2014 Visitors Guide to Central OregonHere’s a heads-up for folks who are considering their first trip to Central Oregon or locals who need a few ideas of what to do with guests unfamiliar with the area: The 2014 Visitors Guide to Central Oregon is out, and it’s available either as a glossy tabletop-worthy bound version or a handy-to-share-with-friends online read.

Along with the traditional Visitor Guide fare (pages devoted to each community, lists of where to go and what to see and do…) are a few slightly less-predictable features that even locals might find interesting and informative. Scattered throughout the guide are several mini profiles of well-known Central Oregonians (such as decathlete Ashton Keaton, surfer Gerry Lopez, slam-poet MOsley WOtta and chef Bette Fraser) that include descriptions of how they entertain their out-of-town visitors.

There’s also a page of fun facts about the region, which include a few lesser-known nuggets worth passing along. To wit: Aviator Amelia Earhart had ties to Central Oregon (albeit tenuous — her husband was once mayor of Bend), and mid-‘60s astronauts trained on the area’s volcanic terrain to prepare for their trips to the moon.

Who knew?

The hardbound versions of the 2014 Central Oregon Visitors Guide are available at COVA headquarters in the Old Mill District (at 705 SW Bonnett Way, Bend; 541-389-8799).