FALL 2026 thegorgemagazine.com
LIVING AND EXPLORING IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE
Community Canvas
Murals color White Salmon
100 Years Bridge of the Gods The beloved Gorge span gets a centennial celebration
E-Bike Libraries
Powered pedals for loan
Cover_FL26.indd 1
8/31/26 3:54 PM
Committed to our clients and our community since 2001.
Maui Meyer
principal broker, or/wa
541-490-3051
Julie Gilbert pc broker, or/wa
541-490-4433
Cody Cornett
Rita Ketler
Elizabeth Turner
broker, or/wa
managing principal broker
gen mgr/broker, or/wa
219-916-0451
541-400-0449
541-490-6552
maui@copperwest.com
julie@copperwest.com
cody@copperwest.com
rita@copperwest.com
elizabeth@copperwest.com
Bill Irving
Phineas England
Paul Thompson
Candice Richards
Vicki Brennan
principal broker, or/wa
503-816-9251
broker, or/wa
541-490-9666
bill@copperwest.com
phineas@copperwest.com
Erin V Pollard
Avagale Porter
541-705-7798
541-399-3881
broker, or/wa
broker, or
principal broker, or/wa
541-490-1044
paul@copperwest.com
principal broker, or/wa
541-912-5999
candice@copperwest.com
Anne Medenbach Sonya Waddington commercial broker, or/wa
541-645-0646
broker, or/wa
509-637-6445
erin@copperwest.com
avagale@copperwest.com
annem@copperwest.com
sonya@copperwest.com
Hunter Lowery
Cyndee Kurahara
Judy Dutcher
Ross Henry
541-490-5917
541-490-1396
541-490-6327
503-709-3564
broker, or/wa
hunter@copperwest.com
CopperWest_FL26.indd 2
broker, or/wa
cyndee@copperwest.com
broker, or/wa
judy@copperwest.com
broker, or/wa
ross@copperwest.com
broker, or
541-399-3678
Dennis Morgan principal broker, or/wa
541-980-3669
dennis@copperwest.com
Sean Aiken
principal broker, or/wa
541-490-8277
vicki@copperwest.com
seanaiken@copperwest.com
Nate DeVol
Chelsea Finson
541-490-0728
503-705-7025
broker, or
nate@copperwest.com
broker, or/wa
chelsea@copperwest.com
Meet our whole team at:
copperwest.com/brokers
8/27/26 9:46 AM
HOOD RIVER, OREGON chemistryjewelry.com
Chemistry_FL26.indd 3
8/27/26 9:47 AM
CONTENTS | FALL 2026
36
10
Feature
A DREAM BUILT INTO THIS PLACE
One hundred years after its dedication, Maryhill Museum remains a vibrant testament to an improbable vision By Janet Cook
Courtesy of Maryhill Museum of Art
OUTSIDE
42 JACOB’S SKATEPARK A life cut short inspires a lasting gathering place for riders of all ages
By Don Campbell
LIVING WELL
48 PEDALS + POWER FOR THE PEOPLE Community e-bike libraries are making it easier for residents to try two-wheel transportation
By Janet Cook
48
David Hanson
OUR GORGE 10 LOCAVORE 14 BEST OF THE GORGE 16 HOME + GARDEN 20 CREATE 24 EXPLORE 28 IMBIBE 54 PARTAKE 58 YOUR GORGE
24
Molly Allen Kyle Ramey 4
FALL 2026 I THE GORGE MAGAZINE
Front_FL26.indd 4
8/30/26 5:55 PM
SINCE 1994
Distinctive Thoughtful Inspired
305 OAK STREET HOOD RIVER 541.386.6188
Twiggs_SM26.indd 5
8/27/26 9:48 AM
EDITOR'S NOTE
Carol@DonNunamaker.com RealEstateinTheGorge.com HoodRiverProperties.com
PARKDALE $1,100,000: Unbelievable unobstructed Mt. Hood view from this authentic log home built in 1990 by a Canadian log home company. 2,249 sqft of living space: 1,320 sqft living room, dining room, kitchen & a bedroom on the main, and 929 sqft in the upper level of 2 bedrooms and primary suite. This 6.41-acre artist-owned property features a hand-carved totem pole, 70 birdhouses, and massive wildflower fields. RMLS 333008450
HOOD RIVER $969,000: Built in 1936 on a .16-acre corner lot with peeks of Mt. Adams and the Columbia River, this meticulously maintained home sits on a desirable Hood River street. Main level features hardwood floors, updated kitchen, living/dining area, 2 bedrooms, and full bath. Lower level offers a primary suite, family room with built-ins, and radiant heated bath. Conveniently located near downtown Hood River. RMLS 115095143
Years ago, after writing a story about Charlie Crocker’s Sol Rides, I bought an e-bike from his fleet when he sold them at the end of the season. It was before e-bikes became wildly popular, and the Blix bike’s upright, city-bike style reminded me of an old 10-speed bicycle my mom used to ride when I was a kid. I still have that Blix bike, and I love cruising around town on it. My husband and I often ride our e-bikes out to dinner, to visit friends across town, to Mosier on the Old Highway for the classic “Moco Run,” grabbing dinner at Mosier Company and then riding back in the magical Gorge blue hour.
Megan Ramey does a lot more on her e-bike than just dinner runs; her e-bikes are her primary mode of transportation. Now she’s working to get more people on e-bikes with the launch of an e-bike library in Hood River. People can borrow an e-bike for up to two weeks, and then buy one if they choose at a discounted rate. A similar program launched in White Salmon and Bingen over the summer, with e-bikes available for loan for up to a month. You can read our story about the programs beginning on page 48. It’s a bit far for an e-bike ride, but Maryhill Museum of Art is celebrating 100 years since its dedication by Queen Marie of Romania in 1926. The official centennial celebration is Sept. 19, with free admission and a slate of activities including music and dance performances, and special food and beverage offerings. But special exhibitions in honor of the centennial run throughout the fall. Check out our story about this unlikely cultural landmark in the eastern Gorge starting on page 36. Another Gorge landmark celebrating its centennial this year is the Bridge of the Gods. Built where a massive landslide once dammed the river, creating a natural land bridge before the rushing water eventually eroded it away, the iconic steel span will be feted with a party at Marine Park along with a month-long centennial celebration in Cascade Locks featuring special exhibits, events and activities throughout October. You can read more about the bridge and the centennial starting on page 24. There’s a lot more in this issue, including a piece about Hood River’s Kings & Daughters Brewery and the Walled Garden Taproom (page 28); a story about French’s Farm in Lyle (page 10); and a look at how all those beautiful murals in White Salmon came to be (page 20). Enjoy, and have a wonderful fall!
UNDERWOOD, WA $625,000: Secluded 1915 Cabin retreat on 5 wooded acres in Underwood, WA, offering privacy forested surroundings, and sweeping Columbia River view. Originally built as a small Cabin and expanded over time, this rustic bungalow features a main level primary bedroom, an attic bedroom, and approximately 1,121 square feet of finished living space, plus an unfinished basement for storage and utility. RMLS 367255001
FALL 2026 thegorgemagazine.com
— Janet Cook, Editor
LIVING AND EXPLORING IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE
About the Cover
Community Canvas
Murals color White Salmon
100 Years Bridge of the Gods
MOLLY ALLEN took our cover photo of Bridge of the Gods from Thunder Island. “As the sun went low, everything became golden,” she said. “People were fishing near the boat ramp, a boat was charging through under the bridge, and these lovely golden plants were waving in the wind.” It provided a perfect, early-fall palette to show off the 100-year-old bridge. mollyallenmedia.com
The beloved Gorge span gets a centennial celebration
E-Bike Libraries
Powered pedals for loan
541-490-5099
Oregon & Washington Broker
6
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.
FALL 2026 I THE GORGE MAGAZINE
Front_FL26.indd 6
8/31/26 3:55 PM
Custom creations & Trusted care FALL 2026 EDITOR
Janet Cook
CREATIVE DIRECTOR & GRAPHIC DESIGNER Renata Kosina
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Jody Thompson
ADVERTISING SALES Kim Horton
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Molly Allen, Don Campbell, David Hanson, Kacie McMackin, Jana Shepherd
COVER PHOTOGRAPHER
Custom ring designed and crafted by Ken Apland
CUSTOM DESIGNS FROM OUR STATE-OF-THE-ART WORKSHOP JEWELRY REPAIRS • CERTIFIED GEMOLOGIST-APPRAISER, AGS SPECIAL ORDERS • GIFTS & MORE 541.386.3977 | 216 OAK ST., HOOD RIVER, OR | APLANDJEWELERS.COM
Molly Allen
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Molly Allen, David Hanson, Renata Kosina, Kacie McMackin, Jana Shepherd
TO ADVERTISE IN THE GORGE MAGAZINE
please contact Jody Thompson jthompson@thegorgemagazine.com
VISIT US ON SOCIAL MEDIA @thegorgemagazine on Instagram
THE GORGE MAGAZINE 1812 Belmont Ave. Hood River, OR 97031
We appreciate your feedback. Please email comments to: jcook@thegorgemagazine.com
The Gorge Magazine is published by Columbia Gorge News, LLC. 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 Columbia Gorge News, LLC. 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, Columbia Gorge News, LLC, or its employees, staff or management. All RIGHTS RESERVED. THE GORGE MAGAZINE I FALL 2026
Front_FL26.indd 7
7
8/30/26 5:55 PM
Axis_SM26.indd 8
8/27/26 10:04 AM
GORGE
Our
20
Rhett and Tina Jacobi in front of their mural in White Salmon.
Jana Shepherd
LOCAVORE 10 • BEST OF THE GORGE 14 • HOME & GARDEN 16 CREATE 20 • EXPLORE 24 • IMBIBE 28 • PARTAKE 54 • YOUR GORGE 58
Michael Peterson
THE GORGE MAGAZINE I FALL 2026
OG_Dept_FL26.indd 9
9
8/30/26 5:56 PM
OUR GORGE
locavore
story & photos by DAVID HANSON
French’s Farm: Lyle’s Ice Cream Lab
A COUPLE’S PASSION FOR NATIVE PLANTS AND WILD FLAVORS PUTS A HISTORIC ROADSIDE STOP BACK ON THE MAP I’ve never met a charcuterie board I didn’t like, seems like an odd thing to hear from the Gorge’s best ice cream maker. We’re sitting
10
in Matt Kotwasinski’s parlor — French’s Farm — in the bones of an old gas station that now smells like the inside of a still-warm waffle cone. Matt is explaining how one of the eight current flavors on hand is brie and blue cheese. “Brie’s an easy choice, but the blue cheese is a recent addition because we weren’t getting quite enough funk out of just brie itself,” Matt says. “Plenty of earth, and it was soft and nuanced and lovely, but I wanted to make it funky for the funky people. You can make really good ice cream or memorable ice cream. They’re not always synonymous with each other.” Other memorable varieties that have emerged from Matt’s eccentric test kitchen: Whiskey Business, made after simmering Old Crow into a syrup, then blending it with cream, vanilla, chocolate drizzle, and candied pecans. There’s the lemon ash ice cream that requires a blowtorch to char the lemons into a fine powder. Or the simpler black-cap raspberry and rhubarb sourced from his neighbor’s yard. Matt even makes his own root beer and has a method of mixing a root beer float with a quick tap in the mixer to elicit the aromatics from the herbs. The name French’s Farm is an homage to Egbert French who established a homestead on the property in the 1860s, eventually selling the location to James Lyle, the town founder. As a gas station in the mid-century automotive heyday, attendants in white jumpsuits would await the ding-ding bell of arriving cars. Later it was a video rental shop, then Milestone Nursery, and a brief stint when the original Mother’s Market (now Treebird) occupied the shop. Matt and his partner Claire West moved into the space with their small nursery business in 2016. The two met online when Claire was supporting local food systems and healthy food access in Seattle and Matt was living in Lyle and working at pFriem Family Brewers, where he still works part-time today.
FALL 2026 I THE GORGE MAGAZINE
OG_Dept_FL26.indd 10
8/30/26 5:56 PM
After migrating to Lyle, Claire, whose mom and grandmother grew up in the Gorge, took a year-long botanical medicine course in Portland focused on plants native to the Columbia River Gorge. They filled the greenhouse in the empty lot behind the building with native succulents and nursery plants that Claire cultivates. It was a side hustle at first, a creative outlet close to home, but the ice cream and neighborhood fruit-infused lemonades and teas weren’t a thing. The plants hanging from shelves and climbing the corners brought a liveliness to the parlor, but after Covid, Matt had an itch to create some flavors and up the ante on making the space a place for community cohesion after the shutdown. “I was entrepreneurial as a kid,” Matt says. “I was always a lemonade-stand guy, a Dairy Queen-ice-cream kind of dude. Then I got into home brewing and ultimately my job at pFriem. With French’s Farm, at first I just bought the ice cream from Olympic Mountain in Shelton, Wash., but it just wasn’t viable to schlep it all the way over here. I started experimenting with making my own ice cream and non-alcoholic drinks and using local fruit.” As the flavors took shape and the space filled out with plants and art and aromas, the fan base has grown throughout the Gorge. People walk in and Matt bellows out their name or, more likely, nickname. Small-town catch-up ensues — the recent fire, road construction, the Fourth of July. Town-favorite flavors, like Whiskey Busi-
Matt Kotwasinski hands a scoop of homemade ice cream to an eager customer, opposite. He and Claire West, above, opened as a native plant nursery in 2016 before adding ice cream with intriguing ingredients like fresh rhubarb, above left.
ness, have emerged. When customers notice a new flavor in the display case, questions follow: Who’s place is the fruit from? How’d you make an ice cream out of rosé? With the shop’s popularity, Matt has reduced his hours at pFriem, something his brewery co-workers celebrated, proud of his commitment to his own local dreams and flavor creations.
