Various guides to all things Oregon, Washington and British Columbia.
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 only knowledge of Olympia was that, a) it is the capital of Washington State, and b) it is home to Olympia Beer. And I knew…
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. The crowds can get so thick you can barely navigate past the merchant boots. Be prepared to move quite slowly, especially at the main street…
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 as Portland, Oregon. These are some of the best places to eat in Portland on a budget. Food trucks in Oregon, in particular Portland, are…
In response to my previous article about what NOT to do in Portland, I was strongly advised to do a follow up one about Seattle. The Emerald City is so different from the Rose City, so it is unfair to raise the question about Seattle vs Portland. Yet, there are things in Seattle that you…
Portland is one of the few cities in America with a vibrant and active street art scene, thanks to the Portland Art Alliance. The benefits of street art are two-fold: not only does it bring together a community (businesses and artists can come to an agreement on where and what gets put on display), but the…
Let’s face it, camping in the Pacific Northwest offers the ultimate choice of ocean, forest, and mountains. Oregon Coast yurt rentals can be frond in some of the finest campgrounds. With magnificent forest land, majestic mountains, and beaches as a backdrop to your camping experience, the landscape is perfect for spending the night under the…
**This post was updated on June 30, 2022** It’s easy to find things to do in Portland. Just a quick Google search will turn up a vast array of “Top” attractions. Everyone from the NY Times to your grandmother-who-has-a-blog can give you a list. So why should I, being a self-proclaimed authority of the great…
Have you ever been to a naturally occurring hot spring? How about actually soaking in one? A perfect hot tub brought to you by mother nature! Many hot springs have built-in minerals in the water that can aid in overall health. Not to mention, a good soak will really get the kinks out and…
“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 their rides for the day. The Center provides refurbished bicycles for sale, as well as new and used parts and accessories. They even provide repair…
Here I go again, flying by the seat of my pants. As I stood staring at the makeshift park trail information board, my heart sank a little. For the privilege of hiking this particular trail, the Elwah Trail just east of Lake Crescent, I needed the America the Beautiful Pass. But what was that?
“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 eye on since I walked in 40 minutes ago. Antique shopping in Portland’s Sellwood never disappoints in the treasure-hunting realm.
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. My mouth began watering as I envisioned pulled pork, shrimp with cheesy grits, and homemade corn bread in my near future. Miss Delta is southern…
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 retain its friendly hippy vibe, particularly between SE 20th and 39th Streets. Hawthorne Boulevard is home 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 favorite place to people-watch in this neighborhood: within the span of a half-hour I see
Nestled in majestic, wooded mountains, Leavenworth, WA is one of those amazing, tiny towns that seem to exist solely for visitors. So where do the locals live? Only when you venture out of the Bavarian-themed central hub do you notice a few residential houses peppered on the edge of town. If you’re looking for things…
