Oregon

Wine for Thanksgiving in the Willamette Valley

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Before we were parents, before the mornings of waking up at 3am to our son singing Band on the Run in his underwear after turning on every light in the house, my husband and I took leisurely romantic getaways. Ah, the memories. Our favorite, perfect Northwest weekend getaway was wine tasting in Oregon’s lush Willamette Valley. […]

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Great County Fairs in Oregon

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  I grew up in a small town in southern Illinois that had been settled by Swiss/German Catholic farmers a few centuries ago. Instead of a county fair, we had a fair every August called Kirchenfest on the sprawling church parking lot, and my Dad was in charge of making the funnel cakes. He usually let […]

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Trip Guide: John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

This sunny Central Oregon treasure is the perfect spring escape for hikers and rockhounds. At first glance, you see a stunning landscape with multicolored badlands and eroded pinnacles. And you think, this looks like Utah, or maybe even another planet. But it’s right here in the Pacific Northwest. The John Day River cuts trenches through […]

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Waterfall Weekend: Columbia River Gorge

I know it’s unconventional, but I don’t subscribe to the idea of “summer vacation.” Here’s the deal: my family takes our vacations in small, weekend-sized chunks close to our home base of Seattle. With our energy-filled son in tow, we combine outdoor activities like day hiking with exploring small towns or visiting local wineries. Local, bite-sized […]

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Q: Oregon Campervan Road Trip Itinerary?

Want to rent your own campervan to take the camping road trip I describe below? Check out Vagabond Vans which offers converted camper mini vans, or Go Camp Campervans for cool pop-up VW Vanagons and Eurovans. Browse RV’s and travel trailers posted by their owners that you can rent by the night at Outdoorsy. Dear TripFinder, Q: […]

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Quick Escape: Seaside on the Oregon Coast

If you’re looking for an old school beach resort town, look no further than Seaside, Oregon. This is the real deal, where you can munch on saltwater taffy as you stroll the beach boardwalk hand in hand, watching the sunset behind Tillamook head. Seaside’s status as the premiere  Oregon Coast beach resort was sealed over a century ago […]

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Guidebook: Autumn Escapes in the Pacific Northwest

Welcome to fall! If you ask me, this is the best season for Northwest weekend getaways for a number of reasons. That’s why I’ve written a book on it! Autumn offers unique, colorful and delicious opportunities to explore the Pacific Northwest. Get inspired to spend your fall weekends combing rocky beaches, savoring the harvest, and […]

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Campfire Restrictions in the Northwest

Taking a camping trip this weekend?  Pack your gear using our handy Car Camping Checklist and you won’t forget anything, ever. UPDATE: August 20, 2016 Going camping? There are campfire restrictions in place (see details below). In fact, 2016 marks the fourth summer in a row that has seen restriction on campfires in the Northwest, though the restrictions are […]

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Quick Escape: Bend, Oregon

Bend is a sophisticated, outdoorsy town tucked in the eastern Cascade foothills, surrounding by some of the finest hiking trails, ski runs and fishing streams the Northwest has to offer. With more than 250 days of sun per year, you can visit Bend year-round, but autumn is particularly nice. Hike among fall foliage through late October, […]

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CAMP & HIKE: Trillium Lake, Mount Hood

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On the south side of Mt. Hood at 3,600 feet elevation is Trillium Lake, ringed with fragrant conifers, flower-filled boggy meadows, and a flat, family-friendly, barrier-free loop trail. If you’re looking for a late summer or early autumn overnight camping trip near Portland, this should be near the top of your list. Where to Hike […]

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