Buy · Sell · Lease · Invest
THE LOGS: TURN KEY HOSPITALITY PROPERTY Includes popular restaurant w/ 80+seats, patio, bar area and potential for outdoor events. Includes 4 ‘cabin’ units, 2Bd Apartment, and 2 RV Hookups.
Your Commercial Broker in The Gorge.
Anne Medenbach CCIM, Commercial Broker OR/WA
541-645-0646 annem@copperwest.com THE GORGE MAGAZINE I FALL 2026
OG_Dept_FL26.indd 11
11
8/31/26 2:29 PM
locavore
Matt Kotwasinski and his assistant Chris Hamilton make all the ice creams from scratch, usually using only four or five ingredients.
worthy renegades. They have the “crushable” as Matt likes to call them: Oreo, chocolate, strawberry, and Butterfinger. Matt finds joy in tweaking those standard-bearers to perfection, but the thing that keeps him in his little waffle-scented parlor for hours every day is the possibility of creating something new. “The next level is sake,” he says. “We’ve really drilled down a lemon sake. And I’m holding out for the grapefruit Campari making a comeback. I also have a goal, a dream, a vision to harvest white oak acorn and muddle them into a flour for a foraged farm cone.” “Inefficiency,” quips Claire. “But can you imagine how excellent that would be?” On a Tuesday in July, midday, Matt and his assistant Chris Hamilton are making flavors. Chris scrapes the dark seeds (aka vanilla caviar) from the inside of a vanilla bean into the vat of cream. Then he stirs. Matt chops stalks of rhubarb before weighing them. “Just stirring milk, that’s all it is. Right, Chris?” Matt asks. “It’s super analog and hands-on. We might go through six dozen tasting spoons just to make sure we’ve got the right balance of sugar, tart, acid, fat.” Matt and Chris make everything from scratch. Most have only a handful of ingredients. And they’re not all experimental, news-
THE SCOOP French’s Farm is open Friday-Sunday, 12-6 p.m., through September. After September, follow them on Instagram for pop-ups and pre-order pints between Halloween and Christmas: Pumpkins for sale in the nursery, hot cider on the burner, maybe a cranberryrosemary, a peppermint flavor … Follow French’s Farm on Instagram: @frenchsfarminlyle David Hanson is a writer, photographer and video producer based in Hood River. Find his editorial/commercial work at ModocStories.com and weddings at CascadiaStudios.com.
Providence Hospice of the Gorge Guiding you through transition with confidence. - Certified Divorce Financial Analyst ®
Brendan Kerr, CDFA®, Financial Advisor 510 Cascade Ave. | Hood River, Oregon | kerrlarleewm.com | (541) 399-4521
12
Compassionate care is at the heart of all we do. Hood River: 541-387-6449 Providence.org/hospice Serving Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, Wheeler, Skamania and Klickitat counties
FALL 2026 I THE GORGE MAGAZINE
OG_Dept_FL26.indd 12
8/31/26 2:30 PM
Windemere_RB.indd 17
8/27/26 10:10 AM
OUR GORGE
best of the Gorge
Courtesy of Concours de Maryhill
Concours de Maryhill
1
Bring your classic car to Maryhill Museum of Art on October 3 for the Councours de Maryhill open automobile show. Cars compete in more than 20 classes, and from 12 to 2 p.m., the historic Maryhill Loops Road is open to the public. This is one of two opportunities every year to take a spin through the road’s eight hairpin curves. Spectators can stick around for the famed Maryhill Loops Hillclimb the next day, where approved drivers race singly in a timed climb up the windy road. maryhillmuseum.org
Hood River Valley Harvest Fest
2
Celebrate the bounty of fall October 9-12 at the Hood River Valley Harvest Fest. The Hood River Waterfront comes alive for three days with more than 80 regional artists, farm vendors, food carts and family activities. Stock up on seasonal favorites while enjoying the sights and flavors of the season. hoodriverharvestfestival.com
Trout Lake Hall’s Anniversary Party
3
Trout Lake Hall marks its fourth anniversary September 25-27 with a weekend built around music, food and community. The celebration begins Friday with Seattle singer-songwriter Dean Johnson and Canadian folk duo Mama’s Broke. On Saturday, Portland soul legend Ural Thomas & The Pain take the stage with Ryan Sollee of The Builders and the Butchers. The weekend wraps up Sunday with the 4th Annual Chili Cook-Off, where guests can sample entries from participating cooks and vote for their favorite. troutlakehall.com
14
FALL 2026 I THE GORGE MAGAZINE
OG_Dept_FL26.indd 14
8/31/26 12:32 PM
Artwork by Jennifer Takahashi
In a Garden Art Exhibition at 301 Gallery
4
On display through September, In a Garden showcases the work of local and regional artists inspired by the beauty and tranquility of gardens. Along with artwork spanning a range of mediums that interpret gardens in their dynamic rhythm and light, fresh flower arrangements by local florists are on display in the gallery. 301gallery.com
The Dalles Witches Walk
5
Ride your broom to The Dalles October 17 for the 10th annual Witches Walk, a downtown business crawl featuring a witch’s parade, entertainment and activities. Related events include a Masquerade Ball on Friday at the Sunshine Mill and a Sunday breakfast and coat drive for the Lion’s Club. Facebook/tdwitcheswalk THE GORGE MAGAZINE I FALL 2026
OG_Dept_FL26.indd 15
15
8/31/26 9:40 AM
OUR GORGE
home & garden
Bringing the Outside In
story by JANET COOK • photos by GENNY MOLLER
NEFF DESIGNS TRADED WALLS FOR A VIEW ON A RECENT HOOD RIVER REMODEL WHEN ASHLEY HINKLE, founder and principal designer at Neff Designs, was hired to design a remodel of a home on Highline Drive, she expected the process to work like most of her remodels. The client would have a basic idea of what was wanted, probably some inspiration photos that she could start with. She would go from there, refine the vision and turn it into reality.
Instead, she was essentially given a blank slate. The homeowner knew he wanted to update the early 2000s-era home, but didn’t have a clear idea of what that looked like. “So it was figuring out, what can I bring to the table and how can I make this house look better?” Hinkle started by spending time in the home to get a feel for it and a sense of the house in its setting. With 15 years of experience designing new construction and remodel projects in the Gorge, Hinkle is known for creating interiors that reflect a strong sense of place while also being an expression of the homeowners’ lifestyle. “This is such a beautiful setting,” she said about the Highline residence. “So it was figuring out, how do I let that really be Goals of the project included updating the design, showcasing the views and bringing in natural light.
16
FALL 2026 I THE GORGE MAGAZINE
OG_Dept_FL26.indd 16
8/30/26 5:57 PM
Ashley Hinkle of Neff Designs reconfigured the kitchen for better flow. A handmade clay tile backsplash and custom metal hood complement clear alder cabinetry. She incorporated architectural angles already present and added a larger window over the sink.
our showpiece.” The main floor was broken up into a living area, dining room and kitchen, with walls dividing the spaces — and also hindering the stunning views and making the spaces feel dark. “Early in the design phase, I thought, ‘What if we just remove all these walls, so that when you walk in the front door, you see outside?’” Hinkle said. The homeowner agreed, and that set the stage for the project. From there, Hinkle spent a lot of time reconfiguring the kitchen and substantially enlarging it. “It felt tiny for as big as the house is,” she said. The pantry was located inconveniently across a hallway, and an awkward peninsula mimicked some interesting architectural angles. Hinkle convinced the homeowner to replace a small kitchen window with one that extended much higher, bringing in valuable light and also showcasing the dramatic view of the wooded hillside below. When the walls came out, steel beams were installed for structural support. Hinkle hadn’t originally planned on leaving them exposed, but when she saw them, she knew they had to stay. “They add this ruggedness that the Gorge has,” she said. “They were very fitting, so I made sure they were exposed anywhere we needed them.” She played off the beams with a custom steel hood over the stove. A backsplash of handmade clay tile in deep green sets off the clear alder cabinets. Another challenge was creating a full daylight basement — expanding on an existing partial basement that could only be accessed from outside. “That was a real pain point if you wanted to use it,” she said. Finding a place to put stairs from the main level to the basement was one of her most complicated tasks. She eventually had them built below the existing stairs going to the second level.
Everything You Need to Tackle Fall
1995 12TH STREET HOOD RIVER, OR 97031 (541) 386-2757
3811 EAGLE LOOP ODELL, OR 97044 (541) 354-3000
HRSUPPLY.COM
THE GORGE MAGAZINE I FALL 2026
OG_Dept_FL26.indd 17
17
8/30/26 5:57 PM
home & garden
The finished design includes furnishings in leather, stone and wood designed to age well over time — providing tasteful, restrained style that doesn’t compete with the dramatic views of the treed hillsides surrounding the home.
Now, the basement is a cozy, usable space with a media center and wet bar. Upstairs, Hinkle had the fireplace in the primary bedroom re-done, and updated the furniture. She also turned a secondary bedroom into a show-stopping guest room with a new private deck, replacing a fireplace and wall with floor-to-ceiling windows, and turning an adjacent small bedroom into an en suite bathroom. Hinkle curated all the furnishings on the main floor, using lots of stone, wood and leather. “It’s all things that are going to age beautifully over time,” she said. “I wanted everything to be restrained. It’s pretty but it’s not grabbing your attention. Your attention is
We’re bringing our premium cleaning expertise to the Gorge! We combine traditional quality with modern, innovative methods to provide expert cleaning for rugs, carpet, and upholstery.
Call us today at 503-477-4097 to schedule your next cleaning appointment!
gallagherscarpetcleaning.com
403 Portway Ave., Suite 300, Hood River
really going outside. Because it’s beautiful, and it’s ever-changing.” She prioritizes furnishings that last. “I don’t need things to look the same 20 years from now,” she said. “I want them to look aged, I want them to have history, story.” Another twist in the project was that the homeowner, who lives only part time in Hood River, was not here for the bulk of the work, which took about a year. “We had a few Zoom meetings, but not a lot,” Hinkle said. When he returned to see his remodeled house, “it reminded me of one of those reveals,” she said. “When he walked in, he walked into this,” she added, sweeping her hands around the open main floor with its expansive views — nearly unrecognizable from the former walled-off spaces. For Hinkle, the re-design accomplished what she aims for with every project: creating spaces that feel comfortable, beautiful and functional. “I want it to feel a certain way when you walk in,” she said. The project, like all of her Columbia Gorge design work, was driven by “where we live,” said Hinkle, a fourth-generation Gorge local who grew up in White Salmon, left to study interior design in college, then returned to put her expertise to work. “I love it here so much, and every time I show up to a new house, it’s like, how can I make this special?” At the Highline residence, mission accomplished. “It was updated, to say the least,” she said. “It feels very different. It feels the way I wanted it to feel.” To learn more, go to neff-designs.com
18
FALL 2026 I THE GORGE MAGAZINE
OG_Dept_FL26.indd 18
8/31/26 3:32 PM
RuddyDuck_FL26.indd 19
8/27/26 10:44 AM
OUR GORGE
create
story & photos by JANA SHEPHERD
A Community’s Canvas
That investment has taken shape through a growing collection of public art brought to life during the Wildflower Festival, where live painting has become a signature experience. For three consecutive years, visitors have watched murals evolve in real time. The driving force behind it is Julie Burgmeier, founder of the Wildflower Festival and Wine Walk, who has helped shape its artistic direction and places a strong focus on connecting the community. The idea that “murals tell the story of a place” has become a guiding philosophy. Transforming once-blank walls into gorgeous displays of colorful artwork is part of a larger effort to make downtown White Salmon a place that feels distinctly its own. While public art creates moments of discovery for visitors, it becomes part of everyday life for the people who live and work here. A mural becomes a landmark, a backdrop for a photograph, a meeting point for friends, or simply a small moment of beauty. One of the most visible examples in downtown is the Elba Building, reimagined through a collaboration with Tina and Rhett Jacobi of Big Water Construction, whom Burgmeier selected as the featured artists for last year’s installation. Unveiled during the 2025 Wildflower Festival, the mural captures native blooms, the river, and sweeping views of Mount Hood. Just down the street, the Marcel storefront exudes a colorful entrance painted by local artist Molly Holmlund. Trained in fine art and known for her nature-inspired designs, Julie Burgmeier at the White Salmon Wine Walk.
