It started with a sound like distant thunder, but the skies were clear. Suddenly the ground shook for miles around. A volcanic vent opened on the inside of the caldera’s rim and began sputtering lava and pumice, eventually giving way to the main lava flow. The lava slowly poured downhill igniting then burying every tree in its path. The only people around to witness this fiery spectacle were Native Americans, as it occurred 1,300 years ... [full story]

If you like catching lots of fish and a variety of fish, then Brownlee Reservoir is the place. My wife and I joined two other couples from Prineville on September 8 and came home with plenty of fish and memories. Impounded by Brownlee Dam in 1958, this part of the Snake River system provides some great fishing. “Brownlee is probably the best fishery in the Northwest for catching a variety of warmwater species,” said Gary ... [full story]

As the strike indicator went down, the angler raised the tip of his fly rod to set the hook. It appeared, by the bend of the rod and the fight in the fish that he hooked into something pretty nice. After a minute or two, he hoisted an 18-inch whitefish from the chilly water. But getting a whitefish instead of a redband was no disappointment for Mike Lunn. As a matter of fact, this day, ... [full story]

Many players have trouble getting their weight onto their front side when chipping.  When I seem to have trouble with this, I like to imagine my right knee initiating my downswing/forward stroke in the direction of the target line.  It is important that upper and lower body work together and a good   Photo by Paul Nasri rhythm is maintained.  And in actuality, my right knee is not moving first, but the mere thought of my right ... [full story]

There can be many scary thoughts running through your head when you are faced with a bunker shot.  Rid yourself of any negative thoughts or tension and remember these three key elements the next time you find yourself in a bunker: §         Play the ball slightly forward in your stance (just inside your left heel).  This will ensure that you hit the sand first.  Open your stance, creating a steeper swing, which will encourage that ... [full story]

Although the Cascades boast more numerous and popular hiking trails, a trip to the Ochocos will often provide more solitude and some spectacular scenery. While hiking the Round Mountain Trail, I usually encounter more deer and elk tracks than those of hikers. Most of my hikes there could be summed up with the following: blue sky, birdsong and beautiful wildflowers.   Round Mountain Trail    Round Mountain offers a challenging bike ride   8.5 mile hiking trail is accessible via ... [full story]

Every day, children face mental and emotional challenges that require patience, understanding and good judgment. How can parents teach their children to cope with this complex world? Oikos Global has created games designed to do just that. Oikos Games 1, 2 and 3, each aimed at a different age group, help children raise their emotional intelligence through rewards and consequences, repetition and play. The games involve various interpersonal situations that children may encounter in their ... [full story]

Steins Pillar looms over the upper Mill Creek valley bottom like a protective guardian. Although there are great views of the pillar from the road, hikers can get a close up and personal experience by hiking the 1.8-mile trail. Starting in a forest of large ponderosa pine, the trail quickly opens up to a ridge walk with views of the Cascades. Here I met the Johnson family who were out enjoying a weekend hike in ... [full story]

In many cases you can save yourself strokes from your score by simply making better decisions on the golf course.  One situation many players don’t put enough thought into is when they are in between clubs.  Remember some key points when you find yourself in between clubs and your smarter decision-making will be rewarded. Take the longer club if: You have an uphill lie.  The lie will add loft, creating the need for the less ... [full story]

If anglers can’t make up their mind whether to head out after smallmouth or largemouth bass, then Prineville Reservoir should be the destination.   Largemouth Bass    Smallmouth Bass - Photos by Scott StaatsLocated in Central Oregon’s high desert, this scenic 10-mile long reservoir holds about equal quantities of smallmouth and largemouth. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife stocked the reservoir with bass after the completion of Bowman Dam across the Crooked River in the early 1960s. The ... [full story]

Sometimes it can be difficult to get yourself to hit the ball to the hole in fear of blowing it by and leaving yourself a difficult putt coming back.  Try this drill the next time you are warming up for a round of golf and you should find when you get out onto the course your distance control is much more accurate.   STOP LEAVING IT SHORT - Photo by Paul Nasri On the practice green, place ... [full story]

West Coast Collegiate Baseball League Bend Elks at Kitsap BlueJackets - Play-by-Play Aug 06, 2006 at Bremerton, WA (Kitsap Fairgrounds) Score by Innings R H E ------------------------------------------- Bend Elks........... 001 000 020 - 3 7 1 Kitsap BlueJackets.. 400 000 20X - 6 10 2 ------------------------------------------- Bend Elks starters: 34/cf Wentzell; 6/lf Anderson; 7/3b E. Sogard; 12/ss ... [full story]

West Coast Collegiate Baseball League Bend Elks at Kitsap BlueJackets - Play-by-Play Aug 05, 2006 at Bremerton, WA (Kitsap Fairgrounds) Score by Innings R H E ------------------------------------------- Bend Elks........... 000 200 200 - 4 6 1 Kitsap BlueJackets.. 002 200 02X - 6 6 1 ------------------------------------------- Bend Elks starters: 9/cf Rife; 2/2b Wong; 7/3b E. Sogard; ... [full story]