Fantastical beasts, pioneer homes, nature hikes, culinary adventures – the city of Albany and its environs offers all this and more, an affordable Willamette Valley destination perfect for a day trip or weekend getaway from the Portland area. Straddling the I-5 corridor, Albany is located about 70 miles south of Portland. Monteith House, photo by […]
Mt. Hood Railroad’s Polar Express Brings Holiday Magic to the Hood River Valley
This time every year, the magic of Chris Van Allsburg’s classic Christmas story and the North Pole are brought to life on the Mount Hood Railroad’s Polar Express Train Ride. Recently, my family and I made the scenic, 62-mile drive east from Portland to Hood River, where we began our round-trip journey to the North […]
Celebrating the Cranberry Harvest on Washington’s Long Beach Peninsula
The Long Beach Peninsula is well-known for many things: one of the longest public beaches in the world, an oceanfront boardwalk, two 19th century lighthouses, ridiculously fresh seafood (such as Willapa Bay oysters) and growing cranberries. In fact, one of the area’s unofficial nicknames is the Cranberry Coast, so when my family and I visited […]
The Geiser Grand Hotel of Baker City, Oregon
This Labor Day weekend we decided to get out of town and explore my husband’s family history so we hopped in the car and traveled three hundred miles east to Baker City, Oregon. It’s a quaint, historic town that played a large part in the state’s history and today many long-time Oregon residents can trace […]
The Historic Columbia River Scenic Highway Celebrates 100 Years
Rugged cliffs, gushing waterfalls, and a river powerful enough to carve a path through ancient lava beds — it’s no surprise that the Columbia River Gorge is Oregon’s most visited destination, a dynamic landscape that is always worth the trip. And, whether you drive, hike, or cycle the 75-mile-long route, you’ll find the best way […]
A Summer Spent on the Tillamook Coast
Summer is just a month away and it’s time to get ready for all the fun my family can handle in three short months. Everyone has an opinion; exploring the great outdoors, unique shopping experiences, and, of course, hanging out on a beautiful West Coast beach. Sometimes it’s hard to satisfy everyone’s idea of a […]
Discover the History of the Columbia Basin at The REACH Museum
The beauty of the Pacific Northwest has been well documented since Lewis and Clark cruised down the great Columbia River on their way to the Pacific. Rolling grasslands, deep gorges and the volcanic peaks of the Cascade Range tell a dynamic story of the geologic development of this region’s ancient past. To learn more about the area’s […]
Snow Play Getaway at Mt. Hood SkiBowl Snow Tube & Adventure Park
For an exciting day filled with snow play, head to Mt. Hood Skibowl Snow Tube and Adventure Park. Located 55 miles southeast of Portland, the park offers a variety of activities for all ages, including snow tubing hills, a kiddie snowmobile ride, a snow tunnel maze and an indoor play area. Laughter and whoops filled […]
Celebrating the Holidays in Leavenworth, Washington’s Christmas City
The beautiful Bavarian town of Leavenworth, Washington, where the Cascade Range provides the perfect backdrop for a white Christmas, has become my family’s favorite gathering spot for celebrating the holidays. Outdoor adventures and unique dining and shopping experiences provide special holiday memories for everyone in the family. Here are a few of our favorite things to do when we spend Christmas in […]
Central Oregon’s Lava Lands & Volcanic Vistas
My family and I were whisked back in time 7,000 years when visiting Lava Lands, part of Central Oregon’s Newberry National Volcanic Monument in the Deschutes National Forest. That’s when Lava Butte erupted and engulfed miles of surrounding forest and wildlife with layers of molten lava. Today, visitors of all ages can explore the volcanic […]