To celebrate Valentines Day, the East Oregonian editorial board took time consider what about our home makes our hearts go all a-flutter.

It didnt take long to tick off a list, but for brevitys sake, here are just a few of the reasons we love Eastern Oregon.

Any tour of Eastern Oregon is full of delicious culinary options.

We love to eat, and occasionally enjoy a drink as well. We feel fortunate to live in the rich farmland of Eastern Oregon, and to enjoy the bounty of this land. Every new eating and drinking establishment brings something unique to the area, and we love the trend toward locally-grown and locally-raised food.

For a great steak or burger, we head to Nookies or Hales Restaurant & Lounge in Hermiston. In Pendleton, Hamley Steakhouse and Virgils at Cimmiyottis cant be beat for a special meal.

Ethnic food abounds. Hermiston is blessed with two Thai restaurants, and Pendleton has one. Mexican food is plentiful, from restaurants and taco trucks, too. Many of our Chinese restaurants have been here for many decades, serving a loyal clientele.

Pendletons Great Pacific serves up good coffee, wine, beer along with bagels, sandwiches, pizza and salad all in a great atmosphere, with the best music scene in the area.

Echo is a small town building a big culinary reputation. Friday evenings, we like to head to the Sno Road Winerys tasting room, then stroll across the street for dinner at the H & P Cafe.

Plateau, on the Umatilla Indian Reservation, has the best views of the foothills of the Blue Mountains, as well as wonderful locally-sourced food and wine in an elegant setting.

If were looking to imbibe, there are plenty of bars and saloons throughout the region. For beer, we head to Pendletons Prodigal Son Brewery and we are cheering locally-brewed beer is coming to Hermiston also.

And, for our sweethearts, we head to Milton-Freewaters Petits Noir for their unique chocolates … and might even pick up some Walla Walla wine while were there.

One thing we love about Eastern Oregon are the outdoor wonders that surround us. We have picked a pretty place to live.

The Blue Mountains watch over us, the Columbia keeps us hemmed in and happy. Salmon and other wildlife are returning to the dry side of the state in numbers not seen in more than a century. The energy we have put into caring for our little corner of the world is retuning to us in spades. It will take vigilance, but hunters and huckleberry-pickers alike look poised to enjoy the bounty of Eastern Oregon for generations to come.

Ever been on I-5 in Portland during rush hour? Or a Los Angeles freeway … ever? Then you know we love Eastern Oregon for one thing it lacks traffic.

A 30-minute commute from Hermiston to Pendleton is the same every day of the year (minus a couple times that the freeway gets icy in the winter). Same goes for driving around any town out here. Youll never be stuck behind a stoplight for several cycles because everything is backed up ahead of you.

Thats why we take a deep, relaxing breath when we read national reports about commuters spending five days a year sitting in traffic. Not here.

Who loves a politician? Judging from national polls and a fair share of letters to the editor that regularly appear in the East Oregonian, not many folks.

But, while we may not always agree with them, we send our love to those who represent us in Eastern Oregon.

You see, these men and women, from congress to the state legislators to commissioners and down the line, are easily accessible. Even more important, they are willing to listen and respond to concerns. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, as well as Rep. Greg Walden, regularly hold town hall meetings for citizens. If we at the EO ask a question of them, they quickly respond. We suspect thats not the case across the nation.

On the county and regional level, we see these elected officials in restaurants, at the grocery store, in church, games and at meetings. Reps. Bob Jenson and Greg Smith, as well as Sen. Bill?Hansell, are approachable and willing to listen. Even more easily reached are city council members such as Jane Hill of Pendleton and George Anderson of Hermiston, mayors Phil Houk and Dave Drotzmann. The same is true of commissioners Dennis Doherty, Larry Givens and Bill Elfering.

While you and I may not always agree with our local political officials, we certainly value and appreciate their openness and accessibility.

Finally, on the East Oregonians Facebook page, we asked you what part of Eastern Oregon has your heart.

Here are a few of your responses:

I?love the mountains all around us, the beautiful wheat fields, hard working ranchers and farmers, small communities that help one another and friendly people, the weather and wonderful sunsets.

– Meghan Montee-Pike

Its not western Oregon.

– Samantha Burkenbine

We have four seasons most years, can grow or raise almost all our food.

– Kathy Silva

The history of the land, the beautify of the land, the river, the wildlife, plant life, the culture..

– Malvin Jamison

Little rainfall, Gorgeous sunsets. Amazing Columbia River. Ability to grow and process food that fees so many around the world.

-Debbie Radie