THE STORY BEHIND WHITE SALMON’S VIBRANT MURALS WALK THROUGH DOWNTOWN WHITE SALMON and you’ll find more than storefronts, cafés, tasting rooms, and our legendary mountain-town charm. Colorful murals have become part of the character of downtown White Salmon, adding unexpected bursts of art to the landscape, giving visitors another reason to explore, and locals a reason to slow down. Behind the paint is a story even more interesting. The White Salmon Wine Walk, an annual event highlighting winemakers on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge, is part of the White Salmon Wildflower Festival that takes place each year for the entire month of May. It began in the spring of 2023, bringing people into downtown to sip, stroll, shop, and celebrate the businesses that make the community special. More than just a festive evening, one hundred percent of the Wine Walk proceeds go directly toward beautification projects in downtown White Salmon, putting something tangible back into the community itself. 20
FALL 2026 I THE GORGE MAGAZINE
OG_Dept_FL26.indd 20
8/30/26 5:57 PM
Artist:: MOLLY HOLMLUND Artist
Artist:: JESSICA VOLLENDORF Artist
Artist:: TINA & RHETT JACOBI Artist
Opposite top, artists Mary Garcia and Angela LoJacono in front of their mural on the Everybody’s Brewing building. Above, from left, colorful murals decorate the Marcel storefront, the Underwood Conservation District offices and the Elba Building.
Holmlund drew inspiration from simple organic forms, fallen petals, leaves and seedlings. Marcel owner Amy Nowatski, one of White Salmon’s most creative curators, designed her space, contributing to the distinctive visual appeal of White Salmon’s downtown scene. Near the playground in Rheingarten Park, the once dull gray wall of the Underwood Conservation District offices became a joyful celebration of native wildlife in 2024. Painted by White Salmon-based artist Jessica Vollendorf, formally trained in fine arts with a deep pas-
sion for the outdoors, the project was a true collaboration, guided by UCD executive director Tova Tillinghast, Charlie Kitchings of the White Salmon Arts Council, and Burgmeier. Together, they helped shape a piece that reflects both ecological awareness and community pride. Just steps away, another set of murals wraps around public bathrooms in bold black-and-white illustrations of fresh produce
ART IN HOOD RIVER 301
Detail of Love Letters to the Land - Payne’s Gray by Liz Dexter
301 GALLERY / 301 OAK STREET / HOOD RIVER, OR 97031 / 541-215-6681 PAINTING PHOTOGRAPHY SCULPTURE GLASS WOOD METAL CERAMICS JEWELRY
THE GORGE MAGAZINE I FALL 2026
OG_Dept_FL26.indd 21
21
8/30/26 5:57 PM
create
and garden tools, created by Sally Gilchrist with support from the White Salmon Arts Council and Columbia High School art students. But perhaps the boldest endeavor to date is Where the Wild Things Bloom, an 1,800-square-foot mural on the side of the beloved Everybody’s Brewing building. Completed in June of this year, following a monthlong project that coincided with the Wildflower Festival, the vibrant piece is a striking new addition to downtown White Salmon. The effort was supported by the North Shore Community Foundation and coordinated by Color Outside the Lines, a Portland-based nonprofit focused on at-risk youth led by Anna Barlow, whose expertise helped manage the many moving parts, from artists and logistics to local partnerships. Everybody’s Brewing owners Doug and Christine Ellenberger selected artists Mary Garcia and Angela LoJacono to create the artwork. Burgmeier, who played a key role in bringing the project together, notes that the mural is a powerful example of what can happen when a community comes together around public art.
TAKE A MURAL WALK THROUGH BINGEN
The art continues just down the road in BINGEN, where murals offer another colorful window into the history and character of the Gorge. Highlights include the Sun Sun Community Mural, For Good and Mad, the Beneventi’s mural, the Big Fish Properties/WAGAP mural, and the Sacajawea–Lewis & Clark mural just west of downtown. Together, Bingen and White Salmon make an easy afternoon of ART EXPLORATION. Take a SELF-GUIDED TOUR and experience the Gorge one painted wall and one local story at a time. Though the walls are painted by artists, the story behind them belongs to everyone.
Artist:: SALLY GILCHRIST Artist
Artist: MA Artist: MARY RY GARCIA & ANGELA LOJACONO
The public restrooms at Rheingarten Park feature bold black-and-white illustrations of fresh produce, left. At right, artists Mary Garcia and Angela LoJacono painting high on the side of the Everybody’s Brewing building earlier this year.
“This mural was truly a community effort, and working with Anna Barlow and Color Outside the Lines made the process possible,” she said. “Their professionalism, passion for artists, and commitment to public art helped bring a very ambitious project to life. It’s incredibly rewarding to see what can happen when artists, local businesses, and the community share a vision for their town.” Funded through a combination of Wine Walk proceeds, community donations, and support from local businesses, including Grove Construction, Peterson CAT, and SherwinWilliams, Burgmeier says the annual event was the project’s primary financial contributor. Together, the Wine Walk and the White Salmon Business Alliance helped bring the mural to life, continuing their commitment to downtown beautification and reflecting the collaborative spirit that defines White Salmon’s approach to public art. The mural itself is a vivid reflection of place, reinforcing what makes the Columbia River Gorge so extraordinary. Blending Garcia’s love of mushrooms and native flora with LoJacono’s passion for wildlife and the breathtaking ecosystems of the Gorge, the piece draws directly from the region’s natural identity. Garcia, a Gorge-based artist and biology teacher, is inspired by forests, rivers, and seasonal change, while LoJacono, often called “the painter of critters,” brings a deep affection for wildlife to her first major public art project. Together, their work honors the interconnectedness of the landscape. Live painting also became part of the experience during this year’s Wine Walk, allowing visitors to not just observe but to participate in the creative process as the mural unfolded. At its core, the Wildflower Festival is about local fauna, native plants, art, and community. Those themes are not just celebrated, but are now embedded into the walls of downtown, resulting in a lasting visual landscape. The success of the Wine Walk and the projects it has helped fund have sparked something even bigger. The traction and community support generated through these efforts have become an impetus for the creation of a new non-profit Main Street Association for White Salmon, creating a more formal structure for continuing downtown revitalization and beautification. What began as an evening of wine, conversation, and community gathering has grown into something more enduring — a model for how small towns can invest in themselves. A mural is, after all, created one brushstroke at a time. Community revitalization works much the same way. An idea, an event, a volunteer, a donation. Over time, these individual contributions can morph into something much larger than the sum of their parts. In White Salmon, you can see that collective effort painted right onto the walls. Jana Shepherd is a writer living in White Salmon. She’s a frequent contributor to The Gorge Magazine.
22
FALL 2026 I THE GORGE MAGAZINE
OG_Dept_FL26.indd 22
8/30/26 5:57 PM
N E W YO R K T I M E S
Breakfast of Champions
EGG RIVER CAFE BREAKFAST I LUNCH I COCKTAILS
Open Daily 6am-3pm Featuring Fresh, Local Ingredients DOOR DASH DELIVERY
541-386-1127 1313 Oak Street Hood River eggrivercafe.com
Egg_River_FP_SM26.indd 23
PATIO IS OPEN!
FAMILY FRIENDLY DINING
10% OFF Breakfast or Lunch
Expires 6/1/2027
8/27/26 10:46 AM
OUR GORGE
explore
Courtesy of The Oregonian
story by MOLLY ALLEN • photos by MOLLY ALLEN and PROVIDED
A Century Spanning the Gorge CASCADE LOCKS THROWS A CENTENNIAL BASH FOR BRIDGE OF THE GODS A HUNDRED YEARS OF HISTORY Standing tall with its intricate steel trusses and grates, the Bridge of the Gods is a quintessential Pacific Northwest landmark connecting Oregon and Washington at Cascade Locks. The first time I drove over the bridge, I was in awe. That mesmerizing feeling has continued every time since, and even deepened after walking across the bridge. Courtesy of the Cascade Locks Historical Museum
The Bridge of the Gods has been offering that same sense of wonder to travelers for 100 years. “The Bridge of the Gods is an iconic symbol of Oregon history,” says Janice Crane, executive director of the Cascade Locks Historical Museum. “It’s a big part of interstate commerce and tourism, and it connects communities.” According to Crane, the idea of the bridge was conceived to provide a tourism experience. It would facilitate a driving loop for visitors to see highlights throughout the Gorge. The original concept came from highway worker George S. Allen, who was working on the Columbia River Highway. The plans specified the Cascade Locks location because of its narrow connection over the river and picturesque views. Once the bridge was built, it would provide the opportunity for travelers to drive east from Portland, past Multnomah Falls, cross over to Washington and then drive back on the Washington side of the Gorge. A permit filed by the Interstate Construction Corporation, later known as Bridges of the Gods Corporation, was approved in 1920. It didn’t come to fruition due to a lack of funding, but Wauna Toll Bridge Company later took over, and it was finally constructed. A Chevrolet sedan makes the first trip across the bridge in 1926, top. The decking wasn’t finished so wood planks were laid down to drive across. Left , a mid-century postcard.
24
FALL 2026 I THE GORGE MAGAZINE
OG_Dept_FL26.indd 24
8/31/26 2:36 PM
“The bridge was actually built in just a few months,” Crane says. “Construction started in January and finished in October. It came up pretty quickly.” The bridge was officially open for traffic on October 26, 1926, with a Chevrolet sedan making the first trip across. “It’s a style of bridge we don’t see anymore,” says Crane, referring to the bridge’s cantilever design with concrete pier ends, steel truss construction and intricate grates. “A lot of them have been removed, so it’s special to preserve it.”
THE BRIDGE OF THE GODS CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION With 100 years of bridge history, the community of Cascade Locks has plenty to celebrate. Fall will offer several opportunities to commemorate the occasion.
The largest birthday party for the bridge:
Saturday, September 19
MAIN E VEN T
The Celebration will be held at Marine Park in Cascade Locks starting at noon and culminating at 8 p.m. with a fireworks show. The festival is free to attend and will offer engaging activities including games, live music, local food and beverages, historical presentations, a marketplace featuring regional artists and businesses, and a raffle to support the Friends of the Cascade Locks Historical Museum, according to festival producer Jason Waicunas.
Molly Allen
The Historical Museum will be open during the event, offering visitors a chance to view historical documents, including written content and photos of the bridge construction and its preservation over the years. Physical items in the exhibit also include tools used to build the bridge and the old toll sign.
MORE WAYS TO CELEBRATE The museum received a grant from the Oregon State Capitol Foundation, which provided further ability to collect historical documents. According to Crane, since the bridge was built by private entities, information was spread all over the place. “It was important
,
ADVENTURE
ART
TRAILS
Tourism support provided by City of Washougal hotel/motel tax funds. VW_April2026_GorgeAd_7.25x4.837_v01b.indd 1
OG_Dept_FL26.indd 25
4/21/26 4:47 PM
THE GORGE MAGAZINE I FALL 2026
25
8/31/26 12:34 PM
explore
for us to collect the history of the bridge. Getting the story into one place has been really interesting,” she says, adding that there were plenty of copies, but not original documentation. The centennial and the grant offered the chance to build out that historical collection further, and it will be on display at the Oregon State Capitol from September 3 to October 1. In addition to the main festival and historical exhibit, Main Street Cascade Locks is planning a celebration that will last throughout October. The Bridge of the Gods Downtown Centennial Celebration will begin October 1 and run daily through the month, with special exhibits, events, activities, and menu and merchandise offerings by businesses and artists throughout the designated downtown district, according to Lauryl Nagode, president of Main Street Cascade Locks. A digital birthday card, scrapbook stations, FUN walking tours of the bridge, a scavenger hunt, AC TIV ITIE S bridge art exhibits, selfie stations, pub talks, trivia nights, and an escaped bridge troll bounty hunt are all on the schedule. Nagode says there will be opportunities to sample a wide range of commemorative food and beverage offerings ranging from birthday cake to prohibition-era cocktails and appetizers around downtown. “Everything being offered as part of this celebration program will be listed in a brochure with a map of locations or starting points
Molly Allen
as well as scheduled dates and times when applicable,” Nagode says. “Visitors have the entire month to collect stamps in their brochures for each event, activity and menu or merchandise offering they choose to experience — many of which require no purchase.” Visitors can redeem the stamps they collect for a variety of exclusive commemorative souvenir prizes, she adds. “For a century, this bridge has stood as a connection between Oregon and Washington — not just physically, but through the people and communities it serves,” says Jeremiah Blue, executive director of the Port of Cascade Locks. “Reaching 100 years is a remarkable milestone, and it’s an opportunity to reflect on the bridge’s history while celebrating its importance for future generations.” For more details, visit mainstreetcascadelocks. com and cascadelocksmuseum.org Molly Allen is a food, beverage and travel writer based in Hood River. She’s a frequent contributor to The Gorge Magazine.
