Okay, I’ll admit it. That headline was a cheesy attention grabber. I actually despise cigarettes. And I’m fairly certain you can’t smoke in most diners anymore. But I had to…

Just off of I-5 in the midst of the fertile, wine-grape-loving’ Willamette Valley of central Oregon is the town of Eugene, and its neighboring town, Springfield. Eugene is the home…

**This article was updated on September 1, 2024** Planning a trip to Seattle? Great, you’re in the right place. I love Seattle…the fact that Seattle is a sprawling, cosmopolitan city…

Portland is undoubtedly one of the beer and coffee capitals of the U.S., dare I say, the world. But I would be remiss if I didn’t also include her wonderful…

I was trying to get away from doing this. Trying to avoid writing an article about how to plan the ‘perfect Portland itinerary’ Because there really isn’t such a thing.…

** This post was updated July 9, 2024 ** Victoria is the cuter-than-a-button, picturesque darling of British Columbia. I really love this little city – with its super-easy and affordable…

For a town that’s out in the middle of nowhere, smack dab in the high desert of eastern Washington State, Spokane is a pretty cool place. While it’s no Las…

When people think of wine produced in the United States, most immediately think California’s Napa Valley. But just up the road is the fertile Willamette Valley of Oregon, which produces…

As a state, Oregon ranks 3rd in the U.S. for the number of craft breweries per capita. When I moved to this area of the country I was most…

As we emerged from the Willamette National forest going south, we noticed a menacing dark cloud hanging in the air towards our destination, Bend. This wasn’t a storm cloud, this…

For years, my only exposure to Olympia, Washington was to simply breeze through the middle of it on the I-5 up to Seattle from Portland. And for years, my…

The first time you visit Pike Place Market can be a bit overwhelming…especially if you come at a peak time, such as on the weekend or during the summer months.…

When you think of a chain of hotels or a chain of restaurants, your eyes tend to immediately gloss over and the first thing you think of is BORING…right? You…

Updated May 10, 2024. In all of my travels, I have not been in (or heard of) any other city in the world that has as many diverse food carts…

Weather you’ve been exploring Portland all day, working hard for ‘THE MAN’, or hell, even cooped up in your home office working working on your novel (instead of actually working),…

“Two hundred, sixty dollars for an almost-new commuter bike? Wow!” As I stood in front of the Community Cycling Center, a handful of cycling enthusiasts were happily outside, tuning up…

“How much for this gramophone?” I asked. The elderly gentleman behind the counter in Stars Antique Mall smiled at me, then peered expertly at the item I had had my…

Mississippi Avenue is one of Portland’s most vibrant districts. I hopped off of the Number 4 bus to meet my friend at one of our favorite restaurants there, Miss Delta.…

Continuing my series on Portland’s neighborhoods, this week’s focus is on the Hawthorne neighborhood. Despite some mild gentrification over the past several years, Hawthorne has managed quite successfully to…

Sitting on a park bench, the cool spring breeze gently combs my hair as I bite into my carne asada burrito from a local taqueria down the street. It’s my…