeous Jewelry, Creative Custom Design and Local Handmade Fun
(541) 387-4367 • www.sparklingcreationsonline.com 409 Oak Street • Downtown Hood River, Oregon
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W EL L N ES S
This is Downward Dog on the Water Doing yoga on a paddleboard requires balance and humility BY JANET COOK • PHOTOS BY JENNIFER GULIZIA
For about the first 15 minutes of my first SUP yoga class, I’m feeling pretty good. Maybe even a teeny bit smug, although I know you’re not supposed to feel things like that when you’re doing yoga. I’m in the boat basin adjacent to the Hood River Event Site with my SUP board clipped to a buoy line, in a class with
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a half-dozen others offered by yoga instructor Rayna Dhara through Big Winds. The sun is warm, the birds are chirping, a train can be heard in the distance and I’m feeling balanced and strong as Rayna takes us through some sitting poses, then has us lie on our backs for bridge pose and others. But then it’s time to stand up. We do some forward folds and crescent moons. Then a breeze starts blowing, rippling the water around my board and I feel suddenly dizzy. I imagine myself toppling over, splashing into the water—the first one (the only one?) in the whole class to go in the drink. My smugness turns to panic. But Rayna’s calming voice brings me back. “Spread your feet a little farther apart than you normally would,” she says, gracefully paddling among us.
“Press one foot down, then the other so your board tips a little from side to side. Soon you’ll get a feel for how far you can go and still maintain balance.” And she’s right. Soon I’m lowering into warrior, albeit more tentatively than I would on my yoga mat with a wood floor under me. Rayna is a natural at teaching SUP yoga, probably
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because she arrived at it so instinctively. She’s been practicing yoga for years, and began teaching a few years ago. Along with teaching regular studio classes, she’s an oncology yoga specialist and also teaches outdoor yoga. “My whole inspiration is to make yoga acceptable to people outside of the studio environment,” she says. “I really view yoga as an avenue for your every day, for healing, for living a better, more fulfilling life.” As for SUP, she fell for the sport soon after moving to the Gorge from California’s Bay Area five years ago. “Once I got my own board, I was out there every day,” Rayna says. “I kind of naturally brought my yoga out there with me. Pretty soon I was doing a whole little series on my board before I went out on the river. It went hand in hand.” Last year when Big Winds owner Steve Gates was looking to get a SUP yoga class going as part of the shop’s extensive SUP presence in the Gorge, he turned to Rayna. “It was a match made in heaven,” Rayna says. “We both have the same view of it.”
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That viewpoint is that SUP yoga is not just about going out and “doing crazy balance poses,” as Rayna says. “It’s about people getting comfortable on the water and enjoying being out there.” She says many people who come to her classes have never done yoga before, or have never done SUP before—or both. “We have this really great opportunity to get people moving around on a board, but also to introduce them to some really won-
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your hands fall to the side of your board and hang in the water if you want,” Rayna says. I do, and the cool water feels good. As I lie on my board listening to the birds and feeling the warmth of the sun, the cool of the water, I feel an inner calm. It occurs to me that I’m going to be feeling the effects from the correct use of my inner core stabilizers tomorrow, but even that feels good. I know I’ll be back for more of this.
derful physical activities at the same time.” She’s had people who have taken a class with her later thank her because it inspired them to start doing yoga, or vice-versa with SUP. One thing that makes SUP yoga different from studio yoga is that “you can’t cheat,” Rayna offers.
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“There are a lot of ways on our mat that we can hang out and look like we’re doing the poses correctly,” she says. “But sometimes we’re not using the correct muscles, or sometimes we’re over-stretching and taking it a little too far. On the board, you have to use your inner core stabilizers. You can’t get away without it.” Rayna says it’s common for people to tell her that they do yoga differently after doing SUP yoga. For Rayna, SUP yoga gets at the essence of the practice. “Yoga means union, connection,” she says. “You can have a great connection in the studio, but it’s a controlled environment. When you take yoga outside, on a SUP board, you really connect with everything—the wind, the water, nature. Everything’s there for you and you can really have a meditative experience. That’s what I love the most.” By the time we’re doing savasana, the final relaxation at the end of class, I’m feeling meditative. “Let
For information about Rayna Dhara’s SUP yoga class, go to bigwinds.com or raynadhara.com, or find Rayna Dhara on Facebook.
