What Shakespeare Festival? 9 (Other) Things to Do in Ashland, OR

Southern Oregon doesn’t get much love on the blogosphere, but that should change. Why? Because it is so much a part of the state. More than the beautiful coastline – more than the city of Portland. There is much to explore in Oregon’s gorgeous landscape and small towns in the southern area of the state. Culture and imagination flourish in Ashland. Most people who have heard of Ashland only think of the world-renowned Shakespeare festival that takes place from March through October every year. But like everything else, there is more to this laid-back town than that, as well. And it is easy to get to; it’s right off of Interstate 5, about 30 minutes north of the northern Californian border. Here are ten things to do in Ashland that don’t involve high-level theatre. Lithia Park Carve out a few hours and drive the entire loop around Lithia Park, making…

Seattle’s Vibrant Neighborhoods – Part Deux

My review of Seattle’s many many neighborhoods continues. You can find my first collection of Seattle neighborhoods HERE.  Dare to go beyond Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, the touristy waterfront the really DIG DEEP into Seattle’s vibrant neighborhoods. One thing I will say about Seattle…it is a HILLY town. You will find yourself constantly driving/walking/biking up and down steep hillsides…and the closer you are to the water, the steeper the hills seem to be. Just a heads up! Seattle’s vibrant neighborhoods are also the best neighborhoods in Seattle for families. Enrich your experience of the city…here’s how. Pioneer Square Just south of downtown, this is one of the oldest areas of the city, made famous by the very famous Seattle Underground Tour. I HIGHLY recommend this tour! (No, they didn’t pay me to say that.) Pioneer Square is also the place for the night owl and the party animal,…

Whitewater Rafting on the Deschutes River

Can I just tell you how AMAZING whitewater rafting is? Why the heck did I wait so long? I went for the first time this summer (2019), a day after my 40-(ahem-ahem) birthday. It was an incredible adventure that took my breath away, and probably the best Oregon river experience I’ve had. I decided to pop my whitewater cherry by taking an easy ½ day afternoon guided trip. It was a gorgeous sunny day in central Oregon and driving into the tiny town of Maupin, my husband and I stopped by the shop of Deschutes River Adventures to check in for our trip. An Adventures Awaits There are about eight whitewater rafting companies in Maupin, all with experienced guides that will take you safely down the river for a ton of fun. A group of us piled into one of their vans and we took off for the 10-minute drive…

Newhalem and Diablo Lake, Washington

The North Cascades is a wilderness paradise. My previous trip to the Northern Cascade Loop took us on a couple of epic hikes, with some of the best backpacking Washington State has to offer, but little did I know there is so much to the area of northern Washington State than meets the eye. I was about to find out. As you are driving along the Cascade Loop Scenic Byway on the northern part, you will no doubt pass through the tiny little town of Newhalem. There is a nifty train engine and some unassuming white houses. Nothing special, right? Don’t be fooled. You’re gonna want to stop here, at least for an hour or two. I made the mistake of driving straight through the first time we came to the upper Cascades. This is where J.D. Ross began his empire. Well, who the heck is that and why should…

Nightlife in Portland

Portland, Oregon is a unique charmer of an American city.  Yes, I am biased! But honestly, there are so many things that make Portland unique, and the nightlife is one of them. Not only does Portland rival Seattle in the local music scene (think Everclear, the Decemberists, and Pink Martini, to name but a few) but there is art, unique shopping and the booming foodie scene – something for everyone! Here is where you should go after the sun goes down in Portland, Oregon. PDX Night Market The night market happens only a few times a year, so if you are able, do not miss it. Not only is there unique shopping provided to you by local vendors, but there is food and music, as well. Powell’s City of Books Feed your inner nerd. The world’s largest independent bookstore will entertain you late into the evening. There are…

Skamania Lodge – the Perfect Gorge Experience

High up on a hill in the forests of the Columbia River Gorge is Skamania Lodge, a destination resort unlike anything I’ve experienced. I have traversed the Oregon side of the Gorge countless times, but exploring the Washington side? Little did I know what treasures awaited me. Turns out there is so much to do and explore on the Washington side of the Gorge. Because most travelers drive I-84 on the Oregon side, they have no idea the bounty of things to do on the Washington side. I am ashamed to admit I was one of those people! But no more. An Oasis in the Heart of the Gorge I arrived at Skamania Lodge with dark clouds overhead and rain threatening. But the sprawling property looked very cozy and inviting. Past the reception area is a large seating area with floor to ceiling windows, a piano in the corner…

Day Trips from Portland for Every Season

When you need to take a break from the city, away from the great coffee shops, the incredible food scene or just the bustle of downtown Portland, there is a myriad of places you can get away to for a day. Portland is smack dab in the middle of what seems like everything. You could think of it as the center of the universe (or at least of the Pacific Northwest.) To the south is wine country. To the north is Washington State and Seattle. To the east is the pristine Cascade Mountain range. And to the west is the Pacific Ocean – literally the edge of the Earth. The Willamette Valley itself does not see the full range of seasons, but you can be sure that some of the surrounding areas do. And so there are certain places that are better to hit at certain times of the year…

Why Does the PNW have So Many #$@&%*! Islands?

