Vacation Archives | The Good Hearted Woman

Where to Staycation in Portland: Tiny Digs Hotel

The Tiny Digs Hotel in NE Portland is set to become your favorite {tiny} home away from home – perfect for a vacation, staycation, girls’ weekend, or getaway.

I am a huge fan of the tiny house movement. The challenge of making a 150-square foot structure into an attractive, genuinely livable space throws my imagination into high gear and I get all excited about the possibilities. And while I have no desire to live in a tiny house full-time (there simply wouldn’t be enough room for all my art supplies) I have been intrigued with the idea of staying in one since I first heard about the trend. This October I got my wish.

It all started a couple of months ago when I opened my inbox to find an invitation to the grand opening of the new Tiny Digs Hotel in east Portland. You have to know that I was all over that like… well, I can’t think of a good analogy right now, but you know what I mean – I jumped on it! Anyway, since Mr B was going to be out of town for the open house, I asked Miss Em on a date, and we took the tour together.

Tiny Digs is located on NE Glisan, a block or so off 28th and the “most delicious half-mile” in Portland. The hotel is collection of six custom-built, individually-styled tiny houses, ranging from a traditional red clapboard barn to an airy beach house to a Romany traveling wagon. Each one runs about $145 a night, and is fully furnished; with a queen-size bed, a fold-out couch that doubles as “living room” seating, light cooking options, a sink, a shower, a flushing toilet, and a small attached deck. There are plans to expand the number of tiny houses to thirteen in the coming years.

♥ If you live in the Portland area (or plan to visit soon) , be sure to enter our giveaway for a chance to win a free night at Tiny Digs. Entry form at the end of this post. ♥

Tiny Digs Hotel, Portland, Oregon {Your Tiny Home Away From Home} | The Good Hearted Woman

“Barn”

Tiny Digs Hotel partner Allison Meyer shared with us that all of the decisions for the outfitting of each of the tiny homes was personally taken on by one individual. For example, Allison was responsible for all of the design and decorating decisions for the Barn, while the Bamboo was the personal project of business partner Pam Westra.

“Bamboo”

Thanks to this individual-driven design process, each tiny house has its own distinctive style.

“Beach”

All the beds are outfitted with luxury bedding, and I can tell you from personal experience that they are very comfortable.

“Gypsy Wagon”

Tiny Digs Hotel features a central community space where guests can hang out and visit together around the fire pit. There are also some beautiful wooden art pieces to enjoy. (I was so intrigued with this sphere – I think I took at least 20 pictures of it!)

The “Modern” tiny house has a very open concept – including a clear-glass enclosed shower!

“Modern”

As of this date, none of the dwellings at Tiny Digs are ADA mobility complaint [due to the small number of “rooms” at this time, compliance is not required], but the owners confirm that handicapped-accessible tiny houses are part of their future plan.

The “Cabin” was the personal project of Pam Westra’s husband, Bruce, who has always wanted a cabin of his own. In addition to being beautifully designed, all of that cedar made the place smell amazing!

“Cabin”

About a month after the open house, Mr B and I had the chance to stay at the Tiny Digs Hotel. No work allowed – just the two of us and our music on a weekend getaway in our hometown. It was one of the most relaxing, romantic weekends we’ve ever spent together, and we already making plans to go back.

From the beginning, I was attracted to the colorful, vibrant vibe of the tiny Romany carriage, and was beyond excited to stay there. But there were other, more practical reasons for choosing the “Gypsy Wagon” as our staycation mini-home. Besides my somewhat bohemian worldview, I am also not very sure-footed: I have been known to trip while walking across perfectly flat surfaces, and once fell down a ladder while climbing up into a cabin loft, nearly braking my ankle. In my own best interest, I need to stay in a room that does not require me to climb a ladder to get into bed.

Like all the other rooms at the Tiny Digs Hotel, the “Gypsy Wagon” is all about the details. Check out that wonderful stamped-tin mirror that doubles as wall art.

I so wanted to take this footstool home. Just sayin’. (I can make one if I want though: I have skills – and about 10 reference pictures!)

We loved all the textural elements in our tiny house. Everything was a such delight for the senses.

When we arrived at Tiny Digs for our staycation, Mr B and I made a conscious decision to park our car and not move it all weekend, just to see how much we could see and do without driving. We had no problem whatsoever getting around. Tiny Digs Hotel is located just a few minutes walk from hip, artsy, delicious NE 28th Avenue, and just a few more minutes to E Burnside and the Laurelhurst Theater. You will definitely have plenty of things to do!

