How a historic hatchery became a museum at the base of Mount Shasta

Want to understand America at 250? Southern Oregon book experts recommend these books

The book guides from JX Reads offer a variety of books, both fiction and nonfiction, that expand the lenses of readers to understand American history. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/770cae8/2147483647/strip/false/crop/4096x1676+0+0/resize/792x324!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F3b%2F3d%2F30636ffa4f74b24637e483fe1564%2Fjx-reads-american-history.jpg]The book guides from JX Reads offer a variety of books, both fiction and nonfiction, that expand the lenses of readers to understand American history.(JPR Senior Producer Natalie Golay) As the United States marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, debates over whose stories are remembered — and whose are left out — continue to shape how Americans understand the nation's past. For librarians and booksellers across Oregon, one way to engage with those questions is through books. Their recommendations span the country's founding, Indigenous history, slavery, civil rights and democracy, offering perspectives they say are often missing from traditional accounts of American history. Some are works of history, others are novels. Together, they invite readers to look beyond familiar narratives and consider the people, places and ideas that have shaped the United States over the past 250 years. Ashland Public Library Manager Kristin Anderson, Coos Bay Public Library Director Sami Pierson and Bloomsbury Books owner Megan Isser each recommended titles they believe can deepen readers' understanding of the American experience. "The Greatest Sentence Ever Written" [https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Greatest-Sentence-Ever-Written/Walter-Isaacson/9781982181314] by Walter Isaacson Pierson recommended Walter Isaacson's examination of the first sentence of the Declaration of Independence. The book traces the drafting process behind the nation's founding document, exploring the philosophical influences, revisions and debates that shaped its language. Pierson said it also examines how the meaning of "We" has expanded beyond the Founding Fathers' original vision. "It literally takes that first sentence of the Declaration of Independence and slices it into bits, and talks about the background and the philosophy behind it, and the changes made to it, and lots of edits just for one simple sentence," Pierson said. "The Vaster Wilds" [https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/62952130-the-vaster-wilds] by Lauren Groff This historical novel, set during Jamestown's "Starving Time" in 1610, follows a young English servant fleeing into the wilderness as she struggles to survive. Anderson said the novel contrasts the settlers' attempts to dominate an unfamiliar landscape with the lives of Indigenous people who already knew how to live there. "'Vaster Wilds' is like this hypermicroscopic visceral experience inside a little girl's body, who has traveled across the ocean from England to this new world to dominate a new environment and is trying to survive," Anderson said. "500 Nations" [https://archive.org/details/500nationsillust00jose] by Alvin M. Josephy Jr. Host Mike Green recommended this illustrated history chronicles the more than 500 Indigenous nations that lived across North America before European contact. Filled with photographs and illustrations, the book explores the cultures and societies that had flourished for centuries before European colonization. Pierson said European settlers often failed to recognize those societies. "They failed to realize there was civilization here already," she said. "These tribes were thriving." "Black Reconstruction in America 1860–1880" [https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Black-Reconstruction-in-America-1860-1880/W-E-B-Du-Bois/9780684856575] by W.E.B. Du Bois Green called W.E.B. Du Bois' 1935 history of Reconstruction one of the books every school should teach. The book examines how Reconstruction has been remembered and argues that many historical accounts minimized the role of formerly enslaved people in reshaping the United States after the Civil War. Anderson noted that the book continues to influence contemporary writers. "Oprah recommended 'Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents' by Isabel Wilkerson," Anderson said. "And Isabel Wilkerson recommended 'Black Reconstruction in America.'" "Giving Up is Unforgivable: A