26
FALL 2026 I THE GORGE MAGAZINE
OG_Dept_FL26.indd 26
8/31/26 2:37 PM
Written in collaboration with the New York Times Best Selling Author, Ken Abraham
T H E A ZU R E S TA N DA R D S TO RY
David Stelzer, Founder and CEO of Azure Standard
Proof faith can move mountains and change the world. With the plainspoken authority of a man who has farmed the land, David Stelzer reveals how he and his wife built the business, raised eleven children, and weathered profound loss while holding fast to the belief that healthier food produces healthier families and communities.
www.SeedsOfHopeBook.com For exclusive gifts, access and coupon codes, purchase your copy today.
Azure_FL26.indd 27
8/27/26 10:52 AM
OUR GORGE
imbibe
story by DON CAMPBELL • photos courtesy of KINGS & DAUGHTERS BREWERY
Kings & Daughters Brewery THE WALLED GARDEN TAPROOM BRINGS THE WELCOMING SPIRIT OF A BRITISH PUBLIC HOUSE TO DOWNTOWN HOOD RIVER
IN HIS 1946 ESSAY THE MOON UNDER WATER, Britain’s ferocious social critic George Orwell waxed eloquent about the community influence of the lowly public house. “If you are asked why you favour a particular public-house,” he wrote, “it would seem natural to put the beer first, but the thing that most appeals to me … is what people call its ‘atmosphere.’” Kacie McMackin and Kyle Larson, left, incorporated their love of British pubs into the design of their taproom.
28
FALL 2026 I THE GORGE MAGAZINE
OG_Dept_FL26.indd 28
8/30/26 5:57 PM
Expressive wines with distinctive depth and character from the heart of the Columbia River Gorge. Visit one of our charming tasting rooms for an exceptional tasting experience of our award-winning wines.
The light-filled taproom is a welcoming community space, playing host to special events and guest speakers as well as kids playing boardgames.
Two Locations Orwell’s mythical idyll is quiet and peaceful where, he summarizes, “drunks and rowdies never seem to find their way there, even on Saturday nights.” His place relies on a friendly crew of servers and tenders who call the regulars by name, and where one can procure a fresh, made-to-order repast. But what it should also include, he offers, is a family-friendly garden from whence “the children tend to seep into the pub,” which he believed was against the law, but it’s “a law that deserves to be broken, for it is the puritanical nonsense of excluding children — and therefore, to some extent, women — from pubs that has turned these places into mere boozing-shops instead of the family gathering-places that they ought to be.”
oregon: 232 NE 3rd Street, McMinnville washington: 3 Avery Road, Wishram
jacobwilliamswinery.com • 509-310-8469
THE
WALLED GARDEN A P U B LI C H O U S E B Y
OPEN EVERY DAY 416 Cascade Ave, Hood River
Unique, high quality, thoughtfully crafted beer and food by Kings & Daughters Brewery, local wine, classic cocktails, and more in a fresh and inviting pub. Oregon Beer Awards - Best New Beer Destination
THE GORGE MAGAZINE I FALL 2026
OG_Dept_FL26.indd 29
29
8/30/26 5:57 PM
imbibe
Bartender Ben Tubbs pours pints at the bar. The brewery’s Upstream West Coast IPA earned a bronze medal from the 2026 Oregon Beer Awards.
WHERE EVERYBODY KNOWS YOUR NAME This then is where we crack open the door to our first encounter with Hood River’s own Moon-Under-Water evocation — the
bright, cheerful and heart-warming Walled Garden and the Kings & Daughters Brewery taproom, nestled on the corner of 4th and Cascade Avenue in downtown Hood River. This spirited alehouse is the natural outgrowth and focus of wifeand-husband co-founders Kacie McMackin and brewer Kyle Larson (along with one son and three daughters). Theirs has been a wild,
TASTINGS BEGIN @ 11AM DAILY
CHOOSE YOUR TASTING. 30+ WINES OPEN DAILY. BIG, BOLD REDS
SIGNATURE BLENDS & DISTINCTIVE WHITES
HOOD RIVER WINERY & VINEYARD 4200 POST CANYON DR. HOOD RIVER, OR 97031 541.386.2882
DUNDEE TASTING ROOM 974 OR-99W DUNDEE, OR 97115 971.708.0708 - 2024 OfTHE TheYEAR Year - 2024Oregon OREGONWinery WINERY OF - -
- 2024 PRODUCER - 2024MOST MOSTVALUABLE VALUABLE PRODUCER - -
HOOD RIVER TASTING TERRACE - MT. ADAMS VIEW
30
FALL 2026 I THE GORGE MAGAZINE
OG_Dept_FL26.indd 30
8/31/26 2:40 PM
N
STRIA
LO O P
1227 I
DU
L
peripatetic yet focused life that would take them from their hometown of Seattle, up and down the West Coast, and to Europe before landing in Hood River in a quest that’s been as much lifestyle as career. Kyle knew early on that brewing was his mission — his intention was to be a brewer by 25, head brewer by 30, “Then to own my own brewery by 40,” he says. “Kacie has been along for the ride, that’s for sure, for the whole thing.” The couple were friends in high school, and later dated, married and started a family. Early on they both had divergent aspirations — Kyle attended college in Arizona, while Kacie pursued her passion chasing an acting career in Los Angeles. Kyle moved to LA eventually and while Kacie hit her marks, he worked on the prerequisites for applying to UC Davis for its food science brewing program. After some travel together the pair moved to Portland where Kyle worked at Belmont Station as he awaited word from the master-brewers certificate program, all the while homebrewing, which for him, “was the combination of science and creativity and process. I really like the process.” Learning he’d been waitlisted at UC Davis, he began applying for brewing jobs up and down the West Coast, managed to earn an International Brewing Diploma from Scotland’s Heriot-Watt University, and landed at Full Sail Brewing Co. in Hood River, his first commercial brewing gig. That was followed by a stint at Double Mountain (as well as politely declining an eventual open spot in the brewers program).
experience it. THE GORGE MAGAZINE I FALL 2026
OG_Dept_FL26.indd 31
31
8/31/26 2:44 PM
imbibe
The taproom features a pub market filled with books, house-made candles and soaps, puzzles and other merchandise. Opposite, Kacie McMackin and the couple’s eldest daughter work together in the pub’s food truck.
1108 12th St. Hood River, OR Tuesday - Saturday 12-6pm
A neighborhood WINE SHOP offering thoughtfully selected, sustainably made wines from around the world—ideal for both casual nights in and sharing with friends.
32
Learning his craft well as he did in Hood River energized the family to move lock, stock and pram to England to take advantage of a three-year job at Siren Craft Brewing, a noted brewer of North American-style beer. “It was a great adventure,” offers Kyle. “We got to go and live life, travel a lot, and I learned more about brewing in those three years, because it got us outside of our comfort zone. I learned a lot through that side of the industry, doing a lot of collaborations, working with people internationally, and traveling back and forth to the States.” With Kacie homeschooling the kids, they were enviably able to take advantage of Kyle’s business trips and tag along to various places including Sweden and Spain, as well as steeping themselves in the British culture. While adventurous, “I think we always knew we were going to come back,” Kacie says. The family owned a house in Hood River, which they rented out while they were gone. But the Gorge had recaptured their hearts. “We’ve always loved Hood River,” Kacie says. And so they returned, fueled with new intent for the next phase of their whirlwind life — their own brewery. It’s been five years since they founded Kings & Daughters, establishing brewing operations in Portland. Their first beer off the line that September was whimsically and prophetically titled Fill Your Cup. Fill they did as the company continued to grow. Their tipple is now widely available in well over 150 establishments and markets in Oregon and Washington. Orwell may have been wrong. It really is about the beer. Pacific Northwest brewing enthusiasts have spoken reverentially and often in the last half-decade of this relatively new craft brewer — they of the bright white can adorned with crisp and playful art and delicate typography created by Kacie. But it’s the reward inside that draws big praise. With names like The Bell, Little Deaths, Queens & Sons, Harlow, Snowdrops, and Kissing Gate, among many, all manner of well-rendered India Pale Ales, Pilsners, stouts and other brews pour forth with all the flavor, erudition and eloquence of a British play and a public house.
BEER ACROSS THE BAR As to Orwell’s atmosphere, it’s only fitting that the respected brewery now has a proper tasting room. In its short single year of operation, the pub offers not only its amazing beer over the bar in lovely glasses, but batch cocktails, the stellar French-influenced Walled Garden food cart, occasional live music and comedy, a cupboard full of board games, and a lovely gift-centered merch area at the entrance. It has found growing favor with not only beer imbibers but book- and mahjong clubs, football fans who flocked in for World Cup broadcasts, moms and dads playing boardgames with kids over root beer and beer, and a few beer-themed fundraisers. As the artfully appointed taproom marks its one-year anniversary, and the brewery’s
FALL 2026 I THE GORGE MAGAZINE
OG_Dept_FL26.indd 32
8/30/26 5:57 PM
Porrón fifth, says Kacie, “When we settle into the fall, we’ll start having art nights, movie nights, paint-by-number nights, and even painting classes. It really is a public house. We wanted to create a space that felt kind of elevated but that is also really cozy and welcoming and like an extension of our home.”
RIGHT AS RAIN AND BOB’S YOUR UNCLE The nod and tip o’ the flat cap to British pubs is no coincidence. The name Kings & Daughters plays nicely off traditional English
Not another Tasting Room A Global Wine Bar Experience Taste the world one sip at a time! 210 Oak Street Hood River, Oregon
Join us this fall for Sip & Sound
Thursdays
Mt Hood Winery 2882 Van Horn Drive Hood River
THE GORGE MAGAZINE I FALL 2026
OG_Dept_FL26.indd 33
33
8/30/26 5:57 PM
imbibe
taverns — Fox & Hounds, Rose & Crown, George & Dragon, the Cat & Custard Pot, and on and on. “We really enjoyed the pubs and the culture of England, absolutely,” says Kyle. “There was a very direct correlation to the pub in trying to create those communities and actually be a public house.” Adds Kacie, “It just feels very important to us that this is a community space and it’s super important to acknowledge that we’ve gotten a ton of help along the way from breweries and families and giving back in Beer is available onIndustry Munchie Monday Sunday Tuesday tap and in cans with artwork created by Kacie McMackin. At right, a posole special servedVintage from the whatever way we can.” pub’s food truck, which offers a variety of sandwiches, salads and kid-friendly fare. The couple are, at their core, risk-takers SPECIAL on SPECIAL OFFER SPECIAL OFFER fo and adventurers. It informs much of what has been the main reasonfor why we have succeedededibles, for sure.” drinks & 65+ they do, including Kacie’s edgy and unique That and the tireless dedication of its staff, including bar lead Ben Tubbs, beer lead Tyler tinctures service & I502 (ID required) product packaging and Kyle’s quest for their Allen, and kitchen maven Kelly Alexander. cannabis industry own quality-over-quantity brewing style “Even though Kyle and I knew that this was what we were building in theory,” concludes (including soft, i.e., lower-alcohol beer ren- Kacie, “seeing it in reality is really cool. It feels like we’re able to offer a real, intentional space ditions). for people to gather.” Munchie Monday Industry Vintage Tuesday says Sunday “Because of the way we started,” To learn more, go to kingsanddaughters.com Loyalty Thursday Waxy Wednesday Friday - Weekend Kacie, “it was kind of low risk, but we always Don Campbell is a writer and musician. He hides out at a secret fortress on a hilltop in Mosier and is a frequent SPECIAL on SPECIAL SPECIAL OFFER for wanted to do something different. And it OFFER contributor to The Gorge Magazine.