Sunrise SUP in The Dalles Float On SUP Yoga in The Dalles offers sunrise SUP yoga classes (including optional board rental) at 8 a.m. on Sundays and 6 a.m. Wednesdays throughout the summer. Classes are taught by certified SUP yoga instructor Amie DiGennaro and launch from either Riverfront Park or the boat ramp in The Dalles. For more information, go to floatonsupyoga.com.
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OUR GORGE
Ingredients
partake
Crust • 1 Cup whole wheat flour • 1¼ Cup all-purpose flour • 1 Tsp kosher salt • 1 Tsp finely minced thyme • 1 Tsp finely rosemary • ¾ Cup (1½ sticks) butter, sliced and frozen • 3½ Tbsp extra virgin olive oil • 10 Tbsp ice water
Spiral Vegetable Tart RECIPE AND PHOTOS BY KACIE McMACKIN
T
he foundation for this vegetarian tart is a hearty crust that’s flecked with fresh herbs. Tucked between layers of eggplant, zucchini, and summer squash you’ll find thin slices of shallot and fennel, as well as a mixture of crème fraîche and goat cheese that’s been spiked with earthy garlic, vibrant herbs, and lemon zest. The whole thing is finished with a drizzle of fragrant garlic olive oil! • In a food processor, pulse together the flours, salt, and herbs. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture has a mealy appearance. Slowly add olive oil, then add one tbsp of ice water at a time. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface (it will be fairly wet), and knead for a few minutes. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour. • Gently sauté the garlic in two tbsp olive oil over medium heat until golden brown. Turn off heat. Remove garlic, cool and mince it. Reserve the oil. • In a bowl mix together the garlic, crème fraîche, goat cheese, lemon zest and herbs. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside. • Roll the chilled dough out on a floured surface to 1/81/4 inch thick. Carefully transfer it to an oiled tart pan. Working from the center, gently press the dough into place, roll across the top of the pan with your rolling pin to trim off excess dough. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour. • Thinly slice the shallot and fennel (3mm thick), and set aside. Trim and slice the eggplant, squash and zucchini lengthwise (4.5mm thick). Cut any slices in half lengthwise if they are really wide, ensuring that they’ll
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fit in your tart pan. Line counter with clean towels, place slices on towels in a single layer, sprinkle with salt, flip and salt again, cover with a second layer of towels. Place baking sheets topped with heavy books on top of the towels. Allow the vegetables to sweat for 20 minutes. • P reheat the oven to 400ºF. Remove the wrap and prick the crust all over with a fork. Line the crust with parchment paper and fill it with pie weights (or dried beans/rice). On a baking sheet, bake for 20 minutes. Remove weights from the cooked crust, set the crust on a rack and cool completely. • R educe oven to 300ºF. Remove the books and baking sheets from the sweated veggies. Line the sheets with parchment, transfer the veggies to the sheets in a single layers, drizzle with lots of olive oil, and season with pepper. Roast in the oven for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. • Turn oven to 400ºF. • T o assemble the tart, start by smearing a layer of the goat cheese mixture all over the crust. Then, working from the outside alternate layers of eggplant, squash, and zucchini, smearing a bit of goat cheese mixture, and tucking slices of shallot and fennel between each layer. Work your way in the shape of a spiral. •D rizzle the tart with half of the garlic olive oil. Place on a baking sheet and bake for about 45 minutes, until the vegetables are cooked through, the crust is toasty, and the cream is bubbling and golden. Remove from the oven, transfer to a cooling rack, cool to room temperature before slicing. Plate and drizzle with a bit more garlic oil before serving.
Tart • 1 Eggplant • 1 Summer squash • 1 Zucchini • 1 Fennel bulb • 1 Shallot • 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil • 3 Garlic cloves, peeled and smashed • ½ Cup goat cheese • ½ Cup crème fraîche • 1 Tbsp minced parsley • 1 Tsp finely minced thyme • 1 Tsp finely minced rosemary • Zest of 1 lemon • Kosher salt • Freshly ground black pepper
Pairing Ideas • 2013 Chardonnay, Wy'East Vineyards • 2014 Rosé, Garnier Vineyards • 2013 Rosé, Analemma Wines • Belgian-Style Blonde Ale, pFriem Family Brewers
Kacie McMackin is a food blogger, writer and photographer for gorgeinthegorge.com. She lives in Hood River and is a frequent contributor to The Gorge Magazine.