Manual for Keeping Democracy" [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/801635/giving-up-is-unforgivable-by-joyce-vance/] by Joyce Vance Isser recommended this 2026 book as an accessible look at the tensions that have shaped American democracy since the nation's founding. She said Vance uses history to show that many of the country's enduring contradictions have been balanced through democratic institutions rather than resolved. "She really brings up the contradictions and how democracy has been what has balanced those contradictions out," Isser said. One example Vance highlights, Isser said, comes from the end of the Constitutional Convention, when Benjamin Franklin was asked whether the delegates had created a republic or a monarchy. "A republic, if you can keep it," Franklin reportedly replied—a line Isser said carries added irony because it was spoken to a woman who could not vote at the time. "The Antidote" [https://www.nationalbook.org/books/the-antidote/] by Karen Russell Set during the Dust Bowl, the novel blends historical fiction with magical realism through the character of a "memory witch" who absorbs other people's painful memories. Anderson said the novel raises questions about who carries the burden of history and what happens when societies choose to forget difficult parts of their past. "She is able to carry around your memories so that you don't have to," Anderson said. "She will absorb your memory, and then you just can wander around the world not remembering it." The metaphor, Anderson said, reflects the country's tendency to forget the consequences of ideas such as Manifest Destiny. "Spell Freedom: The Underground Schools That Built the Civil Rights Movement" [https://highlandercenter.org/product/spell-freedom-the-underground-schools-that-built-the-civil-rights-movement/] by Elaine Weiss Green recommended this history of the citizenship schools that trained generations of civil rights activists. The book traces how those schools prepared leaders by teaching organizing, civic engagement and strategies for challenging segregation. Green said the book helps explain the stories behind many of the movement's best-known figures, including Rosa Parks and John Lewis. "The Great Wherever" [https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250421678/thegreatwherever/]by Shannon Saunders Isser recommended Saunders' debut novel because she believes historical fiction can explore the emotional truths of history in ways nonfiction sometimes cannot. The novel follows generations of a Black family living on the same piece of land, blending history with ghost story elements to explore memory, inheritance and the lingering effects of the past. "It's a ghost story about multiple generations of a Black family who inhabited a spread of land," Isser said. "It really lends itself to memory and ghosts, and even horror is a great genre to get some of these themes brought to life." "My Dear Hamilton" [https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/41014257-my-dear-hamilton] by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie The historical novel follows Eliza Schuyler Hamilton, bringing Alexander Hamilton's wife from the margins of the story to its center. "Everybody knows she was there, but she's always in the background," Pierson said. Pierson said the novel encourages readers to look beyond the best-known historical figures to the people who helped shape events alongside them. "The Laws of Race, As Connected with Slavery" [https://archive.org/details/lawsofraceasconn00fish] by Sidney George Fisher Green recommended this book, published in 1860, as a window into the ideas that supporters of slavery used to justify racial hierarchy before the Civil War. Fisher, a wealthy Pennsylvania lawyer and slaveholder, argued for a racial hierarchy using pseudoscientific theories common at the time. Green said reading the book helped him recognize how some of those arguments have resurfaced throughout American history. "This Land Is Your Land" [https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/This-Land-is-Your-Land/Beverly-Gage/9781668033104] by Beverly Gage The book explores American history through 13 places that were significant at the nation's founding and continue to shape the country today. Pierson described the book as "a road trip through time" that blends well-known historical events with local stories that often remain unfamiliar outside their communities. "Local history is so amazing, but only the locals know about it," Pierson