We Love the Associated Press -- and Looks Like They Love Us! Yeay!

Check out this great (and perfectly timed) write up from the Associated Press this week!

Oregon in the fall

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Enjoy the colors and tastes of the season in Oregon this fall.

From Oct. 1-Nov. 30, vintners, brewers, farmers and innkeepers participate in Oregon Bounty, a statewide promotion with events ranging from the Canby Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off in Aurora on Oct. 6 to the Village Mushroom Fest, Oct. 19-21 in Yachats. Details at http://www.traveloregon.com/Bounty.aspx.

Oregon is home to hundreds of wineries, and many offer tastings throughout the fall. In the Willamette Valley, Wine Country Thanksgiving, from Nov. 23-25, is an annual event showcasing many small, family-owned wineries that are not always open to the public; http://www.willamettewines.com. In addition, dinners with winemakers will be held at various venues around the state, $150 a person. Details at http://www.traveloregon.com/upload/images/photos/bounty/WinemakerDin ners.jpg .

The Hood River Valley Harvest Fest is scheduled for the town of Hood River, Oct. 19-Oct. 21, with craft and art exhibits, food, music, local produce, and a quilt raffle. Details at http://www.hoodriver.org/.

While you're in Hood River, rent a bike and head for the Mosier Twin Tunnels by taking a bea.jpgul ride along the Columbia River Gorge. Be prepared for some uphill pedaling on the way there; the views are worth it.

The 40-mile drive between Hood River and Government Camp, located on Mount Hood, is a lovely, leisurely ride past numerous farmstands and wineries, perfect for a lazy weekend outing with plenty of stops along the way. The drive, along Route 35, is part of the Mount Hood Scenic Byway, http://www.byways.org/explore/byways/61400/.

A series of four festivals will showcase fresh hops or wet hop beers, which are typically brewed at the end of the summer. These will take place at Hood River Hops in Hood River Oct. 6, at McMenamins Edgefield in Troutdale Oct. 13, at the Ninkasi Brewing Co. in Eugene Oct. 20, and at the Deschutes Brewery in Bend Oct. 27. For more information, visit http://www.traveloregon.com/bounty/BreweryHopFestivals.aspx.

At Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood, the Timberline Lodge Art Show takes place Oct. 3-23. This year's theme, "In The Shadows of Mount Hood," celebrates arts and crafts of local mountain residents; http://www.timberlinelodge.com.