SPECIALdrinks On & edibles, ALL tinctures
for service & I502 cannabis industry
concentrates & cartridges
DOUBLE 65+ loyalty points (ID required) ALL day
NEW weekend specials EVERY week
Industry Sunday
Munchie Monday
HOURS Loyalty Thursday SPECIAL on Friday - Weekend SPECIAL OFFER Vancouver: 8 am- 11 pm Vancouver Location Stevenson Locatio 365 days a year. edibles, & for 6511 NEDOUBLE 137th Ave 25 NEdrinks 2nd Stree NEW SPECIAL On Stevenson: SundayThursday tinctures service & I502 Vancouver, WA 98682 Stevenson, WA 9864 Winter 8 am - 10 pm weekend specials loyalty points ALL Summer 8 am - 11 pm cannabis industry (360) 947-5404 (509) 219-503 Friday & Saturday 8am-Midnight EVERY ALL day concentrates & 365 days aweek year. cartridges WARNING:This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated Loyalty Thursday Waxy Wednesday
Waxy Wednesday
with consumption of product. For use only by adults 21 and older. Keep out of reach of children. Hthis OUR S
Industry Sunday SPECIAL OFFER forSunday Industry service & I502 cannabis SPECIAL industry OFFER for service & I502 Waxy Wednesday cannabis industry
Vancouver: 8 am- 11 pm Vancouver Location 365 days a year. Munchie Monday 6511 NE 137th Ave Vintage Tuesday Stevenson: Sunday- Thursday Vancouver, WA 98682 Winter 8for am - 10 pm SPECIAL on SPECIAL OFFER Summer 8 am - 11 pm (360) 947-5404 edibles, drinks & 65+ Friday & Saturday 8am-Midnight Munchie Monday
Stevenson Location SPECIAL 25 NE 2ndOn Street ALL Stevenson, WA 98648 concentrates & (509) 219-5038
Vintage Tuesday 365 days a year. tinctures (ID required) cartridges SPECIAL WARNING:This producton has intoxicating effects and OFFER may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, SPECIAL for andedibles, judgment. Do not operate drinks & a vehicle or machinery 65+under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults 21 and older. Keep out of reach of children. Vancouver Location tinctures (ID required) Loyalty Thursday Friday - Weekend 6511 NE 137th Ave
Vancouver, WA 98682
DOUBLE loyalty points ALL day H OU R S
Vancouver: 8 am- 11 pm 365 days a year. Stevenson: Sunday- Thursday Winter 8 am - 10 pm
NEW DOUBLE SPECIAL On Summer 8 am - 11 pm (360) 947-5404 Friday & Saturday 8am-Midnight weekend specials loyaltyThursday points ALL 365 days a year. Loyalty Waxy Wednesday Friday - Weekend EVERY week ALL day concentrates & WARNING:This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Marijuana NEW DOUBLE cartridges SPECIAL On and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug with consumption of this product. For use only by adults 21 and older. Keep out of rea weekend specials loyalty points ALL HOURS WARNING:This effects and may be habit forming.week Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. EVERY ALL 8day concentrates &product has intoxicating Vancouver: am- 11 pm Vancouver Location Stevenson Location Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under 365 days a year.the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. 6511 cartridges NE 137th Ave 25 NE For use only by adults 21 and older.2nd KeepStreet out of reach of children. Stevenson: Sunday- Thursday
Vancouver, WA 98682 Stevenson, WA 98648 Winter 8 am - 10 pm Summer 8 am - 11 pm HOURS (360) 947-5404 (509) 219-5038 Friday & Saturday 8am-Midnight Vancouver: 8a am11 pm Vancouver Location Stevenson Location 365 days year. 365 days a year. 34 FALL 2026 THE GORGE 6511 NEI 137th Ave MAGAZINE 25 NE 2nd Street WARNING:This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, Stevenson: SundayThursday Vancouver, Stevenson, WA 98648 Winterthe 8 am - 10 pmof this drug. There and judgment. Do not WA operate98682 a vehicle or machinery under influence may be health risks associated Summer 8 older. am - 11 pmout of reach of children. with consumption of this product. For use only by adults 21 and Keep (360) 947-5404 (509) 219-5038 Friday & Saturday 8am-Midnight 365 days a year.
WARNING:This OG_Dept_FL26.indd 34 product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated
8/30/26 5:57 PM
5,000 5,000 AWARDS AWARDS & & COUNTING! COUNTING!
132+ 132+ PLATINUM PLATINUM AWARDS AWARDS
Maryhill is Washington’s premier destination for wine enthusiasts and Maryhill is Washington’s premier destination for wine enthusiasts and those exploring wine for the first time—offering approachable, awardthose exploring wine for the first time—offering approachable, awardwinning wines crafted from many of the state’s diverse vineyards working winning wines crafted from many of the state’s diverse vineyards working with more than 60+ bottlings and 50 varietals. Our four scenic tasting with more than 60+ bottlings and 50 varietals. Our four scenic tasting rooms offer several different wine flights and chef crafted dishes that rooms offer several different wine flights and chef crafted dishes that pair perfectly with each wine. We invite you to be part of this journey— where pair perfectly with each wine. We invite you to be part of this journey— where every bottle holds a story and every sip, a celebration of the region we call home. every bottle holds a story and every sip, a celebration of the region we call home.
Experience Experience aa Maryhill Maryhill Moment Moment With With Us. Us.
SCAN SCAN QR QR FOR FOR AA TWO-FOR-ONE TWO-FOR-ONE TASTING! TASTING!
M A RY H I L LW I N E RY. C O M | @ M A RY H I L LW I N E RY M A RY H I L LW I N E RY. C O M | @ M A RY H I L LW I N E RY MaryhillWinery_FL26.indd 35
8/27/26 10:55 AM
A DREAM B UILT h I NTO T HIS PLACE
h
STORY BY JANET COOK
Photos on this spread courtesy of Maryhill Museum of Art
1926 DEDICATION 36
1920ss QUEEN MARIE 1920
1926 SAM HILL & QUEEN MARIE
1926 QUEEN MARIE RELEASING PIGEONS
FALL 2026 I THE GORGE MAGAZINE
Feat_MaryhillM_FL26.indd 36
8/30/26 5:59 PM
e One hundred years after its dedication, MARYHILL MUSEUM remains a vibrant testament to an improbable vision
T
he Maryhill Museum of Art is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. It’s quite a milestone for a building that was abandoned, half-built, prior to World War I, in a planned community that failed before it ever got off the ground. Despite its inauspicious start, or perhaps because of it, this stalwart museum that sits atop a bluff in the eastern Gorge has become one of the region’s beloved cultural landmarks, drawing generations of visitors with its eclectic collections, sweeping views and improbable story of survival. Equally remarkable is the museum’s origin story, which is in part a tale of serendipitous connections and unlikely collaborations. It starts with Sam Hill, a successful businessman and entrepreneur who in 1907, while living in Seattle, purchased 5,300 acres of land along the Columbia River where he dreamed of establishing a Quaker farming community. He named it Maryhill after his wife and daughter, neither of whom ever set foot on the property. In 1914, workers broke ground on a bluff-top mansion nearby where Hill planned to live. It was envisioned as a grand BeauxArts residence, constructed of reinforced concrete and designed with sweeping ramps on either side so cars could pull up to the front entrance, drop off guests and descend the opposite side. (Hill loved automobiles, and was a fierce advocate of roads who went on to spearhead the creation of the Columbia River Highway between Portland and The Dalles.) The three-story mansion would be worthy of entertaining guests from his vast network of friends, businessmen, politicians and entertainers. But the dream of establishing a farming community proved untenable in the remote eastern Gorge, with its lack of irrigation and primitive roads that made travel difficult. Hill, short on funds, halted construction of the mansion in 1917 as the U.S. en-
1940 MARYHILL MUSEUM
tered World War I. Maryhill was, for the time being, abandoned. Later, Hill’s good friend Loïe Fuller, a dancer living in Paris, suggested he turn his mansion into an art museum, and Hill liked the idea. Fuller assured him that her connections with many wellknown European artists, including Auguste Rodin, could help build a collection. In the early 1920s, construction on the mansion-turned-museum resumed. In the meantime, Fuller looped in her friend Queen Marie of Romania (granddaughter of Britain’s Queen Victoria), eventually introducing her to Hill. The two became close friends. In November 1926, with the museum still unfinished, Queen Marie traveled from Romania to Maryhill to preside over the dedication of the Maryhill Museum of Art before a crowd of 2,000 people. Her visit drew national attention and helped establish the museum as one with international connections. She brought with her 15 crates full of items to donate to the museum, including Orthodox icons, clothing adorned with Romanian embroidery, and Romanian folk pottery. But the museum remained unfinished, the crates stored away. Hill’s untimely death in 1931 delayed progress further. It took a fourth connection to bring the museum to fruition. Alma de Bretteville Spreckels, a San Francisco philanthropist and longtime friend of Hill’s, took it upon herself to bring his vision to life. She formed a board of trustees which oversaw the completion of the building, and donated artwork from her personal collection. Under her guidance, the museum officially opened to the public on Sam Hill’s birthday, May 13, 1940. “This whole history is one of improbable vision that couldn’t have happened without four very determined and remarkable people making contributions together over time,” said Amy Behrens,
TODAY MARYHILL AERIAL VIEW
TODAY MARYHILL MUSEUM GROUNDS THE GORGE MAGAZINE I FALL 2026
Feat_MaryhillM_FL26.indd 37
37
8/30/26 5:59 PM
A D REAM B UILT I NTO T HIS P LACE The museum’s permanent collection includes a display of Théâtre de la Mode showing post-World War II French fashions, far left, and more than 80 works by Auguste Rodin.
Courtesy of Maryhill Museum, both images
the museum’s executive director. “And its sustenance is also kind of improbably remarkable. I think everybody wondered, ‘Who’s going to come out here to visit?’” But people did visit, from the very beginning. “Even before there were bridges around here and they had to take ferries across the river, people would come and visit,” Behrens said. “And it’s remained a vibrant museum.” Part of the museum’s draw is its eclectic permanent collection, which includes more than 80 works by Auguste Rodin, forming one of the most significant Rodin collections in the United States. Other holdings include European and American paintings, objects from the royal collections of Queen Marie of Romania, historic chess sets and the Théâtre de la Mode,
Serving the Gorge Since 1969 Follow us on Social Media: 3690 Arrowhead Ave | Hood River, OR
Laurie Johnston 509-637-5135 OR & WA Licensed
Spacious Home Near Golf & Trails Custom 3-bedroom, 3-bath home on an oversized lot next to Indian Creek Golf Course and Trail System. Well-built, beautifully maintained, & just minutes from downtown Hood River and nearby schools. $949,000 | RMLS#164336098
541-386-4400 4400 www.DonNunamaker.com 91 SE Warm Spring | Cascade Locks, OR
Terri Martz 541-490-3854 OR & WA Licensed
Classic Bungalow in a Great Location Charming 1908 Bungalow just blocks from Downtown Hood River. Features 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, original hardwood floors, a private fenced backyard with established landscaping, and a new roof in 2026. $685,000 | RMLS# 627671448
38
Sunsets, Views & Custom Living Stunning reverse floorplan home with breathtaking Columbia River and Cascade Mountain views. Features include a custom kitchen, spacious suites, covered outdoor living, and oversized garage. $575,000 | RMLS# 558605496
1517 Columbia | Hood River, OR
Becky Fry 541-490-3176 OR & WA Licensed
a rare collection of small-scale mannequins dressed in French designer fashions from the years immediately following World War II. Sam Hill was also an early collector of baskets made by Indigenous peoples of North America. Today, the museum has an encyclopedic collection of Indigenous works from all regions of the country, including the Northwest. The museum’s grounds include the William and Catherine Dickson Sculpture Park, featuring large-scale works by Northwest artists, and interpretive panels exploring the history of the Lewis and Clark expedition, which passed by in 1805 and again in 1806. No visit to Maryhill Museum is complete without heading four miles east to the full-scale replica of Stonehenge, which Hill constructed in 1918 as a memorial to soldiers who died in World War I. Nearby is the
214 N 18th St | Hood River, OR
Ashley Nunamaker-Bello 541-490-3854 OR & WA Licensed
Move In Ready Hood River Townhome 2-bedroom + office, 2.5-bath townhome with an open layout, hardwood floors, granite counters, and stainless appliances. Includes a vaulted primary suite, garage, and fenced patio near downtown Hood River. $515,000 | RMLS# 489262549
FALL 2026 I THE GORGE MAGAZINE
Feat_MaryhillM_FL26.indd 38
8/30/26 5:59 PM
A full-scale replica of Stonehenge sits four miles east of the museum. Native American basketry and other Indigenous works are part of the museum’s permanent collection.
Maryhill Loops Road, a demonstration project Hill built beginning in 1909 as a way to experiment with road-building techniques and surfaces. It’s open for use twice a year.
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION The Maryhill Museum hosts a PUBLIC CELEBRATION of the museum’s centennial on September 19. Admission is free all day, and visitors will be treated to Romanian music and dance performances, traditional cuisine, regional wines and craft beer, children’s activities and historical displays. In addition to the regular current exhibits, three exhibitions related to the centennial are on display which include artifacts Queen Marie brought to the 1926 dedica-
Courtesy of Maryhill Museum, both images
tion as well as items added to the museum’s collections since then. They include blouses and chemises with Romanian embroidery, Orthodox icons and Romanian folk pottery. The Romanian American Society of Portland will host food booths featuring traditional foods, and Loïe’s, the museum café, will feature a special menu. Working Hands Brewery in Hood River is creating a special prohibition-era lager for the event, and several local wineries will be pouring wine. “It’s a grand scale community celebration of this region, and of this really momentous visit 100 years ago,” Behrens said. “It will be an indoor-outdoor festival atmosphere for people to enjoy the museum and to celebrate helping us reach 100 years.” Behrens hopes the celebration creates a reason to visit the museum for first timers, and a reason to return for those who may not have been there for a while. “There’s always some-
THE GORGE MAGAZINE I FALL 2026
Feat_MaryhillM_FL26.indd 39
39
8/30/26 5:59 PM
A D REAM B UILT I NTO T HIS P LACE
Robert Reynolds
The museum’s Mary and Bruce Stevenson Wing, left, houses a permanent display of Maryhill’s collection of more than 400 chess sets from around the world, above.