So what IS up with all of those islands? So many of them off the coast of Washington State (I’m talking about you, Puget Sound) and even more off the coast of British Columbia. Not to mention, the granddaddy of them all, Vancouver Island. As an explorer, I get frustrated with this. There are so many that some are uninhabited, and some don’t even get visitors. That’s crazy! And like the over-privileged glutton I am, I feel like everything should be accessible to me. But news flash kids, that’s not how the world works. Sometimes mother nature doesn’t want you tramping your grubby paws all over her. And I have to respect that. So I’m forced to consider why these islands came to be. How did they get formed? For starters, let’s hone in on the San Juan Islands north of Puget Sound. The San Juan’s are comprised of roughly…

Astoria Seafood and Wine Festival

I’ve been meaning to do this for years. I love seafood and I love wine. So why it took me this long to attend this yearly event, now in this 37th year, I’ll never know. But this year, I made it. It was a gorgeous spring day and we arrived an hour early to find a line of cars already waiting to get into the adjacent parking lot. The entire event is run by friendly and helpful volunteers, and the parking attendants were especially friendly. We got a map of the event to study as we were waiting. So Many (Wine) Choices As soon as we walked in, the event’s sponsor, Fred Meyer (a regional grocery and retail store) had a large booth set up with fresh seafood for sale. The main convention hall was filled with mostly winery booths and locally produced merchandise, such as apparel and glassware.…

Tulip Festival in Skagit Valley

April is Tulip time in northwestern Washington, and even though it’s too late to go now for 2019 because your friendly neighborhood blogger didn’t tell you about it until now… There’s always next year. Put it this way, it’s never too early to start planning, because Tulip Festival in Skagit Valley, Washington is a big deal. Hundreds of thousands come from all over the world to see the many tulip fields in bloom. The only other place in the world that rivals this much tulip production is the Netherlands. Fun Fact If you go to Amsterdam to shop for tulip bulbs, chances are you find some that actually came from Washington. Yep. And Skagit Valley doesn’t just have gorgeous and expansive tulip fields. They have a month-long celebration that encompasses several towns around the area. Anacortes (the gateway to the San Juan Islands) has the Spring Wine Festival, vintage…

5 Reasons Why the Pacific Northwest Should be on Your Bucket List

Are you tired of seeing travel bucket lists? No? Oh good, because here’s another one. I have an entire board on Pinterest devoted to my own personal bucket list. Places like Patagonia, Mongolia, Venice before it sinks into oblivion. The list goes on. Until I came to the realization… I am living in a bucket list destination. The Pacific Northwest territories of British Columbia, Canada, Washington state and Oregon have some of the most scenic spots anywhere. And I am privileged to live here, where all of this beauty is literally in my back yard. Almost makes one not want to leave home. Ha, ha! That’s a good one. Not me, I’m too much of an explorer. I will continue to travel the world as long as I have breath in me. Having said that, there is plenty near where I live to which I have not yet wandered.…

The Best Lil’ Cabin on Lake Washington

Tucked away in the heart of Bellevue, WA, lies a lovely cabin, mere steps from the Meydenbauer Bay, Lake Washington. About ten miles from the heart of Seattle, this is the perfect place to get away from a hectic day of sightseeing in the city. I arrived much too late for my taste, around nine pm as I made the drive from Portland. It was dark, but my host gave me detailed instructions and had no problems finding the property, about one mile from the heart of Bellevue. I parked my car and walked the fifty-some well-lit steps down to the waterfront. A Delight After a Long Drive I could not have been happier. As soon as I walked in the front door, an inviting living area, complete with full kitchen and gas fireplace welcomed me. The bed, in its own little alcove, looked even more inviting. I was home…

Charming Small Towns Around Puget Sound

There’s just something about coastal towns in Washington State that fascinate me. Unlike small communities of the land-locked variety, a tiny city on Puget Sound exudes an air of mysterious wonder all their own. Because people tend to flock toward the water when on vacation, these best small towns near Seattle are used to a lot of visitors and reciprocate by providing great places to eat and shop. The best small towns in Washington State make for wonderful short road trips from Seattle, as well. Such as it is all along the western side of Puget Sound. In this article, I will cover Gig Harbor, Port Ludlow and Port Townsend – three utterly charming small communities that each have their own brand of seaside goodness, and are among the best small towns in Washington State. **This post contains contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I…

Epic Guide to Bainbridge Island, WA

Updated June, 2022. Bainbridge Island is a large, gorgeous island due west of Seattle across Elliott Bay and Puget Sound, which makes is among the best day trips from Seattle. With the historic and quaint town of Winslow just off the ferry landing, this is the perfect day-trip from Seattle. And its history is quite unique. Hop on the Bainbridge Island ferry and look back at the Seattle skyline beginning to slowly shrink from view. You are truly on island time here, as the residents are laid-back and friendly. The moment you step off the ferry, the intoxicating scent of ocean air mixed in with the earthy scent of pine trees engulf you. Here you can truly relax, and get away from the hustle and bustle of Seattle. Things to Do on Bainbridge Island Spend some time simply walking the marina. Bobbing boats and resident seagulls welcome you to the…

