diablo lake
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6 Best Outdoor Vacations in the Pacific Northwest

BySusan Stephens

Pacific Northwest vacations are the very definition of outdoor adventure. Here I go again, giving myself another impossible task. The outdoor adventures are never-ending in the PNW. And so I struggle with putting together this list of the best outdoor activities in Oregon in Washington, because amazing adventures are literally everywhere, covering every square mile….

stellar provisions
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Meet the Makers Who are Redefining Baker City, Oregon

BySusan Stephens

Few people who pass by Baker City as they speed along Interstate 84 in eastern Oregon know what a gem of a town they are missing. A former gold and copper rush area located on the historic Oregon Trail, what appears to be a simple collection of motels and gas stations just off the interstate,…

Three Mountains, Some Waterfalls and a Girl
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Three Mountains, Some Waterfalls and a Girl

BySusan Stephens

The winding road skirting central Oregon’s mountain range led me into air that was getting increasingly heavy. Haziness could be detected as far back as Black Butte.  My arrival in the destination town of Sisters brought the heady aroma of wood fire; the kind that permeates the back of the throat and leaves an intriguing…

Puget Sound paulsbo
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Explore the Hidden Treasures of Puget Sound

BySusan Stephens

Puget Sound is an amazing place. The biodiversity alone will set your imagination alight and keep you endlessly enthralled. Most visitors to Seattle and Olympic National Park have no idea that there are tiny pockets of nature to explore and wonderful little marine-side communities between these two major tourist areas. The entire area experiences a…

best road trips from Seattle
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10 Best Weekend Trips from Seattle

BySusan Stephens

The Emerald City is a true cosmopolitan delight, but even the most steadfast of Seattleites need to get away from the big city once in a while. Luckily, Seattle is completely surrounded by a fantastic collection unique places outside for a short or long getaway. Take a breather from the stress of the hustle and…

rv travel oregon
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Why This is the Year for RV Travel

BySusan Stephens

When you think of taking your wanderlust on the road in an RV, what is the first emotion that you experience? Elation? Abject trepidation? Instant terror? Or a smattering of all three? More importantly, have you ever vacationed in an RV before? RV travel in Oregon and Washington state has seen a huge increase as…

wallowa mountains
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Come Find Your Peace in the Wallowa Mountains

BySusan Stephens

Out here in Northeastern Oregon, the Wild West still reigns supreme and the Wallowa Mountains are the focal point. Carved by the Oregon Trail, not a lot has changed since the good ‘ol days when hopeful future landowners blazed the trail by covered wagon. In this remote area of Oregon, you will find working ranches…

5 Girlfriend Getaways in Washington State (You too, Guys!)
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5 Girlfriend Getaways in Washington State (You too, Guys!)

BySusan Stephens

**This article was updated February 25, 2025** Sometimes you just need to get away with your besties with day trips from Seattle. Vacations in Washington State are rich and varied, with the greenery of Western Washington, and the desert beauty of Eastern Washington. There’s a lot here to do when bonding with your gal pals….