Robert Reynolds
thing new here,” she said. “We’re constantly changing and updating, especially as a collecting museum.” Items in permanent collections are rotated, and a robust membership and grant support helps bring in new collections and exhibits. The three special exhibitions marking the centennial will remain on display throughout the fall. Admission is free for the event, but Behrens notes the museum offers “many ways to get here,” with a goal of being accessible anytime. Visitors can check out free museum passes from regional libraries, get discounted admission through the Museums for All program for those with SNAP benefits, or take advantage of complementary admission for active-duty military ser-
40
vice members and their families. The museum also offers periodic free admission for educators. “We want people to be able to come here and take advantage of all the museum has to offer,” said Behrens. If the four founders could see Maryhill Museum today, it’s hard to imagine them being anything but delighted. Perhaps, though, they wouldn’t be surprised at this thriving legacy borne of their perseverance. In her speech for Maryhill’s dedication in 1926, years before the museum was even completed, Queen Marie was already looking to the future. “There is a dream built into this place,” she said to the crowd. “A dream for today and especially for tomorrow.” Happy centennial, Maryhill Museum, you improbable wonder, you. Here’s to the next 100 years. To learn more, go to maryhillmuseum.org
FALL 2026 I THE GORGE MAGAZINE
Feat_MaryhillM_FL26.indd 40
8/30/26 5:59 PM
Experience Skamania County, Washington! MARTIN’S GORGE TOURS
THE RETURN ARTBLISS
Guided tours for individuals, groups, families, or couples. Including waterfalls, wildflowers, wineries, breweries, trail hikes, scenic drives and more. Sit back and relax as we explore the hidden treasures of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
Experience The Return Artbliss in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge. A curated collection of themed A-Frame and luxury boutique stays featuring private soaking tubs, dog-friendly accommodations, and thoughtfully designed spaces for a memorable escape.
503-349-1323 martinsgorgetours.com
CEDAR DESIGNS Custom Home Kits: Conventional, Post & Beam, Timber or Log hybrids. Over 600+ plans and designs on website. Free drafting and no charge for modifications or custom plans. Panelized exterior walls. Price guarantees. Model home by appointment. 800-728-4474 • cedardesigns.com info@cedardesigns.com • Carson
727-977-3238 • artblisshotel.com
G OR G E . OUS
GORGE.OUS FLOWERS Seed to Stem & Garden to Gala Flower Farm & Floristry. Serving the Columbia River Gorge. Fresh floral designs for funerals, corporate events, special occasions, elopements, holidays & centerpieces.
F LOW E R S
503-676-4432 • gorgeousflowers.net Washougal • Skamania County
STROIKA STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
COLUMBIA RIVER AFFORDABLE PORTABLES LLC
Your structural experts for The Gorge! From new construction to remodels, we do it all. Contact us today for drawings to be used for permitting and construction!
Serving all of your portable sanitation needs throughout the Columbia River Gorge. Call us for a quote on your job, event, agricultural needs or construction project.
541-716-1381 • stroikaengineering.com North Bonneville
BRIDGESIDE Fast, friendly family dining for breakfast and lunch, plus spectacular views of the Gorge and Bridge of the Gods. Burgers • Sandwiches • Salads • Soups Baskets • Specials • Desserts Gift Shop • Historic Artifacts 541-374-8477 • bridgesidedining.com 745 NW Wa Na Pa St. • Cascade Locks
541-298-2727 • crpottys.com 309 Court St. • The Dalles
BEST WESTERN PLUS COLUMBIA RIVER INN Stunning views, spacious guestrooms on the Columbia River at the Bridge of the Gods. Close to waterfalls and outdoor activities. Complimentary hot breakfast, pool, spa, fitness room. 541-374-8777 • 800-595-7108 bwcolumbiariverinn.com 735 WaNaPa St. • Cascade Locks
SKAMANIA COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 167 NW Second Ave., Stevenson, WA 98648 • 509-427-8911 • skamania.org
SkamaniaChamber_2pg_FL26.indd 41
8/27/26 12:45 PM
OUTSIDE
story by DON CAMPBELL • photos by RENATA KOSINA
Jacob’s Skatepark A LIFE CUT SHORT INSPIRES A LASTING GATHERING PLACE FOR RIDERS OF ALL AGES FEARLESS HOTSHOTS are carving mean arcs and hitting concrete lips and metal rails at breathtaking speeds at the new Jacob’s Skatepark in Mosier. Coyote Wall across the Columbia River provides a majestic backdrop for these kinetic daredevils. Even if you don’t know the difference between an airwalk and a wipe-out, or a grom and steez, you can feel the ecstatic joy these athletes have discovered here. There were some in this little burg that felt such a community facility for skates and skateboards, scooters and bikers could never get built, including the park’s namesake, Jacob Rogers. Jacob’s mom, Andrea Rogers, is the town’s former mayor and now city manager. Jacob had taken to scootering, skateboarding and snowboarding early. While driving
42
through town near the cherry-growers building looking for places to roll, Andrea asked him, “Wouldn’t it be great if we had a skatepark in Mosier?” The then-young tweener scoffed. “Oh Mom, that’ll never happen.”
FROM JACOB’S HEART Jacob would never see the finished bowls, ramps and rails, picnic tables and benches, or the kids and their wheels. In 2019, at age 23, he died of an undetected heart defect and major aortal rupture after finishing his restaurant shift as a supervisor at the Mt. Hood Meadows sports bar. It was, says Rogers, “a terrible night.” One no mother or family should have to endure. Jacob lived for skateboarding. It consumed him and his art — a skateboarding shoe he drew as a kid is now the official logo of the park. Growing up, he frequented the Inouye Pool Service skate shop, later shortened to IPS, in Hood River where the Doug’s Sports Rentals are now.
FALL 2026 I THE GORGE MAGAZINE
BackDept_FL26.indd 42
8/31/26 3:34 PM
A young rider tests features at Jacob’s Skatepark, opposite. The park’s logo, at left, is artwork done by the park’s namesake, Jacob Rogers, when he was a kid.
FROM A NUGGET OF AN IDEA
Wally Inouye helped Jacob pick out early skateboards and shoes. “He loved to collect skateboards, and all of the skate shoes we bought, he would keep the boxes,” Andrea says. He was also very proud of the first time he broke a board attempting a difficult move. Rogers remembers those days. “We weren’t very affluent,” she says. “It was an affordable sport for him.” With passion, he haunted the skateparks in the area, in Hood River, The Dalles and elsewhere. With that same drive, he also pursued music, learning drums, guitar chords from his sister Rose, and songwriting, performing gigs with friends in a garage band and even accompanying his bass-player father Darren. But skateboarding was Jacob’s world.
A year after his death, his sphere of influence would resonate out into the community, pulling together a team of dedicated volunteers with the non-profit Main Street Mosier (MSM), city government, and one of the world’s leading design-build skatepark companies to do the seemingly impossible. John Grim is a former city engineer for Mosier and a skater himself. He knew Jacob from area skateparks and Andrea from her time at the city. He and MSM member Manny Rincon hit on the idea of initiating a skatepark as a living memorial to Jacob and his spirit. Now-retired project manager Lee Campbell, part of an MSM design committee, joined the effort, along with MSM president Sam Trelstad, who secured board approval to launch the project. Out of frequent support gatherings at Rogers’ home, as she endured that first year after Jacob’s passing, a committee coalesced that would help steer the next four-plus years. Of the committee’s fresh quest, Rogers thought it was a great idea but couldn’t see how it would happen. “I think John’s enthusiasm, his understanding of park grants, and his love of skating created that environment, that hope,” she says. “We then formed the skatepark committee through Main Street Mosier.”
The Dalles, OR FIND YOUR WIDE OPEN
5 4 1- 2 9 6 - 2 2 3 1 - e x p l o r e t h e d a l l e s . c o m THE GORGE MAGAZINE I FALL 2026
BackDept_FL26.indd 43
43
8/31/26 2:48 PM
OUTSIDE
Courtesy of Dreamland Skateparks
Oregon’s renowned Dreamland Skateparks designed and built the park, finishing ahead of schedule in July.
The City of Mosier and the skatepark committee carefully evaluated three possible sites that were part of an agreement between Union Pacific Railroad and the city. City council approved the present site based on future city plans and site advantages for a skatepark. Early fundraising efforts found enough success to drive seed money for the design phase. “We went through a competitive selection process to choose a design-build contractor,” says Campbell. “At that point we had enough money to pay for the design — not construction, but enough to move the project forward. Our agreement was that if we could eventually raise the construction money, the same company would build it.”
GORGE-BASED
WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO CASCADIASTUDIOS.COM 205-936-7234 44
Enter Dreamland Skateparks, Inc., a design-build construction company headquartered on the Oregon Coast, which competed against five other companies. The committee had assembled a review board that included people outside of the skatepark committee. “Everyone evaluated the proposals independently using the same scoring criteria,” Campbell says. “When we compared the results, Dreamland finished first, unanimously. Cost was part of the evaluation, but so were experience, design quality, construction experience, and the team’s ability to deliver the project. There were other excellent firms, but Dreamland clearly rose to the top.”
THE DREAMS OF WHICH SKATEPARKS ARE MADE As the design docs, discussions and conceptuals began to move toward a congealed skatepark vision, it would take this renowned construction company to make it real. Construction began in early March. Dreamland is owned by Danyel and Mark Scott, who’ve built a family business out of moving earth so non-motorized wheeled things can spin for a good time. Everyone who works for Dreamland is a skateboarder — it’s a company requirement. Mark Scott has been doing this niche construction for 35 years, 27 under the Dreamland banner. One of his most powerful bona fides is that he built Portland’s famed Burnside Skatepark as his first project. And that carries some cred. The Portland project, says Danyel, the company’s project manager, “formed not just amazing skateboarders out of it, but amazing skatepark builders, because everybody starts somewhere.” As a kid, Mark Scott would get scraps to build skate ramps from his dad who worked in construction. Moving later to residential concrete construction earned him the experience to tackle the Burnside project. Dreamland has built an international reputation, designing and building skateparks not only in the U.S. but in Mexico, Israel, Finland and Italy. Its work is rooted in knowing what skaters need and a fearlessness to take chances, learn and grow. Danyel points to Mark’s “creative, ambitious nature,” adding that he has a knack for making creative field adjustments.
FALL 2026 I THE GORGE MAGAZINE
BackDept_FL26.indd 44
8/30/26 6:01 PM
THE PERFECT FIT
starts here
SHDRTT SHDRTT Your journeySUPPL� deserves more SUPPL�than a quick sale.RIVER HOOD HOOD
We take the time to understand your goals, RIVER analyze your stride, and find the shoes and gear that move with you.
TAKE A
WALK ON THE
WILD SIDE THE GORGE RUNNING AND OUTDOOR
Visit us for a fitting experience that’s all about you. WWW.SHORTTSUPPLV.COM
WALK RUN HIKE SWIM
RUNNING SHOES • OUTDOOR GEAR • TREKKING POLES • HEADLAMPS • SLEEPING BAGS
SHDRTT SUPPL� HOOD Shortt_Supply_SP26.indd 45
WWW.SHORTTSUPPLV.COM
116 OAK ST, HOOD RIVER, OR 541-386-5474
RIVER 8/27/26 12:47 PM
OUTSIDE
Jacob Rogers was an avid skateboarder before his death at age 23 of an undetected heart defect. The park built in his honor welcomes skateboards, skates, scooters and bikes.
Case in point: during construction here, a former rock retaining wall began to fail and crumble. Scott turned it into a skate feature, creating a stable and skateable textured wall that riders love. Another example was his creative incorporation of an actual chunk of Union Pacific Railroad-donated rail. Other project pitfalls can be less evident — and more terrifying. The park was designed around a protected white oak that toppled during a powerfully windy Gorge day, narrowly missing Campbell and Scott and striking construction team member Mason Olsen, who spent weeks recovering. A few inches in any direction could have had far more tragic consequences.
But on they went. Dreamland ultimately finished on budget and well under the contract deadline. The company takes pride in investing in communities, working collectively and collaboratively, and often donating in-kind contributions to help assure project success. “We pick communities,” says Danyel. “We don’t mass produce skateparks. We meet the community. We get to work with them through the design process. We get to build and live in the community. And then we get to come back and skate with the community.”