said. Anderson said libraries can help readers uncover those overlooked stories. "Most libraries have a local history collection of things that just aren't really readily available anywhere else," she said. "Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents" [https://www.nationalbook.org/books/caste-the-origins-of-our-discontents/] by Isabel Wilkerson Anderson pointed to Isabel Wilkerson's Caste as another book that helps explain the country's current moment through history. She noted that the book was Oprah Winfrey's recommendation on Time magazine's list of books that capture the American moment. "Lincoln in the Bardo" [https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/29906980-lincoln-in-the-bardo] by George Saunders Anderson recommended this for its unconventional approach to historical fiction. She said Saunders uses history not simply to recreate the past, but to ask broader questions about memory, grief and how Americans understand historical events. "It's the questions that he approaches about history and the way he thinks about those things that make him very current," Anderson said. "The Calamity Club [https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/228820257-the-calamity-club]" by Kathryn Stockett For readers interested in the history of eugenics and forced sterilization in the United States, Anderson said the novel explores how women with limited economic opportunities were often judged and targeted by policies rooted in pseudoscientific beliefs. "It deals with eugenics, particularly related to women who might have limitations on how they might earn money, and so prostitution might be a way to do that," Anderson said. "There was this sense that people who did that were just naturally bad and shouldn't be able to reproduce." Despite tackling difficult subject matter, Anderson said the novel's characters keep the story engaging. "It's got some gnarly elements in it, but also the characters are lovely," she said. "Why We Can't Wait" [https://archive.org/details/whywecantwait00king] by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Green recommended this book as a way to better understand the civil rights movement. He said the book's opening chapter, "The Negro Revolution: Why 1963?" examines the events that transformed the movement and offers context that is often absent from history classes. Green said the book highlights a part of King's work that many Americans know little about. "Happy Land" [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/676199/happy-land-by-dolen-perkins-valdez/] by Dolen Perkins-Valdez Green and Anderson both recommended this novel based on the history of the Kingdom of the Happy Land, a self-governed Black community founded in North Carolina after the Civil War. "It's a really interesting kind of moment in history, of seeing this community that's making its own decisions," Anderson said. "The Black Cabinet: The Untold Story of African-Americans in Politics during the Age of Roosevelt" [https://groveatlantic.com/book/the-black-cabinet/]by Jill Watts A history detailing the informal network of Black advisers who influenced President Franklin D. Roosevelt's administration. Green said the book highlights figures such as Mary McLeod Bethune and sheds light on the often-overlooked role Black leaders played during the New Deal era. (l-r) Jefferson Exchange host Mike Green is with librarians Kristin Anderson and Sami Pierson, and Bloomsbury Books owner Megan Isser in the JPR studio on July 14, 2026. JPR engineer and associate producer Kara Everitt is seen in the control booth. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/398dea8/2147483647/strip/false/crop/4096x1676+0+0/resize/792x324!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F34%2Fc0%2F8d1932224eb3aec3a1cd74fb1eff%2F07142026-mike-green-kristin-anderson-sami-pierson-megan-isser.jpg](l-r) Jefferson Exchange host Mike Green is with librarians Kristin Anderson and Sami Pierson, and Bloomsbury Books owner Megan Isser in the JPR studio on July 14, 2026. JPR engineer and associate producer Kara Everitt is seen in the control booth.(JPR Senior Producer Natalie Golay) GUESTS * Kristin Anderson, manager, Ashland Public Library and Bear Creek Area for Jackson County Library Services [https://jcls.org/branch/ashland/] * Sami Pierson, director, Coos Bay Public Library [https://www.coosbaylibrary.org/] * Mega Isser, owner, Bloomsbury Books [https://bloomsburyashland.com/]

Meet the engineer turned cattle rancher, now producing sturgeon and caviar in Oregon