In an upcoming post (likely after the holidays) I’ll fill you in more about on our amazing weekend in Kerns neighborhood, but suffice it for now to say that the best part of our weekend happened right here, in our tiny little home away from home.

We loved our stay at Tiny Digs, and I am sure that if you stay there, you will too!

Learn more or make a reservation:
Tiny Digs Hotel
hello@tinydigshotel.com
1-844-395-TINY (8469)

Many thanks to the Tiny Digs Hotel for hosting our stay. As always, all opinions and photos are my own. We loved our stay at Tiny Digs, and highly recommend that you check it out!

The Best Kept Secret on Orcas Island {Plus, Chocolate}

April 4 By Renée ♥ 14 Comments

The quiet, remote, revitalizing peace of Orcas Island in the springtime may just be one of the island’s best kept [tourist] secrets.

(My guess is that there are plenty of uber-mysterious, Goonie-esque, islander-only secrets too, but let’s just save that for the novel, shall we?)

It was the middle of the summer the last time we visited the San Juan islands, and as you might expect, every business was bustling, the farmer’s markets were in full swing, and tourists were everywhere. And while we enjoyed our summer stay on the island enough to want to return, it was our visit this spring that made us want to stay forever (maybe, someday!). Early spring is an extension of the winter slow season on Orcas (“the Rock” in local lingo), and so much of the time, we felt as though we had the whole island to ourselves.

During our time on Orcas Island, we stayed at the Deer Harbor Inn (which we will be posting about in detail later this week). Once we had settled into our room in the lodge, we set out to explore.

Even in the off-season, there are so many things to see and do on the island that we had no trouble filling our days. We were excited to return to some of our favorite spots from our previous visit to Orcas, and the first stop on our itinerary was Orcas Island Pottery. The pottery there is so beautiful, and the story so interesting that we have a whole post about it coming up tomorrow, but here’s a little sneak peek.

Following our stop at Orcas Island Pottery, we continued on to Eastsound, the largest of the four hamlets on the Orcas Island. Eastsound is home to a wide variety of charming shops, specialty boutiques, and restaurants. This is also where you can find such things as a bank, pharmacy, grocery stores and public library. I especially enjoyed our visit to Jillery, a favorite shop for locals and visitors alike. Jillery offers an eclectic mix of artisan-made jewelry, art, and personal, home, and garden accessories.

Everyone who knows me knows I have a weakness for long, beautiful earrings (plus I have a thing for mermaids) so it’s no surprise that I fell in love with this mermaid earring holder!

No visit to Eastsound is complete without a stop at Katherine Taylor Chocolates. There you will find island-made artisan chocolates, drinking chocolate, Stumptown Espesso, ice cream, and even a soda fountain!

There are so many beautiful sights to see on Orcas Island that you really do need to take an old-fashioned drive in the country. You never know who you might run into!

Cows on Orcas Island | The Good Hearted Woman

We met these beautiful ladies in while driving in the countryside, and stopped to chat for a few minutes. They’re pretty great listeners.

Traveling to the east side of the island, you will find the picturesque hamlet of Olga, and the Orcas Island Artworks, a cooperative gallery. Artworks, which shares space with the Catkin Café (with its all-scratch kitchen!), and the James Hardman Gallery, is housed in a strawberry barreling plant that dates back to 1938.

The lovingly restored landmark now showcases an extensive collection of work by Orcas Island artists and craftspeople, the Artworks Gallery offers paintings, prints, jewelry, pottery, sculpture, glass, wood, fiber and wearable arts, as well as other locally made items and gifts.

Artworks is owned and operated by the artists themselves, which gives visitors the unique opportunity to meet one or more of them on any given day. The day we visited, we were fortunate to meet raku artist and potter Osa Caudill.

One final stop that we must share: The beautiful Moran Mansion Museum, located on the second floor of the Rosario Resort & Spa. Open daily and free of charge for public viewing, a visit to the Moran Mansion at Rosario is stepping back in time.

This beautiful tribute to the Arts & Crafts movement of the early 20th century was built Seattle Shipbuilder and Mayor Robert Moran. The mansion features original photographs from the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, original furnishings and fixtures, and an extensive display of the ships built by the Moran Brothers Company in Seattle.

