Author: publisher

Staring out across the chunky lava field toward Clear Lake, I tried to picture this spot 3,000 years ago. Back then, there was no lake, no lava field—just the McKenzie River flowing peacefully through an ancient forest. When massive lava flows dammed the river three millennia ago, Clear Lake grew behind the natural lava dam, and that ancient forest disappeared beneath the rising waters. But here’s the incredible part: the forest is still there. Clear Lake’s frigid water preserves the submerged trees so well that this underwater forest remains virtually intact after thousands of years, creating one of Oregon’s most…

It was a cozy February morning many years ago when we first discovered the magic that would change our lives. Thin winter light filtered through our Portland Airbnb curtains as we prepared for our very first Columbia River Gorge hike. Little did we know that the Latourell Falls hike would become our gateway to a lifetime of waterfall adventures. As the closest waterfall to Portland, Latourell Falls offers the perfect introduction to the Columbia River Gorge’s spectacular world of cascading water and moss-covered forests. This accessible 2-mile loop showcases everything that makes the gorge special – and it’s unaffected by…

Unlike many wildlife-watching experiences, seeing sea lions in Oregon doesn’t require luck, extreme patience, or waking up before dawn. The Sea Lion Caves Oregon offers one of the most reliable and spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities on the West Coast – and it’s happening inside America’s largest sea cave! If you’ve spent time on the Oregon coast, you’ve probably heard sea lions before you’ve seen them. Their cacophonous “Arr—Arrr—ARRR!” calls can be heard from surprising distances. We were at the Astoria Column, way up in the hills above Astoria, and could still hear sea lions at the docks below. What Makes…

I got lost at Lacamas Park several years ago, and that’s when I realized it’s a truly special place. We were there for an orienteering meet, so I was navigating through the park’s woodlands with a topographic map, looking for orange checkpoint flags. The challenge in orienteering is to find checkpoints as fast as you can. I knew something was wrong with my route when I hit a dead-end…at a giant waterfall. But the waterfall was beautiful. I stopped running and stared at it, realizing that Lacamas Park was not an ordinary suburban park at all. This gem in Camas,…

Every August, Portland transforms Mount Tabor Park into a gravity-powered racing paradise for the Mount Tabor Soap Box Derby – one of Oregon’s most beloved weird traditions. This annual spectacle draws thousands of spectators who gather to watch homemade racing cars barrel down an extinct volcano at speeds up to 50 mph. What Makes the PDX Adult Soapbox Derby Special? The Portland Adult Soap Box Derby stands out from traditional racing events with its unique blend of creativity, competition, and community spirit. Unlike professional racing, this event celebrates both speed demons and artistic masterpieces rolling down Mount Tabor’s winding roads.…

The folded card with my name sat on a table toward the far side of the room in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Little did I know that weekend would completely reshape my understanding of what moving to North Carolina from Seattle could mean for my future. What started as a college scholarship interview would become the first chapter of an entirely new life. The Culture Shock: Seattle Casual Meets Southern Formal I gratefully slipped off my tight, heeled shoes under the white tablecloth, my toes finally free after a day of formal interviews. This wasn’t my Seattle weekend uniform of…

I moved to Portland the year after the devastating 2017 Eagle Creek Fire, when Oregon’s legendary Eagle Creek Trail remained closed and seemingly broken. The wildfire had sparked from a single firework, shutting down the Columbia River Gorge’s most iconic hike for years. When the trail finally reopened in 2021, I knew I had to experience this famous Oregon hiking trail that had captured so many adventurers’ hearts. “Oh my gosh,” I told my mom as we prepared to drive back from Idaho. “Let’s hike Eagle Creek on the way back.” That spontaneous decision led to one of the most…

Did you see that a Harry Potter cafe opened in Lincoln City?” Bryan asked, sticking his head into the room with the pivotal news article glowing on his phone screen. We were already headed to the Oregon coast that weekend for a hiking trip. Little did we know that spontaneous detour would introduce us to some of the best Lincoln City hikes on the Oregon coast. It was on the way to Lincoln City from Portland, now decked out in our full Hogwarts wizard robes, that we started seeing billboards stamped with “Finders Keepers” across images of colorful blown-glass floats.…

The first raindrops plinked onto our windshield as we sped southward along Highway 101, the Oregon coast highway stretching endlessly ahead. The sun sank lower behind gathering clouds, throwing a bluish cast over the October afternoon. “There’s an Oregon old-growth forest hike at Cape Perpetua Scenic Area that I’d really like to squeeze in,” I said, raising my voice over the squeaking windshield wipers. “We’d have to set up the tent in the dark…” Bryan glanced at the fading light. “Let’s hike in the morning.” That decision proved brilliant. We awoke to golden sunshine flooding through ancient trees, about to…

The first winter, half our dahlia tubers died. Dahlias had always fascinated me, with their vibrant flowers ranging from tiny blooms to enormous specimens the size of soccer balls. When Bryan and I first had our own garden, we decided to grow these bizarre and beautiful blooms. Like most things, that turned out to be more difficult than expected. Thankfully, the largest dahlia farm in the country sits just 35 minutes from Portland. Every August and September, Swan Island Dahlias opens their spectacular dahlia fields Oregon to the public for a free festival of flowers, complete with dahlia-growing classes that…