Trip Guide: Washington’s Long Beach Peninsula
It’s not all go-carts and saltwater taffy in this quintessential beach town, though there’s plenty of that to keep beach lovers happy. From cranberries to Lewis and Clark, the region’s cultural heritage is everywhere. And with miles of trails and wild beaches to explore, opportunities to immerse yourself in nature are abundant as well. The […]
Q: Things to Do Around Sunriver Resort in Oregon?
Dear TripFinder, A friend of ours couldn’t use their condo in Sunriver, OR next week, so they’ve offered it to us. We’ll be there for three nights–my husband, 13 year old daughter, and myself. We don’t usually do the resort thing, but I’m sure it will be fun, and it looks like a good base […]
A River Begins: Hike to Metolius Springs
How do rivers begin? Well, snowmelt from mountaintops gathers into little gullies that form streams. And then those join to feed bigger streams, that then flow into rivers. Right? The mighty Metolius River in Oregon defies this basic geology lesson. It literally springs out of the shadow of a mountain. The mountain is called Black […]
All Booked Up? Tips for Last Minute Travel and Deals
We’ve all been there. It’s mid-summer, and you feel like a big loser because everyone else on your block is at the Oregon Coast. Or wine tasting in the Yakima Valley. Or hiking at Mt. Rainier. And you’re… stuck at home because you didn’t plan a summer trip. What’s a procrastinating traveler to do? Here are a […]
For Kids: Beach Scavenger Hunt
Northwest beaches are brimming with treasures–you just need to find them.
Feed the Salmon Babies at the Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery
Plunk! Plunk! In one quick second, two small fistfuls of small brown pellets were hurled into a small pond where dozens of mid-sized brown trout scrambled to snag a tasty morsel. We were in Central Oregon near Camp Sherman on the Metolius River, where we’d stumbled upon an unlikely family-friendly destination–a state-run fish hatchery. Fish hatcheries are longtime residents on […]
Q: Assigned seats on Amtrak?
Dear TripFinder, We’re taking Amtrak from Seattle to Portland. My friend will be boarding the train up in Bellingham, and I’ll be getting on the same one in Seattle. Is there any way we can sit together on our trip down to Portland? I’m uncertain about whether specific seats are allotted. Thank you, Marion Dear Marion, […]
Five Pieces of Camping Equipment You Don’t Need, But Will Love
You have the perfect tent. And your Dad’s old Coleman stove still works like a charm. What’s next? If you’re an occasional camper, you acquire the basics to keep you warm, dry and fed in the outdoors and you’re good to go. But if you’re ready to take your camping to the next level, there’s a whole […]
CAMP: Smiling River Campground, Central Oregon
Location: Metolius River near Camp Sherman, Deschutes National Forest campground website | (541) 549-7700 | Reservations Campground type: national forest Rates: $16 per night (reduced to $12 off-season) Details: There are 37 sites here for tents, trailers and RVs to 30 feet; no electrical hookups, though. Smiling River is one of five campgrounds set along the beautiful, spring-fed Metolius River. […]
CAMP: Pine Rest Campground, Central Oregon
Pine Rest is a small forest service campground near Sisters, Oregon, set along the gorgeous Metolius River in the shadow of Black Butte. It’s one of a string of campgrounds along the fish-filled river, though unlike the other four campgrounds in the immediate vicinity, Pine Rest is for tent campers only and includes just eight campsites. […]