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The vegetables for this recipe can be sliced using a mandolin (measurements indicated), or approximated with a sharp chef’s knife. If you don't have a food processor you can follow the crust recipe step by step, grating in the frozen butter. The excess dough can be used for a second tart or quiche! It can be wrapped and chilled for up to a week in the fridge.
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ANDREW'S PIZZA & BAKERY
(541) 386-1448 • andrewspizza.com 107 Oak Street • Downtown Hood River 310 SW 2nd Street • Downtown Stevenson Since 1991 Andrew's Pizza has been serving New York-style, hand-tossed pizza. Along with the Skylight DraftHouse Theater where you can create your own artesian pizza or salad, then sitback and enjoy a first run movie while sitting in the luxury theater. Dine-in, take-out or delivery.
BACKWOODS BREWING COMPANY
• Our meats are smoked using local cherry wood • Dry rub and BBQ sauces are all made in-house • Pulled pork, chicken, ribs, burgers, salads, vegetarian items • Nightly dinner specials • Local draft beer, wine, hard cider • All desserts fresh-made by Apple Valley Country Store • Outdoor seating available • Ask about catering Open: Wed-Sun at 11am to 8pm. Closed: Mon & Tues.
We, the Waters family, decided to open a new brewery in Carson, Washington. Our brewery is inspired by the finest craft breweries of the Columbia River Gorge and all around the Pacific Northwest. We are locally owned and our beer is locally brewed in the “Backwoods”. Enjoy delicious pizza, fresh salads and tasty appetizers in our family-friendly pub. Open Mon-Thur, 3pm-9pm • Fri-Sun, 11:30am-9pm
(509) 427-3412 • backwoodsbrewingcompany.com 1162B Wind River Road • Carson
(509) 493-2177 • Find us on Facebook 201 West Steuben Street • Downtown Bingen
(541) 387-4344 • brianspourhouse.com 606 Oak Street • Downtown Hood River
brian’s pourhouse
CAMP 1805 DISTILLERY and BAR
We are a family owned and operated business Serving one of the best pizzas in the entire Gorge! Hand-Tossed Pizza • Lunch Buffet • Pasta Dishes 40 Item Salad Bar • Oven Toasted Grinders • Daily Soups Hot Wings • Homemade Sausage • Beer and Wine Kids Play Area • Video Arcade Special Event Catering Dine in or take out, local and Hood River delivery
We are located in a charming historic house in the heart of downtown Hood River. Our guest dining experience is optimized by tastefully and passionately blending nature’s finest ingredients with impeccably friendly service, our mission since 1998. Outdoor patio for private parties, groups, and rehearsal dinners. Dinner served daily, 5pm to 10pm.
Award winning spirits distilled on-site Tasting room serving craft cocktails Small plates menu • Tours available Located on the waterfront Summer Hours: Monday-Thursday: 3pm-9pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1pm-10pm
casa el mirador
celilo restaurant & bar
CROOKED TREE TAVERN & GRILL
Quality Mexican food prepared with the freshest and finest ingredients. Warm, friendly service and a lively atmosphere. Indulge in generous portions of flavorful sizzling fajitas,fish tacos, savory enchilada dishes and daily specials. Happy Hour margaritas, drink specials and 1/2 off appetizers from 4-7pm, Mon-Fri. Full service bar, take-out menu, gift certificates and catering services. Open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week.
Celilo began with a desire to honor the bounty of this region and a commitment to a healthy and sustainable future. Our ever-changing menu reflects the seasonal highlights of the region’s growers and foragers. We offer the most innovative in fresh, local cuisine as well as an award-winning wine list, full bar, small plate menu, and happy hour daily from 5-6pm. experience the freshest foods here, today!
Our rustic mountain restaurant offers fresh creative food, a seasonally changing menu, local beers and wines, and well-crafted drinks. A perfect place to dine after a day of exploring the Mt. Hood National Forest. On Fridays we serve lunch and dinner. On Saturdays and Sundays we serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. View our menus online. Celebrate with a FREE entrée on your birthday!
