1,859 Ways to Celebrate Oregon's Birthday
Today and Every Day
As I’m sure you already know, Oregon is celebrating its 164th birthday today: It was on February 14, 1859, that Oregon officially became the 33rd state. (As I like to say: 33rd in the union, first in our hearts!)
I struggled with finding a gift worthy of this state I love dearly, because honestly: What do you get the state that already has it all?! So in 2020, I wrote an essay entitled 1,859 Ways to Celebrate Oregon’s Birthday, and I thought I’d share it again to mark the occasion.
It’s a bit outdated—Diego Valeri no longer scores miraculous goals for the Portland Timbers, and large swaths of the OC and E Woods Line State Trail burned in a 2021 wildfire—but I had fun trying to sum up the many reasons I love Oregon with my whole heart. And in the process, I tried to inspire a little curiosity in those unfamiliar with the state’s charms.
If your curiosity is piqued, see the full list of 1,859 Ways to Celebrate Oregon’s Birthday—today and every day.
What I’m Excited About Right Now
I’ve been writing up a storm lately, but a lot of my recent assignments haven’t gone online or hit newsstands just yet. So I wanted to dig into my archives a bit and share two pieces from 2022 that I’m still pretty stoked on.
The first is a guide to enjoying an epic weekend in Silverton, which I wrote last summer for Willamette Week. The sleepy city of 10,600 exudes small-town charm in the midst of the Willamette Valley, not far from where orchards slowly give way to the forested foothills of the Cascade Range; depending on who you ask, it’s either most famous as a fun place to enjoy a pint and some food after hiking at nearby Silver Falls State Park—or as the home of Bobbie the Wonder Dog. (Who’s Bobbie, and why is he so famous? You’ll have to read the story to find out!)
Reminiscing on that story got me thinking about a series of pieces I wrote for the Willamette Valley Visitors Association just last year: Your Ultimate Guide to Silver Falls State Park. For that mammoth project, I spent many thousands of words diving into the history of the popular park, offering ideas for outdoor recreation, breaking down overnight options, and answering common questions about the Trail of Ten Falls. I hope you have as much fun reading the stories as I had writing them!
Take care,
Matt