St. Johns Bridge
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St. Johns Historic Neighborhood in Portland

There is a section of Portland where the Willamette River and the mighty Columbia River meet. At this confluence resides the historic neighborhood of St. Johns. A section of Portland that used to be its own separate town. To this day St. Johns still retains its independent charm. Portland is a collection of neighborhoods (link…

what makes portland weird
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10 Unusual Things That Make Portland Great

I’m going to forego the usual boring introduction (that no one reads anyway) and just get right to it. These are ten things (out of thousands) that make Portland great. The Naked Bike Ride For one evening every June, Portlanders love to let their freak flag fly and parade down the city streets going full…

Things to Do in Astoria Oregon
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Things to Do in Astoria Oregon

Astoria is Oregon’s northernmost coastal city. Perched at the top of her many hills, you’ll be offered a sweeping view of the very long Astoria-Megler bridge into Washington state, and the Columbia River spilling out to the Pacific Ocean. In this charming town, there are many things to do, despite her sleepy first impression. Beaches…

The Ultimate Vancouver Island Road Trip – Part 3
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The Ultimate Vancouver Island Road Trip – Part 3

Can you think of a place that is so untouched by human hands, and yet so traversed that it’s difficult to imagine why it remains so beautiful? Vancouver Island is one of those places. This nature-lovers dream of an Island is large enough to accommodate the best of several worlds. Among them, charming village and…

Ultimate Vancouver Island Road Trip
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The Ultimate Vancouver Island Road Trip – Part 2

Continuing my exploration of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, I was excited to finally break through the stronghold of Victoria. With its Empress Hotel, Butchart Gardens and so many places to eat and shop, most people do not venture far from the city to explore Vancouver Island itself. A national treasure.  I awoke in my…

ultimate Vancouver island road trip
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The Ultimate Vancouver Island Road Trip – Part 1

This is the first in a series of stories about my exploration of Vancouver Island, Canada. Makes for a great road trip in British Columbia. Read about parts two and three here. It is just one of many Pacific Northwest road trips you can take. Vancouver Island is big. Well, big for an island, I…

Where are the Best Doughnuts in Portland?
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Where are the Best Doughnuts in Portland?

It’s not unusual to walk down a street in Portland and find a line out the door to an eating establishment. There are so many incredible restaurants in the city; Portland has become one of the premier places for brunch, fine dining, food carts…. …and doughnuts. So where are the best doughnuts in Portland?  …

Unusual Places to Visit in Washington State
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Unusual Places to Visit in Washington State

**This article was updated in June 2022.** I have always been a rebel. If the crowd is going one way, I’m likely to go the opposite direction. That is unless I’m looking for a good place to eat. I will rarely go into a café if the place is empty. When it comes to food,…