BENEVENTI'S PIZZA
(541) 298-7388 • casaelmirador.com 1424 West 2nd Street • The Dalles
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APPLE VALLEY BBQ
(541) 352-3554 • applevalleybbq.com 4956 Baseline Drive • Downtown Parkdale
(541) 386-5710 • celilorestaurant.com 16 Oak Street • Downtown Hood River
(541) 386-1805 • CAMP1805.com 501 Portway Avenue • Hood River
(541) 352-6692 • cooperspur.com 10755 Coopur Spur Road • Mt. Hood/Parkdale
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DIVOTS clubhOuSe ReSTAuRANT
dog river coffee
DOPPIO COFFEE
(541) 308-0304 • indiancreekgolf.com 3605 Brookside Drive • Hood River
(541) 386-4502 • dogrivercoffee.net 411 Oak Street • Downtown Hood River
(541) 386-3000 • doppiohoodriver.com 310 Oak Street • Downtown Hood River
A scenic choice with excellent food and personal service located in the heart of the Hood River Valley just minutes from downtown. Unwind with breathtaking views of Mt Hood and Mt Adams from our covered, wind protected patio. Relax with a beverage from our full service bar or enjoy some fabulous northwest cuisine at a reasonable price. Open Daily for lunch & Dinner. happy hour 3-6pm.
Named one of 'America's top 10 coffeehouses' by USA Today
Relax on our patio, right in the heart of downtown…enjoy a hand-crafted espresso drink made with locally roasted, fair trade and organic coffee. Serving breakfast and lunch all day: panini, salads, smoothies, and fresh baked goods (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free options). Local beers on tap, and local wines by the glass or bottle. Free Wi-fi and our patio is dogfriendly. Open daily at 7 a.m.
Full service espresso bar featuring Stumptown coffee Breakfast burritos, pastries and more caffeinating your adventures since 2004 open: Mon-fri, 6am-6pm & Sat-Sun, 7am-6pm
everybodysbrewing.com White Salmon, WA
FULL SAIL BREW PUB
EVERYBODY’S BREWING
FARM STAND in the Gorge (541) 386-4203 • Find us on Facebook 1009 12th Street • Hood River Heights
(541) 386-2247 • fullsailbrewing.com 506 Columbia Street • Downtown Hood River
See for yourself why Everybody’s Brewing is a local favorite! We brew 12 different styles of beer plus seasonal selections onsite. The menu is filled with affordable food choices made with high-quality local ingredients. The atmosphere is warm and family-friendly. Enjoy the stunning Mt. Hood view from the outdoor deck, listen to free live music on Friday nights. Open 7 days a week, 11:30am to closing
All Organic Breakfast • Serving Deli Sandwiches Organic Soups and Salads • Authentic Bulletproof Coffee • Nine Taps Pouring Local Kombucha
If there is one thing a brewer loves more than great beer– it’s great food and great beer! Our northwest-inspired menu complements our award-winning brews and features seasonal, local ingredients. Swing by for a pint, grab a bite, tour the brewery or just soak up the view. Open daily at 11am serving lunch and dinner. Guided brewery tours are offered daily at 1, 2, 3 and 4pm and are free of charge.
(509) 637-2774 • everybodysbrewing.com 151 Jewett Boulevard • Downtown White Salmon
grace su’s china gorge
(541) 386-5331 • chinagorge.com 2680 Old Columbia River Drive • Hood River (Located off I-84 and the base of Hwy 35) While visiting the Gorge…take a trip to China. Great Szechuan-Hunan taste. No airfare. Free Parking. Very happy family. great plates for more than 30 years.
Full Store Featuring: Organic Produce, Meats, Gluten Free, Wine, Cheeses and More! Open at 7am weekdays • 9am weekends
GROUND Espresso Bar & Cafe
LOS REYES
(541) 386-4442 • groundhoodriver.com 12 Oak Street • Downtown Hood River
(509) 493-1017 • losreyesbingen.com 120 East Steuben Street • Downtown Bingen
Get your daily fuel for your Gorge sports and activities here! A long time locals favorite coffee house and eatery, Ground features fresh in-house roasted coffee, house made pastries and cookies with lots of gluten free options. We make our soups from scratch every day and source mostly local and organic ingredients. Feel like a having a brewski? Local beer and cider on tap.