The centerpiece of the Moran mansion is the Music Room, which features a two-story 1913 Aeolian pipe organ, a 1900 Steinway grand piano, a Belgian stain-glass window picturing the harbor at Antwerp, and two mezzanine libraries overlooking a Tiffany chandelier. (By the way, if you are lucky enough to be there at 4pm on Saturday afternoon, you will be treated to both music and historical narrative in the Music Room.)

Stay tuned! There’s lots more to come about Orcas Island, including an awesome day hike, cheap eats, and [hopefully!] a surprise or two!

Planning a trip to Orcas Island? Be sure to check out my Orcas Island Vacation Guide!

The Lake House Bed & Breakfast {Otis, Oregon}

February 26 By Renée ♥ 5 Comments

Our annual Valentine’s weekend getaway took us to the Oregon coast this year, and The Lake House Bed & Breakfast.

This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they don’t bite.

Over the last few years, one of the rituals that Mr. B and I have established is to take an annual Valentine’s weekend getaway. Mr B takes charge of making all the arrangements for our annual escape, so all I have to do is pack my bag and hop in the car.

Valentine bliss with my sweetheart, with all the planning done for me – what more could a girl ask for?

This year, Mr B found us a lovely little retreat just a few hours from Portland: The Lake House Bed & Breakfast, located on Devil’s Lake, two miles from the Pacific coast and downtown Lincoln City.

The sign hanging over the breakfast room door at The Lake House speaks volumes. Visiting The Lake House is a lot like visiting your grandparents house – your cool grandparents who make you awesome breakfasts, talk a mean game of baseball, and then leave you alone to do pretty much whatever you want.

We stayed in The Lakeside Room, a lovely suite on the second level of the main house with a private outside entrance and a beautiful view of the lake. The room was homey and pleasant, and our king-size bed was extremely comfortable. The soft mauve and ecru decor, while somewhat dated, was nevertheless pleasant and attractive.

The room has a small sitting area, and a café table by the large picture window where you can enjoy a beautiful lake view with your morning coffee.

The Lakeside Room also comes with a private hot tub on the deck that overlooks the lake, and thick, comfy robes are provided to keep you cozy and warm when you are getting to and from the hot tub. Sitting out in the coastal air surrounded by warm bubbles as you watch the day fade over the lake makes for a wonderfully relaxing way to unwind.

Our hosts, Red and Mary, made us feel comfortable and welcome, and gave us the privacy we desired as well.

Each morning when we came downstairs, we were greeted by Red and Mary and a lovely (color coordinated!) breakfast. The menus were well thought out and the food was delicious. After serving up the food, our hosts joined us at the table each day for a lively conversation, and we thoroughly enjoyed our time with them.

One thing that really stands out to me is our hosts’ efforts to make our experience as pleasant as possible. On the night we arrived, Red and Mary were just getting ready to eat their dinner. The path up to our room took us by the kitchen, and noticing a plate of smoked salmon on the counter, I made a passing remark about how much I loved it, but didn’t think anything more about it. Imagine my delight when we arrived at breakfast the next morning to find that Mary had prepared a delicious salmon quiche for us! (Mary was even kind enough to let me have the recipe, and I’ll be sharing it with you next week.)

The lake is just a few steps away down the hill from the house, and if you are in the mood to go out on the water, Red and Mary have a rowboat that you can use.

If you are planning a trip to the Lincoln City area and are looking for a peaceful spot to stay, we highly recommend checking out The Lake House. (Be sure and tell Red and Mary that we sent you!)

CONTACT INFO
The Lake House Bed & Breakfast
2165 NE East Devil’s Lake Road
Otis, Oregon 97367
541.996.8938

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they will help us keep this site up and running! Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

What I Learned at Sunrise in Hawaii {Photography Tips for Beginners}

August 20 By Renée ♥ 18 Comments

A Sunrise Photography Tour is a great way to see some of Hawaii’s most beautiful locations, all while getting professional guidance that will help you to take your landscape photography to the next level.

_{This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.}

Years ago, I took a writing class from an editor-turned-publisher, who shared that when he started out, he made his bread-and-butter money writing instructional manuals for a high-tech company. He told us that he got the job not by virtue of his vast store of technical knowledge, but ironically, because of his complete lack of it. In other words, he was full of questions and no answers, just like the people who would be reading the manuals he wrote.