How to Fill Your Gut In Seattle

Yes, this post is about the best food in Seattle, and I tried to make the title stand out a bit. I mean, just how many blogs have you read so far of “The Best Places to Eat in Seattle”? I’m guessing a lot. Or, “Best Places to Eat in Seattle on a Budget,” or, “Best Places to East on the Cheap in Seattle”… As a Portland resident, I’ve been to Seattle more than my fair share of times, and it’s a second city to me. So I feel like I’ve got the foodie culture here down pat. Required reading for any Seattle travel guide is where to eat! As I’ve said so many times before, when you visit an epic place like Seattle, it is imperative that you do not, under any circumstances, go to a chain restaurant. No TGIF’s, no Olive Garden, no Applebees. Seriously, just don’t. I’m…

5 Great Pacific Northwest Travel Blog Posts (that are NOT mine!)

I do like to share the love. However, to quote Yoda, only one woman, I am. Wait, no he didn’t say that, but that’s how he speaks. I can only do so much. Running a Pacific Northwest travel blog is incredibly rewarding, but it’s damn hard work. And as much as I’d like to write every single post imaginable on Oregon, Washington State, and British Columbia, sadly, I cannot. And so, I rely on other awesome travel bloggers to help fill in the gaps. Pacific Northwest vacation ideas that will knock your socks off. I am continuously looking for new ideas and new topics to cover. The possibilities are so literally endless, sometimes my brain goes into a tailspin. Should I write about awesome places to stay on the beach? Why yes! Or how about that great new hike I did along Washington State’s Cascade Loop? Of course! Mysterious tunnels in…

That Time I had Dessert with a Dead Composer

It was a dark and stormy night…. No, wait. It was dark, yes, but stormy…no. Just cold. Winter in Portland tends to make you do crazy things…like have coffee in a haunted house on a Sunday night. A Coffeehouse Named after a Classical Composer Everyone knows someone who has an old, eclectic grandmother. Well, this is where she lives, and she loves her old-fashioned Christmas ornaments hung haphazardly from the ceiling. And she also loves her white string lights arranged in foreboding Roman numerals on the wall-papered dining room. We ascended the stairs to the 1902 Craftsman-style burgundy house to get our coffee and dessert on. Inside the dimly-lit foyer, I immediately felt like I was a guest in a cozy home. In the dining room to our right came the gentle tickling of the ivories. We were in for some live classical music. A hand-written sign instructed us to…

10 Ways to Beat the Winter Blues in Oregon

We’ve all been there…it is the thick of winter. There are grey skies…all the time. Okay, not really ALL the time, but it sure as hell feels that way! Nevertheless, it seems that we get up in the morning in the dark, we go about our day, and for those of us who work inside with little to no natural lighting or windows, it can get a bit depressing. And when it’s time to go home? Guess what? It’s dark again. Too many days of that can get even the happiest of us down. Seasonal Affective Disorder, y’all. The struggle is real. You Need a Little Motivation. I Get That. So often I hear people say “There’s nothing to do in Portland in the winter.” I simply scoff and try not to express my extreme distaste at that statement. Call me a snob, but people who say that are BORING.…

The Most Epic Road Trip to Alaska

For the longest time, I thought that the road north from the U.S. northern border up through Canada to Alaska was a vast wasteland. Almost unpassable. Much like outer Mongolia. However, driving to Alaska is becoming increasingly popular and easy to achieve. Get in on the untapped wilderness now kids, before the tourists overrun one of the last vestiges of the uncharted world. Alaska road trip itineraries have to be carefully planned – maybe not down to a tee, but you do have to make sure you have stuff on hand, as there will be mighty long stretches of lonely road. The Alaska Highway is by far the most popular way to reach the 50th state by car. The entire route is paved, most of it by a two-lane highway. The roads are generally in good condition, but this could change from year to year depending on how badly the…

Hunting Truffles in Oregon: A Tale of Fancy Fungi

The Oregon forest looks like a strange mystical netherworld during a January rain. It was early morning and I was still not fully awake. In this semi-aware state my writer’s imagination kicked in and thoughts of a T. Rex rearing his terrifying head through the foggy mist invaded my brain. There was an eerie silence to the forest and the slightest sound became ominous to my ears.  Where You Can Find Truffles During Oregon Truffle Season And so it was when I met my truffle hunting friends. I met them in the northern Willamette Valley near Dundee, and a couple of them had dogs with them. It seems that dogs can sniff out really good, ripe truffles. Oregon truffles most often grow right underneath Douglas Fir Trees, on their roots, not far under the soil. Fifteen to thirty-year-old Douglas Firs, to be exact! Why are those truffles so hooked on…

Navigate