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21 October 2022

Go Ducks!

VoyageOregon Sports, Willamette Valley 0

Go Ducks! Or what does Donald Duck have to do with football?

Proud UO (University of Oregon) alumni and parents are easily recognized in Oregon by a big green O on the back window and a green jersey with the university mascot on it. As is common in the U.S., many former students identify with their alma mater. Oregon is home to a number of institutions of higher learning, with the University of Oregon, with its familiar round O, being the largest in the state. Founded in 1876 in Eugene in the Willamette Valley, the university now has an enrollment of around 22,000.

UO is especially known for its wide range of athletics. In addition to traditional American football, the UO is also represented in other sports such as basketball, baseball, soccer, tennis, golf or track and field and more. The young athletes belong to the PAC-12 Conference, a collegiate sports league where the Ducks compete against Stanford, UCLA or USC, among others. The biggest supporter of the sport and UO in general is Bill Knight, the co-founder of Nike and a UO alumni. His sponsorships range from Nike athletic apparel for all teams to a new basketball stadium, Matthew Knight Arena, named for Knight’s deceased son. On this website you will find all the information about the athletes and their competitions. Maybe you can come watch a game and cheer on the teams! GO DUCKS!

But how did the Oregon Ducks get their name and why does their mascot look so much like a world-famous cartoon duck? In fact, the Ducks were named after Donald Duck and none other than Walt Disney’s sailor duck adorns Ducks logos to this day. The Ducks were known by the nickname Webfoots until the 1920s. Early journalists bestowed the team with the nickname Ducks after live ducks were repeatedly used as live mascots for the games. However, the nickname only became official when Walt Disney personally approved the use of Donald Ducks as the team’s mascot with a handshake. So even with the somewhat modified logos of recent years, you can still recognize the famous duck from Disneyland!

But how did the Oregon Ducks get their name and why does their mascot look so much like a world-famous cartoon duck? In fact, the Ducks were named after Donald Duck and none other than Walt Disney’s sailor duck adorns Ducks logos to this day. The Ducks were known by the nickname Webfoots until the 1920s. Early journalists bestowed the team with the nickname Ducks after live ducks were repeatedly used as live mascots for the games. However, the nickname only became official when Walt Disney personally approved the use of Donald Ducks as the team’s mascot with a handshake. So even with the somewhat modified logos of recent years, you can still recognize the famous duck from Disneyland!

7 July 2022

Smith Rock State Park

VoyageOregon 7 Wonders, Central Oregon, Hiking, Summer 0

Smith Rock State Park A breathtaking hiking experience: The Misery Ridge Trail

It’s true, this 3.5 miles loop at Smith Rock takes your breath away – not only because of the strenuous climb but especially because of the spectacular view. Rarely have I been so motivated and excited at the foot of a longer hike as I am here at Smith Rock. Already from the parking lot you can get a first impression of this wonder of Oregon. The tufa rocks have volcanic origin and give Oregon a scenic image like the Grand Canyon in Arizona or the Monument Valley in Utah.

The state park is a 30-minute drive north of Bend. If you want to have time to hike or climb, be sure to come early in the morning during the hot summer and be back at your car by noon. A day pass for parking can be purchased on site from a vending machine for $5. Please stay on the trails to protect nature and avoid unpleasant encounters with rattlers. And be sure to bring enough to drink and sunscreen!

Which trail should I choose?

Many choose the more relaxed out-and-back route along the Crooked River Trail, from where they can already catch an extraordinary glimpse of the natural spectacle. But if you want to experience Smith Rock to the fullest, you can’t avoid the steep climb at the beginning of the Misery Ridge Trail. On the back side of the highest point at Smith Rock is Monkey Face, a rock pillar popular with climbers. Below Monkey Face, the trail forks. If you want to take the shorter route along the Crooked River, you should now keep left along the Mesa Verde Trail. Turn right to reach the Summit Trail, or alternatively, turn right when you reach the end of the Mesa Verde Trail at the river. The Summit Trail goes around Smith Rock on the right, again going uphill about 920 feet coming from the river. Since the Summit Trail can only be accessed by steeper grades, it is usually less busy than the River Trail, but it is also longer. The Misery Ridge + River Trail is 3.5 miles long and can be accomplished in just over two hours. It took me almost three hours to walk and take pictures. The Misery Ridge + Summit Trail has a length of about 6 miles and takes about 3.5-4 hours. Both offer great views of the landscape, plant and biodiversity at Smith Rock. In the background, you can see the snow-capped peaks of Three Sisters, Mount Jefferson and Mount Hood, while Canada geese and otters swim in the Crooked River and hawks, ospreys, and bald eagles glide in large dark shadows along the cliff faces of Smith Rock.

Here you can find more information about Smith Rock State Park.

If you want to come in a suitable outfit, you will surely find it here.

And here you can book a guided 1.5 hour horseback ride from a private ranch.

25 June 2022

Sand Dollars

VoyageOregon Art, Beach 0

Sand Dollars Pretty findings along the Oregon Coast

If you walk the beach in Oregon, you won’t just find driftwood and shells. In addition to the many scattered crab skeletons left by seagulls or washed up by the wild currents, the rare sand dollars can be found here. These belong to the class of sea urchins and live on shallow sandy shores. They have only very small spines and a large number of ambulacral feet. On these they can only move forward and quite slowly, but at least they can bury themselves completely in the sand within about a minute. Have you heard of the “Lantern of Aristotle”? This is the name given to the five-pointed jaw apparatus on the top of the sand dollar. On the beach, however, we don’t find the living hairy-looking sea urchins, but their dried, hard exoskeleton. Apart from the round shape, all that remains of the previous appearance is the five-petaled flower shape.

Even though the pretty beach findings have not been recognized as currency in the U.S., despite their name, they definitely belong to a picture of the Oregon Coast! So, EYES OPEN!

For craft ideas with sand dollars, check out this blog post.
For more information on sand dollars and videos of them burying themselves and eating food, visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium website here.

19 June 2022

Circles in the Sand

VoyageOregon Art, Beach, Southern Oregon Coast 0

Circles in the Sand Father's Day at Bandon Beach

In Bandon, I’m only familiar with closed-off parking lots and parked-up streets from the 4th of July. But this Sunday – the American Father’s Day – the whole South Coast was at Bandon Beach. The artists from Circles in the Sand went all out today: under the motto Share Love – Show Love – Be Love, they created another of their masterpieces in the sand.

How does it work?

The artists need about two hours to draw the labyrinth-like paths in the sand. Starting at 11 a.m., all visitors were invited to walk the path in the sand. At the beginning of the meditative walk, one receives a small stone from the Circles team, on which one transfers the acquired positive energy during the walk. So at the end of the walk, which takes about 20 minutes, you not only have a nice memento, but your own positive energy to touch. Today, most of the drawings along the way were in the spirit of Father’s Day…

When can I participate in Circles in the Sand?

There will be many more days to walk one of the sand trails between now and mid-August. You can find more information, merchandize and the Circles in the Sand blog here. Watch the weather and bring sunscreen or windbreakers – Circles in the Sand is art right on the beach! Check out the list below for more dates this year: