the gorge
Balance
It’s seems like only moments ago I was writing a column on the early summer and late spring months that give us locals a last chance at significant peace, quiet and contemplation before the much needed influx of tourists, day-trippers and wind dancers. And then all of a sudden summer has blown by and the clouds have begun to roll in every morning. There’s already a cool fall chill to the air, and we’ve just now reached September.
It was in that column just a few months ago that I wrote about taking the time to learn something new or to do something all over again that you haven’t done in a while. I myself chose kiteboarding and fly fishing this summer. My fiancé and I took to kite surfing like a fish to water, and fly fishing is so perfectly the opposite in terms of the sustained rush and the adrenaline fix (though a fish on that fly will get the blood flowing) that I found myself in perfect balance this summer. I made headway with both, and I can’t wait to pick up where I left off with kiteboarding as the spring and early summer months roll back in next year. Fly fishing will continue as the fall months push through, and with both sports there are significant steps I can take to practice and perfect as much as possible before the prime season returns. Part of me can’t wait, but there’s the other part of me that embraces each season no matter the rain, snow or wind, and that part is already excited for what the fall will bring.
I’ve already waxed poetic in past columns about the stunning beauty and sheer awe that a Columbia Gorge fall can inspire in us. There will be long scenic drives through the valleys, hills, mountains and high prairie, all of which sing the season in the prettiest of notes. Oh, and there will be cider and ale, hot chocolate, apples, pears and pies. It’s a great season to be a resident of any Pacific Northwest town as produce ripens on the branches and wine grapes ready for picking. There’s so much beauty and contemplation in a typical fall day, but somehow this year I want more.
Maybe I just caught the adventurous spirit. Maybe I’m just trying to hold on to the premier outdoor season until it has all but disappeared. Either way, I’m getting back out there. As kiteboarding and fly fishing worked in perfect balance to satiate my adventurous and Zen spirit, I hope the fall season itself provides the relaxation, calm and solitude I’ve been subconsciously and quietly yearning for. And as its counter point? What balance is to be struck to this refreshing and passive season? Perhaps it’s late fall skiing, which I haven’t done since I was in grade school. Maybe until then I’ll take up mountain biking. I had a rough go when I was 13 or 14 and I never tried the trails again. It looks exhilarating, and I’m a complete nut for a sport when it means I can buy and acquire more gear.
A small voice is telling me to relax and enjoy the fall. It was a very fast and adventurous summer, and I know that painful feeling of seeing the snow fall earlier then expected—of knowing it all went by and you didn’t take enough time to savor it. I think that voice comes from the side of me that’s always trying to slow things down and to take in a moment. It’s as if, at times, I can almost stop the world with the perfectly written line or the timely photograph that just stops you in your tracks and begs the question: Why move forward from here? And then it too is gone.
The other voice, the louder one, is telling me that there’s no way to capture life. It’s a futile act that will leave even the most hardy and ambitious with feelings of bitterness and regret. But to embrace life—to capture moments with memories of great adventures, challenges bested—that leaves a lasting impact that breathes and speaks back to you far beyond its seasonal boundary. I can not capture, in words or photographs, the tingle in my stomach that I can recreate whenever I sit and think long enough about the rush of being pulled up out of the water on my first kiteboarding lesson, and it’s with that spirit and that sentiment in mind that I’ll attack this fall. I think as a child I was imbued with a sense that we aren’t here long enough to enjoy what’s out there, and that made me slow things down and savor them as much as I could. Now, I still think our seasons and years are far too fleeting, but I’m taking the opposite approach. I’m living each day fast and full, and when it’s all said and done, I’ll be filled with memories that don’t lose their spirit over time.
It almost seems too easy, but for some reason it’s felt counter intuitive at times. Fill your life with adventure, excitement and just the right amount of time to sit back and smell the fall leaves, and you’ll be rewarded with memories that fade much slower. Try to slow down too much, and you’ll find that time has passed that cannot be captured again. I know these things, and yet they are often at conflict within me. Finding that yin and yang balance within myself sounds challenging, but it’s a challenge I embrace with a smile. Bring on the fall, bring on the adventure, and when it too has passed, half of me will be fondly looking back while the other half braces for the winter of a lifetime.