“I remember the day I knew I had to find a new job,” he said. “As I often did, I’d asked my teenage daughter to proofread a computer manual I’d completed before turning it into my editor, and when she handed it back to me, she said, ‘Looks good, Dad – except one thing. How do you turn it on?’ I knew then that I knew too much about the product. I didn’t ask all the questions anymore.”

I’m a wannabe photographer, so I read a lot of articles and blog posts about photography; most written by talented, capable photographers who have thoroughly learned their craft and are generously passing their knowledge on. The problem is, even in pieces aimed at beginners, they often forget that some of us are still trying to learn how to turn the camera on.

Alex, owner and operator of Oahu Photography Tours, is an exception. Not only does he remember all the questions, but he guides you to the answers in such a way that you go home with some truly valuable knowledge that you can use going forward. I learned more in one morning taking pictures with Alex and our small tour group than I have learned in hours and hours of reading blog posts and books on the subject.

**“Never let the truth get in the way of a great photo.”**

If there is one message that I took away from the tour, it was, “Never let the truth get in the way of a great photo.” While I use this guideline nearly daily when taking food images (if you had any idea what’s going on just beyond those cropped edges…) I hadn’t really thought about applying it beyond close-ups. Anyway, Alex must have repeated this advice at least twenty times in the six or so hours that we spent with him, and it is perhaps the most important thing I learned. Move things, change angles, or do whatever you need to do (within law and reason) to capture that perfect shot.

Here are a few other tidbits that I gleaned from the tour.

Silhouettes

Taking pictures in silhouette is powerful. Since you can’t see faces, people can imagine themselves in the picture.

Composition

Be aware of where things are happening. Don’t overlook something cool in the foreground because you are too focused on what’s going on on the horizon.

Exposure

Under-expose sometimes. You can always add fill light with an editing program, and the under-exposure often creates some nice drama.

P Mode

P Mode was the one piece of technical learning I took away. (Once again, this will be ultra rudimentary for Real Photographers.) When you are ready to move on from fully automatic, but not ready for Manual, P Mode is a great intermediate step. In P Mode, you can:

Learn what works: The camera will show you which aperture and shutter speed settings it has decided to use for your picture, so instead of guessing which aperture and shutter combination will work, you can shoot in P mode and take some notes. Then when you are ready, you can use the same settings in manual mode.
Adjust the exposure compensation, which makes your images brighter or darker. Start off by switching to P mode and taking a picture of something you see. Then look at a preview and decide if it’s too bright, too dark, or just right. If it isn’t quite right, just adjust the exposure compensation up or down.
Adjust your camera’s ISO speed. Sometimes there isn’t enough light in a scene and you still want to avoid using a flash. If that’s the case, you can make your images brighter by increasing your camera’s ISO speed. ISO speed controls the rate at which your light sensor picks up the information it gets from your lens. Just experiment to see what you like. Don’t go crazy though, because if you increase the ISO too much, your images will start to look grainy.

Forest and Trees

Remember while you are photographing the forest to take a few pictures of the trees – you might find something interesting. Conversely, remember to capture the forest, even when you are focusing on the trees.

People

Don’t forget the people in the forest. They tell a story all their own.

Finally, take a lot of pictures. This probably seems like a no-brainer, but even though I’ve been taking all my pictures with a digital camera for well over a decade, until this tour, I don’t think I had completely made the mental shift from film photography, when counting the number of exposures was a thing. However, I’m cured now: I took so many pictures of this stand-up paddle boarder that I can practically make a stop-action movie.

If you are planning a trip to Hawaii, I highly recommend including a photography tour early in your itinerary. You don’t need a fancy camera – you can even use your phone – and some equipment (e.g., tripods, and some filters) is provided. For me, this was some of the best-spent money of our entire trip, and the images I captured, both on the tour and subsequently on our vacation, are priceless.

While this post specifically highlights my experience with Alex and Oahu Photography Tours, there are a number of photography tours on the Hawaiian Islands, offering a number of different types of tours, from Sunrise to Sunset.

NOTE: All of the images in this post were taken by me (except the last one) during my photography tour.
_{Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. (Rest assured though, we will NEVER recommend anything we don’t believe in just to make a buck. We like to sleep at night.) Anywho, while clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they will help us keep this site up and running – and (relatively) ad-free!! Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!}

The Best Oahu Cheap Eats: Hawaiian Kahuku Shrimp (Plus Recipe Round-up)

July 29 By Renée ♥ 8 Comments

Make buttery, velvety, succulent A-MAZING Kahuku-Style Shrimp at home!

Oahu’s North Shore Kahuku-style Shrimp is easily one of the best things Mr B and I have ever eaten, and I can’t wait to try to make it at home. I’ve compiled a round-up of the most authentic sounding recipes I could find, which you can find at the end of this post.

But first, here’s our selection for the Best of the Best Oahu Cheap Eats is…

[drum-roll, please…]

Wait! Before I introduce you to the winner, just take a moment to appreciate these beauties!

I can wait.

Guess what? They taste even better than they look!

So where are they, you ask?

From Honolulu, take a drive up to Oahu’s North Shore, and you will eventually come upon a number of Kahuku-style shrimp vendors – Giovanni’s famous Shrimp Truck at the Kahuku food cart pod being the most notable. (If you can’t see it for all the signatures covering the truck, you may be able to recognize it by the long line of hungry tourists stretching endlessly from it.)

Keep driving.

Farther up the coastline, you will easily spot the red Romy’s Kahuku Prawns and Shrimp shack, with its equally long nightmare of a line.

Keep driving. (Just a couple more minutes, I promise.)

Soon you will see the sea-blue sided shrimp stand of Fumi’s Shrimp Farm – with a short line, plenty of parking, lots of covered picnic table seating, and AMAZING farm-fresh shrimp.

(Be sure to check out our countdown of the Best Oahu Cheap Eats Part 1 & Part 2!)

Fumi’s Shrimp Farm {Roadside Stand, Kahuku}

Mr. B and I both agreed that this was probably the best shrimp we’ve ever eaten – and we’ve eaten a lot of shrimp.

The first time we came here (yes, I said first, as in, we came here more than once), I ordered the Spicy Garlic Shrimp. My plate came with nine clean, fat prawns with the shells attached, and was served with two scoops of rice, a slice of fresh, cold pineapple, and a small tossed salad. (The pineapple slice and salad provided a nice complement, but felt mostly like a bow to social convention. I mean, you can’t really just serve a big plate of prawns and call it a plate lunch, can you?)

My shrimp was bathed in a buttery garlic sauce that brought out its sweet notes without overpowering them, and the bite was firm and tender. They were so perfect that I think I may have even teared up a little.

At $13 a plate, this was the best deal on the island, as far as I’m concerned.

Fumi's Shrimp Farm - Oahu Cheap Eats {Plus a Hawaiian Kahuku-Style Shrimp Truck Recipe Round-up}| The Good Hearted Woman

Hot & Spicy Shrimp (left), and Spicy Garlic Shrimp

Mr. B had the Hot & Spicy Shrimp, and in his words, “that buttery texture and the sauce on the outside was so good that I couldn’t help but suck off the juice before I peeled them.” Having tried them myself, I can tell you that they were quite spicy, but not overly so.

One thing we both noted was that the shrimp had an amazingly fresh flavor that you just can’t get from frozen shrimp. Taken directly from Fumi’s aquaculture farm out back, the shrimp we ate for lunch had been scuttling around just minutes before we arrived. (I have it on relatively good authority that same cannot be said of all the shrimp along the North Shore, as much of it comes from the Costco freezer case in Honolulu.)

The covered picnic are at Fumi’s offers a lot to see while you eat.

Finally, if you’ve read me for any length of time, you may know that I always check out the restroom at the places I review. If there is nothing to note, I don’t, but in this case, there is.

Powder Room Review: We stopped here after a long day of kayaking, and were very happy to find that Fumi’s had not only a cleaning station where you can wash up after eating those luscious crustaceans, but also a large, clean restroom that is perfect for changing.

The only drawback to eating shrimp at Fumi’s is that it will leave you wanting more. And more. And more.

I’m hopeful that someday I will be able to create a passable copycat recipe. Here are a few jumping off points:

Hawaiian “Kahuku-Style” Shrimp Recipe Round-up

Let’s make a deal: I haven’t had a chance to try any of these recipes yet, but when I do, I will be sure to leave an update. Your part of this deal is, if you try one (or find another one that’s better) be sure to come back and let me know about it. OK? Because we all really want to know the very best recipe for making these bad boys at home. Thanks a bunch!

Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp {The Gourmand Mom}
Kahuku-Style Shrimp {Cooking Hawaiian Style}
Garlic Chilie Shrimp {Cooking Hawaiian Style}
Hawaiian-Style Garlic Shrimp {The Recipe Critic}
Almost Kahuku Garlic Shrimp {Fix.Feast.Flair}
Raiatea Helms Kahuku Style Garlic Shrimp {Cooking Hawaiian Style}

Thank you so much for being a faithful reader and supporter of The Good Hearted Woman. ❤ Be sure to Pin this post!

Dole: The Complete Pineapple Experience

July 23 By Renée ♥ 11 Comments

Pineapple is no longer the lifeline of Hawaii’s agricultural industry that it once was, but you can still get the whole Pineapple Experience with a visit to the Dole Plantation, just an hour or so north of Honolulu. The Dole Plantation is about as touristy as it gets, but it is also a lot of fun.

POP QUIZ

Q: What is a pineapple?

a. The hanging fruit of the pineapple tree.
b. The underground root of a spiky-leafed plant.
c. The fruit of a terrestrial bromeliad flower stalk.
(Hint: The answer in is the image below.)

This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.

This is tough for me to admit, but until I went to the Dole Plantation, I had no idea how pineapples grew. I was humbly reminded of the time, while taking a class on curriculum development in college, I learned about how some inner-city children needed to be taught that carrots came from the ground and milk came from cows. I was incredulous: who doesn’t know that? I’m sure small children in Hawaii would think the same thing of me and my ignorance about pineapple cultivation.

We took a ride on the The Pineapple Express, which carries visitors through a through a working plantation of pineapple and other crops, featuring fields in all stages of growth, from planting to harvest.

We also managed to make our way through “The World’s Largest Maze” – it took us just under an hour, which I learned is about average. The maze stretches over three acres and includes nearly two and one-half miles of paths crafted from 14,000 colorful Hawaiian plants. (I’m pretty sure that the Corn Maize on Portland’s Sauvie’s island is bigger, but who am I to dispute the folks at Guinness World Records?)

Our stroll through Dole Plantation’s eight different educational gardens gave us a glimpse at a wide variety of beautiful and useful tropical plants. The Bromeliad Garden was particularly striking.

There was also a large pond that held some seriously large koi.

Local artisans were on hand as well.

Our last stop started with a brisk walk through the Dole Plantation Store, which has more pineapple-related stuff for sale than I ever imagined could possibly existed. We headed straight for the Plantation Grille – for cup of their a world-famous Dole Whip! So, so, so good, especially on a hot day!

Check out my recipe for 4-ingredient Pineapple Ice Cream {A smooth homemade soft serve created in the spirit of Dole Whip}

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they will help us keep this site up and running – and (relatively) ad-free!! Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

Pasty in Paradise: How to Avoid Sunburn on Your Tropical Vacation

July 13 By Renée ♥ 16 Comments

Or, Why This Portlander Got an Umbrella… for Hawaii.

There are a few unwritten rules about being a true Portlander, and the first one is:

Real Portlanders don’t carry umbrellas.

Oh sure – you might “own” an umbrella. And if push comes to shove, you might even be able to find it to loan to visiting out-of-town relatives. (Tip: It’s probably hidden in the back corner of your garage.) But a real Portland native wouldn’t be caught dead actually carrying one around town, much less popping it open in the rain.

Tropical vacations, however, are another story.

I received my Umbrellas Hawaii sun-brella free to test drive, no strings attached. This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.

Due to his strong Native American heritage, Mr. B is blessed with beautiful olive-brown skin that turns the color of warm caramel in the sun. I, on the other hand, with my Celtic and Germanic roots and pasty-white complexion to match, have no such luck: I practically burn just thinking about direct sunlight. (As a tween, I once fell asleep floating in the pool at Kah-nee-ta Hot Springs and ended up with second degree burns over almost 50 percent of my body.) So last winter when Mr. B and I started planning our recent Hawaiian vacation, sun protection was at the top of my list, and I knew a simple sunscreen wasn’t going to cut it. I needed a plan.

How to Avoid Sunburn on Vacation

Many tips to avoid sunburn simply do not work when you are on vacation. These include things like:

Stay out of the sun during peak hours. Really? You want me to stay inside between 10am and 3pm on my vacation? Not happening.
Keep covered up. Ok, maybe. But when the temperatures soar and the humidity is 70%? Also not happening.

