The Dalles: Much More Than Its Reputation

Posted on by kward2

Stories from the field graphic

By Ann Moorhead, Special Projects Manager, City of The Dalles

Exploring The Dalles: Outdoor Recreation Opportunities in Oregon’s Hidden Gem

Nestled in one of the most captivating landscapes of Oregon, The Dalles stands as a hidden gem, gracing a bend in the Columbia River slightly more than an hour east of Portland. Embraced by the Gorge and kissed by the sun in Oregon’s high desert, this charming rural town offers a panoramic view of a sparkling river, mountains adorned with wildflowers, and a welcoming community basking under clear skies. The Columbia Gorge Scenic Area, a protected natural wonder, enhances the allure while making The Dalles an ideal playground for exploration.

However, despite its natural grandeur, The Dalles often remains obscured by the shadows of neighboring cities like Cascade Locks and Hood River. Located further from Portland than these more frequented destinations, The Dalles struggles to seize the spotlight. Small businesses here heavily rely on tourism. This presents a challenge to The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce – the local tourism authority – to effectively showcase and promote its unique assets to bring in more people to our region to explore all it has to offer.

To address this, I undertook a mission to inventory, organize, and assess the outdoor tourism assets of The Dalles and its surroundings. The journey commenced by exploring what we already had: a list created by an intern years ago with basic details about all the major hikes in the Columbia River Gorge. It was a start, but it reinforced the same issues: many of them were further west around Cascade Locks and Hood River. What we needed was to shine a spotlight on The Dalles and the unique adventures available here.

A trail at a park in The DallesSo, I kept digging. Delving deeper as I engaged with the community, seeking insights from coworkers, community partners, neighbors, and even strangers. Their recommendations not only introduced me to more hikes but broadened the scope beyond just hiking, to encompass activities and venues such as birdwatching, parks, scenic drives, sports fields, and unique photo spots. I didn’t discriminate; if it was outdoors, it deserved a place in the inventory.

I started with everything I could find online. I got sucked into the data and created pages of spreadsheets. I was so proud of everything I had collected. But every day, I would go to work early, throw myself into it, and go home and crash. I had moved here only a day before I started working and I was so caught up in gathering my bearings that I had unknowingly fitted myself with blinders.

Then a day came where I got out of work earlier than usual. It was a warm, sunny afternoon and the weather was just perfect. I suddenly felt caught up in the atmosphere and finally took a moment to slow down and take everything in. I drove along 2nd Street, taking in the small shops and historic facades of buildings I had researched the history and importance of but never actually stopped to look at. I drove up the hill, cruising by the Fort Dalles Museum and the Anderson Homestead while looking out at the sprawling hills to the northwest as I continued to climb. Finally, I pulled over into Overlook Park next to Sorosis Park, high in the hills south of The Dalles. I got out of my car and took in the panoramic view of the city nestled along the river and the gorgeous landscape that enveloped it. Suddenly, all I had learned came into focus. I could see past the data and research the beauty and fascination it represented.

I wanted to share that feeling of wonder and exploration with everyone. To do that, I couldn’t stop at second-hand knowledge. I needed to find everything I could, and that meant getting out there, finding the small hidden quirks, and venturing off the beaten path to see what I could find. I explored distant corners, small, rural roads, and even under a bridge or two. I stopped at every rest stop and anything that caught my eye as I drove along the major roads any incoming tourist would take to collect pictures and information along all my adventures. I embodied a tourist the way we wanted our visitors to: respectfully adventurous, on a hunt to see the true beauty of this town to get to know the area and the community.

Online resources and personal explorations expanded the database to more than 300 entries across 10 categories, and the collection continues to grow. As spring approaches, phase two of the project will involve on-site visits to trailheads, photo spots, and other points of interest. This hands-on approach aims to verify the information, capture captivating photos, and note areas for improvement so we can continue to promote and improve the tourist experience.Panoramic view of The Dalles and the Columbia River

The task of creating a comprehensive inventory for The Dalles has required not only data gathering but also an understanding of what makes this town and its surroundings special. The Dalles is not just a location; it’s an experience waiting to unfold. It’s about the sound of rustling leaves on a hiking trail, the thrill of a bike ride along the riverfront, the peaceful moments of birdwatching by the dam, taking in the breathtaking views of Sorosis Park’s lookout, and relishing in the sun and fun in one of our community parks. The inventory isn’t just a list; it’s a narrative waiting to be explored. It’s about painting a vivid picture for potential visitors, inviting them to experience the heart and soul of this town. Each entry in the inventory serves as an invitation to explore, to connect, and to create memories in The Dalles.

My goal is clear: by the end of July, a comprehensive inventory will be unveiled, a guidebook for those seeking outdoor escapades and cultural discoveries in The Dalles. This inventory is built on my desire to share the wonder I have found in The Dalles. It’s an open invitation to wander, to find joy in every trail, and to create lasting memories. The Dalles, once overlooked, is now ready to be discovered, one adventure at a time.

