AAA Via - March/April 2024

MARCH + APRIL 2024

PREVENT DISTRACTED DRIVING VISIT THE GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS AAA DEALS & DISCOUNTS

THE AAA MAGAZINE

SEASONS IN SISTERS

A WESTERN TOWN RICH IN CULTURE

THE TASTE FOR TRAVEL

A FOOD LOVER’S GUIDE TO VANCOUVER, BC

EXPLORE ARTS OF THE WEST CELEBRATE AND SUSTAIN THE PLANET 1

January + February 2022

Kayak to Willamette Falls Kayak to eNRG Willamette Falls with Kayaking. with eNRG Kayaking.

Boardman Wetlands Boardman Wetlands

WHAT YOU WHAT YOU “OTTER DO” “OTTER DO” No matter when you visit

No matter when you visit Mt. Hood Territory, you’re Mt. to Hood Territory, you’re set have a great time. set toseason have a presents great time.

Each Each season its own list ofpresents things you its own know list ofto things you should ensure should know ensure your trip is asto fun as your trip is as Monty fun as possible, and possible, Hood, theand Mt. Monty Hood Hood, theRiver Mt. Hood Territory Otter, just Territory River Otter,what just loves telling people loves“Otter tellingDo” people what they to make they they “Otter Do” to make sure stay safe and sure they safe and enjoy theirstay adventures. enjoy more their adventures.

View at View more at omht.us/otter-do. omht.us/otter-do.

SCAN TO PLAN SCAN TO TODAY! PLAN YOUR TRIP YOUR TRIP TODAY!

omht.us/guides omht.us/guides

GUIDES OFFER A U THENTIC EX A U THENTIC EX PERI PERI ENC ENC E ES S

Whether you’ve never been to Whether never been to Oregon’s you’ve Mt. Hood Territory or Oregon’s Mt. Hood Territory have visited and are looking or for a have visited andtour are looking forand a new adventure, operators new adventure, tour operators and outfitters offer an incredible way to outfitters offer an incredible way to explore the destination. explore the destination.

Certified guides enhance your visit Certified guides enhance your visit by offering safe and memorable by offering safe and memorable experiences, providing local experiences, providing local insights and even sharing insider insights and even sharing insiderto secrets. Here are some reasons secrets.

Here are some reasons to book a trip with a guide. book a trip with a guide.

SAFE AND FUN SAFE ANDtour FUNguides and outfitters Certified Certified guides and outfitters keep the tour safety and security of keep guests the safety security of their top and of mind.

They their guests topconcerns, of mind. They cover all safety from cover all safety ensuring visitorsconcerns, have the from correct ensuring visitors have the correct gear to teaching guests how to gear to teaching to perform activitiesguests safely.how Learning performtechniques activities safely.

Learning proper will make your proper as techniques make your outing enjoyablewill as possible outing as enjoyable possible and might even giveas you the and might even givea you confidence to start newthe hobby! confidence to start a new hobby!

Guides must also register their Guides must alsothrough registerthe their river excursions river excursions through theor the Oregon State Marine Board Oregon Department State Marine of Board Oregon Fish or & the Oregon Department ofthey Fish have & Wildlife to ensure that Wildlifefirst to ensure that they have proper aid, CPR training and proper first aid, CPR training other guest safety protocols. and other guest safety protocols.

EXPERT PLANNING EXPERT PLANNING Local guides and tour operators Local guides and outs tour operators know the ins and of planning know the ins and outs of planning trips in Mt. Hood Territory.

This trips in Mt. Hood Territory.

This includes all the important (and includes all the important (and sometimes forgotten) details like sometimes forgotten) details like permits, gear rentals and parking permits, gear rentals and parking fees. You’re on vacation, so take fees.stress You’re onof vacation, take the out your tripso and let the stress out of your trip and them take care of everything. let them take care of everything.

HISTORICAL KNOWLEDGE HISTORICAL KNOWLEDGE Sure, you can read about the Sure, you can read about area’s history in a book orthe online, area’s history in a book or online, but a better way is to experience but ahistory better firsthand. way is to experience that Guided that history firsthand. tours offer informationGuided and tours offer information insights during outings,and including insights specific during outings, including visiting locations of visiting specific locations of historical and cultural importance historical and cultural importance and, even sharing entertaining and, even sharing entertaining tales, like ghost stories, that tales, like ghost stories, happened in the area. that happened in the area.

LOCAL INSIGHTS LOCAL A guideINSIGHTS offers visitors an A guide offers authentic sensevisitors of the an authentic sense ofhave the called destination. Many destination.

Many have the area home for yearscalled and can the you areainteresting home for years and can tell details most tell you interesting details most won’t know. Your guide is also won’t know.who Yourcan guide alsotips the person giveisyou the person who can give you tips on where to grab a meal, special on where to grab a meal, special events, other must-visit spots events, must-visit spots and theother best shops in town to and the best shops in town find that perfect souvenir. to find that perfect souvenir.

WHEN IT RAINS, WE POUR.

CELEBRATE TAP SEASON IN TUALATIN VALLEY NOW THROUGH APRIL 30TH Warm up with a cold one at one of Tualatin Valley’s craft breweries, cideries or taphouses.

Find your new favorite pour at

TUALATINVALLEY.ORG

{CONTENTS}

MARCH + APRIL

2024 Volume 25, Issue 2

PHOTOS CLOCKWISE FROM TOP COURTESY HELLO NORI | GARY LUHM | COURTESY VISIT IDAHO | COURTESY PORTL AND JAPANESE GARDEN

11

44

Get ready for spring with seasonal driving tips, vacation ticket discounts, and a streamlined tax filing strategy.

19

ON THE ROAD

Explore cultural festivals, March Madness and celebrate Earth Day.

VANCOUVER

Find colorful global cuisine in elegant restaurants, food carts and the night markets of a food lovers paradise— Vancouver, British Columbia.

SMART TRAVEL

25

ROAD TRIP0

Take a regional culinary journey to indulge in diverse flavors of the Pacific Northwest.

28 WEEKENDER

Embrace activities in every season of the year at the nostalgic town of Sisters, Oregon.

32 38

32

ARTFUL CITIES

19 9

PRESIDENT’S NOTES

10

AAA DIRECTORY

50

PARTING SHOT

GETAWAY

Visit four cities that lead with culture—from theater to art and music.

38

DISCOVER

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM Travel responsibly by implementing helpful tips, local knowledge and intentional planning.

AAA | Via

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THE AAA MAGAZINE

PUBLISHED BY OREGON MEDIA, LLC 974 NW Riverside Blvd. Bend, Oregon 97703 oregonmedia.com PUBLISHERS Heather Huston Johnson Ross Johnson EDITORIAL Editor in Chief Cheryl Parton Associate Editor Heidi Hausler Staff Writer Chloe Green Copy Editor Stephanie Boyle Mays DESIGN Creative Director Kelly Alexander Senior Graphic Designer Cali Clement Graphic Designer Jeremiah Crisp Print Coordinator Clarke Fine

Contents copyrighted ©2024 by AAA Oregon/Idaho. No part of Via may be reprinted without written permission.

486,553 COPIES Via (ISSN 2473-5183) is published bimonthly by Oregon Media, LLC, 70 SW Century Dr. STE 100, Bend, OR 97702. Periodicals Postage: Paid at Bend, OR, and at additional mailing offices.

Postmaster: Send address changes to VIA, Membership Records, 600 SW Market St., Portland, OR 97201.

Proudly printed in Oregon.