Tags: adventure, fly fishing, Kiteboarding, matt werbach, the gorge, View From the Gorge
Cascade Orthopedics P.C.
1715 E. 12th Street, The Dalles, OR.
541.296.2294
Tags: cascade orthopedics, fracture care, sports injuries, sports medicine, The Dalles, the gorge
Cascade Pet Camp
3085 Lower Mill Drive, Hood River, OR
541.354.2267
Tags: cascade pet camp, dog boarding, dog hotel, Hood River, pet boarding, pet camp, the gorge
CGN Studios
416 Cherry Heights Road, The Dalles, OR.
541.308.0308
Welcome to CGN Studios
We offer our clients a fresh way to promote their companies and communicate to larger audiences, for a wide range of specific goals. A CGN corporate video or commercial can breathe new life into your business, your story, your message, your products & services — and your company’s future.
We are a regional corporate video and TV commercial production company based in the beautiful Columbia Gorge. Our clients are individuals, agencies, and businesses large and small all over the Pacific Northwest.
There has never been a better time to push your business, stand out from the competition, and expand your reach. We offer unique opportunities for bold brands willing to differentiate themselves with a high-quality, compelling visual tool. CGN can take you where you want to go.
Corporate Video
1 to 5 minute corporate videos can be used to redefine your brand, launch your product, fundraise, increase sales, and more.
TV Commercial
CGN produces professional 30 second TV spots for local and regional campaigns, and for businesses large and small.
Video Production
At CGN Studios, we are providing the whole idea of video and commercial production, from pre-planning to production to post.
We would love to discuss your project with you and offer you a free estimate on production costs. Contact CGN Studios today and we can get started on a fresh corporate video or commercial for your business.
Tags: Hood River, livestream, The Dalles, the gorge, tv, video production
CGN Studios
416 Cherry Heights Road, The Dalles, OR.
541.308.0308
Welcome to CGN Studios
We offer our clients a fresh way to promote their companies and communicate to larger audiences, for a wide range of specific goals. A CGN corporate video or commercial can breathe new life into your business, your story, your message, your products & services — and your company’s future.
We are a regional corporate video and TV commercial production company based in the beautiful Columbia Gorge. Our clients are individuals, agencies, and businesses large and small all over the Pacific Northwest.
There has never been a better time to push your business, stand out from the competition, and expand your reach. We offer unique opportunities for bold brands willing to differentiate themselves with a high-quality, compelling visual tool. CGN can take you where you want to go.
Corporate Video
1 to 5 minute corporate videos can be used to redefine your brand, launch your product, fundraise, increase sales, and more.
TV Commercial
CGN produces professional 30 second TV spots for local and regional campaigns, and for businesses large and small.
Video Production
At CGN Studios, we are providing the whole idea of video and commercial production, from pre-planning to production to post.
We would love to discuss your project with you and offer you a free estimate on production costs. Contact CGN Studios today and we can get started on a fresh corporate video or commercial for your business.
Tags: Advertising, gorge network, Hood River, Magazine Info, Marketing, The Dalles, the gorge
Columbia Gorge Events
http://columbiagorge.com/events/
Check the link above to view the Columbia Gorge Events Calendar or pick up the latest issue of Columbia Gorge Magazine today! Every issue of Columbia Gorge Magazine features compelling stories and stunning photographs that capture the spirit and style of the Columbia Gorge.
Tags: Hood River, print, The Dalles, the gorge, web
Columbia Gorge Family Medicine
1108 June Street, Hood River, OR.
541.386.5070
www.columbiagorgefamilymedicine.com
We know that your health and the health of your family is the most important thing in the world to you, and we couldn’t agree more. The name of our discipline–family medicine–implies that “family is the focus of our care. Since 1986 Columbia Gorge Family Medicine has been providing coordinated, comprehensive health services to families in the region.
