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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…

That’s the only hike we’ve done in Olympic National Park that I regret,” my hiking partner Bryan said as we reached the parking lot, legs heavy from the steep descent. After tackling the Mount Storm King trail in Olympic National Park, I understand why this hike generates buzz—but not for the reasons you’d expect. Despite being frequently listed among the top Olympic National Park hikes, the Mount Storm King trail delivers more disappointment than scenic payoff. Mount Storm King Trail Overview Distance: 4.1 miles round-trip Difficulty: Strenuous due to elevation gain Elevation Gain: 1,700+ feet Trail Type: Out-and-back Best For:…

It was 8:00 am when we spotted the Multnomah Falls exit on I-84. Despite living just 30 minutes away, we’d never stopped—the parking lot is always packed. But this early November morning presented a rare opportunity. “Let’s check out Multnomah Falls,” I suggested to my mom. We were headed to Idaho for Thanksgiving, but Oregon’s tallest waterfall was calling. What started as a quick roadside stop turned into a spectacular 3-hour adventure. Beyond the famous postcard view lies a hidden world: the Multnomah Falls hike—a 5.1-mile loop featuring six waterfalls that 90% of visitors never experience. The Hidden Multnomah Falls…

This refreshing California Roll Cucumber Salad combines all your favorite sushi flavors in a healthy, low-carb bowl. Perfect for summer meals and inspired by the viral TikTok cucumber trend! What is California Roll Cucumber Salad? California Roll Cucumber Salad is a deconstructed version of the beloved California sushi roll, transformed into a fresh, healthy salad. This viral TikTok recipe captures all the classic flavors – imitation crab, avocado, cucumber, and spicy mayo – in an easy-to-make, low-carb format that’s perfect for quick meals. Why This Cucumber Salad Recipe is Trending The TikTok cucumber salad trend has taken social media by…

This Air Fryer Pomegranate Glazed Salmon delivers restaurant-quality results in just 15 minutes! The sweet-tangy pomegranate glaze creates a beautiful caramelized coating that’s both elegant and surprisingly simple to make. Why Air Fryer Salmon is Perfect for Busy Weeknights Air fryer salmon recipes have revolutionized home cooking, and this pomegranate glazed version takes it to the next level. The air fryer creates perfectly flaky salmon with a gorgeous glaze in under 15 minutes – no preheating required! Key Benefits: Quick cooking time – Ready in 10 minutes No oil needed – Healthier than pan-frying Even cooking – Perfect results every…

These crispy Lobster Corn Dogs are a perfect copycat of Disney World’s famous treat! Tempura-battered lobster tails on a stick, fried to golden perfection and served with homemade bang bang sauce. Ready in just 25 minutes! What Are Lobster Corn Dogs? Lobster corn dogs are a gourmet twist on the classic fair food, featuring tender lobster meat coated in a crispy tempura and cornmeal batter, then deep-fried until golden brown. This Disney-inspired recipe transforms ordinary lobster tails into an extraordinary handheld treat that’s perfect for special occasions or when you want to impress guests. Why This Recipe is Special: Disney…

This Blackstone Chicken Teriyaki is the perfect healthy griddle recipe! Marinated chicken thighs and fresh vegetables cooked to perfection on your flat top grill in just 20 minutes. Low-carb, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make. Why Blackstone Griddle Chicken Teriyaki is Perfect for Healthy Eating Blackstone griddle recipes have revolutionized outdoor cooking, and this chicken teriyaki proves that healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring. Using minimal oil and maximum flavor, this griddle stir fry delivers restaurant-quality results with simple ingredients. Key Health Benefits: High protein from chicken thighs (28g per serving) Low carb – only 8g carbs per serving…