Other tips to avoid sunburn work, but for those of us with extremely fair skin, they only go so far:

Use sunscreen on any exposed areas. I do this religiously. Experts recommend an SPF of 45 or better, which will allow even the fairest skinned to stay out in the sun for a few hours. (I use 70 to 100 SPF.) Follow the instructions on sunscreen carefully, and reapply as directed. (Note that most “water-resistant” products require reapplication at least every 80 minutes.)
Pay attention to hard-to-reach places. This may require the help of a buddy. Remember to cover the back of your knees and neck, tops of toes, and ears (even if you have long hair).
Wear a hat, or put sunscreen on your head. (I know – eww. But a sunburned hairline is even grosser.) Some shampoos and conditioners contain UV protection too.
If you are beach or water-bound, don’t forget your “fanny line“ – the place where your swimsuit meets your backside. This can easily be forgotten, especially if you apply your sunscreen before you go out, and then take off your shorts to go in the water, resulting in hot buns (and not the good kind) later in the day. [← Voice of Experience.]

Knowing that I would be spending an inordinate amount of time in direct sunlight, I knew I needed something that went above and beyond to avoid sunburn. And then I saw a silver lining: the closet eccentric in me has been dying for an excuse to get a parasol for years! (Because every girl needs a parasol some time, right?) But when I started looking, all I could find were lacy, Gothic-inspired (or better yet, Hello Kitty) umbrellas, or drab “UV-protectant sunshades.” Blech. I wanted something age-appropriate, functional, and pretty.

That’s when I found Annie O’Connor Hughes of Umbrellas Hawaii.

How to Avoid Sunburn on Your Tropical Vacation | The Good Hearted Woman

Halfway up Diamond Head. (View from the top in an upcoming post.)

After exchanging a few emails, Annie and I made a date to meet up in Honolulu on the first day of my Hawaiian adventure. A long-time Oahu resident and artist, Annie shared with me how she founded Umbrellas Hawaii in 2006, after searching out a UV-safe solution for her fair skin (much as I did) and finding nothing that met her needs.

Through our conversation, I learned that Annie is as passionate about the quality of her products as she is about health benefits they provided. Umbrellas Hawaii offers what is basically a high-tech parasol, with island-style designs that offer serious skin protection in a beautiful, tropically inspired product. Every umbrella is lined with Ultra Violet Protective Factor (UPF) fabric that has been tested and certified to block 95%-97% of Ultra Violet (UV) radiation.

When I got my “sun-brella” (as I like to call it) from Annie, I really didn’t anticipate how much of an impact it would have. However, in retrospect, I honestly believe it saved our vacation. Hawaii was very hot and humid the entire ten days of our trip, and without it, no amount of sunscreen would have saved me from being burnt to a crisp. (Even if you are like Mr. B and have never had a real sunburn, have you ever had to endure a trip with someone who is badly sunburnt? Does the term “cranky” ring a bell? A sunburn can ruin a trip for everyone.)

I took my sun-brella everywhere, with the obvious exceptions of snorkeling and kayaking. Needless to say, it is now a permanent fixture on my vacation packing list.

Annie’s sun-brellas are incredibly well made, with great attention to detail:

The UPF certified fabrics block 95%-97% of UV radiation.
Seams are tight, and the traditionally metal rods are all made with fiberglass, making it incredibly light and strong.
The open/close mechanism works very easily. I must have opened and closed mine at least 200 times over 10 days, and I never once had a problem or pinched a finger.
The colorful outer fabric, designed in Hawaii, is complemented by a natural faux-bamboo handle that looks at home in a tropical setting. I don’t feel like I’m carrying an “umbrella.”
The little pieces at the ends of the struts are nicely rounded, so you don’t have to worry about poking anyone’s eye out with them.
It seems to be perfectly sized. I could easily walk hand-in-hand with Mr. B while holding my sun-brella over my head and not get it into his space.
The sun-brella itself is very light, and the handle fits comfortably in my hand, even after hours of use.
It has durable water repellency, and can double as an umbrella to keep you dry in that unexpected summer shower. (If you’re into that kind of thing.)

In closing, I wish I could fully explain how grateful I am to be sitting here at my computer typing away, just two days after my vacation, and not suffering from post-vacation sunburn and all that goes along with it. Finally, an umbrella I can use!

Umbrellas Hawaii products are available in a rainbow of colors and can be ordered online by visiting their website.

Disclosure: I received my Umbrellas Hawaii sun-brella free to test drive, with no strings attached.This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they do help keep this site up and running. As always, all opinions and images are my own. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

Hood River BnB {Hood River, Oregon}

February 23 By Renée ♥ 9 Comments

An Inspiring Destination.