DOLLARS AND SENSE As co-project manager, Campbell led the grant-writing effort with Grim, MSM and the City of Mosier. The effort paid off when Oregon State Parks and Recreation awarded the city a $552,000 grant for the skatepark’s design and construction. Campbell says the grant was awarded to bring accessible outdoor recreation within the city limits, especially for people without cars or easy access to Mount Hood or the Columbia River. “Believe it or not,” she says, “this isn’t just for kids. It isn’t just for adults. It is for families.” The park welcomes all non-motorized wheels, including skateboards, skates, scooters and bikes, and riders of all skill levels.
LET’S GET STOKED Andrea Rogers sits, thoughtful for a minute, at the edge of the park. “It feels kind of unreal,” she says. “Just the amount of time and energy and man-hours that we all put into this.” With construction starting in March and wrapping up in July, she adds, “It didn’t give me a lot of time to process the whole thing.” The seemingly endless planning, design, construction, meetings and fundraising transformed a brown field and former railroad yard into a thoughtfully designed family recreation facility and a vibrant hub for skaters, bikers and scooter riders. Jacob’s Skatepark has come to life. Tighten up those brain buckets, Mosier. In the skate-vernacular words of John Grim, “The gnar factor on the skateable cherry is extreme!” Build it and they will come, indeed. Don Campbell is a writer and musician. He hides out at a secret fortress on a hilltop in Mosier and is a frequent contributor to The Gorge Magazine.
46 FALL 2026 I THE GORGE MAGAZINE
BackDept_FL26.indd 46
8/30/26 6:01 PM
Windermere_FL26.indd 47
8/27/26 2:43 PM
LIVING WELL
story by JANET COOK • photos by KYLE RAMEY
Pedals + Power for the People
COMMUNITY E-BIKE LIBRARIES ARE MAKING IT EASIER FOR RESIDENTS TO TRY TWO-WHEEL TRANSPORTATION DILA USMANOVA TRADED the hassles of driving around Hood River this summer for the joys of riding an electric bike. Instead of dealing with the influx of seasonal traffic and searching for parking in the crowded downtown and waterfront areas, she’s been cruising on her new Vvolt Alpha e-bike.
For her newfound freedom, Usmanova has the E-bike Library and Discount Program to thank. The library is the culmination of a years-long effort by Megan Ramey, whose official role is Safe Routes to School Manager for the Hood River County School District, where she tirelessly advocates for kids riding bikes and walking to school. But she’s become a sort of biking ambassador in Hood River, promoting e-bike riding as a practical and joyful way to get around in this hilly but compact town. Megan Ramey, left, and dozens of riders at the Gorge Rides kick-off in White Salmon/Bingen, top and below.
Megan Ramey 48
FALL 2026 I THE GORGE MAGAZINE
BackDept_FL26.indd 48
8/31/26 2:50 PM
danielle mel anson
HEART IN HAND ACUPUNCTURE 5 0 3 - 8 3 6 - 3 3 4 1
Richard Hallman
Megan Ramey shows Ana Flores how to operate the bike she’s checking out from Hood River’s e-bike library. After bike borrowers are set up, Ramey accompanies them on a ride to make sure they’re comfortable and offer route tips.
5 0 3 - 8 3 6 - 3 3 4 1
208 .daniellemelanson.com State Street, suite 5 www Hood river OR 97031
She’s been seeking funds to start an e-bike library for years, without success until now. After Pacific Power funded an e-bike library in Bend, Ramey set her sights on the utility’s electric transportation grants and finally succeeded in securing funding for a year-long e-bike library in Hood River. “The hardest part about convincing Pacific Power to fund the program was making sure we had a partnership with somebody that had insurance,” Ramey said. Enter Sol Rides. The Hood River e-bike rental company, founded 10 years ago by Charlie Crocker, serves as the program’s operator. In other words, the “library” where participants check out bikes is at Sol Rides, located in downtown Hood River. Ramey serves as a sort of head librarian, guiding participants from the time they fill out an intake form online to when she meets them to check out a bike, which they can keep for up to two weeks. The Pacific Power grant funded the purchase of 12 bikes for the library, as well as subsidies to borrowers who want to buy one after trying it. To check out a bike, riders must submit a Pacific Power utility bill and complete an online safety training. Then Ramey schedules a time to meet them at Sol Rides, where Crocker or a staff member sets them up on one of the library’s bikes. Ramey gives them a test ride in the parking lot, where they practice using different power levels, shifting and braking. Then Ramey offers to be what she calls a “bike sensei” to get them started, riding home with them on what she considers “the calmest route.” After 10 years of riding e-bikes and acoustic bikes almost exclusively around Hood River, she knows the area’s most bike-friendly routes better than just about anyone. (“I do drive one to two times per month for random things that my bucket bike can’t transport,” she says when asked.) Once they get to the rider’s home, Ramey then rides with them to a destination of their choosing — one where they plan to ride frequently, like their place of work or the grocery store. Ramey again maps the most bike-friendly route, which isn’t always the one you’d take in a car.
www.daniellemelanson.com
Slow down and enjoy
the views of the Columbia Gorge from our backdoor •Waterfall viewing,
•Indoor pool
hiking, biking, sailing and more
•Complimentary
and spa
hot breakfast
735 Wanapa St. •Cascade Locks, OR 97014 bwcolumbiariverinn.com • 1-800-595-7108 Each Best Western ® branded hotel is independently owned and operated.
THE GORGE MAGAZINE I FALL 2026 49
BackDept_FL26.indd 49
8/30/26 6:01 PM
LIVING WELL
SPORTS MEDICINE SERVICES
• Diagnosis and treatment of joint pain and sportsrelated injuries • Care for athletes, weekend warriors, and active individuals • Expertise in running-related injuries and prevention • Return-to-activity planning and long-term wellness for active lifestyles • Ultrasound-guided diagnosis and procedures
ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS
VIRTUAL VISITS AVAILABLE
Dr. Ryan Petering
C A L L 5 0 9 . 6 3 7. 2 8 1 0
Ana Flores on her first ride, pulling her kids in a Burley trailer behind her. After testing the set-up, she wound up getting the bike and trailer for free through the program.
Then the e-bike borrower is on their own to try out the bike for the length of the check-out period. Usmanova happened to be the first person to check out a bike after reading an article about the e-bike library in the Columbia Gorge News. “My main goal was to be able to have an additional means of transportation, that’s friendly to the environment and does not require expenses, like gas,” she said. Usmanova works in the structured learning center at Westside Elementary School. “My commute isn’t very long, and there’s no real need for a car. I just need to get there on time.” She tried out the route she would take from her home to school. “It takes about 6 minutes in a car, and on the e-bike it takes maybe 8 to 10 minutes,” she said. She rode frequently to the waterfront and even out to Rowena Crest to test the bike’s battery, which still had plenty of charge left when she got home. She also rode alongside her kids — including her 12-year-old, who likes to go to the pump track near the high school. “Having him go all the way there by himself is a little tricky, so being able to go with him is great,” she said. Usmanova liked the bike so much that at the end of her check-out period, she decided to purchase it. The grant covers up to $2,000 for borrowers who decide to buy a bike, depending on income. “An e-bike has been such a great alternative to driving,” Usmanova said. Along with saving money on gas and reducing her carbon footprint, “it’s honestly made getting around town more enjoyable,” she said. “I get some light exercise without arriving sweaty or exhausted, and I can go farther and faster than on a regular bike. Plus, navigating traffic and finding parking is so much easier.” By pure coincidence, an e-bike library launched in White Salmon and Bingen at nearly the same time as the Hood River library. Called Gorge Rides, the e-bike library is funded by Washington State’s Climate Commitment Act, in partnership with the Washington State
50 FALL 2026 I THE GORGE MAGAZINE
BackDept_FL26.indd 50
8/30/26 6:01 PM
Built for Gorge Days That Don’t Slow Down FROM RIVER TO TRAIL TO TOWN RECOVER, RESET, AND KEEP GOING
PHOTO BY: RICHARD HALLMAN
RESTORE IV Therapy (Mobile IVs), Hormone Replacement Therapy, Nutrition Real results. Feel like yourself again.
RECOVER Chiropractic, Class IV Healing Laser, Somatic Bodywork, Ozone Therapy, Sports Medicine Acupuncture, Shockwave Therapy Move better. Hurt less.
RENEW Premium Hair Services, Botox, Hydrafacials, Micorneedling, Cosmetic Acupuncture Look as good as you feel.
Who is Outbound
Don’t spend your fall running on empty
Elevated Athlete
Origins Embodied Theraputics
Gorge Chiropractic
Kalyn Benaroya Hair Specialist
Enriched by Elle
Tori Thompson Nutrition
Outbound W E L L N E S S
Outbound_Wellness_FL26.indd 51
Feel stronger, move better, and get more out of every gorge day.
BOOK YOUR VISIT
OUTBOUNDWELLNESS.COM 541-399-8887 @OUTBOUNDWELLNESS_
Scan to book now! 8/27/26 2:46 PM
LIVING WELL
MINIMALLY INVASIVE SPINE & PAIN SPECIALISTS
Vertebral Compression Fracture Spinal stenosis Spinal nerve pain and Arthritis
Julia Norman checks out an e-bike from the library, located at Sol Rides in Hood River.
5413869500 1010 10TH ST HOOD RIVER 3601 KLINDT DR., STE 200 THE DALLES 6542 SE LAKE RD., STE 100 MILWAUKIE 19255 SW 65TH AVE., STE 110
TUALATIN
11750 SW BARNES RD., STE 270
BEAVERTON
columbiapain.org spinalfractureclinic.com 52
Department of Transportation and Forth, a Portland-based nonprofit that promotes clean and equitable transportation. Along with implementing electric carsharing programs across the country and advocating for electric transportation policy, Forth works on “micromobility” projects aimed at bringing electric transportation options to underserved populations and rural communities. When a grant opportunity came up for an e-bike library, Forth looked to White Salmon and Bingen as an ideal location. “Forth has already worked with these communities a lot,” said Varun Bather, program manager, adding that White Salmon and Bingen are two of the most popular and highly utilized carshare sites in Forth’s system. The funding allows the program to operate for a year, with 30 e-bikes available to check out for up to a month. The bikes are kept at three e-bike hubs, located at Whitson Elementary School, Daubenspeck Park and Skyline Health. Bike borrowers go through a similar protocol as in Hood River, including completing a safety test. They meet fleet manager Taylor Marean or one of his team at a bike hub for check-out. In addition, Ramey offers her “bike sensei” services to borrowers who request it. Gorge Rides bike borrowers who wish to purchase an e-bike can do so through a rebate program that offers up to $1,200 toward a new bike depending on income. Both e-bike libraries have proved popular in just their first couple of months. Ramey has had a steady stream of borrowers, with 65 sign-ups on the schedule as of mid-August. When someone signs up to borrow an e-bike, she asks why they want to try one. “Some are tired of dealing with Hood River traffic and parking,” she said. “Some want to have a more meaningful relationship with their kids and be able to bike with them. Some want to go get groceries. Some people literally just want to get to work, and they’d rather commute that way.” The Gorge Rides program in Washington has a detailed dashboard that tracks the library’s metrics. By mid-August, it had logged 1,701 miles ridden since the start of the program on July 25. Twenty-eight of the 30 e-bikes were currently out on loan. Ramey is already looking at applying for another round of funding to keep the program going next year even while she’s finding ways to stretch this year’s budget. “I want to get as many people on e-bikes as possible,” she said. “It’s just the beginning,” Ramey added. “I think we have no idea how impactful these two programs are going to be on people’s lives. I think it’s going to be a game changer for the Gorge and how people envision themselves getting around.” To learn more, go to buddies.bike and gorgerides.org
FALL 2026 I THE GORGE MAGAZINE
BackDept_FL26.indd 52
8/30/26 6:01 PM
Explore More... on the northshore of the
Columbia River Gorge in sunny Klickitat County MARTIN’S GORGE TOURS
SKYLINE MEDICAL CLINIC
Guided tours for individuals, groups, families, or couples. Including waterfalls, wildflowers, wineries, breweries, trail hikes, scenic drives and more. Sit back and relax as we explore the hidden treasures of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
From infants to teens, Dr. Morrison understands your child’s needs and is a valuable health partner. Whether healthy or sick, she provides big care for little patients. Call 509-637-2810 to book an appointment.
503-349-1323 martinsgorgetours.com
SKYLINE HEALTH Expert healthcare locally. Sports medicine is for everyone, not just athletes. Reduce pain, improve mobility, and stay active doing what you love. Call Dr. Petering at Skyline Health. Accepting new patients.
509-637-2810 myskylinehealth.org 212 NE Skyline Dr. • White Salmon
THE HIVE RESTAURANT & BAR Family-friendly Argentinian-U.S. fusion food and drinks with community focus, quality service, and a relaxed atmosphere. Kitchen hours: Thu to Sun, 1 to 9pm.