Sturgeon in a tank at the Oregon Royal Sturgeon Company at Fort Klamath, Oregon. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c156c45/2147483647/strip/false/crop/887x591+0+0/resize/792x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fbc%2F4d%2Fefc941e04ea6aa53f1d40bec7a1d%2Fsturgeon-in-tank-credit-oregonroyalstrugeoncompany.jpg] Sturgeon in a tank at the Oregon Royal Sturgeon Company at Fort Klamath, Oregon.(Darryl Goodson ) Note: This story originally aired on March 26, 2026. In Fort Klamath, Oregon, Darryl Goodson has applied decades of high-level engineering experience to an unexpected field: sturgeon farming After a career building nuclear power plants and infrastructure for the 2002 Winter Olympics, Goodson now operates the Oregon Royal Sturgeon Company [https://www.oregonroyalsturgeoncompany.com/], the state's only permitted sturgeon production facility in the state. Goodson, a civil engineer with degrees from Fresno State and Stanford, spent years moving between large-scale industrial projects. "You just go where the next interesting project might be," Goodson said. In 2012, he settled on 180 acres near Crater Lake National Park. The property included a dormant $5 million salmon hatchery that had been unused since 1991. Goodson initially considered converting the site into an organic chicken farm but ultimately chose to revive the hatchery. In 2012, that path led him to settle on 180 acres near Crater Lake National Park. The property happened to house a dormant, $5 million salmon hatchery that had sat unused since 1991. While he initially considered converting the facility into an organic chicken farm, he eventually decided to leverage his engineering background to revive the aquatic infrastructure for something far more ancient. His entry into sturgeon farming came through an unusual trade. While raising Wagyu cattle, Goodson acquired his first fish stock from a neighboring producer. "I bartered half of one of my Wagyu cows for my first set of sturgeon," he said. The trade netted him 3,000 sturgeon fry. Today, his cattle and fish operations are symbiotic — fish waste fertilizes pastureland. Goodson expanded the hatchery by adapting compact designs to support up to 25,000 pounds of fish. To improve quality, he uses a "cold water finish," circulating 43-degree well water to replicate natural snow melt conditions. Goodson scaled the operation by copying and "factoring up" compact hatchery designs to support 25,000 pounds of fish. To ensure world-class quality, he utilizes a "cold water finish" using 43-degree well water to mimic natural snow runoff. He said the process firms the meat and eliminates aftertastes. While the operation has largely focused on sturgeon meat, Goodson recently began harvesting caviar. His first batches are now appearing in Portland restaurants. GUEST * Darryl Goodson, owner, Oregon Royal Sturgeon Company [https://www.oregonroyalsturgeoncompany.com/]

How a historic hatchery became a museum at the base of Mount Shasta

Visitors play on the 1915 fire truck used to put out a fire that raced through the town. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/28b96c2/2147483647/strip/false/crop/3940x2818+0+0/resize/738x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fb0%2Fc9%2F2732dbbf45ec81dfafe4625ef154%2Fmt-shasta-sisson-museum-exhibit-3.jpeg]Visitors play on the 1915 fire truck used to put out a fire that raced through the town. (Jean Nels ) Located at the base of Mount Shasta in Northern California, the Mount Shasta Sisson Museum [https://www.mtshastamuseum.com/] preserves the region’s history through hands-on exhibits and a building with its own past. The museum is housed in a former fish hatchery built between 1905 and 1910. Community members saved the structure from demolition in 1979, recognizing its value in a region with few remaining historic buildings. A child plays in the lava tube cave exhibit at the Mt. Shasta Sisson Museum. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/2cf54aa/2147483647/strip/false/crop/2736x3648+0+0/resize/396x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd7%2Fd9%2F126441ad4a1ab9db6ec65692f727%2Fmt-shasta-sisson-museum-exhibit-cave.jpeg]A child plays in the lava tube cave exhibit at the Mt. Shasta Sisson Museum. (Jean Nels ) “We have very few historical buildings left, and they wanted to keep that one,” said Jean Nels, the museum’s executive director. Today, the museum operates largely with volunteers, many of them retired teachers. Nels, who spent 34 years as an educator, said the exhibits are designed to be interactive. “People learn by playing, learn by doing," she said. "It makes it more real if they can touch it and do it." Instead of placing artifacts behind glass, the museum invites visitors to engage directly with exhibits, including a working flume that demonstrates how logs were transported and hands-on activities that reflect the region’s fishing history. Murals throughout the museum depict key moments in the area’s history, including the 1917 fire and the arrival of the railroad. The exhibits aim to reflect the surrounding landscape, with features such as a recreated lava tube that visitors can crawl through. Nels said early planners wanted to “bring in the beauty of the area,” shaping a space that blends geology, history and art. Displays also explain how Mount Shasta formed and how its volcanic activity is monitored today. A mural of Mt. Shasta serves as a backdrop for an exhibit at the Mt. Shasta Sisson Museum. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/a07e07f/2147483647/strip/false/crop/3624x2298+0+0/resize/792x502!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fa7%2Ffd%2Fb5fc32724de0b1bc434002e5d903%2Fmt-shasta-sisson-museum-exhibit-1.jpeg]A mural of Mt. Shasta serves as a backdrop for an exhibit at the Mt. Shasta Sisson Museum. (Jean Nels ) Among the museum’s notable artifacts is the top of an 1870s signal cone, once used in surveying to help establish property lines and map the California-Oregon border. The site was also associated with what has been described as the longest mirror flash ever measured, reaching 192 miles. The structure fell during a lightning storm in 1903, but part of it remains on display. Nels said it reflects the ambition of early figures such as Justin Sisson, who recognized the mountain’s potential. Learn more: Mt. Shasta Sisson Museum video series [https://www.mtshastamuseum.com/video-series/] GUEST * Jean Nels, executive director, Mt. Shasta Sisson Museum [https://www.mtshastamuseum.com/] Note: This story originally aired on March 26, 2026. Mt. Shasta Sisson Museum was established in 1979 when locals saved the old hatchery building from being demolished. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/0eb14d1/2147483647/strip/false/crop/3459x2542+0+0/resize/718x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ff5%2Fdc%2F88f5d201415b93014111b04bbab7%2Fmt-shasta-sisson-museum-front.jpeg]Mt. Shasta Sisson Museum was established in 1979 when locals saved the old hatchery building from being demolished. (Jean Nels )

Where to cool off this summer in Southern Oregon and Northern California

A child wearing a yellow life jacket paddleboards on a calm lake with forested mountains rising behind her under a clear blue sky. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/2bf78b3/2147483647/strip/false/crop/3264x2448+0+0/resize/704x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F1c%2Fa3%2F80a2b8a344d8b13dc5aa5032e640%2Fimg-3682.jpeg]Nicole Larsen's daughter, Stellar Summer Larsen, paddleboards on Lake Siskiyou near Mount Shasta. Larsen recommends the lake for its calm water, mountain views and family-friendly activities. ( Photo courtesy of Nicole Larsen.) There are plenty of ways to cool off across Southern Oregon and Northern California. The harder question is deciding where to go. For Nicole Larsen, the answer is usually a lake. River guide Alyssa Winkelman gravitates toward moving water. Richard "Richie G" Gabriel prefers the Pacific, where cold water and heavy surf keep even experienced surfers humble. Together, they shared some of their favorite places to escape the heat—and the advice they think every newcomer should know. WHERE TO SPEND A DAY AT THE LAKE Larsen doesn't hesitate when asked what kind of water she prefers. "I'm more of a lake girl," she said. "I'm not a strong swimmer, to be completely honest." Her first recommendation is Lake Siskiyou [https://www.visitcalifornia.com/experience/lake-siskiyou/], near Mount Shasta. "It's a definite gem," Larsen said. "It's stunningly beautiful, it's very clean. The view of the mountain is incredible." The lake offers something for almost everyone. Families can spend time at the Splash Zone [https://lakesiskiyouresort.com/amenities/] inflatable water park, while paddlers can launch from quieter sections of shoreline for kayaking or paddleboarding. There are picnic areas, easy lake access and plenty of room to spread out. Larsen also recommends Lost Creek Lake [https://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Rogue-River/], 