A year ago, Mr. B. and I hatched a dream – in our second life, we are going to open a Bed & Breakfast. And though it is likely more than a decade away, even now we often stay up late on weekends imagining and planning – acoustic instruments hanging on the walls of a well-lit great room, musical meet-ups and house concerts in the evenings, savory-sweet smells wafting through the house in the morning. Oh, we know it will be plenty of hard work too, and we are prepared for that, but we are so excited about the people we will meet and the possibilities we will discover – the whole of it is a perfect fit for us.

It all started last Valentine’s Day when we stayed for the first time at the Hood River BnB.

The Hood River BnB is not one of your fancy, European-style Bed & Breakfast establishments: it has an easy-going Northwest vibe and is completely devoid of pretense. Beautifully appointed without being fussy, you will feel welcome and at home from the moment you walk through the front door.

The front room feels warm, open and inviting.

There are no TVs in the rooms, but if you must watch, the television in this cozy anteroom will meet your media needs.

The Hood River BnB has four guest rooms in all. Mr. B and I like to stay in the biggest – The Sky Room. Airy and full of light, the Sky Room has a reading nook and a great view of the river. It boasts a large private bath with a Jacuzzi tub/shower, a huge walk-in closet, and an incredibly comfortable queen bed.

The view from the Sky Room.

Mr. B and I love the privacy of the Sky Room too. We always take our music with us, and the little reading alcove gives us the perfect place to kick back and sing to our hearts content without bothering anyone.

This little library, located on the 2nd floor, is open to all BnB guests. As far as I’m concerned, you just can’t go wrong with a place that keeps a vintage Underwood on the selves.

Other rooms include the Mountain and the River Room – both with great views of Mt. Adams and the Columbia River – and the Sun Room, which has a large connected sun and reading room.

Breakfast is offered in three waves. Sign up for the early bird session and you might not see the innkeepers, but they will make sure you have something delicious to start your day.

The Hood Breakfast offers those rising after 7:30 a family-style breakfast that might include such taste-tempters as Jim’s whole-wheat crepes (our favorite!!), omelets with your choice of fillings, French-toast, or a Hood scramble. Secret-recipe granola and locally grown fruit are always on hand as well.

Mr. B and I love this part of our stay: it is the one time we get to meet the rest of the guests and share a little friendly conversation.

There is even a breakfast for the “Sleepy-Hoods.” (You know who you are.) You never have to worry about the “end-of-breakfast” because no matter how late you sleep in, there will be something waiting for you.

We spotted this little guy out the window during breakfast. (I think he is a Western Scrub Jay.)

You can catch a view of Mount Adams from the breakfast room.

The BnB is within easy walking distance of downtown Hood River, and there is something nearby for everyone. Dozens of hiking trail-heads, wind-surfing, wine-tasting, river walks, antiques, and the best brick-oven pizza we have ever had are just minutes away.

But it wasn’t the ambiance, or the great food, or the fantastic location, or even the VW Microbus poster in the breakfast room that inspired our dream – it was our hosts, innkeepers Jane and Jim.

When you arrive at the Hood River BnB, Jane and Jim welcome you like family. Intelligent, personable, and easy-going, they like to chat for a few minutes as they introduce you to the house, all the while getting a feel for what you want out of your stay. They are naturally adept at striking just the right chord between friendly interaction and respect for your privacy.

Jane runs the day-to-day business of the BnB, while Jim splits his time between the BnB and his aerial agricultural imaging work. With California roots (we try not to hold that against them), Jane and Jim opened the Hood River Bnb in 2002, and have now hosted guests from the Pacific Northwest and across the globe, including South America, Australia, Japan, Canada, Africa, New Zealand, India, and all over Europe. Some stay only one night, while others stay a month or more, and many (like us) return year after year.

Jane and Jim keep this cool map on their front room wall: guests can push a pin to mark either their current home or their place of origin.

It was those connections that truly inspired us. Mr. B and I both love meeting people, hearing their stories, and sharing their music. That is a full life, and that is our dream. And it all came from a visit with Jane and Jim of the Hood River BnB. I encourage you to check them out – who knows what they may inspire for you!

This man.

CONTACT INFO
Hood River BnB
918 Oak Street
Hood River, Oregon 97031
541.387.2997
jane(at)hoodriverbnb(dot)com

P.S. When you call, please tell Jane where you read about them!