Jennifer Burns Bright

Native chef brings a unique culinary experience to a luxury resort in Willamette Valley wine country. Growing up on the banks of the Siletz River in Oregon’s Central Coast town of Siletz, chef Jack Strong learned traditional foodways as part of his Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians upbringing. When the executive chef and cookbook author took the helm at renowned JORY Restaurant at The Allison Inn & Spa in Newberg in October 2022, he found heritage foods ready...

A sweeping journey from the Canadian Rockies to the Pacific Ocean.

Of the many treasures washed to shore on Oregon’s North Coast — a stretch of cliffs and sand known as the “Graveyard of the Pacific” for its shipwrecks — one created quite a buzz in 2022. No, not the gold and jewelry discovered on the lost ship in “The Goonies.” We’re talking beeswax, and a ship carrying a load of it in its cargo hold that wrecked in 1693.
In June 2022, a team of investigators uncovered even more about the origins — ...

When spring dawns and the sun’s rays begin to thaw frozen landscapes, you can be certain of one thing: mud. While some might wait to resume outdoor activities until drier conditions prevail and the main roads open, the mud season can be a great time to explore Yellowstone National Park with alternative modes of transportation.

With a backdrop of snowy mountains and the rushing Wenatchee River, Leavenworth, located about 120 miles east of Seattle along a winding road through the Cascades foothills, promises festive winter vistas. During the holiday season, the town decks its halls—and trees and hedges and inns and shops—with more than a half a million lights that twinkle nightly. [This article appeared in Via/OR-ID's print edition in Nov. 2022.]

Shoreline ramblings and rural backroads a short drive from Seattle.

Just a quick jaunt from Gig Harbor across Henderson Bay on Highway 302, the Key Peninsula awaits the weekender for laid-back shoreside fun. Its English name comes from the elongated key-like shape of the peninsula, an arm of land stretching southward from the larger Kitsap Peninsula about 16 miles into the South Sound.

Nothing beats freshly caught seafood on the Oregon coast, but without knowing which restaurants support local fishermen and farmers, diners may be surprised that dinner has traveled farther than they have. Although the last year of the coronavirus pandemic has impacted business along the coast, several restaurants, bars, and breweries continue to serve Pacific-Northwestern-caught seafood to locals and day-trippers. This guide highlights 15 outstanding restaurants along coastal Highway 101 fro...

Sample the best oysters -- influenced by their habitats and cultivation methods -- in Oregon and Washington.

Spending the day at Sue-meg State Park in Trinidad, California, located about 30 miles north of Eureka, allows visitors to experience massive redwoods at refreshingly cool and foggy days on the Trinidad Coast, as well as to explore up close a cherished cultural site for local Yurok community.

The simple canning jar might have seemed like one of the more unlikely supplies to be hoarded by consumers and profiteers over the long pandemic summer, but I wasn’t surprised to see the canning shelves gutted, picked clean except for flotsam like a lone box of liquid pectin and a crumpled twin-pack of silicone sippy cup tops.
The disappearance of jars—or more specifically, canning jar lids—happened just as the summer harvest was coming on. Though jars can be recycled for years, lids can’t be...

With soaring cliffs, views of Mt. Hood and a rolling landscape that evolves from golden hills to craggy, forested cliffs with cascading waterfalls, the Mt. Hood and Columbia River Gorge region is one of Oregon’s most sublime natural areas. Though simply experiencing the thunderous power of water tumbling down into rushing rivers or hiking through alpine forests are luxuries, you can elevate any experience with special tours, restaurants and accommodations to make the trip even more unforgetta...

We all love supporting local businesses on the Coast and eating succulent, freshly caught seafood from Oregon-based fishers and crabbers. But sometimes it’s hard to tell if a fish is caught locally and sustainably. We’ve developed some tips to help you select the catch of the day. [For Oregon Coast Visitor Assn.]

Whether you’re an independent traveler or a cruise visitor in Juneau for the day, it’s possible to get away from it all. Skip the tourist-oriented restaurants and sites. Adventurous visitors can wander in Juneau’s back hills and experience nearby Mendenhall Glacier's wetlands, or explore the area’s mining history and spot a whale or two on Douglas Island.

All of Oregon’s wine regions produce lively rosés, each with their own distinct character and appearance — ranging from pretty pink tones to pale apricot to robust ruby. Next time you’re swirling your glass on a sunny tasting-room patio, think about the incredible journey the grapes took from the vineyard.

Alaska's fish aren't the only wild foods gathered for centuries. This article investigates berries, seaweed, and other summer delights, and how the visitor might access them on hills, shores, and at restaurants.