Oregon: State of Wonder

In this "digitally re-edited director's cut" of a 1988 program focusing on the 33rd state's natural wonders, viewers learn a little bit of history (beginning with a visit to Dr. John McLoughlin's--the "father of Oregon"--house, located in Oregon City, the original state capitol); travel to such popular tourist destinations as Mt. Hood, Crater Lake, and the Oregon Coast; peek in on noted area attractions, ranging from Eugene's huge Saturday Market to Ashland's famous Shakespeare Festival; and witness a wide range of recreational activities, from hiking around Silver Falls (the largest state park) to windsurfing in the Columbia River Gorge. Although the emphasis is clearly on nature, the video also looks at some of the more populated areas of the 10th largest state (geographically), including one of America's most impressive mini-metropolises--Portland, the city of roses. With its dense forests of Douglas fir, pure alpine lakes, and spectacular waterfalls, Oregon truly is a state of wonder, and this travelogue does a solid job of capturing her beauty. On the downside, however, the program lacks good graphic maps (during the first 15 minutes, most viewers won't really know where they are) and the narrative-overlying-a-catalog-of-sights approach sorely lacks the personal touch of onscreen journeys with Rick Steves, Rick Ray, and other notable travel gurus. Still, this is recommended, overall. Aud: P. (R. Pitman)