Tags: family care, health services, Hood River, medical, medicine, the gorge, Wellness
Columbia Gorge Hotel/Simon’s Cliff House
4000 Westcliff Drive Hood River, OR
541.386.5566
Regional. Inspired. Genuine. Our award winning culinary team, lead by Chef Josh Deehr, is passionate about featuring the cuisine, bounty and wines of Oregon. Our menus reflect a commitment to locally grown, sustainable ingredients from farmers, fishermen, ranchers, cheese makers and wine makers in Oregon and Washington. In addition to our wine list, you will take in some of the most breathtaking views in the Gorge from our dining room.
We invite you to join us for dinner or a leisurely breakfast or lunch. Weather permitting; we also serve a terrace menu on our beautiful patio overlooking the Columbia River and our acclaimed gardens. A lighter fare and innovative cocktail menu are offered in our lounge.
Tags: breakfast, columbia gorge hotel, gorge restaurants, hood river dining, the gorge
Columbia Laser Skin Center – Hood River
1100 E. Marina Way, Ste. 100, Hood River, OR.
541.386.5066
www.columbialaserskincenter.com
Columbia Laser Skin Center is the first comprehensive skin and vein center in the Columbia Gorge Region. We offer the full array of aesthetic medical services to enhance the total beauty that lies within us all.
Some of our services include: Titan®, Botox®, Restylane®, Juvederm, Microdermabrasion, Intense Pulse Light (IPL), Laser Genesis, Facial & Leg Vein Treatment, Laser Hair Removal, Chemical Peel, Massage, and Mystic Tan.
Tags: botox, health and beauty, Hood River, massage, mystic tan, The Dalles, the gorge, Wellness
Columbia Laser Skin Center – The Dalles
301 Cherry Heights Road, The Dalles, OR.
541.296.0006
www.columbialaserskincenter.com
Columbia Laser Skin Center is the first comprehensive skin and vein center in the Columbia Gorge Region. We offer the full array of aesthetic medical services to enhance the total beauty that lies within us all.
Some of our services include: Titan®, Botox®, Restylane®, Juvederm, Microdermabrasion, Intense Pulse Light (IPL), Laser Genesis, Facial & Leg Vein Treatment, Laser Hair Removal, Chemical Peel, Massage, and Mystic Tan.
Tags: botox, health and beauty, Hood River, massage, mystic tan, The Dalles, the gorge, Wellness
Flow Yoga & Health Studio
Hood River, OR
Tags: Hood River, the gorge, Wellness, yoga
Footwise
413 Oak Street, Hood River, OR.
541.308.0770
Tags: birkenstocks, footwear, footwise, Hood River, keen, shoes, the gorge
Free Range Studios
PO Box 827, White Salmon, WA.
509.493.1711
Tags: blacksmithing, columbia gorge, fabrication, the gorge
Full Sail Brewing Company
506 Columbia Street, Hood River, OR.
541.386.2247
At this very moment, perched on a bluff overlooking the Gorge, our specialists in the liquid refreshment arts are crafting barley and hops into your next beer. Swing by and sample our awarding winning brews, grab a bite, take a tour and soak up the view. Our Tasting Room and Pub is open daily from 11:30 am to 9:00 pm for lunch and dinner. Brewery tours are available daily, free of charge at 1, 2, 3 and 4pm.
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.
Select from shared plates, soup made fresh in our own kitchen, salads, sandwiches, burgers made from Mt. Shadow Natural Meats (our local rancher), halibut fish and chips with Session batter and many more dishes that celebrate the art of brewing and cooking.
Tags: Bars & Breweries, brewery, Hood River, pub, the gorge
Hood River Fashion Show
The Hood River County Gala Fashion Show is a Fashion Show Extraordinaire. The Gala continues to be a huge success! For all ages. The proceeds are donated to The Hood River County Christmas Project. (Winter and Holiday assistance for low income families and seniors)
To watch the 14th Annual Gala Fashion Show broadcast click here
Tags: cathy carter, fashion show, gorge network, Hood River, hood river inn, the gorge
Insitu, Inc.
118 East Columbia River Road, Bingen, WA.
509.493.8600
Insitu, Inc., has pioneered the unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) industry since our inception in 1994. Specializing in the design, development, production, and operation of UAS for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) objectives, Insitu is a leading global provider of UAS solutions that meet a wide range of customer needs.