30 miles northeast of Medford; Lake of the Woods [https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/fremont-winema/recreation/lake-woods-resort], 40 miles northeast of Ashland; Whiskeytown Lake [https://www.nps.gov/whis/index.htm], outside of Redding, and Applegate Lake southwest of Medford. Each has its own personality. Lake of the Woods combines swimming with boat and paddleboard rentals and a historic lakeside lodge. Whiskeytown's remarkably clear water and surrounding mountains make it one of Northern California's most scenic lakes. Lost Creek Lake offers a broad sandy beach at Joseph H. Stewart S Recreation Area that's especially popular with families. "If you can't supply your own boating vessels, you can rent these at these locations," Larsen said. "Give it a try and see how much you love it." Alyssa Winkelman sits in a blue raft on a calm stretch of river surrounded by steep canyon walls. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/465cb02/2147483647/strip/false/crop/1200x900+0+0/resize/704x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F13%2Fba%2F8ef78f544c4588b2084deebfe6b0%2Ff08f96c8-cbb8-4c54-afdc-1b33700c4fe3.JPG] River guide Alyssa Winkelman poses during a day on the river. Winkelman says Southern Oregon and Northern California offer rafting opportunities ranging from gentle floats to Class IV whitewater (Lorenzo Alvarez-Roo) WHERE TO COOL OFF ALONG THE RIVER For a river day close to the Rogue Valley, Larsen points people toward Griffin Park, just west of Grants Pass. "It's a great spot to start," she said. The park's sandy beach and gentle shoreline make it a favorite place to wade or cool off, but both Larsen and Winkelman say appearances can be deceiving. "You can look at a calm, big pool and think there's not a current," Winkelman said. "But there definitely still is." That's why they recommend staying close to shore, keeping children within arm's reach and remembering that rivers continue moving beneath the surface, even when they appear calm. Winkelman also encourages people to continue up the Rogue toward Union Creek, about an hour from Medford on the road to Crater Lake National Park. "I was blown away," she said after visiting for the first time recently. "It's pretty spectacular." The draw isn't one specific swimming hole. It's the chance to wander forest trails, stumble across waterfalls and discover small pools of icy water fed by the upper Rogue. WHY PADDLEBOARDING IS BOOMING Paddleboards have become a familiar sight across Southern Oregon lakes, and Larsen thinks there's a simple reason. "It's very relaxing," she said. Inflatable boards have made the sport more affordable and easier to transport, while calm lakesgive beginners plenty of room to learn without worrying about waves or river currents. Gabriel sees paddleboarding as surfing's more forgiving cousin. "It's more floaty, and it's user-friendly," he said. "The learning curve, unlike surfing, is very quick." Larsen says that's part of the appeal. People can stand, kneel or simply sit on the board. Some bring a picnic. Others bring a dog. She's even seen people doing yoga on them. A rafting guide and passengers navigate a whitewater rapid. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f5e40b4/2147483647/strip/false/crop/6000x4000+0+0/resize/792x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F93%2F54%2F4e93399148cf948d64f4c412c293%2Fimg-7811.JPG] Alyssa Winkelman guides a rafting trip through whitewater on the Rogue River. Winkelman recommends guided rafting trips for first-time visitors, saying they provide safety instruction, equipment and local knowledge ( Rudi Bega) WHY A GUIDED RAFTING TRIP IS WORTH IT Winkelman has spent years guiding rivers across the West. For newcomers, she recommends hiring a guide. "I think that if you are interested in it, that's a great place to start," she said. Outfitters on the Rogue and Klamath rivers offer everything from half-day floats to multi-day wilderness trips, providing safety instruction, equipment and local knowledge along the way. For Winkelman, some of the best memories have nothing to do with rapids. "I love seeing bears on the Rogue," she said, recalling one evening when a bear sow and her cubs played in the river near camp. "It was pretty special." Larsen points to another highlight. "The lunch," she said, laughing. She's only partly joking. Guided rafting trips have developed a reputation for surprisingly elaborate riverside meals, from fresh salads to Dutch oven