About the author, Ann Moorhead: Ann was born and raised in Beaverton, Oregon. After recently graduating with a B.S. in Planning, Public Policy, and Management from the University of Oregon, Ann is gathering experience with many different kinds of planning to determine her future steps. Ann enjoys exploring, trying new things, and collecting stories; she believes anything can be an adventure with the right mindset. Ann looks forward to discovering new adventures in The Dalles!

Interested in gaining sustainability and environmental planning experience of your own? Are you looking for a life changing experience in rural Oregon? Learn more about serving with the RARE AmeriCorps Program. Applications for Year 31 (2024-25) due April 28, 2024 by 11:59pm PDT.

A Rainbow Over Blue River

Posted on by kward2

by Braden Ravenscraft, Community Land Trust Program Associate, McKenzie Valley LTRG of Lane County

It had been a typical day in the “banana belt” that’s contained within the unincorporated communities up Highway 126 along the McKenzie River. When Eugene and Springfield are blanketed by a layer of grey in the dead of winter, there is often some sunshine up in the Cascade foothills. We were making a final pit stop in Blue River before heading back down to Springfield. There was one last sight to behold: north of downtown was a rainbow, visible over the wooden frame of the library being rebuilt.

The day’s upriver agenda for the McKenzie Community Land Trust (MCLT) team – consisting of the executive director and myself – included hanging flyers for upcoming community events we’ve planned, walking the property where construction will soon begin on six community land trust homes, and lunch with a couple of board members to catch up on all the progress lately. One of my projects is to coordinate energy efficiency and fire resiliency into the construction of those affordable homes. We were spending time on the property to assess the riparian zone and native plant presence with the “Pure Water Partners”, a regional program of the Eugene Water and Electric Board.

It’s a different experience as a RARE Member not living in the community you serve. I live in the second largest city in Oregon while serving some of the smallest unincorporated communities in the state. Or, as the McKenzie River locals refer to it, I live “in town”, and while they’ll head into town to run errands, they’d never think of living anywhere else other than the community their families have known for generations.

rainbow over riverI am continually inspired by the resiliency showcased by the McKenzie community. I never knew the area before the 2020 Holiday Farm Fire, but I hear stories from the past and believe in the shared vision for its future. I am also amazed at the dedication these folks have to helping their community. The board chair and one of the founding members of the MCLT is the superintendent and principal of the McKenzie Community School. He has been especially busy for much of my service year because he stepped up to become a bus driver for the school when that need arose.

Sure, like in any small community there are long-standing disagreements, and as a former timber hub, not everyone sees eye to eye. But overall, people are working together to rebuild from the devastating impacts of the fire. Blue River is looking great these days. The fire station is finished, and the frames for the wellness center and the library are up. The Frances O’Brien Memorial Library, that is, dedicated to the school teacher who started the library in 1928 on her front porch and maintained it for many decades with 24 hour access and no late fees.

It’s the little moments that make me relish the days upriver – I enjoyed a nice cornhole match with some locals at the McKenzie Celebration in October and shared lunch by the 100+ year old wood stove that used to belong to the grandmother of the gracious board member hosting on a cold January day.

This particular little moment, the rainbow over Blue River, has stuck with me. A sign of recovery and hope brightly making an appearance over the charred hillsides. Nobody has disaster recovery completely figured out. While this area can be described in a fun one-liner like “banana belt”, it is no longer a “goldilocks zone” safe from natural disasters. How do you rebuild a community from the ground up? In most cases, outdated water infrastructure is actually forcing that rebuilding to start below ground.

What I have learned is that it takes a lot of collaboration. Sometimes it feels like everyone in the state is working on this, and sometimes it feels like there’s just a few of us. Progress can be slow, even if the days are busy. Pausing for the little moments and appreciating them has always been a priority of mine, but it is taking on a new meaning as a RARE member. That moment may be a win in cornhole or the win that is agreeing on a meeting time that works for seven different community members, and I am here for all of it. I can tell that the McKenzie is getting stronger every day, and I am grateful to be able to contribute.

About the author, Braden Ravenscraft: Braden grew up in rural Arizona and moved to Oregon to attend the University of Oregon, where he recently graduated with his degree in Planning, Public Policy, and Management. A lifelong love for the environment has led him to launch a career exploring how humans can adapt to a changing climate and world. His placement aligns with career interests in climate adaptation, affordable housing, and nonprofits, specifically land trusts. In his free time Braden likes to spend time outside running, hiking, and camping, as well as playing sports and cheering for the Ducks.

Interested in gaining community and economic development experience of your own? Are you looking for a life changing experience in rural Oregon? Learn more about serving with the RARE AmeriCorps Program. Applications for Year 31 (2024-25) due April 28, 2024 by 11:59pm PDT.