Throughout November the annual statewide Oregon Bounty promotion celebrates the state’s abundance of unique travel experiences, fall harvest events and special overnight packages at historic inns and hotels.  Oregon Bounty is going full bore here in Oregon’s Mt. Hood Territory, where autumn means crisp golden leaves, sharp mountain air, and wooded spaces quiet enough to hear the rustle of winter wrens.  From the Valley to the Mountain you can forage with a seasonal prix-fixe menu at Still Creek Inn Lounge, settle in for the night at one of All Season’s cozy cabins, and fortify yourself the next morning with a huckleberry pancake infusion.

Oregon Bounty is all about reveling in the fall, so hike up your appetite with a trek into Wildwood’s Cascade Streamwatch Trail, then check into historic Timberline Lodge where you will want to check out the Bounty menu at the well-regarded Cascade Dining Room.  As you re-trace your steps back to the urban landscape, put up your spotting scope for The Resort at The Mountain’s “Altitude” restaurant. Chef Paul Bosch’s 2008 Oregon Bounty Menu is high on innovation: For starters choose between Seafood Chowder finished tableside or Oregon Game Micro Chops, take your best shot at Entrees offering Cocoa Nib Crusted Tenderloin, Roasted Wild Salmon, Venison Osso Bucco and House Made Duck Sausage.  Finish this feast with Apple Brioche Bread Pudding or a killer Chocolate Truffle Sampler.

You can also track down locavore Bounty Cookbook recipes online and straight from the most-wanted chef’s own stash. Stake out your choice of Territory lodging right here, and look to Travel Oregon for further Bounty Overnight Adventures around the state.

Within the last few months, two new upmarket eateries have appeared on the Oregon City dining scene, Weatherford’s Grand Lodge and the Oregon City Grille.  Both restaurants are open for business 7 days a week.  Even the New York Times is not cowed by inquiring “How Much Food Can You Get for a Buck”, so I fearlessly followed suit and sleuthed my way into what must be the best deals on the left coast. 

At Oregon City Grille, a lightly dressed, mixed greens salad spruced up with almonds of the freshest order is an astounding $1, when ordered at OCG Happy Hour prices.  Natch, I needed my vitamin B-12 for the day, so chose to accompany this tasty appetizer with a pint of creamy, local IPA.  In the spirit of full disclosure, this was not Louisiana-trained chef Paul Hyman’s pairing recommendation, but it did work for me.  Local produce purveyors are buzzing about the great farm-to-table relationship being forged with Oregon City Grille.  Bartender, waitstaff and principals were friendly and freely brainstormed about a signature drink that might be called “The Bloody Marrow,” reflective of the house fare’s creatively smoked assorted proteins. (A current eye-catching selection includes wood-roasted calamari alongside fried green tomatoes.  Yum.)

Just a short distance down the hill, Weatherford’s Grand Lodge is housed in the century-old Odd Fellows Building.  The period high-ceilings, rich paneling and mirrored bar all contribute to the upscale ambience of this downtown establishment.  General Manager Darin Smith waxed nostalgic when he spoke of his and business partner Eric Noel’s collegiate dreams of restaurant entrepreneurship.  “Of course, our notion of what we thought most important at that time centered around creating a great bar atmosphere.  We sure have that here, along with an unforgettable margarita (shhh: a secret ingredient to the “Ed” margarita is use of distinctive Patron Citronge.)  While they may break the bank in making this beverage a cut above, they are banking on their extra value menu to curry local dining loyalty.  “We want to be known as the place where families come to celebrate special occasions.”  Okay – but with their daily $2 Happy Hour menu, you may see me regularly at that beautiful red oak bar, frugally tucking into a nutritious Crostini with root vegetable appetizer.  Happy Hours for Weatherford’s and Oregon City Grille are currently from 4 – 6 p.m.

Oregon’s Mt. Hood Territory is home to a Safari Outfitter of a different stripe.  Photography Guide & Instructor Dwon Güvenir of Oregon Photo Safaris teaches the ecology and history of his carefully selected Oregon shooting locations as he leads people through the artistic and technical practicalities of taking great pictures.  The business also gives back a portion of workshop and safari fees to Oregon State Parks. 