SALES & MARKETING Senior Account Executive Susan Crow Senior Account Executive Ronnie Harrelson Sales & Marketing Coordinator Allie Field Director of Operations Heather Renee Wong Circulation Manager Amara Spittler

MARCH + APRIL 2024

PREVENT DISTRACTED DRIVING VISIT THE GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS AAA DEALS & DISCOUNTS

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jennifer Burns Bright, Donna Britt, Cathy Carroll, Casey Hatfield-Chiotti, Daniel O’Neil

NEW EXHIBITION OPENS

MARCH 2, 2024

6

March + April 2024

SEASONS IN SISTERS

Subscription rate: AAA primary members, $2 (included in dues).

A WESTERN TOWN RICH IN CULTURE

THE TASTE FOR TRAVEL

A FOOD LOVER’S GUIDE TO VANCOUVER, BC

Change of address: Allow four weeks advance notice. Call (888) 422-2503 or email the Membership Department at membership@AAAoregon.com.

Contact editorial: viaeditorial@oregonmedia.com

HIGHDESERTMUSEUM.ORG

THE AAA MAGAZINE

Contact advertising: sales@oregonmedia.com

EXPLORE ARTS OF THE WEST CELEBRATE AND SUSTAIN THE PLANET 1

January + February 2022

ON THE COVER 2023 Queen Sadie Bateman at the Sisters Rodeo, Oregon Photo by Nate Van Mol

seaside is for Remembering why we live in the Northwest

We’re going to go out on a limb and guess that what you love most about the Pacific Northwest is the incredible access to the outdoors. So come visit Seaside and enjoy some. Sure we have the Prom, great food and killer arcades. But we also have surfing, kayaking, biking and hiking that looks like this. Yes, you can still book a hotel room this weekend.

seasideOR.com

@visitseasideOR

CO A ST I N TO S P R I N G S AV I N G S Experience the thrill of exclusive AAA discounts on a huge selection of products & services to make this spring spectacular!

Shop beautiful floral arrangements and gifts. Save 25% online with code 25AAA. A A A.COM/1800FLOWERS

Save $22 on AAA Premium Batteries at NAPA. Plus 3-year free replacement.

A A A . C O M / N A PA

Save $30 off your first in-home pet boarding stay with code AAA30.

A A A.COM/ROVER

Get complimentary Gold status and save 30¢/gal on your first fill-up at Shell.

A A A.COM/SHELL

Save 10% on a monthly subscription for home pick-up of hard-to-recycle items.

AAA Members save up to 30% on ticketed attractions including theme parks, movies, sports events, Broadway shows & more!

A A A .CO M / TI C K E T S

A A A.COM/RIDWELL

Browse the AAA member online shop & save an additional 10% on Dell products.

A A A.COM/DELL

Visit us online to find even more ways to save!

A A A .CO M/S PR I N G DI S CO U NT S 888.422.2503

DRIVING A BETTER

TOMORROW Not long ago, a tire blew out on our family’s utility trailer as we were traveling on I-5. Let’s just say changing the tire as traffic whizzed by just inches away was not a pleasant experience. I was quickly reminded about the danger our roadside technicians experience and the fact that not all drivers are safe drivers.

The AAA Foundation’s Traffic Safety Culture Index studies driver willingness to engage in several dangerous behaviors. This year, drivers were also categorized based on their self-reported activities behind the wheel.

The results were shocking. Only four out of every 10 drivers reported good enough habits to be classified as “Safe Drivers.” “Speeding Drivers,” those who regularly drive 15 MPH over the speed limit on freeways and/or 10 MPH above the speed limit on residential streets, made up 25% of all drivers. “Distracted and Aggressive Drivers” represented 17% of the group, while “Distracted Drivers,” who avoided other aggressive behaviors, made up 15%.

Thankfully, less than 5% of drivers in our survey fell into the “Most Dangerous Driver” and “Impaired Driver” groups; but any risky behavior can have a tragic outcome.

We’re working hard with legislators, media and the driving public to help prevent injury and loss of life.

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. While cell phones and other mobile devices are a leading cause of distracted driving, please don’t allow anything to take your focus away from safely reaching your destination. Texting, navigating and other activities should be completed by a co-pilot or postponed until you are safely parked. Please keep in mind that hands-free technology isn’t brain-free.

Every state has a Slow Down, Move Over law requiring drivers who approach a stationary emergency vehicle with flashing lights to slow down below the speed limit and, if possible, move over at least one lane to create additional space for first responders and tow truck technicians.

Greater understanding of the law is critical; a tow truck operator is struck and killed on the roadside every other week.

A growing number of AAA tow trucks are being equipped with directional signs to remind drivers to move over. We’re also investing in an alert system to notify drivers when disabled vehicles and emergency responders are on the roadside. Our Move Over for Me safety campaign underscores that roadside workers deserve to make it safely home. We appreciate your support of these important efforts.

What are your keys to safe driving? Please email me at President@AAAOregonIdaho.com or write to me at 600 SW Market St., Portland, OR 97201 or 7155 W. Denton St., Boise ID 83704.

Your fellow AAA member,

Tim Morgan, President and CEO

DIRECTORS + OFFICERS chair Steven H. Corey pendleton

Bradley J. Hart lake oswego

Mary Pat Thompson boise

vice chair Elizabeth J. Cawood eugene

Karen Hinsdale portland

Kerry Tymchuk beaverton

president Tim Morgan portland

Randolph L. Miller portland

Gina Walker lake oswego

treasurer C.E. “Win” Francis bend

Patricia C. Smullin medford AAA | Via

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AAA DIRECTORY

FOR GENERAL INFORMATION CALL (888) 422-2503 OR VISIT AAA.COM

CONNECT WITH US AAA.com facebook.com/ AAAoregonidaho instagram.com/ AAAoregonidaho ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE (800) AAA-HELP (800-222-4357) MEMBERSHIP SERVICES (888) 422-2503

INSURANCE SERVICES AAA.com/Insurance Policyholders (866) AAA-INSURE (866-222-4678) New sales (866) AAA-QUOTE (866-222-7868) TRAVEL SERVICES AAA.com/Travel (800) 529-3222 SERVICE CENTERS AAA.com/Locations OREGON Beaverton 8555 SW Apple Way Bend 20350 Empire Blvd.

Clackamas 10365 SE Sunnyside Rd. Coos Bay 1705 Ocean Blvd. SE Corvallis 1836 NW Ninth St., Ste. 110

Eugene 983 Willagillespie Rd. Grants Pass 1563 NE F St. Hillsboro 7300 NE Butler St. Lake Oswego 6 Centerpointe Dr. Medford 1777 E. Barnett Rd. Pendleton 248 SW Dorion Ave. Portland 600 SW Market St. Roseburg 3019 NW Stewart Pkwy.

Salem 2909 Ryan Dr. SE Springfield/Gateway 939 Harlow Rd. Warrenton/North Coast 153 S. Hwy. 101 IDAHO Boise 7155 W. Denton St. Idaho Falls 3418 S. 25th East Meridian 2310 E. Overland Rd., Ste. 110 Nampa 16453 N. Marketplace Blvd.

Pocatello 1000 Pocatello Creek Rd., Ste. E5 Twin Falls 1239 Pole Line Rd., Ste. 315

Come get Carried Away!

COUNTRY VILLAGE STORE

Paid for by PCLTax

Open Daily 10-4 THE BEST OF SOUTHERN OREGON

Come in to find delicious gourmet food, sweets, and snacks, discover new and unique fine wines, and even create a custom gift basket.

OPEN DAILY 1314 Center Drive, Medford, Oregon 97501 541-864-2278 • HarryandDavid.com © Harry and David, LLC, Medford, OR

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March + April 2024

Over 60 horse-drawn vehicles & thousands of historical artifacts. Fun for all ages!