The unmatched field performance of these customizable, low-cost systems has led to dramatic expansion, making Insitu one of the fastest-growing companies in the UAS industry.
Insitu’s family of UAS solutions has logged more than 200,000 operational flight hours by land and sea and has become the gold standard for autonomous aerial solutions in both military and commercial markets.
With immediate operational readiness supported by a framework of engineering, production, and training services that can be mobilized immediately to meet urgent customer requirements with low lead times, Insitu stands as the industry’s provider of choice for field-proven, field-focused UAS solutions that extend the eyes and empower the assets of our customers.
Tags: bingen, insitu, the gorge, unmanned aircraft
Maupin’s Stoves-n-Spahs
609 East 2nd, The Dalles, OR
541.298.2100
Maupin’s Stoves-n-Spahs, located in the heart of the historical downtown district of The Dalles, has been providing warmth and relaxation to residents of the Columbia Gorge since 1990. Our staff of friendly and experienced professionals is ready to assist you through the purchase process, from selection of the right product to fit your needs to installation, with service after the sale. We offer a full range of quality products including wood, pellet, or gas stoves and fireplaces, spas, pools, bbqs and accessories, designed to meet all of your indoor and outdoor comfort needs. Let us show you why the name Maupin’s has come to mean quality in the Gorge.
Tags: fireplaces, pools, spas, The Dalles, the gorge, wood pellets
Mt. Hood Cycling Classic
PO Box 1432, Hood River, OR.
www.mthoodcyclingclassic.com
mhcc@gorge.net
The Mt. Hood Cycling Classic is one of most difficult stage races in the U.S., with tough climbing and beautiful scenery. The popular event always delivers a top-notch field.
Tags: Hood River, mt hood, mt. hood cycling classic, portland, the gorge
Pheasant Valley Vineyards & Winery
3890 Acree Drive Hood River, OR
541.387.3040
Pheasant Valley Winery, the first USDA Certified Organic vineyard in the Columbia Gorge region! Our Hood River, Oregon winery is open daily for wine tasting and our friendly staff is here to welcome you and guide you through wine tasting in our area. We feature a spacious area with historic wooden bar, large rock fireplace, gift shop & Mt. Hood views while you picnic on our patio.
Tags: columbia gorge wine, Hood River, organic wine, phesant valley winery, the gorge, wine tasting
Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital
810 12th Street, Hood River, OR.
541.386.3911
Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital is expanding to better serve our growing Columbia Gorge communities. More than $50 million in construction projects will enhance patient care and provide new services and state-of-the-art equipment.
Tags: Hood River, hospital, medical, providence, quality care, the gorge
Ridgeline Electric & Design, Inc.
PO Box 1429, Hood River, OR.
541.490.9771
Most electrical contractors prioritize a project as entry level, mid level, or a high-end custom project. At Ridgeline Electric and Design, we value every project with equal importance by providing meticulous attention to detail, professional lighting design concepts, and a careful and concerted effort in listening to the customer. Ridgeline Electric and Design has the professional experience to assist you in making smart, as well as energy efficient lighting choices.
As a Trade Ally of Energy Trust of Oregon in solar and lighting installations, we provide energy efficient and renewable energy equipment and services to homeowners and businesses. From solar electric (PV array) installs, Energy Star and Title 24 compliant lighting options, and energy efficient lighting controls, you’ll see dramatic savings while reducing carbon emissions.
Tags: electrical, Hood River, ridgeline electric, solar installation, the gorge
Salon Visio
708 Oak St., Hood River, OR.
541.387.2566
Tags: aveda, bumble and bumble, hair stylist, Hood River, kerastase paris, salon visio, spa, the gorge
Sunshine Mill Artisan Plaza
901 E. 2nd Street, The Dalles, OR.
541.298.8900
www.sunshinemill.com
Sunshine Mill Artisan Plaza is about building a network of artists and artisan for our community. We currently offer a tasting room for Quenett Winery in our Grand Hall with an amphitheatre, courtyard and bocce ball court!
