My wife and I stopped by during the Eugene Marathon weekend. Being over 30, we understand that…read morebirds are cool. There were 31 birds with their own exhibits. Admission was $16/person, but well worth it for the experience. There are informative displays about each species and also each individual bird.

During our August anniversary trip, my husband and I took some time to visit the Cascades Raptor…read moreCenter in Eugene. As someone who has volunteered at the California Raptor Center in Davis, CA for 3 years (and counting) and is also a primary handler/trainer of two education ambassadors (a Swainson's Hawk and a Peregrine Falcon), as well as an aspiring falconer, I am pretty well-versed in raptors. Therefore, Cascades Raptor Center was a no-brainer stop on our trip. It was a pretty warm day, as OR had just experienced a heat wave. The raptor center overall was very well-kept, with over 30 education ambassadors on display. All the enclosures were very clean and organized. There were various trainers in several enclosures working with their respective birds when we went, and one volunteer even had a peregrine falcon out on glove for the public to enjoy up close and to ask questions about. We actually made it just in time for the last flight show of the season, and boy was it a blast!! Hans the Eurasian-Eagle-Owl was the star of the show, but I thoroughly enjoyed the entire program. As you can see in the photos below, I snapped some lovely shots of the birds with my DSLR. Here I am sharing some of my favorites. The admission fee was worth it, especially as the raptor center mainly functions from donations. We also shopped at the little gift shop after for some mementos to take home. I would love to revisit on our next trip to OR!

Wanna start working out beginners level? DO NOT GO HERE…read moreTHEN! I just wanted to try the place out, now I have a YEAR CONTRACT and it's still charging me. I've tried email and calling but you have to be in person to cancel. Even been in person twice but they still haven't canceled!!! Expect to pay $100 if you wanna cancel also.

From the owner: We are a family owned community gym that specializes in fitness classes, Nia dance classes,…read morepersonal training and offering a high quality health club experience.

This local fish store is a true little gem. The owner is very knowledgeable in the hobby and his…read moreanimals and plants show a reflection of his calming but vibrant personality.

You will not find a place that has a more impressive selection of fresh water stock than this…read morestore! I've never seen this many different tetras in one spot EVER! Every time we stop by, I always see something I've never seen before. I respect that the owner has strong opinions about fish care and ownership and isn't afraid to share them, even if that means losing or delaying a sale. He really cares about every little life of the fish he's selling and the hobby needs more people like this! Super knowledgeable guy, I take his advice very seriously. Also can tell a lot about a place by how the bettas look and are cared for. Happy to say the bettas I've seen look nice and always have had access to a bubbler and an actual small glass tank so that's a plus too! This is going to be the place that will have something rare and exciting in stock so prepare to be surprised :) I believe the owner said new stock comes in on Wednesdays so do with that info what you will!

I was slowly starting to realize that Hazelnuts were a serious thing during our most recent trip to…read moreOregon. I decided I really wanted to have a Hazelnut experience. This coming from a girl who is obsessed with Cranberry bogs. I just love all things farming. I found us the largest orchard to visit in the Eugene area and it was spectacular. We came after brunch and walked around for a good while, admiring several of the orchards and trails. If I lived in the area I'd be here every single day. I typically walk 6-8 miles a day and nearly everyone here had a four legged friend with them, it felt like a little slice of heaven on earth. The trails were so peaceful and serene, the river flowing through in the back. It was complete tranquility. Great bird watching too! It's hard to believe a place so beautiful is free. I am most appreciative for the opportunity to spend some time here.

I'm really impressed with the attention to trails this season. They've done a wonderful job!!…read moreBeautiful and serene.

We couldn't be happier with Christefanie Ranch. My horse is truly thriving here. He looks…read morehealthier, happier, and more relaxed than ever. The pastures are absolutely amazing, spacious, green, and clearly well cared for. You can tell the horses come first. I'm so grateful to have found a place where my horse is this content and well looked after. Highly recommend!

I went skydiving for the first time ever, yesterday. They made the experience enjoyable and I have…read morethe videos to prove it. My instructor continually asked if I was sure I wanted to do this. I am ready to go again!!

An Exhilarating Rush:…read more Where do I begin? I still feel as if I am still 12,000 AGL looking about the magnificence of Oregon's beautiful landscapes, the breathtaking "Three Sisters" off to the east with Mark hooked tightly behind me! Sitting front row, eyes fixed out, patiently awaiting our ascent to our jump altitude of 12,000 feet (which I was blessed to be able to have the extra 2,000 feet because the weather conditions were PRIME and I asked politely and was DELIGHTED to spend only a few extra bucks when the answer was YES!... It is earnings very well spent. I highly recommend the extra few seconds of free fall time, amen) in the Cessna 182A (or 182 Alpha) as it went slicing through the crisp June Oregon air, I felt like I was truly LIVING life again. We climbed up and up, I couldn't help but remember my first flight on a commercial airliner as a child. I looked down at the Oregon landscape below. Rivers were 'rivering', workers were working in the fields cutting their rows, while the colors and sounds began blending and fading into the essence of a remembrance of the past. I thought to my young seven year old self then "hmm...looks like a gigantic natural computer chip," my consciousness was flooded with an overwhelming sense of childlike appreciative anticipation, at that moment, I knew I had made the correct decision with all the right people! On this First day of June, 2018 the family at Eugene Skydivers, Mark & Afrika Mucha (Owners. Mark the Jump Instructor and Afrika the superb booking agent and awesomely personable first contact), and who can forget John, the pilot, what an awesome dude he is (I'm from Northern California, we still use 'dude'), helped me move an item from my "I Am NEVER" list due to self induced fear, and move it swiftly to my "Been There Done That List," completely overarching and surpassing my "Bucket List" was, to simply put it, spectacular and exhilarating! It's the once in a lifetime moments spent with like minded passionate people that make life better 'petit a petit momentis' (little by little, moment by moment). I could not have asked God for a more PERFECT day to be able to have such an Exhilarating Life Experience. The owners, Mark & Afrika are a pair of downright authentic and genuine souls. They have a humble pilot who has a great story to boot, and their operation is very welcoming while they all appreciate good ol fashioned American TEAMWORK making the DREAM WORK. T'was never a dream of mine, but it turned reality for me this day, and today I am an over-comer! They all worked together to make my experience truly a "once in a lifetime" moment that I shall not be soon forgetting (who forgets their first time jumping out of an airplane) and shall never be replicated as there can only be one first time for everything. I recommend the FULL package with pictures and video. Mark, Afrika, and Johns' PASSION for their self expression makes the experience SUPER fun and all the more worthwhile, with the "kicker" or the "cherry on top" being the BLAST of cool air when the door opens, the free fall, the "fly like a bird" with your arms out after the chute is deployed, and the landing, "KEEP THOSE LEGS UP, UP"! hahaha. Love it, love it, love it. If your blessed to have amazingly perfect conditions like I experienced today, and you ask politely and have the little extra to add to your skydive experience budget, do see if they can have John take you up and up to 12,000 AGL or about 12,500 MSL (if I remember the sign at the airport it sits a little over 500 feet above sea level). You're gonna like the way you look diving through the Oregon sky, I guarantee it! Cheers, till next time, and there WILL BE a next time! May the wind always be in your face and the sky to your back. A BIGGIOUS GIGANTIOUS thank you to Mark, Afrika, John, and team over at Eugene Skydivers at "Drop Zone Creswell Oregon". Amen. ...That's Whats Up!