Best Mexican food in the Gorge prepared with the freshest ingredients. Warm, friendly service and lively atmosphere. Indulge in generous portions of flavorful dishes like carnitas, pollo a la cream, chiles rellenos and more. Happy Hour drink specials and half-off appetizers from 4pm-6pm, Tues-Fri. Full-service bar, take-out and gift certificates available. Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday-Sunday THE GORGE MAGAZINE I SUMMER 2015
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McMENAMINS EDGEFIELD
(503) 669-8610 • mcmenamins.com 2126 SW Halsey Street • Troutdale (off Exit 16) The Power Station pub combines casual dining with a movie theater and artfully decorated atmosphere. In the summertime, the fun and food of the Power Station expands outdoors to the Loading Dock Grill, adjacent to the Edgefield Brewery. Stop by for a beer and more. Ales, wines, and spirits are handcrafted onsite.
PIETRO’S PIZZA & Gallery of Games
ovino market & delicatessen and gorge cyder house (541) 436-0505 • ovinomarket.com 1209 13th Street • Hood River Heights
(541) 321-0490 • pfriembeer.com 707 Portway Avenue, Suite 101 • Hood River Waterfront
We carry a variety of cheeses and charcutery, local bread, antipasti, chocolate, olive oil, vinegar, and other gourmet items to create the perfect picnic. Try one of our Europeanstyle sandwiches for lunch and enjoy it in our Beer & Cider Garden with a glass of Gorge Cyder House “old world style” hard apple cider crafted right here at our location.
pFriem artisanal beers are symphonies of flavor and balance, influenced by the great brewers of Belgium, but unmistakably true to our homegrown roots in the Pacific Northwest. Although they are served humbly, each glass is overflowing with pride and a relentless aspiration to brew the best beer in the world. We’ll let you decide. Open Daily: 11:30am-9pm; Fri-Sat: 10pm-Close
(541) 386-1606 • www.pietrospizza.com 107 2nd Street • Downtown Hood River
(541) 387-2583 • Find us on Facebook 207 Cascade Avenue • Downtown Hood River
RIVER CITY SALOON
riverside & cebu lounge
We offer fun games for all ages and three TVs so Mom and Dad can catch the game. Our extensive menu consists of a variety of pizzas, sandwiches, pasta, and a 24 item salad bar. It also includes broasted chicken, chicken wings, and seasoned fries. Place your to go orders at pietrospizza.com. Delivery available in Hood River and White Salmon. Free delivery to local hotels.
River City Saloon, an iconic Hood River fixture, is back under new ownership. Our entire menu is served until midnight along with 16 taps, a full bar, and live music most nights. Enjoy a comfortable atmosphere with seven big-screen TVs, darts, pool, and ping pong. Open: Mon-Fri, 4pm-2:30am; Sat & Sun, noon-2:30am; family friendly every night until 9pm. Join us for $5 Happy Hour plates Monday-Friday
Diners seek out Riverside for some of the best food in the Gorge—and Cebu for great bar food, drinks and live entertainment. With amazing panoramic river views, Riverside offers fresh menu choices that change seasonally for breakfast, lunch & dinner—plus an award-winning wine list. Check our website for current menus and our Chef’s Blog. cebu lounge: happiest hours in town, Mon-Fri 4-6 pm
RIVERTAP PUB & RESTAURANT
SOLSTICE WOOD FIRE CAFÉ, BAR & CATERING
(541) 296-7870 • rivertappub.com 701 East 2nd Street • Downtown The Dalles (I-84, Exit 85) Showcasing delicious local foods, hand crafted beers, wines and spirits of the Columbia River Basin in a relaxed atmosphere. Friendly staff, family dining, and a beautiful garden patio. Come experience the best in The Dalles. Enjoy Happy Hour daily, 3pm-6pm!
(541) 436-0800 • solsticewoodfirecafe.com 501 Portway Avenue • Hood River Waterfront Serving inventive pizzas with perfectly blistered crusts, wood-fired veggies, salads and amazing s’mores. Creative cocktails, 11 craft beers, wines and ciders on tap. Family dining section and kids play area. Vegan and gluten-free options. Waterfront views from our shaded patio seating!