Raymond, WA @ Hwy 101 and SR-6 nwcarriagemuseum.org • 360-942-4150

PHOTO ADOBESTOCK.COM/SUNNY STUDIO

{SMART TRAVEL}

SPRING BREAK PLANNING Smart vacation travel starts with AAA. Maximize the fun of spring break trips by using the many AAA tools and resources available at your fingertips. Before starting a road trip, map out your driving route and stops along the way, including gas stations and EV charging sites at AAA.com/triptik. By booking an overnight stay on AAA.com/hotel, AAA members reap the benefits of discounts at many hotels. Or, consider renting a car for your next roadtrip to avoid adding extra miles to your own vehicle. AAA members save on Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty car rentals. For more information, visit AAA.com/hertz.

AAA | Via

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{SMART TRAVEL}

TICKET SAVINGS

Visit AAA.com/tickets for discounts at movies theaters, concert venues theme parks, and more.

Seeking inspiration for spring break or summer vacation? Look no further than AAA Tickets to save up to 30% at some of your favorite parks such as Disneyland® Resort and Universal Orlando Resort™.

Plus, save on tickets to movies, concerts and even Major League Baseball games. Explore more at AAA.com/tickets.

ITINERARIES

LEARN AND PLAN AT TRAVELER SHOWCASES

As a one-stop vacation-planning resource, attend a AAA Traveler Showcase event between April 10-25 in Beaverton, Bend, Boise, Clackamas, Eugene and Medford.

Learn about worldwide destinations, hear from top travel and cruise companies, and receive special savings when you book your next vacation with AAA Travel. Learn more at AAA.com/travelershowcase.

12

March + April 2024

CELEBRATE EARTH DAY AT SOLVE’S STATEWIDE CLEANUP

Roll up your sleeves this Earth Day and take part in a cleanup organized by nonprofit SOLVE. Since 1969, SOLVE’s mission has been to improve the environment and build a legacy of stewardship in Oregon.

This year, you can get involved during the Spring Cleanup on Saturday, April 20, at locations across Oregon.

This family-friendly volunteer event provides opportunities to join beach cleanups, inland litter cleanups and habitat restoration. Learn more and register for a volunteer project near you at solveoregon.org.

PHOTO ADOBESTOCK.COM/BERNARDBODO

FIND DISCOUNTS AT AAA TICKETS

{SMART TRAVEL}

FILE TAXES WITH EASE USING TAXACT

As a special offer, AAA members save 25% when filing their state and federal taxes with TaxAct. The easy-to-use software takes the stress out of e-filing. Plus, TaxAct ensures users will get their maximum tax refund with 100% accurate calculations. The claim is backed by a $100,000 errorfree guarantee. Get started at AAA.com/taxact.

CHARGING

CAR BATTERY DIAGNOSTICS

PREPARE FOR SPRING DRIVING

Spring is just around the corner, and while snow- and ice-covered roads are less of a concern as temperatures warm, the season brings its own set of driving challenges: • Rainstorms. Standing water can make the roads slick and cause an unexpected loss of control over your vehicle due to hydroplaning.

Don’t let late winter weather get the best of your vehicle. AAA members receive complimentary vehicle charging system diagnostics.

Last year alone, AAA Oregon/Idaho installed more than 19,000 batteries in member vehicles and recycled the batteries to keep them out of landfills. Visit AAA.com/battery to learn more.

• Sun glare impairs vision and creates blind spots.

PHOTO ISTOCK.COM/JOHNALEXANDR

• Potholes can not only damage vehicles, they can cause serious accidents.

• Motorcycles and bicyclists take to the streets as the weather warms, demanding extra vigilance for drivers.

• Children at play can be unpredictable. Always pay extra attention when driving in neighborhoods and school zones.

• Wildlife activity increases in spring, especially in rural areas.

It’s an excellent season to ensure your auto and home insurances are up to date. Find your AAA Oregon/Idaho insurance agent at AAA.com/insurance.

AAA | Via

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{SMART TRAVEL}

NATIONAL DISTRACTED DRIVING AWARENESS MONTH

Did you know distracted driving has the same deadly consequences as drinking and driving? Distracted driving refers to any activity that diverts the driver’s attention, including talking or texting on a phone, eating and drinking, conversing with a vehicle’s passengers, or adjusting stereo, entertainment or navigation systems. Sending or reading a text takes a driver’s eyes off the road for approximately five seconds, making it the most dangerous distraction. At 55 mph, this is equivalent to driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed. Learn more at AAA. com/dontdrivedistracted.

PHOTO TOP ADOBESTOCK.COM/PIXEL-SHOT BOTTOM ADOBESTOCK.COM/KOSHIRO

Tips to avoid distracted driving: •

Place a mobile device out of sight to prevent temptation.

•

If using a navigation system, program the destination before driving.

•

If you have to call or text while driving, pull off the road safely and stop first.

•

Use the help of passengers to navigate, make a call or send a message.

•

Be a good passenger and speak out if you feel the driver of your vehicle may be distracted.

•

Set up your phone to minimize distractions while driving.

PACKING TIPS FROM AN EXPERT

Pack smarter for your next vacation with helpful tips from an expert at a Travel Smart Pack Right event near you. Expert Anne McAlpin teaches travelers how to efficiently pack for a two-week trip, prepare for airport security and protect personal data with RFID products. Learn more at AAA.com/events.

WIRELESS SAVINGS

T-MOBILE PERKS Get more 5G coverage and perks by choosing T-Mobile as your preferred wireless carrier. AAA members receive an exclusive $100 rebate in the form of a virtual prepaid Mastercard® when moving two lines to T-Mobile. Learn more at AAA.com/tmobile.

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Year-round recreation, jaw-dropping beauty, and true Bavarian charm meet in surprising ways in the heart of the Northwest. Only two hours east of Seattle.

Book your trip at leavenworth.org

{SMART TRAVEL}

AAA members enjoy discounts and travel planning support on domestic and international travel, from cruise vacations to European tours and family destination travel packages. See AAA.com/viatravel.

AAA

GAL ÁPAGOS ISL ANDS EXPEDITION Explore Nine Isles Take an 11-day journey of ecological discovery with Hurtigruten Expeditions to see the incomparable beauty and wildlife of the Galápagos Islands. Famed for an association with the evolutionary theorist Charles Darwin, the Galápagos Islands provide a wide variety of ecosystems and picturesque landscapes filled with opportunities for viewing wildlife such as sea lions, turtles, marine iguanas, giant tortoises, flamingos and the iconic Darwin’s finches. The comprehensive itinerary includes the centrally located Santa Cruz Island, the volcanic islands of Fernandina, Isabela and Floreana—several of the islands visited by Darwin—and balmy Baltra, before continuing to Santiago, the adjacent islands of Rábida and Bartolomé and isolated Genovesa. The program includes in-depth lectures led by experts and use of an onboard science center. Departures take place from April through March 2025. From $10,144 per person.

TRAVEL DEALS

PANAMA CANAL

PHOTO ISTOCK.COM/ LFPUNTEL

Locks, Lakes and History Experience one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World on a 15-day Panama Canal cruise hosted by Holland America cruise line. The shipping channel took 33 years to complete and is arguably one of the greatest engineering achievements of all time, allowing boats to travel between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans while passing through multiple locks. See Gatun Lake, once the largest man-made lake in the world, and look for the diverse species who thrive there, undisturbed by the passing ships. From $1,899 per person.

AMERICAN HERITAGE

Cruise and Explore the Northern Seaboard of the United States Set sail for 10 days on a Princess Cruise along the northern coast of the United States to Canada with highlighted stops along the way. Visit the lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove in Halifax, Nova Scotia and enjoy views of Acadia National Park by ascending Cadillac Mountain.

