By Chris Faria, Executive Editor, Tribal Gaming & Hospitality Magazine
This month, TG&H went On The Road—and so did I. I headed up to Canyonville, Oregon, for a special visit with the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians. What brought me there? A mix of work and wanderlust. I was attending a vintage trailer rally at the Seven Feathers RV Resort, which also gave me the perfect opportunity to explore the Tribe’s business ventures and meet the people behind them.
And yes, while I do love a vintage trailer rally (complete with campfire shenanigans, ping pong and card games by Coleman lantern-light), I was also there to learn—and to share the stories of how this Tribe is creating economic sustainability through thoughtful, connected enterprises.
Husband Jim and I packed up our 1971 Ken-Craft (with its original avocado appliances) and hit the road from Reno, NV to Southern Oregon to join sixty other trailers that are still on the road, some of them close to 80 years old and still rolling!
A First for Vintage Trailer Rally Organizers
“This park is one of the nicest I’ve been to,” said Paul Lacitinola, who organizes vintage trailer rallies around the West through his group, Vintage Camper Trailers. “It’s further north than most of our events, and the bonus is the casino and amenities.”
For the first time ever, his group held a rally in Oregon—at Seven Feathers RV Resort. Feedback from attendees? The beautiful surroundings, the indoor pool, the site length, and the cleanliness! “For casinos considering hosting rallies, a pavilion and a willingness to work with the group is key,” said Paul.
Where the Beans Are Roasted and the Details Matter
While I’m not someone who writes poetry about espresso (though I’ve met those people), I was curious to check out Takelma Roasting Company, the Tribe’s coffee roasting business. Eric Albecker, their production manager, walked me through the roasting process, the variety of beans they use, and how they’re shipping product all over the country.
One standout? Their Swiss Water Processed decaf—a clean, chemical-free option that’s caught on in all 50 states. “A lot of people are looking for that,” Eric said. But the real takeaway? This enterprise is about more than coffee. It’s about creating jobs, developing skills, and teaching team members the kind of detail-oriented work that translates into future success. And you betcha’ I took some back to the trailer to use in my vintage percolator!
K-Bar Ranch: A Grounded Approach to Growth
Next up: cows. As someone who may or may not wave at them from the highway, I’ll admit this was a highlight. Self-proclaimed suburbanites, we witnessed something special—real working cowboys and cowgirls (and a cattle dog) herding cattle.
At K-Bar Ranch, COO Travis Hill took me into the wide-open landscape of the North Ranch, where the Tribe is running cattle as part of a larger food sovereignty initiative. Their goal? Eventually serve their own beef at the casino resort. For now, the beef supports the tribal pantry and community programs.
“This ranch supports our cow-calf program,” Travis explained. “Right now, we’re processing beef for our tribal pantry, and in the future, we’ll serve this at our resort operations.” They’re raising Red Angus with a focus on clean, hormone-free beef and expanding to 800 mama cows to build a sustainable supply. “It’s about providing clean, tribal-sourced food and supporting our own people,” he said.
Watching the herd move under that big Oregon sky was both grounding and inspiring. This wasn’t just about cows—it was about culture, community, and control over their own food systems.
RV Resort Living Done Right
Back at the Seven Feathers RV Resort, I met with GM George Chavez, who’s been with the Tribe for nearly three decades. “We opened the resort in 2006, and next year marks our 20th anniversary,” he told me.
Built after seeing how many travelers in RVs were parking just to visit the casino, the resort is now a full-on destination. What sets it apart? Attention to detail, top-notch landscaping, and a peaceful environment that appeals to everyone from retirees to remote workers. “Some guests never even visit the casino,” George said. “They come here just to relax.”
At the Center of It All: Seven Feathers Casino Resort
To bring it all together, I sat down with Jay Ellenberger, GM of the Seven Feathers Casino Resort. While the property already offers gaming, lodging, dining, and live entertainment, Jay says the focus now is on adding more: quick-service food options, unique experiences like pinball tournaments, and flexible entertainment for all ages and budgets.
“This is a place where locals and travelers can both feel at home,” Jay said. “We’re always asking, what else can we offer that makes the trip memorable, especially for families?”
With most of their traffic coming from within a 90-mile radius, the resort has become a gathering place for the region—and a convenient and inviting stop for I-5 travelers between California and Washington.
Final Thoughts
So yes, I came for the trailers. But I left impressed by something much bigger: a Tribe that’s thoughtfully building businesses that reflect their values, support their members, and welcome visitors with intention and pride.
Whether you’re sipping a cup of Takelma coffee, marveling at the ranch’s wide-open skies, or finding your perfect pull-through spot at the RV Resort—this is a place that stays with you.
And if you see me waving at cows next time you’re on I-5 near Exit 99—just honk and wave back.