Animals of the Rogue River

Perhaps the greatest secret of the Rogue River canyon is its varied and abundant wildlife. You'll get a chance to see the majestic bald eagle, the curious river otter, the lumbering black bear, and the dainty whitetail deer while on your rafting, kayaking, and hiking trips with White Water Warehouse. Keep your eyes open because there is often a new pair of eyes staring back at you 'round each bend of the river! This video shows just a few of the unique animals of the Rogue River.

Oregon's Rogue River...A Natural Beauty.

Oregon's beautiful Rogue River canyon is filled with incredible natural beauty. From the vividly colored wildflowers, to the clear cascading creeks, to the stunning craggy cliffs...rafters, kayakers, and hikers get to experience this "little slice of heaven." This video shows just some of the cool visual experiences that White Water Warehouse's Rogue River guests get to see....

Sunset Magazine Lists Southern Oregon as Next Big Wine Country

The next big wine country: Southern Oregon

Why we love it: Exciting wines, no crowds, and inexpensive tasting fees.

Go now: Arm yourself with a map from the Southern Oregon Wineries Association and hit the road.

The inside scoop: Head to the smallest, newest wine region here―Applegate Valley (part of the larger Rogue Valley)― to get your palate calibrated. Abacela, Troon, and Schmidt Family Vineyards are setting the bar high.

In Umpqua, the northern, oldest wine valley, check out Brandborg Vineyard & Winery and Spangler Vineyards. Ditch your car in historic Jacksonville, of Britt music fest fame, then wander the cluster of tasting rooms, including Quady North.

Our 3 favorite sips:

• Foris Pinot Gris 2008 (Rogue Valley; $14).
• Brandborg “Love Puppets” Pinot Noir 2006 (Umpqua Valley; $30).
• Abacela South Face Block Reserve Syrah 2005 (Southern Oregon; $45). 

This blog is a re-creation of an article in this month's Sunset magazine. Pick up a copy today!

Denman Wildlife Refuge is a Bird Viewing Paradise

A very small but beautiful, protected southern Oregon recreation area known as Denman Wildlife refuge provides water developments for migrating and nesting waterfowl as well as habitat for upland birds. Located next to Tou Velle State Park and Little Butte Creek, the area offers just over a one-half mile long loop. But, despite its small size, the area offers a large variety of birds, deer, and at times, beavers, raccoons and muskrats. Hikers and birders will find a self-guided interpretive trail and excellent wildlife viewing (and photography) opportunities.

The back story: the area was named after Kenneth George Denman an attorney who lived in the Rogue Valley until his death in 1962. Denman was offered a position in the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (then called the Game Commission) in 1944. In 1951, he was reappointed to the Commission and elevated to chairman a year later. Denman asked Oregon legislators to set the area aside as a wildlife preserve. In March 1963, less than a year after his death, the Denman Wildlife Refuge area was renamed in his honor.

Tip a Glass to Southern Oregon's Newest Wine Blog

Check out Christine Collier's new southern Oregon wine blog. Christine is a 20-something dynamo from what she calls the millennial generation. This new generation is comprised of young adults (75 million strong) that were born between 1977 and 1998. Her take is that this generation is ready for wine--and the wineries that understand their buying behaviors and motivations are going to be the BIG marketplace winners.

Christine's boyfriend, Chris, is originally from Grants Pass, Oregon. Thus their interest in the region's burgeoning wine industry. Chris is studying wine making at the Northwest Viticulture Center located in Salem. Christine is set to graduate from Oregon State University this year from their Entrepreneur program. She is also Social Marketing Coordinator for an Oregon winery. Wow.

Christine and Chris' blog is interesting and unusual for its honesty. When we asked Christine who she has her eye on in the southern Oregon wine region, she says, "I really think Pallet Wine Co. with winemaker, Linda Donovan, is up and coming because it is a custom crush facility" (according to their website, Pallet is southern Oregon's first custom crush facility). "Very innovative," says Christine. "Another winery I really am enthused about is South Stage Cellars. They offer amazing wines that--even though the winery is larger--seem like small lot productions. And, of course Wooldridge Creek Winery located in the Applegate Valley. Exciting, vibrant wines, made by wonderful wine wizards."