Stroll Boston’s Freedom Trail and take in American heritage in Yorktown, Virginia and Charleston, North Carolina. Dine like a New Englander on crab cakes and lobster. The roundtrip cruise begins in New York, making it easy to extend the experience in the Big Apple. From $1,093 per person.

CANADIAN ROCKIES

Tour by Train

Experience the best of the Canadian Rockies, from iconic glaciers and pristine lakes to craggy mountain peaks on this 15-day train exploration. The Circle Journey takes travelers to Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper before staying overnight in Whistler—where there’s plenty of time to shop, explore and relax, while soaking in the magnificent sights. Offerings along the way include visits to national parks, Glacier Skywalk and Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre. From $9,731.

CROATIA & THE DALMATIAN COAST

Zagreb to Dubrovnik

See spectacular Croatia on this two-week guided tour which includes one week aboard a luxury cruise. Enjoy a mix of medieval and modern sights in Zagreb. See hundreds of waterfalls at Plitvice Lakes National Park, then journey to the Opatija Riviera for striking views of the Adriatic Sea. Experiences include hunting for truffles in Istria, savoring oysters straight from the sea in the picturesque fishing village of Mali Ston, and touring the marble streets of Old Town Dubrovnik with a local guide. From $8,165 per person.

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EXPLORE more

ALASKA MARINE HIGHWAY Alaska is wild, and full of adventure. See more by walking or driving aboard a state ferry to access dozens of scenic coastal communities along our 3,500 mile route.

FerryAlaska.com | 1-800-642-0066 #alaskamarinehighway

Oregon’s South Coast Getaways Powered by Nature

Where to Stay

{ON THE ROAD}

PHOTO RACHEL SAMANYI

NATURE, CULTURE AND FRIENDSHIP

Initiated by a gift of 1,000 cherry trees to the city of Seattle from Japan’s former Prime Minister Takeo Miki in 1976, the Seattle Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival attracts hundreds of thousands of people from around the country. The nonprofit festival is the oldest and largest of its kind in the region and is designed to be a life-enriching experience in celebration of the relationship between the people of Japan and the Pacific Northwest. Free to the public, the three-day event April 12-14 will immerse visitors in the rich cultural heritage of Japan, offering educational programs, artistry such as calligraphy, sumi-e and origami, Japanese traditional music and live performances. Hanami, translated as “cherry blossom viewing,” is strongly encouraged as a reminder to celebrate life. See cherryblossomfest.org.

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Member Sale

15 % off

Ricardo Luggage Now through March 2 2 , 2024

Visit your local AAA Travel Store today!

AAA.COM/LOCATIONS Offer valid through March 22, 2024 or while supplies last at AAA Oregon/Idaho Travel stores only. Selection may vary by store; No adjustments on prior purchases.

{ON THE ROAD}

PHOTO TOP BOISE STATE UNIVERSIT Y OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING | MIDDLE ISTOCK.COM/YENA LOU | BOTTOM ISTOCK.COM/IRINA GUT YRYAK

ARTISTRY AND TRADITION

The Seven Arrows Powwow at Boise State University March 30-31 draws performers from all over the United States and Canada.

Paying homage to the rich heritage of Indigenous people, the annual cultural gathering and competition is supported by the Intertribal Native Council and the local community. Attendees enjoy traditional dancing and drumming, storytelling sessions, special demonstrations, Indigenous arts and crafts displays, educational workshops, authentic food offerings and the opportunity to interact with Native American artisans. See boisestate.edu.

FINE ART

CULINARY

HEALING AND THE CREATIVE PROCESS

TASTE OF TRUFFLE

The Sun Valley Art Museum presents “Bodies of Work: Art & Healing” through March 23.

The exhibition features works by contemporary artists that explore the healing qualities of the artistic process. Showcasing varying points of view, the pieces illustrate the power of healing through creativity.

See svmoa.org.

Discover wild truffles of the Willamette Valley during the month of March on the Newberg’s Truffle Trail, a program of meals, wine pairings and foraging excursions centered around the elusive mushroom. On March 9, enjoy the first annual Taste of Truffle presented by the Newberg Downtown Coalition. Held at the Chehalem Cultural Center, visitors will find a full day of tastings, vendors and demonstrations dedicated to all things truffle. See tastenewberg.com.

OUTDOORS

3

EARTH DAY: 3 WAYS POCATELLO, ID Environmental Fair

SILVERTON, OR Oregon Garden

BEND, OR Fair & Parade

The Portneuf Valley Environmental Fair celebrates Earth Week at Lookout Point with hands-on activities for all ages, including free admission, food, live music and free bus rides from Pocatello Regional Transit on Saturday, April 27. See envirofair.org.

The Oregon Garden blooms with spring color and offers free admission on April 20 for their annual Earth Day Celebration. Guests have the opportunity to learn about environmental stewardship through exhibits, educational activities and exploration of the Garden.

See oregongarden.org.

In costumes celebrating the planet, people of all ages parade through Bend’s historic downtown during the Earth Day Fair & Parade on April 20, hosted by the Environmental Center. Find food, vendors, booths and performers at this festive annual gathering. See envirocenter.org.

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{ON THE ROAD}

SPORTS

MARCH MADNESS

As the Rose City awakens to spring, the high-energy excitement of the Women’s NCAA March Madness Basketball Championships comes to Portland’s Moda Center. Fans will have the chance to see on-court action from Sweet 16 and Elite Eight teams between March 29-April 1. Hosted by Oregon State University, this year’s March Madness features 68 Division 1 teams facing off in a single-elimination tournament bracket on the road to the coveted national title. See rosequarter.com.

NATURE

The Harney County Migratory Bird Festival from April 11-14 offers guided tours and workshops by local experts in celebration of the annual migration of birds through the Harney Basin of Southeast Oregon. Recognizing the dedication of John Scharff, the first on-site manager of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in 1935, the festival celebrates the thousands of migratory birds, from waterfowl to shorebirds, cranes to raptors, wading birds to songbirds, that rest and feed in the landscape of Oregon’s high desert during their spring journey north. See migratorybirdfestival.com.

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March + April 2024

PHOTO TOP COURTESY OREGON STATE UNIVERSIT Y | BOTTOM SHANNON FRITTS, FLY JOURNEY PHOTOGRAPHY

MIGRATORY BIRD FESTIVAL

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{ON THE ROAD}

Destination Cooking EXPLORE THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST THROUGH A CULINARY LENS WRITTEN BY DONNA BRITT

Dungeness Crab, Wild Rivers Coast Food Trail

PHOTO COURTESY OF WILD RIVER COAST FOOD TRAIL

F

rom majestic mountain towns to verdant valleys, home chefs can elevate their kitchen game with these Pacific Northwest culinary tours and class experiences.

at any time. Listen while walking along the streets and pop in for delicious bites, free tastings and deals all around town.

Wine, cheeses, brews, chocolates and spirits are all a part of this immersive experience. See visiteasternoregon.com.

Oregon

WILD RIVERS COAST FOOD TRAIL OREGON’S SOUTH COAST

A TASTE OF HISTORY: BAKER CITY WALKING & TASTING TOURS EASTERN OREGON

Baker City lies in a majestic valley surrounded by the Wallowa, Elkhorn Ridge and Blue mountains along the Powder River. For the foodie traveler interested in the culture and history of Eastern Oregon, the self-guided Baker City Walking & Tasting Tours are just the ticket.