Whether you are a novice or in a more advanced class (in which case you are eligible to take “The Tao of Photography,”) or whether you can commit to a two-hour basic course, a week-end or a week-long full-fledged safari, Güvenir’s innovative agendas have something for you. 

For attendees flying in from out of area, take note that the award-winning Portland Airport now features stress-reducing “Black Diamond” security lanes.  The only thing you should have to worry about while stalking your prize is which lens to use.  Many of the events begin and conclude at the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center.  You will likely be inspired to come early and stay late, to better hone your craft in Historic Oregon City’s history-rich sites.

It’s not too early to get excited about holiday bargain hunting when you have a fine assortment of non-traditional, as well as time-honored gift making events from which to choose.  Our online calendar offers genuine “finds” in your search for the perfect gift.  Save money while you indulge in memorable moments with those near and dear while extending the Oregon Bounty experience.  Bottle and label your own wine at Vintners Cellar, or catch up with friends over breakfast at Bob’s Red Mill. 

Visit the Canby Country Christmas Bazaar which is now in its 35th year.  From November 11 – 15, you can find handmade crafts and home décor items. The Barn Owl Nursery Holiday Open House gives you the chance to enjoy herbal treats while browsing local artists’ creations.  The Favorite Five Country Farms invite to you experience the sights, sounds, colors and country flavors of these farms in a laid back, friendly atmosphere.

While it is possible to get in over one’s head when traveling adventures are insufficiently mapped out, it’s also the case that spontaneity can lead to sweet roads less traveled.  A recent impromptu adventure found me with friends at Bagby Hot Springs.  I was thoroughly delighted and unprepared for what a beautifully maintained, rustic gem we discovered. 

Mike Rysavy of Northwest Forest Conservancy is justly proud of everything his group has accomplished during their tenure rehabilitating Bagby.  His suggestions for a visit to the Springs are classic stewardship mantras: “Enjoy yourself.  Lead by example.  Leave things better than you find them.” 

The lower bathhouse features three rectangular cedar tubs in addition to a large round tub on an open deck. The adjacent newer bathhouse includes five impressive cedar “baths,” all constructed from huge, hollowed out logs.  Each of these is enclosed in a private room.  Clothing is optional at Bagby, so those individual rooms are handy for the more modest among us. 

Cooler weather and fewer bathers make this a great time of year to take the fall/winter plunge. Be sure to purchase the necessary $5 Forest Service Trail Park Pass, available at any Joe’s Sports or Forest Ranger Station. Take your flashlight, drinking water, and change of warm clothes with you on your hike in.  It’s dark in there after sundown and you want to be toasty warm on your trip back to civilization. 

Get outfitted now for spontaneous adventure this season.  Are your wheels road-worthy?   Carry extra water, flashlight, fresh batteries and space blanket in your vehicle.  Chains are a “must” now that we are driving towards winter. Bagby rests at an elevation of 2,280, and there are many years where the road past Highway 224 is closed due to snow only one or two weeks out of every 365 days.  In a record-breaking snow year like last; however, it was a different story. Call ahead for trail information and road conditions.  The Estacada Ranger Station’s phone number is 503-630-6861.

The nearby community of Estacada is home to Fearless Brewing Company if you yearn for a pint on the ride home.  The Estacada downtown beckons with sidewalk shops and an art gallery that allows you to wash away any pent up yen to spend. A stroll through this little town only adds to the deep sense of “place” you find throughout Oregon’s Mt. Hood Territory.

From the wide and well-marked 1.5 miles hike into Bagby Hot Springs, to the gorgeous deep cedar tubs, to the wildness of the forest and its distinctive scents and sounds, Bagby Hot Springs is a special experience.  I’ll be investing time with the other 80 volunteers who meet the 3rd weekend of every month to make sure things just keep getting better in this neck of the woods.  Hope to see you there!