Well, folks, you heard it here first. The new millennial generation might just take southern Oregon's wine industry by storm.  Awfully smart of you to follow Christine and Chris as they scoop about the southern Oregon wines they love most and see how they are re-writing "the rules" for their generation.

Beautiful Gold Beach Oregon

So many of White Water Warehouse's guests want to travel on to Oregon's spectacular coastline after their Rogue River whitewater rafting, kayaking or hiking trips that we decided to highlight Gold Beach in this beautiful video. Take a respite from your busy day to watch and enjoy.

Capturing Moments of Perfection

Do we have the greatest job in the world or what? Getting a chance to interview incredible folks like southern Oregon photographer Debra R. Harder is thrilling. This uber-talented individual came to our attention when she won the 2009 Medford Tribune Wild Bird Photo Contest. She actually won grand prize AND first place (2 different photos) but the rules only allowed her to win one or the other--so grand prize it was! "I was thrilled to receive the grand prize award for my bird photo." The grand prize shot was of a crane taken on a trip to New Mexico but her first place photo of a golden-crowned sparrow was taken a little closer to home. "I was in my backyard--we're up at 2,800 feet--and the snow was coming down. I just sat there for hours and studied where the birds were landing, which trees. The early-morning light was just hitting the bird in the breast, so all of the elements were there."

Deb and her husband, a veterinarian, live in Medford, Oregon and she draws a lot of inspiration off the countryside's beautiful landscapes. "To capture a photo takes moments of perfection," says Deb. "The best light, the best composition, and then the knowledge to transform the negative into a provocative print. Living in this beautiful place gives me those things and continues to inspire me--even when I come back from photographing far-away places."

You can order Deb's prints by emailing her or calling her at 541-776-7436. But make sure to discover her website for a broader look at her incredible photographic talents. She says landscapes are her strengths but in looking at her portfolio, no one would guess that. Certainly not the Mail Tribune judges who voted her wild bird photos tops in their field....

All photos copyrighted by Debra R. Harder, DRHimages. The first image was taken in Medford, Oregon. The second image was taken in Denman wildlife area located near Eagle Point, Oregon. The third image is of the southern Oregon coast at Bandon.

Southern Oregon's Seven Springs Ranch: Visionaries

Linda Young, owner of southern Oregon Seven Springs Ranch in Glide chuckles when she tells us about what folks say the first time they visit the Ranch. "To a person, they will look around and talk about how 'visionary' we have been in creating this space. But what I really think they are saying is how 'nuts' we are!"

Linda and her husband, Stan, have operated this 444-acre Ranch for the past 27 years. The "stars" of the Ranch are the grass-fed cattle. Linda explains what makes their cattle different. "We guarantee that our cattle are raised without hormones or steroids. We operate from a closed breeding system which means that our cows are bred, born, and raised right here on the Ranch. This means that the folks that purchase our beef can be assured that it was raised with a sense of pride and total commitment to quality."

You can find the Seven Springs Ranch listed in www.eatwild.com and edible Portland--both sites devoted to celebrating farmers that raise the cleanest, freshest products in Oregon.

Another "little" side business that the Youngs operate is the Ranch's conference and events center. This space is located in the loft of one of the massive barns on the Ranch's property. Not your typical barn loft, the space can easily hold 70 - 80 meeting goers and has welcomed upwards of 350 wedding guests. You know the space is exceptional when Linda tells us that her daughter was married here and held her reception in the loft.

Contact Linda and find out more about this beautiful meeting space or the extraordinary beef that they raise by calling 541-496-3123 or emailing her.

Note that all photos are copyrighted by Seven Springs Ranch.