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PFRIEM FAMILY BREWERS
(541) 386-4410 • riversidehoodriver.com Exit 64 off I-84 • Waterfront Hood River
stonehedge gardens
(541) 386-3940 • stonehedgeweddings.com 3405 West Cascade Avenue • Hood River “The best outdoor dining in the Gorge.” –NW Best Places We are a favorite among locals and visitors. Our cuisine is a classic, European blend that utilizes fresh, local ingredients and pairs well with our select wines. Our gardens are the perfect setting for weddings. Full-service catering available. “Romantic setting and the best meal I had in town.” –The Los Angeles Times
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(541) 386-7423 • sushiokalani@gorge.net 109 First Street • Downtown Hood River
SUSHI OKALANI
TAD’S CHICKEN ‘N DUMPLINS
(503) 666-5337 • tadschicdump.com 1325 East Historic Columbia River Hwy • Troutdale
THE GLASS ONION RESTAURANT
Come find us in the basement of the Yasui Building, the local’s favorite spot for fresh fish, Pan-Asian Cuisine, and a rockin’ atmosphere! Lots of rotating specials, creative rolls, and a large sake selection means you’re always trying something new! Private rooms are available for groups up to 20 people. Take-out menu available online. Open for dinner nightly at 5:00, closing hours change seasonally.
We are nestled on the banks of the Sandy River in Troutdale, OR–the gateway to the Columbia River Gorge. We are located halfway between Portland and Multnomah Falls. Serving exquisite American cuisine since the 1930s. The menu includes: Seafood specialties as well as traditional steak, chicken, and pasta dishes; a full bar, and our famous home-style chicken ‘n dumplins. Open every night for dinner.
Join us in our cozy dining room for delicious local food made entirely from scratch by Chef, Matt McGowan. His philosophy: use fresh, quality ingredients and let the dish speak for itself, keep it simple and clean. Enjoy specialty cocktails, local wines and craft beer on tap, featured artists and special events. Ask about catering and private parties. Open: Wed-Sat 11:30am-9pm & Sun 11:30am-3pm
THE RESTAURANTS AT SKAMANIA LODGE
THUNDER ISLAND BREWING COMPANY
whistle stop espresso & deli
The dining experience at Skamania Lodge is whatever you want it to be. From romantic dinners for two in the Cascade Dining Room to casual fare and jovial merriment with friends in the River Rock lounge, it’s the perfect season to enjoy the most delicious culinary delights and magnificent views offered in the Columbia River Gorge.
An adventure-based brewery that is handcrafting creative and innovative beers in the Pacific Northwest. Thunder Island Brewing makes original beers inspired by a love for outdoor adventures, with a nod to local history and with a respect for all that the scenic Columbia River Gorge has to offer. Check our web site for what’s brewing. We are now serving food and are an all-ages brewpub, please call for hours.
Situated across from an old train bridge, along the Columbia, is a historic building that houses a quaint little deli with much to offer. You’ll hear the whistle blowing and the trains rumbling by as you enjoy your favorite coffee drink or one of our homemade goodies. Select a bottle of craft beer or fine wine to complement the best smoked-salmon quiche in town. Indoor and outdoor dining.
(509) 427-7700 • skamania.com 1131 SW Skamania Lodge Way • Stevenson
(971) 231-4599 • thunderislandbrewing.com 515 NW Portage Road • Cascade Locks
(509) 773-4928 • theglassonionrestaurant.com 604 South Columbus Avenue • Goldendale
(509) 427-0155 • Open Daily 5am to 8pm 50341 Highway 14 • Home Valley
A local resource guide for the discerning foodie. Reviews, recipes & more: gorgeinthegorge.com THE GORGE MAGAZINE I SUMMER 2015
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OUR GORGE
epilogue
Koberg Beach, circa 1925. Photo courtesy of The History Museum of Hood River.
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Good food: a prescription for good health Summer brings a garden of eatin’ to the Gorge. With a bounty of choices for fresh produce in stores and farmers markets, summer is a great time to fill up on the fruits and vegetables that everybody needs for good health. And to make it even easier to add fruits and veggies to your diet, Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital has some delicious new recipes for you to try. They’re tasty ways to get the nutrients you need to help prevent health problems such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer. Eat well and stay healthy, with Providence. Call us at 541-387-6342 to get a free Providence Heart-Healthy Living Guide filled with family-friendly recipes and helpful tips. You are what you eat, so savor the flavor of healthful food and enjoy a healthy body, for life.
www.providence.org/hoodriver
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