Ashland, Comer Live Cam

"In the last couple weeks, I did a 15-mile ski trip into the Broken Top caldera, mountain biked from Mt. Bachelor to Lava Lake and down to Edison Sno-Park, did a 5.10 climb at Smith Rock, skied the trees on the back side of Bachelor, ran a 10K on the Deschutes River trail, paddled the rapids at Big Eddy five times, roller skied 20 miles on the Cascade Lakes Highway, climbed South Sister and telemarked down, Man, do I need a vacation."

Riding the Summit Lift to the top of Mt. Bachelor provides a dramatic overview of the entire state. The Crooked River cuts a dramatic swath through the high desert at the Ogden Scenic Wayside. Walking through the world's largest obsidian flow at Newberry National Volcanic Monument or the massive lava flow at Dee Wright Observatory is like visiting another planet.

The Mt. Jefferson, Three Sisters and Mt. Washington wilderness areas offer endless trails, fishing holes and campsites. The giant pillars at Smith Rock State Park are world-renowned for rock climbing. The Deschutes River attracts rafters and kayakers to test a variety of exciting rapids and scenic floats.

With more than 23 superb courses, this region is practically one giant golf resort. You'll find several outstanding golf and ski resorts, as well as peaceful fishing lodges and lively guest ranches.

Ranches in this land raise plenty of cattle, llamas and even reindeer. Prineville and Madras both have areas where you can rock hound gem-filled thundereggs. Early fall is the time to hunt for mushrooms in the Cascades and the Ochocos. After all that digging, people quench their thirst at one of Bend or Redmond's microbreweries.

The Museum at Warm Springs celebrates the rich culture of the Confederated Tribes. The High Desert Museum in Bend is alive with natural and cultural history. Music festivals in Bend (August), Sunriver (August), and Sisters (September) keep toes tapping in summer. The Sisters Rodeo (June) is "The Biggest Little Show in the Country."

Mt. Bachelor's great skiing typically lasts from November through June. Hoodoo Ski Area near Santiam Pass (Highway 20) offers night skiing on weekends. Both have cross-country centers with groomed trails. Several Sno-Parks offer miles of solitude for Nordic skiing, snowmobiling and snowshoeing. For a change of pace, sled dogs eagerly take you into the wilderness around Mt. Bachelor.

This is a region of incredible extremes. The word "gaping" could describe both the size of Hells Canyon and the shape of your mouth when you see it. Equally amazing are the colors of the Painted Hills and the remnants of prehistoric creatures at John Day Fossil Beds. The Steens Mountain Summit Road rewards you with stunning vistas. The Mt. Howard tram offers an unforgettable look at the Wallowa Mountains.

In much of this region, beef cattle greatly outnumber people. Wooly sheep have made Pendleton a household name and brought a Basque influence to Jordan Valley. Hermiston and Ontario produce mountains of potatoes, onions and wheat. In between, the fertile Grande Ronde Valley produces everything from cherries to peppermint. Some say there's still gold in them thar hills around Baker City.