The self-guided adventure, delivered directly to a mobile device, allows exploration of Baker City with a leisurely one-to-two hour tour which can be paused and resumed

Whether it’s juicy berries, fresh seafood, farm stands or eateries, Wild Rivers Coast Food Trail is a collective effort connecting visitors to the bounty of the southern Oregon coast. A group of roughly 40 businesses, including farms, ranches, seafood markets and more, from Brookings to Reedsport make up the Wild Rivers Coast Food Trail. With the Trail’s digital passport, explorers can get discounts and earn prizes by checking in with food trail members along the way. Itineraries include the Berry Byway from Port Orford to Bandon and the Seafood Search from Brookings to Winchester Bay. See wrcfoodtrail.com.

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{ON THE ROAD} THE KITCHEN AT MIDDLEGROUND FARMS, WILSONVILLE

Middleground Farms

Wilsonville is the gateway to the Willamette Valley, on the southernmost edge of the Portland metro area, and is home to The Kitchen at Middleground Farms. Housed in a beautifully refashioned cattle barn, the kitchen is at the heart of the farm, which includes a huge vegetable garden, a flock of laying hens and a herd of dairy goats.

Middleground’s offerings include winemaker dinners and a plethora of cooking classes. Choose from various levels of involvement in the two-to-three hour clasess based on skill level or cooking with seasonally driven ingredients to deep dives (think mushroom foraging).

Each class culminates in a family-style meal around the kitchen’s barn wood tables. See middlegroundfarms.com.

Idaho

THE CULINARY STONE, COEUR D’ALENE

RUSH’S KITCHEN SUPPLY CO., IDAHO FALLS

Owner Alex Constantino’s great grandfather opened Rush’s Kitchen Supply Co. in in 1910. As he puts it, “We will never claim to be as big as the internet but we are certainly older!” For four generations Rush’s has tried, tested and proven what kitchen products are the best, and it carries everything from cooking and canning tools to pizza ovens and cleavers. The passionate team at Rush’s also presents monthly cooking classes for all skill levels to help enhance knowledge of the culinary arts: Introduction to sauté, soup and pasta making and mastering Italian sauces are a few of the options. See rushskitchen.com.

Cooking classes at Rush's Kitchen Supply Co.

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PLAN A TRIP

Download the AAA Mobile app for maps, discounts, restaurants and lodging ideas.

Vacations begin at AAA.com/mobile.

PHOTO TOP COURTESY MIDDLEGROUND FARMS, JOHN VALLS | MIDDLE COURTESY OF TRAVEL BAKER COUNT Y | BOTTOM COURTESY OF RUSH'S KITCHEN SUPPLY CO.

Taste of Baker, Baker City

Famous for its namesake lake, Coeur d’Alene is also home to a one-of-a-kind gourmet food experience. The Culinary Stone on the city’s main street is a marketplace, café, deli, wine shop and kitchen all under one roof. Eat, drink or shop specialty food items, kitchen gadgets, supplies and gifts.

The Culinary Stone’s two-hour, interactive classes are led by experienced chefs and designed for both beginners and pros, on how to make everything from pho or sushi to dim sum, tapas and salsas. This exceptional shopping, eating and learning venue is open year-round and offers a variety of cooking classes monthly. See culinarystone.com.

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{WEEKENDER}

Four Seasons in

SISTERS, OREGON

I

will always remember the first time I visited the town of Sisters at the base of Central Oregon’s Cascade Range. After growing up in Portland as the oldest of three girls, I’m sure my parents felt as though the former lumber town—named for the Three Sisters peaks which serve as the town’s stately backdrop—was a necessary stop on our big summer road trip. After only driving three hours, as Sisters sits 153 miles southeast of Portland and 22 miles northwest of Bend, we felt as though we’d entered another time and place. The Old West I had envisioned during school lessons about the Oregon Trail had suddenly sprung to life in Sisters.

An 1880s-style storefront theme was adopted by the City Council as part of its zoning ordinance in the

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early 1970s. It made for a town of clapboard buildings with covered porches along the main drag, and a population of residents who adopted a country-style way of living.

Many things in Sisters haven’t changed since those early days. Locally owned boutiques and sweet shops still line Cascade Avenue, and Sisters Bakery continues to have a steady line out the door. However, the notion of “country-style living” has evolved. Today, the town is filled with young families, food carts and a farmers market, where hip makers sell everything from vegetables and beautiful baskets to natural perfumes.

If you’ve never been, go. If you haven’t been in a while, find an excuse. There’s so much to see and do in Sisters every season of the year.

PHOTO CODY RHEAULT

WRITTEN BY CASEY HATFIELD-CHIOTTI

{WEEKENDER}

Spring: Rest and Rejuvenate

Sisters sits at the confluence of several stunning landscapes: the Willamette National Forest, the Deschutes National Forest, and the high desert to the east. While winter offers its own rewards, as the snow begins to thaw and the pine tree’s soft green needles unfurl, Sisters reveals itself as wellness destination.

The air is brisk and clean at the FivePine Lodge and Spa, where forests surround craftsman-style cabins and lodge suites. Guests can access the Sisters Athletic Club which has yoga, a hot tub and a lap pool, and the lodge’s Shibui Spa. The spa’s long treatment list offers an array of experiences, from a Himalayan Salt Stone massage to CBD-infused facials and body treatments.

When the unpaved road to the trailhead is is snow-free, hike to the top of Black Butte, an extinct stratovolcano 15 minutes from downtown Sisters. Climbing Black Butte is ideal in the spring before temperatures rise. The 1.9-mile hike to the summit is steep, but visitors are rewarded with a panorama of mountain peaks.

Hikers can reward themselves with root beers at the Camp Sherman Store on the spring-fed Metolius River or venture to The Suttle Lodge & Boathouse for whiskey sours and fried fish sandwiches. Reserve one of the lodge rooms or cabins and sit near a fireplace after an active spring day exploring the Cascades.

Sisters Rodeo

PHOTO TOP NATE VAN MOL | MIDDLE COURTESY FIVEPINE LODGE | BOTTOM COURTESY SISTERS FOLK FESTIVAL, BY ROBB KERR |

Summer: Best of the West

In late spring and summer, Sisters is a western lovers’ fantasyland, with old-time events, plenty of camping options and one of Oregon’s best rodeos.

The Sisters Rodeo draws visitors from all over the state and beyond during the second weekend of June.

Travelers can expect pageantry (a rodeo queen, flag flourishes) and all the rodeo highlights, such as extreme bull-riding, barrel racing and more. Plus, there’s a focus on honoring indigenous communities and cowboy traditions worldwide, along with the proper handling and caring for animals. The Sisters Rodeo is sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.

Big Ponderoo, an outdoor celebration of bluegrass and Americana music, sets up at the Three Creeks Brewing Production Facility stage for two lively, music-filled days at the end of June.

The free Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show each July showcases colorful works of stitched art. Quilt show organizers believe

FivePine Lodge

Big Ponderoo

AAA Magazine

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Hoodoo Ski Area

Fall: Festival Fun

In autumn, Sisters is a riot of warm hues and folk music fills the streets. The Sisters Folk Festival in late September is a one-of-a-kind event with seven stages throughout the downtown, from large tents to intimate venues in local businesses. The talent is impressive; a singer-songwriter playing in the historic church might just be the next big thing.

Sisters’ robust community of makers comes out to display handcrafted items and artwork at the Sisters Harvest Faire the second weekend in October. After an 30

March + April 2024

autumn hike or shopping excursion, visitors can mix with a local crowd at the top-notch food cart pod and tap house, The Barn. Boone Dog Wood Fired Pizza serves bubbling pies topped with charred onions, Castelvetrano green olives and house-made Italian sausage which pair perfectly with the excellent array of frothy beers served in the barn-like setting.

The Cottage Inn at Sisters, a boutique hotel featuring six modern farmhouse-style accommodations, is within easy reach of Sister’s fall festivities.