desserts, served on quiet beaches that most visitors never reach by road. HOW TO GET STARTED SURFING Gabriel has spent decades surfing the Southern Oregon and Northern California coast. He says newcomers should understand that surfing here bears little resemblance to postcard images from Southern California. "The coast is rugged," he said. "There's lots of small tuck-in areas. It's very dangerous. There's lots of rips." His advice starts before anyone picks up a surfboard. "You've got to be a swimmer," he said. Cold water changes everything. A quality wetsuit isn't optional. "If you're going to go out here in our territory—Oregon, Washington, Northern California—you have to have a wetsuit," Gabriel said. "That is your personal flotation device." For beginners, he recommends taking lessons at Local Boys [https://www.localboyssurfshop.com/rentals] in Crescent City, California. He said you can rent everything you need there. He said the nearby South Beach offers a sandy-bottom beach and gentler conditions than many of the region's rocky surf breaks, making it a common place for first lessons. Even then, Gabriel says surfers should spend time getting comfortable with the ocean before chasing bigger waves. Richard "Richie G" Gabriel rides a wave on a yellow surfboard while wearing a black wetsuit in the Pacific Ocean. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ae8c97f/2147483647/strip/false/crop/1888x1151+0+0/resize/792x483!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fdd%2Fb6%2F895b0c9b434d8756293668731e42%2Fe99f28f7-cdb3-401c-957a-338a75712e81.jpeg]Richard "Richie G" Gabriel has spent decades riding cold-water waves. Gabriel recommends South Beach in Crescent City as a beginner-friendly place to learn. Photo courtesy of Richard Gabriel. (Judith Gabriel) BEFORE YOU HEAD OUT Whether they preferred lakes, rivers or the ocean, all three came back to the same themes: prepare for the conditions, respect the water and don't rush the experience. Bring more water and snacks than you think you'll need. Pack a hat, lightweight sun protection and water shoes. Keep children close around moving water, and remember that mountain rivers and lakes stay cold even during the hottest weeks of summer. But don't forget to enjoy it. "It's a recharge of your battery," Gabriel said. "You forget about all your in-the-moment transactions ... it's a meditation."

Meet the “Rogue Rockhound” shaping Oregon stones into art

Andrew Parmalee, a.k.a. the Rogue Rock [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/515ace2/2147483647/strip/false/crop/4000x3000+0+0/resize/704x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffa%2F0c%2F84deeece413a9691480c47ec2c37%2Fantigorite-aka-applegate-jade.jpg] Andrew Parmalee, a.k.a. the "Rogue Rockhound" transforms his collection of rocks into spherical works of art. The featured antigorite is also known as "Applegate Jade."(Andrew Parmalee ) Thousands of YouYube subscribers know Andrew Parmalee as "The Rogue Rockhound [https://www.youtube.com/@TheRogueRockhound].," a Rogue Valley native who transforms raw Pacific Northwest stones into polished spheres. He describes a rockhound as someone who enjoys nature and searching for rocks. To find material, Parmalee often looks to ground disturbed by cattle or burrowing squirrels, scanning churned soil for stones exposed at the surface. He said recent wildfires in the Pacific Northwest have made some surface rocks more brittle, pushing him to dig about 12 to 18 inches down to reach more protected soil. Whether he is working in burned landscapes or in remote areas in southeast Oregon, Parmalee said the appeal is the hunt. “You just want to fill your pockets," he said. "Before you know it, you need to wear suspenders to keep your pockets up." Back in his workshop, Parmalee describes his approach as “balling on a budget,” building much of his own equipment to keep costs down. Commercial sphere machines can cost more than $3,600, so he constructed his own drill rigs and polishing machines. He said he finds a certain satisfaction in turning rough, jagged stones into smooth, glossy spheres. Parmalee also shares his process online, including mistakes. He said showing failures helps others learn how to troubleshoot problems with similar equipment and offers a more realistic view of the work. He said the hobby can expand as far as someone wants, from casual collecting to studying geology or pursuing mining as a career. GUEST * Andrew Parmalee, aka "Rogue Rockhound" Note: This story originally aired on March 25, 2026.