We are developing loft space for local artists to create and are pleased to announce that Kelly Wheat Pancake Mix is produced at the Sunshine Mill! Early in 2011, a brick-oven pizzeria will be added to this exciting project. Check back for more information soon as the local, artisan pizzeria gets underway!
We open at 12pm daily for wine tasting and have live music every Friday night until 10pm!
Tags: events venue, sunshine mill, the gorge, vino, wine
The Dalles
404 W. 2nd, The Dalles, OR.
541.296.2231
The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce is an organization that gets things done – things that you and your company can’t do alone. Chamber membership is an investment in your company’s future and the vitality of the community.
Our diverse membership represents the entire community with members from business and industry, civic and non-profit organizations, social service agencies, education, government, home-based businesses and individuals. Nearly 500 members representing 2,000 individuals believe that Chamber membership is an important component to business growth, job development, and a healthy economy.
The Chamber and its activities are managed by the Executive Director and a professional staff under the leadership of a 17 member Board of Directors, who serve without compensation and are elected by the membership. Through countless volunteer hours, members accomplish much of the work of the Chamber by serving on committees and task forces.
Tags: Businesses, The Dalles, the dalles chamber, the gorge
The Dalles Ranch
PO Box 1158, The Dalles, OR
541.298.9942
www.thedallesranch.com
lgravel914@aol.com
Where rustic western life and first class elegance combine to make the perfect wilderness retreat. The Dalles Ranch is just two hours from Portland, Oregon, east along the Columbia River Gorge, The Dalles Ranch is a low-key, perfect destination for weddings, retreats, or family getaways.
Tags: retreat, The Dalles, the dalles ranch, the gorge
Waterleaf Farm Estate
b
y jamie hartford
As your tires crunch down the gravel of the unassuming private drive off of the Historic Columbia River Highway, it’s easy to think you’ve made a wrong turn. The shady tunnel of trees belies the stunning vista awaiting at the house ahead, and the drive’s length—perhaps designed to build anticipation—is enough to make you momentarily question your GPS. But any doubt about the accuracy of your directions fades when you see the lions. Standing guard on either side of the iron entry gate, their frozen concrete forms are your first clue that something spectacular lies beyond.
That something is Waterleaf Farm, a 20-acre estate perched high atop a ridge overlooking the Columbia River. California residents Gregg Fletcher and Byron Page purchased it as a vacation home nearly three years ago. They were captured by its beauty and convenient location in Corbett, Oregon, a small town situated midway between downtown Portland, to the west, and the heart of the Columbia Gorge, to the east.
“It’s 30 minutes to Portland and amazing restaurants and 30 minutes to Hood River and anything and everything you can do outdoors,” says Fletcher, a real estate broker. “Yet you feel like you’re a million miles away. That’s the beauty of this property; you feel so isolated.”…
Tags: california, columbia gorge, corbett oregon, Real Estate, the gorge, waterleaf farm
West Columbia Gorge Chamber
226 West Historic Columbia River Hwy., Troutdale, OR.
503-492-7912
How do you want to spend your days in the Gorge? Hiking the popular trails? Sailing the mighty Columbia River? Shopping our art, antiques or unique gifts? Enjoying the breathtaking scenery made famous by world-class photographers?
Come and stay awhile, and you choose from the many wonders that await you in the West Columbia River Gorge.
Tags: art, first friday, hiking, Shopping, the gorge, Troutdale, troutdale chamber
Where the Asphalt Ends
by hoot ramsey
Travelling along the asphalt highways and byways that crisscross the fertile Columbia Gorge, one need only to glance in either direction to view myriad shades of green, covering soil that is black as asphalt and rich as gold in its suitability for cultivating crops. At the many nurseries throughout the area, environmentally conscious tree and native flower growers are making it possible for individuals and landscaping companies to responsibly incorporate native species in every aspect of yard and garden design.
Many have said, “It takes a lifetime to grow a tree.” Undaunted by the challenge, budding botanists and seasoned old-timers throughout the Columbia Gorge stand ready to embark on the venture one tree, one plant or one shrub at a time…
Tags: columbia gorge, good news gardening, Hood River, hood river ornamentals, humble roots farm, the gorge, wind river nursery