Winter: A Mountain Wonderland

Twenty miles west of Sisters, Hoodoo Ski Area offers wideopen terrain and deep powder on the backside. Night skiing at Hoodoo is a local tradition, and even visitors who don’t ski can have winter fun on the Autobahn Tube Hill. Nearby Santiam Sno-Park is a popular sledding area.

Many Hoodoo visitors choose to stay at Black Butte Ranch, a vast resort with a spa and more than 100 vacation rentals, from cozy to luxurious. When the meadows are blanketed with snow, winter is a magical time at the Ranch. Active guests can cross-country ski or snowshoe on groomed trails around Big Meadow Golf Course, and the holidays bring family carriage rides and a festive New Year’s Eve celebration.

At the end of November, the Holiday Tree Lighting in downtown Sisters is a community event with hot chocolate and cookies that will surely spark plans for a return visit.

PHOTO PETE ALPORT

every quilt has a story and past participants have been inspired by everything from the works of Vincent Van Gogh to destinations around the world. This year’s theme is Dreamscapes, so expect imagination and whimsy.

Summer visitors can take advantage of the region’s fine weather and plentiful campgrounds. Three Creek Lake Campground, next to the Three Sisters Wilderness area, is an adventurer’s paradise. Old-growth forests surround 11 campsites near a lake, in a valley formed by glacial erosion and filled with a healthy population of rainbow and brook trout. Fish from shore or hike the Three Creek Meadow Trail through a Douglas-fir forest.

Join the eclectic mix of vehicles parked at Sno Cap Drive In on Highway 20, a fixture in Sisters since the 1950s, for thick milkshakes, burgers, and scoops of homemade ice cream.

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January++April March February 20242024

TWELFTH NIGHT (2023). PHOTO JOE SOFRANKO

Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Ashland

CULTURED CITIES Explore Oregon and Idaho through the arts WRITTEN BY CATHY CARROLL ike travel, cultural experiences broaden an explorer’s inner horizons. Whether it’s through theater, music, dance or art, they offer a chance to see things differently via an enriching journey to connect with the essence of a place. The following destinations are options for discovering the beauty of what connects us, an opportunity to gain an understanding of the world and our place within it.

PORTLAND, OREGON On the banks of the Willamette River, with Mt. Hood gleaming on its horizon, Portland is nationally known for its trendsetting, intelligent and refreshingly genuine endeavors. Unconventional creative spaces are sprouting up like spring chanterelles in its lush forests. At the immersive art venue Hopscotch, launched in summer 2023, visitors can explore experiential and interactive installations by more than 40 artists from around the world in its 23,000 square-foot space. Additionally, the Portland Art Museum’s new multimedia center, PAM CUT // Center for an Untold Tomorrow, opened the Tomorrow Theater last fall, with world-class artists pushing boundaries in film, animation, gaming, virtual reality, performance and audio stories.

Timeless gems get their due in Portland, too. The Portland Japanese Garden lets visitors immerse themselves in traditional cultural arts, from tea ceremonies to horticultural demonstrations. A visit to the Japanese Garden is a must for anyone seeking tranquility and beauty, an ambiance heightened in March and April, when the cherry blossoms are in bloom.

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PHOTO TOM COURTESY AND JAPANESE PHOTO COHENPORTL @TOMCOPHOTO FORGARDEN BIG SKY RESORT

Portland Japanese Garden

Drama unfolds on stages throughout the city, from large downtown theaters offering full-scale opera, ballet and big-name solo appearances, to smaller independent houses which take creative risks and put new talent in the spotlight.

PHOTO TOP COURTESY HOPSCOTCH PORTL AND | MIDDLE COURTESY OREGON CENTER FOR THE ARTS | BOTTOM JEREMY RUNNING

ASHLAND, OREGON Home to a cultural festival that essentially never ends, Ashland is renowned for its centerpiece, the awardwinning Oregon Shakespeare Festival, much of which occurs in the nation’s oldest Elizabethan theater.

Offering modern classics and edgy, new productions as well as those by the bard, the 2024 season features wide range of shows from mid-March to mid-October.

Curated with a commitment to representing diverse people, ideas, cultures and traditions, the lineup ranges from “Macbeth” to “Shakespeare and the Alchemy of Gender.” Also in Ashland, the Oregon Center for the Arts at Southern Oregon University is a community pillar, offering music, theater, art exhibitions and other public events. The center includes the Schneider Museum of Art, with 4,000 square feet of exhibition space, seasonal contemporary art exhibitions, docent-led Tuesday Tours at noon, and artist and curator lectures, all free to the public. More than 30 art galleries around the city feature works by a range of artists. Each spring, the Ashland Independent Film Festival showcases productions from filmmakers around the world, and in summer, the Rogue World Music Festival treats audiences to new global sounds.

EUGENE, OREGON From ballet and opera to belly dancing and folk music, Eugene has a passion for creative expression. The Hult Center’s nearly 2,500-seat Silva Concert Hall and the smaller 495-seat Soreng Theater are home to the city’s symphony and dance companies, as well as hosting touring headliners, Broadway musicals, concerts and comedy.

Fresh ideas and attitudes flow freely in this college town.

The University of Oregon’s Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art hosts four major annual exhibitions and galleries devoted to Chinese, Japanese, Korean and American art, including more than 3,700 works. Art enthusiasts can also explore hundreds of thousands of ethnographic and archaeological objects, fossils and biological specimens from Oregon and around the world at the University’s Museum of Natural and Cultural History.

Just beyond the city limits, the annual Oregon Country Fair unfolds on 400 acres of forested land

Hopscotch, Portland

Southern Oregon University Chamber Ensemble Oregon Center for the Arts, Ashland

Oregon Country Fair , Veneta

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in Veneta, setting the stage for three days devoted to soul-nourishing, artful living. An iconic July “happening” since 1969, the fair draws 45,000 visitors to its 19 stages with aerial acts, poetry slams, jam bands, puppet shows, folk tunes, flamenco, jugglers, hip hop, dragons, unicorns, fairies and more. The 55th annual fair is set for July 12-14.

BOISE, IDAHO A cultural mainstay for Boise is the renowned Treefort Music Fest. The five-day indie rock festival features 13 venues or “forts’’ in a variety of cultural genres, ensuring there is something for visitors of all ages and interests.

With art pop-ups and public performances throughout its downtown, the city comes alive with activity. Julia Davis Park houses the main stage, while additional festival venues are spread out across 20 more sites around Boise. Even the buses shuttling visitors to and from turn into performance spaces of their own. The 2024 lineup boasts roughly 259 emerging and renowned artists hailing from 28 U.S. states and 21 countries, including everything from Ukrainian “ethno-chaos” folk to New York hip-hop. Treefort Music Fest is a megafestival like no other.

Representing the cultural heritage of the many Basque immigrants who settled in the Boise area as sheepherders during the late 1800s, the San Inazio Festival is a compelling example of conservation and documentation of a living ethnic neighborhood. Set for July 26-28, the music festival is one of the largest and most concentrated Basque celebrations outside of Spain, a testament to the region’s thriving Basque community.

Every five years, Boise boasts Jaialdi, a major Basque festival featuring authentic dancing, music, food and drink, an event that attracts tens of thousands of visitors from around the world. Save the date, July 29-Aug. 3, 2025, when Jaialdi returns after a multi-year hiatus.

Cathy Carroll is an award-winning journalist currently residing in Bend, Oregon. She has reported from around the world for major media organizations, covering Fortune 500 companies, entrepreneurs, travel and technology, education, outdoor recreation, food and wine.

PLAN A TRIP

Dream, plan and book your trip with AAA. Discover more at AAA.com/tripcanvas.