509.637.2810 myskylinehealth.org/sports-medicine/ 212 NE Skyline Dr. • White Salmon
509-261-0733 Find us on IG @the_hive_wa 105 N Main Street • Klickitat
MARYHILL WINERY
TRAILS DIVERGED
Wine Press Northwest’s “2015 Pacific Northwest Winery of the Year”, 50+ award-winning wines, tasting room, Tuscan-style terrace with views of Mt. Hood and Columbia River, Bocce, and gifts. 877-627-9445 maryhillwinery.com 9774 Hwy 14 Goldendale
GUIDED OUTDOOR ADVENTURES Explore the Gorge + Beyond with Expert Guides By Your Side! We supply ALL gear and all classes are beginner friendly. We offer public and private tours, as well as gear rental for all of your outdoor adventures. 971-202-0111 • trailsdiverged.com Cascade Locks
FORT VANCOUVER REGIONAL LIBRARIES
BEST WESTERN PLUS HOOD RIVER INN
Four Gorge locations in Goldendale, White Salmon, Stevenson and North Bonneville. Two bookmobiles cruise around Klickitat and Skamania Counties all year. Find a library or bookmobile stop near you - plus eBooks and other online resources at
Welcome to the perfect base for exploring the Columbia River Gorge. River view guest rooms, dining and drinks at Riverside, heated shoreline pool, spas, sauna, shoreline path, seasonal packages.
fvrl.org.
800-828-7873 • hoodriverinn.com 1108 E. Marina Way • Hood River
VISIT KLICKITAT COUNTY, WASHINGTON AND THE NORTH SHORE OF THE COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE!
VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER: 1 HERITAGE PLAZA, WHITE SALMON, WA 98672 • 509-493-3630 • MTADAMSCHAMBER.COM
MtAdamsChamber_FL26.indd 53
8/31/26 10:45 AM
PARTAKE I COOK WITH US
C hocolate Chip Cookies Recipe & photos by KACIE MCMACKIN
Ingredients
DRY INGREDIENTS
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour • 1 tsp. fine salt • 1 tsp. baking soda • 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
WET INGREDIENTS • 2 large eggs, at room temperature • 1 cup unsalted (2 sticks) butter, at room temperature • 3/4 cup granulated sugar • 3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar • 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
ELEVATED CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES DRY INGREDIENTS • 2 1/4 cups flour • 1 tsp. fine salt • 1 tsp. baking soda • 2 cups bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
WET INGREDIENTS • 2 large eggs, at room temperature • 1 cup unsalted (2 sticks) butter, at room temperature • 6 Tbsp. granulated sugar • 6 Tbsp. turbinado (sugar in the raw), plus extra for sprinkling • 3/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar • 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract • Maldon or flake salt 54
Chocolate chip cookies are one of the first things I learned to bake, and they are my go-to year-round, but especially when the weather first starts to cool off in the fall. This Classic Chocolate Chip recipe is my very favorite, and the one I usually make, but I’m including a slightly “elevated” version that brings in the richness of raw and dark brown sugar, the depth of bittersweet chocolate and the brightness of flake salt. I prefer my cookies freshly baked so will often just bake half at a time. Letting the dough rest in the fridge overnight only improves it by hydrating the flour, intensifying flavors and solidifying the fat, resulting in crispier edges and chewy, gooey centers. Happy baking!
Directions
Preheat the oven 350 degrees. Sift the flour, salt and baking soda together in a small bowl. In a separate bowl or stand mixer, cream together the sugars and the butter for several minutes, until light and fluffy, then add in the vanilla. Whisk the eggs in another small bowl before adding them to the creamed sugar mixture. Once this is all mixed together, slowly sprinkle in the flour and mix until it’s incorporated. Mix in the chocolate. Using a spoon, scoop approximately 1/3 cup (75g) of dough onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Continue making your dough balls until you have them spaced out (about 2-3 inches apart) on your cookie sheet. For the elevated cookies, sprinkle the tops with a touch of Maldon or other fancy flake salt and a pinch of raw sugar. Bake for 12-16 minutes, until golden brown on the outside and light brown in the middle.
FALL 2026 I THE GORGE MAGAZINE
Partake_FL26.indd 54
8/30/26 6:02 PM
Kacie McMackin is an avid cook, writer, and owner of Kings & Daughters Brewery. She’s a frequent contributor to The Gorge Magazine.
THE GORGE MAGAZINE I FALL 2026
Partake_FL26.indd 55
55
8/30/26 6:02 PM
PARTAKE I EAT & DRINK
BACKWOODS BREWING COMPANY 509-427-3412 • backwoodsbrewingcompany.com 1162 Wind River Hwy • Carson
Backwoods Brewing is family owned and located in Carson, WA. Established in 2012, we offer delicious beers, hand-made pizzas, outdoor seating, and welcome all ages. Now featuring brunch on the weekends!
BETTER TOGETHER MOBILE TAP TRUCK
bettertogethertaptruck@gmail.com bettertogethertaptruck.com Dakota and Greg Wilkins serve the Gorge bringing the bar to you with 6 beverage taps on a classic GMC pickup. They are ready to serve your favorite beverage at your event!
Stunning views next to the Bridge of the Gods – Bridgeside serves tasty char-broiled burgers plus an extensive menu of breakfast items, sandwiches, chowders, baskets, salads & desserts. Dine-in or takeout. Serving breakfast and lunch with friendly service.
Open daily: 11:30am-9pm
Reserving now for 2027
Gift shop • Special event room & terrace
DOPPIO COFFEE
EL PUERTO DE ANGELES III 541-308-0005 1306 12th Street • Hood River, on the Heights
EVERYBODY’S BREWING
509.637.2774 • everybodysbrewing.com 177 E. Jewett Boulevard • Downtown White Salmon
Relax on our beautiful patio in the heart of Hood River. Enjoy a hand crafted, in-house roasted espresso drink. Serving breakfast and lunch all day: panini sandwiches, fresh salads, smoothies and fresh baked pastries and goodies. Gluten free options available. Free Wi-Fi and our patio is dog friendly.
We are open and happy to serve you. Authentic Jalisco Cuisine. We provide a safe dining experience. Enjoy good food and good times. Offering daily lunch and dinner specials, served all day. Happy Hour Mon-Fri. Outdoor dining available (weather permitting).
Experience the heart of the Columbia River Gorge! We offer handcrafted beers, diverse dishes, and a welcoming atmosphere. Join us for live music, community events, and a taste of the Pacific Northwest. Cheers to beer for everybody!
Open Daily 10am-9pm Dine-In or Takeout
Open 7 days a week, 11:30 to close!
HINDUSTANI
IXTAPA FAMILY MEXICAN RESTAURANT
541-386-3000 • doppiohoodriver.com 310 Oak Street • Downtown Hood River
GROUND ESPRESSO BAR & CAFE 541-386-4442 • groundhoodriver.com 12 Oak Street • Downtown Hood River
541-300-9788 • ahindustani.com 2680 Old Columbia River Drive • Hood River
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. Nitro cold brew on tap.
Welcome to modern indian kitchen, where we bring the authentic flavors of Hindustani cuisine straight to your table. At Hindustani restaurant, we celebrate tradition, taste, and heritage by offering a genuine culinary experience through dishes that are always fresh and flavorful.
56
BRIDGESIDE
541-374-8477 • bridgesidedining.com Exit 44 off I-84, Cascade Locks
Open Wed to Mon 9:30am - 8:30pm | Closed Tue $20 Lunch Buffet 11:30am-2:30pm
2827 W Cascade Avenue • Hood River • 541-386-1168 810 Cherry Heights • The Dalles • 541-298-1265 299 NW Portage Road • Cascade Locks • 541-392-6872 Authentic, fresh, Mexican food and full bar. Proudly serving the Gorge for over 25 years! Daily lunch and dinner specials. Mexican specialties including fresh seafood and vegetarian entries. Catering available. Open daily. Takeout available. Visit us on Facebook.
FALL 2026 I THE GORGE MAGAZINE
Partake_FL26.indd 56
8/30/26 6:02 PM
PARTAKE I EAT & DRINK
THE LITTLE SEVEN SEVEN RANCH HIGHLAND BEEF
PFRIEM FAMILY BREWERS
509-767-7130 • L77Ranch.com • Lyle, WA
541-321-0490 • pfriembeer.com 707 Portway Avenue, Suite 101 • Hood River Waterfront
Grass-Fed Highland Beef from our ranch to your home. Known for flavor and tenderness, Highland Beef is higher in protein and iron, lower in fat and cholesterol than conventional beef. The L77 Ranch Shop stocks a full variety of USDA packaged steaks, roasts, ground beef and more. Email for a Local Price List.
pFriem artisanal beers are symphonies of flavor and balance, influenced by the great brewers of Europe, 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.
By appointment only.
Open Daily | 11:30am-9pm
DON’T MISS A BITE, OR SIP! All things food+drink RIVERSIDE RESTAURANT & BAR
SUSHI OKALANI
541-386-4410 • riversidehoodriver.com Exit 64 off I-84 • Waterfront Hood River
541-386-7423 • sushiokalani@gorge.net 109 First Street • Downtown Hood River
Welcome to Riverside, where you’ll find the best food, drinks and views in the Gorge. Dine indoors or outdoors on the waterfront with fresh menus changing seasonally, a wine list with the area’s best selections, and 14 taps with all your favorite local breweries. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with the freshest ingredients grown and harvested by thoughtful, intentional local growers.
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 Mon-Sat at 5pm, closing hours change seasonally.
in the Columbia River Gorge, Hood River, and the surrounding communities. We’re here to get the word out about our vibrant culinary scene. HOODRIVEREATS.COM @hoodrivereats on Instagram facebook.com/HoodRiverEats
We’ve been part of the Gorge community for more than a decade! RESERVE AN AD now in the WINTER 2026-27 issue! Space reservation by October 9
thegorgemagazine.com
LIVING AND EXPLORING IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE
Never m
iss anoth
SUBSCR er issue Order on IBE
Advertising Inquiries: Jody Thompson jthompson@thegorgemagazine.com 425-308-9582
General Inquiries: Janet Cook jcook@thegorgemagazine.com 541-399-6333
thegorgem line at ag or call 541-3 azine.com 99-6333
THE GORGE MAGAZINE I FALL 2026 57
Partake_FL26.indd 57
8/30/26 6:02 PM
OUR GORGE
your Gorge
“I didn’t start out to paint that,” said artist Ted Olson about Autumn. The two oil paintings on birch panels came together after he’d finished each one separately. Even then, there were other potential finished panels in the mix. But as he moved panels around in his studio, he knew these two worked together. “If you look in the bottom panel, there are some grays and greens,” he said. “And in the top panel, that storm has sort of a greenish cast. I started seeing those kind of occurring together.” The title, as it usually does for Olson, came after the two panels were joined as one work.
the artist
A lifelong artist, TED OLSON studied fine arts at Portland State University and worked professionally in graphic and digital design. But he always painted, experimenting with media ranging from colored pencils and acrylics to house paint. After moving to the Gorge in 2015, he was stacking painted canvases to free up space when he had an epiphany: two canvases side by side created a horizon line. “It was very clear that I had started to become a landscape painter,” he said. It was a focus he’d been searching for in his work, but felt was missing until then. As his process evolved, he began working on birch panels, which allow him “structural control” as he moves paint across the surface with drywall knives and scrapers — sometimes up to 30 layers. He’s typically working on several panels at a time, both “skies” and “bases,” then arranges and rearranges panels in a staging area of his studio until pairings come together to create finished works. Olson’s paintings can be found at 301 Gallery in Hood River, where he’s a founding member. tedolsonpaintings.com
58
FALL 2026 I THE GORGE MAGAZINE
OG_Dept_FL26.indd 58
8/31/26 2:54 PM
Experience the impactful stories of the Columbia River Gorge through art and historical objects
Photo credit: Lonnie Gates
Dudley Carter (American, 1891-1992), Court of the Cedars, detail, 1980, Cedar
Feodor Zakharov (Russian, 1882-1967), Baron Eugene Fersen, detail Early 20th century, Oil on canvas, The Lightbearers Collection
990 SW Rock Creek Dr, Stevenson, WA 98648 www.columbiagorgemuseum.org
BECOME A MEMBER TODAY!
With support from Skamania County and the City of Stevenson
CG_Museum_SP26.indd 59
8/27/26 2:47 PM
Home sweet home.
HHHHH “Cyndee was incredible to work with. She’s very knowledgeable of the market, extremely easy to communicate with, and was patient in helping us find what we were looking for. I would absolutely use her again and recommend her to anyone looking to buy in Hood River.” – Jake W.
THINKING OF LISTING? READY TO BUY? Let me help you achieve your Real Estate goals!
Cyndee is a NW native and has called Hood River home for over 20 years. Licensed in OR & WA, Cyndee is a top producer in The Gorge.
Cyndee Kurahara BROKER, OR/WA
541-490-1396 cyndee@copperwest.com IG: cyndee_kurahara
CopperWestCyndee_FL26.indd 60
8/27/26 2:49 PM