Tumalo Creek Old Mill

I'm Kyla. I admit it: I'm a middled-aged woman with a desk job. But I also love to hike, bike, travel, explore new places, gather with friends and eat good food. As a freelance blogger, writer, and magazine publisher, I get to see a lot of Oregon. Bend has been my home for over 20 years; I came for a short visit in 1989 and never left. That's how much I love it here. I've lived in Missoula, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle, and Bend beats them all as a permanent residence. Including shoe shopping, everything I want to do is right outside my back door ... or a short Saab ride away. Though I visit my next most favorites cities regularly, I'm happiest here in Oregon with my husband, Mike, and Pippin, our Golden Retriever-on-the-Go. Gigs I most enjoy: the "Bend Buzz" blog and the "Dog Blog" I write for the Oregon Tourism Commission (http://blog.traveloregon.com/author/kylamerwincheney), which features dog-friendly hikes (off leash, easy on the paws, access to water) and nearby pet-friendly lodging. I also publish Oregon Lakes & Rivers, three integrated online resources for travel and adventure: the weekly Road Tripper E-Report, an online magazine and website at www.oregonlakesandrivers.com.