PHOTO COURTESY TREEFORT MUSIC FEST

Treefort Music Fest, Boise

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Sustainable Tourism Protecting communities and environments for future generations WRITTEN BY DANIEL O’NEIL

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Hell Roaring Lake, Sawtooth National Recreation Area March + April 2024

The team at OSU-Cascades’ Sustainable Tourism Lab with founder Todd Montgomery at center.

O

regon and Idaho abound in urban attractions and endless outdoor recreation. It’s no wonder tourism has only continued to grow. Yet, as the numbers of visitors rise, so do the pressures on local communities and their surrounding landscapes. Fortunately, sustainable tourism offers a responsible, respectful path forward.

PHOTO OPPOSITE PAGE COURTESY OF VISIT IDAHO | THIS PAGE COURTESY OF OSU CASCADES

WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE TOURISM?

Surveys by travel websites reveal that 80%-90% of travelers want to have a sustainable trip. “There has been a huge turn,” said Arica Sears, deputy director of the Oregon Coast Visitors Association. “People want to do the right thing, but there’s a knowledge gap in how to do that, especially in the Pacific Northwest.”

Even for experts in the field, sustainable tourism is a new term in the United States. According to Todd Montgomery, the Robin and Curt Baney endowed professor at Oregon State University’s College of Business, the tourism industry has spent less than a decade exploring this emerging trend, while other countries have embraced it for many decades. Today,

schools like OSU teach classes on the subject, and Montgomery founded and now directs the Sustainable Tourism Lab at OSU-Cascades.

“Sustainable tourism is trying to find that balance between the economy, the community and the environment, where the costs and benefits for both the resident and the visitor, are in equilibrium,” Montgomery said. “Most tourists view their visit as a positive thing, [because it provides] revenue for the community. But there are also these externalities—additional impacts on the community and especially on the environment.”

By definition, sustainable tourism aims to preserve a destination for future generations of visitors and local residents alike. “Idaho is a special place and we want it to stay special for everyone to enjoy, now and in the future,” said Laurie McConnell, senior tourism communications specialist at Idaho Tourism. “The pandemic brought first-time visitors and new residents to the state, some of whom had little familiarity with recreating in the outdoors, or maybe even small-town life. We want to help educate travelers on how to do what is right and safe in the outdoors, so they can, in turn, share that knowledge with friends and family.”

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A long-term vision lies at the heart of proactive destination management organizations such as Visit Bend, which has shifted from marketing to management, a crucial step in developing sustainable tourism. Using short-term lodging tax income, Visit Bend supports local projects that create and protect sustainable experiences in town and outside of it.

“Ninety percent of our visitors say they come to experience the outdoors,” said Serena Gordon, sustainability director for Visit Bend. “At Visit Bend, this really translates to a focus on protecting our outdoor resources, so that businesses in our urban center can thrive. If we aren’t protecting this place, Bend itself will fail to prosper and thrive.”

HOW TO TRAVEL SUSTAINABLY

Attitude, behavior, trail etiquette and even tipping your barista are all part of practicing sustainable tourism.

“Treat the destination community as you would want your own community treated,” Montgomery said.

For him, a sustainable visit begins with the awareness that tourism carries an impact. “Tourists should ask themselves: ‘How can I be a positive addition to that community? How can I add something positive during that stay?’”

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A little homework before leaving goes a long way toward a sustainable visit. Some destinations provide information to help visitors better understand an area and better fit in. Sun Valley, for example, has its Mindfulness in the Mountains campaign which focuses on ways to be safe, responsible and friendly in the legendary ski town. In Oregon, the Be Kind to the Coast initiative outlines impacts of tourism on the region and how visitors can avoid or mitigate these. Bend has teamed up with the national education program, Leave No Trace, to teach people how to better steward the land they are visiting, with suggestions such as staying on trails and packing out trash.

Traveling by car offers the freedom to go at one’s own pace and to take in the surrounding scenery. Yet certain destinations like Bend and Boise are walkable and bikeable.

Less traffic helps ease the impacts of tourism. Why not let a shuttle service do the driving? “You can very easily park your car at your downtown Bend hotel and not start it again until you leave,” Gordon said. “Getting out of your car once you get to Bend is one of the best things that you can do, both from the perspective of getting to know the city and lowering one’s impact on the environment.”

Sustainable tourism relies on action and commitment, which pay off by enriching a stay through deeper

OPPOSITE PAGE Sun Valley, Idaho promotes a Mindfulness in the

Mountains campaign.

THIS PAGE TOP: The national Leave No Trace program is used in Bend, Oregon to preserve natural assets such at Mt. Bachelor.

BOTTOM LEFT: A Be Kind to the Coast initiative invites visitors to

protect the coastline near Florence, Oregon .

BOTTOM RIGHT Families gather at Hill’s Resort, Priest Lake, Idaho. Containing fire is especially important during fire season.

undertaking local environmental restoration projects.

“There are ways we can make sure the investments we choose are benefiting local communities and their livability, too,” Sears said.

Timing also matters. During fire season, building a campfire might be illegal, not to mention, catastrophic.

PHOTOS TOP MARVIN WALDER | BOTTOM LEFT COURTESY OF TRAVEL L ANE COUNT Y | BOTTOM RIGHT COURTESY OF VISIT IDAHO

involvement. “It’s not just about recycling and not using styrofoam cups,” Gordon said. “Are you taking a look at the assets that you’re utilizing while you’re in a community?

Are you giving back? Are you volunteering to do trail work? If you skied at Virginia Meissner Sno Park [in Central Oregon], would you consider making a donation to Meissner Nordic Club?” she asked.

Mending trails or collecting litter isn’t an option for all travelers, but other ways to give back exist. Start by supporting local businesses and restaurants. Along the Oregon Coast, for instance, three established Food Trails lead epicureans to fresh and local offerings. The Oregon Coast Visitors Association is collaborating with the booking website Kind Traveler to promote hotels that donate a portion of room fees to organizations

AAA | Via

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Fishing the Salmon River, Lower Stanley, Idaho

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Daniel O’Neil is an Oregon-based writer who spent a decade living abroad in both France and Spain. He has written about the arts, snowboarding, wine, food and more for regional and national magazines and for nonprofit organizations.

PLAN A TRIP

Part of traveling sustainably means simplifying, and AAA offers several helpful tools. Rather than relying on bulky paper books, download the AAA TourBook® guides on any device for destinations across North America and the Caribbean. You’ll save room and trees.

AAA teamed with Tourism Cares to expand and facilitate the sustainable tourism experience: AAA Travel agents are sustainable-travel certified. Two upcoming itineraries exclusive to AAA in Italy and Ireland offer conscious-travel experiences tied to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Contact your local AAA Travel Agent at AAA.com/locations.

PHOTO COURTESY OF VISIT IDAHO

In the winter, cold temperatures can make outdoor activities dangerous in high altitude places around Oregon and Idaho. On the coast, it’s wise to know the tides and understand how rip tides and rip currents work to avoid surprises. Tourists in trouble put an added strain on local emergency services, some of which rely on volunteers.

Arriving outside of peak tourist season offers the benefit of fewer lines and emptier trails. Local businesses enjoy support during those slower times, and visitors get a better sense of an area’s true character without the distraction of crowds. It’s important to keep in mind that tourist destinations are also towns and communities where people live year-round.

Sustainable tourism is a work in progress, but it is working. “Anecdotally we hear from public land managers and state park managers that there are still challenges,” McConnell said. “But change doesn’t happen overnight, and we’re hopeful that with consistent messaging, we will continue to see progress.”

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A Food Lover’s GUIDE

Global cuisine shines in Vancouver, BC

Anh and Chi

I

t’s a sunny afternoon in Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant neighborhood, where Main Street divides the vibrant Canadian city in two. I sit in what looks like a typical busy, chic urban café. But instead of a cappuccino, I’m about to tuck into a bowl of Vietnamese noodles, which can only be described as a jewel box, with dollops of crab meat souffle, fried tofu, tomatoes, bean sprouts and little crab claws over a mound of soupy rice noodles. Recently awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand, Anh and Chi is owned by a sister and brother team known for their hospitality.

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Just down the street are several more award-winning restaurants. I’m in culinary heaven.

Since my earliest days as a food-loving, West Coast college student, Vancouver and its renowned Chinatown have been calling my name. Now, many years and multiple trips later, I can share two conclusions. One, an incredible and historic Chinatown is just the beginning, and two, be patient, as it will take many years to eat your way through Vancouver. This sophisticated city takes its meals seriously.

PHOTO @HUBERTKANG HUBERT KANG OF KINDRED & SCOUT, COURTESY OF DESTINATION VANCOUVER AND ANH AND CHI

WRITTEN BY JENNIFER BURNS BRIGHT

PHOTO BY @LEIL ALIKES LEIL A KWOK, COURTESY OF ANH AND CHI

Anh and Chi

AAA | Via

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Elegant Eats in the Downtown Core

A good way for food lovers to dig into the scene is to set anchor in the downtown core and business district. To get your bearings, amble along Victoria Harbour’s Seawall Water Walk from Coal Harbour in the west to Gastown just east of the Financial District, identifying landmark hotels along the waterfront route.

Located across the street from Canada Place (a convention center built to look like a ship with sails) the Fairmont Waterfront has an uncommonly good weekend brunch at ARC restaurant. Pair sparkling wine with savory steel-cut oat risotto and look for honey made from the hotel’s own beehives. Just a stone’s throw away is the Fairmont Pacific Rim, known for its world-class cocktail bars. Head to the back of the property, where the Michelin Guide-recommended Bacaro is delightful during cocktail hour for cicchetti, small snacks in the style of Venice, perfect with housemade bottled Italian spritzes or excellent wines.

For special occasions, from fanciful afternoon tea to lavish dinners in seasonal outdoor domes on the patio, the H Tasting Lounge at the Westin Bayshore in Coal Harbour will delight anyone looking for a photo-worthy experience.

Save room for the sweets, as the resident chocolatier makes magic out of candied confections.

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If you head up one of the streets from Canada Place away from the water, you’ll find yourself in downtown proper. There, Michelin-lauded Hawksworth Restaurant at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia has an elegant, art-filled dining room perfect for a romantic dinner for serious wine lovers as you can see the glass-walled cellar from your seat. The joyful noise you hear from the adjoining lounge might be emanating from one of the most popular happy hour deals in town, offering burgers and a brew or an Old Fashioned cocktail.

Global Flavors: Robson Street and Chinatown

While downtown, don’t miss the culinary action on Robson Street in the west end. Known to draw shoppers for its luxury flagship stores, the street is also the place to go for trendy snacks such as croissants shaped like boxes or Taiwanese fruit tea. Fun concepts such as Hello Nori’s sustainable sushi handrolls sit side-by-side with Korean barbecue joints, pizza places and one of the city’s legendary dining institutions, Joe Fortes Seafood and Chop House.

You’ll find an astonishing range of Japanese-inspired hot

PHOTO COURTESY DESTINATION BC/REUBEN KRABBE OPPOSITE PAGE: CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT. HAKAN BURCUOGLU | COURTESY HELLO NORI | COURTESY H TASTING LOUNGE | COURTESY FAIRMONT WATERFRONT

Enjoy food and views on the patio overlooking Victoria’s Inner Harbour marina.

TOP LEFT Ling cod with preserved radish greens, roasted radish, doenjang butter sauce, chili oil and nasturtiums from Bar Gobo.

TOP RIGHT Hello Nori is well known for its hand rolls.

BOTTOM LEFT Views and extensive menu offerings are found from a

seat at the Fairmont Waterfront.

BOTTOM RIGHT H Tasting Lounge serves a dome of chocolate with

liquid nitrogen berries and mushrooms made of meringue.

Granville Island ’s Vancouver Icons

Granville Island Public Market, which sees millions of visitors each year while still maintaining its authentic farmers market vibe, welcomes food lovers to explore a range of gourmet Canadian foods from fresh produce to pastries. To get to the island, take a budget-friendly river cruise on a small ferry boat from Yaletown. For picnic supplies such as cold cuts, head to Oyama Sausage Company. À la Mode Pie Café has been serving fruit pies and savory, oozy pot pies since 1986.

PHOTO PAT ADDABBO/OREGON ADAPTIVE SPORTS

dogs at Japadog, a Vancouver staple with locations all over town, including the one on Robson. Go all in with the kurobata pork sausage topped with yakisoba noodles.

In Strathcona, the neighborhood that encompasses historic Chinatown in east Vancouver, you’ll find hip, independently owned eateries and markets that have been flourishing for decades, all coexisting in historic storefronts. Roast duck? Got it. Live lobsters? No problem. Macarons in the shape of cartoon characters?

Check. Of the many, many options, I particularly enjoyed a bowl of steaming khao soi chicken curry noodles at the acclaimed Thai spot, Fat Mao, and explored a carefully curated wine list and seasonally inspired prix-fixe menu at Bar Gobo, an intimate nook perfect for a special occasion. Both eateries have received Michelin nods. For an excellent overview of Vancouver’s Chinese immigrant history, the Chinatown Storytelling Centre and the new Chinese Canadian Museum are both worth the visit.

AAA | Via

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A Cultural Hub in Richmond

Every food lover’s trip to Vancouver should include at least a half-day adventure to Richmond, a community located about nine miles from the city center and easily accessible by the Canada Line SkyTrain. Richmond is a vibrant, growing town where roughly 75% of the population are of Asian-Canadian origin, a fact reflected in the impressive number of contemporary Asian restaurants and shops.

For a premier taste of Chinese cuisine, head to one of the city’s famous food courts. Aberdeen Centre, Parker Place, Yaohan Centre and Richmond Night Market boast just a few of the notable food courts in the area, each with its own character. You’ll find upscale shopping and modern juice bars at Aberdeen, and old-school barbecue along with a vintage bubble waffle stand at Parker Place. Don’t miss the restaurants that line the side streets off No. 3 Road, where most of the large shopping complexes are located. There, find the bustling new The Fish Man restaurant, which sources pristine, sustainable fish and get ready to tuck into giant bowls of ling cod and pickled vegetable soup, hot pots

Richmond Night Market

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and seasonal specialties such as stir-fried crab or abalone.

Visit Richmond’s website also has several self-led food tours, such as a 13-stop Dumpling Trail, to help guide your Vancouver culinary journey.

The outdoor Richmond Night Market—reportedly North America’s largest—reopens in April 2024 after a brief closure, with more than 100 food stands representing a world of colorful options, from churros to barbecued squid, plus live music and performances.

For a deeper dive into the city’s neighborhoods and food culture, Vancouver Foodie Tours offers a comprehensive guided experience, making it a great way to begin. Savor the wide range of Asian eats in Richmond, sample craft brews in Vancouver’s earliest communities in the Gastown district and learn about cheese at Granville Island.

Jennifer Burns Bright is an editor and award-winning writer specializing in culinary travel and natural history in the Pacific Northwest. Residing on the Oregon Coast, she has written for Via since 2013.

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Richmond Night Market

PHOTOS COURTESY FIREWORK PRODUCTIONS

Another icon, Lee’s Donuts, sells freshly fried dough rings in small batches so fast, they’re usually still warm when you get to the head of the line.

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