Newport Seafood & Wine Festival: 11 Tips to Know Before Your Go
Knowing what to expect and being prepared will make all the difference when you attend the Newport Seafood & Wine Festival. It all…
How to Make Nashville Hot Chicken {Step-by-Step}
This amazing Nashville Hot Chicken recipe (adapted from Hattie B's famous recipe) results in a crispy, tender, fiery fried chicken with a spicy kick…
Small Town Good Eats: Wyoming Edition
If you find yourself traveling through Wyoming and feeling those hunger pangs, be sure to check out a few of these wonderful Wyoming…
Shoshone Falls & Perrine Bridge {Twin Falls, Idaho}
Whether you've got days to explore or are just passing through Twin Falls on your way to Somewhere Else, plan to stop for these two stunning…
Top 8 Things to Do in Nashville for Music Lovers {+ Travel Tips}
Music lovers, here's our list of eight iconic, must-see, don't-even-think-of-skipping sites in Music City, along with our best Nashville travel tips…
Camassia Nature Preserve: Wildflowers, Wildlife & Family-friendly Hiking
The Camassia Nature Preserve is a 26-acre natural area known for its beautiful wildflowers, abundant wildlife, and easy, family-friendly…
Discovering El Paso: One Day of FREE FUN!
El Paso abounds with FREE fun! Explore the historic Plaza Theater, discover El Paso's past at the Museum of History, take a scenic drive for an…
Discovering El Paso: Concordia Cemetery – El Paso’s “Boot Hill”
Why would you want to spend your day roaming around an old, arid West Texas cemetery? At El Paso's Concordia Cemetery, it's all about the…
Discovering El Paso: 3 Must-see Stops on the Historic Mission Trail
The El Paso Mission Trail traces a nine-mile segment of the oldest road in North America – the historic El Camino Real [The Royal Road ],…
Photographing Mesa Arch at Sunrise: What You Need to Know
As it turned out, photographing Mesa Arch at sunrise was not only a shot of a lifetime, but a life-lesson as well. Full disclosure: Before…
How to Survive on the Delicate Arch Trail
The Delicate Arch Trail is challenging, and totally worth the effort! Go early, take your time, and bring twice as much water as you think you…
7 Stunning Reasons to Visit Arches National Park
Mother Nature is a master sculptor and in no place is that more evident than at Arches National Park. ― Stefanie Payne, A Year in the…
50 Miles Along the Natchez Trace Parkway {Day Trip From Memphis}
Stretching 444 miles from Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville Tennessee, the historic Natchez Trace Parkway takes travelers on a journey through…
Tupelo, Mississippi {Day Trip from Memphis: Part 1}
Looking for a great day trip from Memphis? Check out our real-life itinerary for our day trip from Memphis, Tennessee to Tupelo, Mississippi and back…
One Day in Ashland, Oregon
Ashland, Oregon: where culture runs deep, local cuisine is celebrated, creative inspiration is bountiful, and thespians are the coolest kids in…
Four Scenic Stops on the Applegate Valley Wine Trail
Take a drive on the Applegate Valley Wine Trail and experience the best of Southern Oregon wine country: stunning scenic beauty, small-town warmth,…
Beautiful Music: NW Handmade Musical Instrument Exhibit
Every spring, you can find some of the most beautiful and unique instruments being made in the Pacific Northwest at the NW Handmade Musical…
One Day in Old San Juan {Puerto Rico}
Old San Juan is replete with amazing history, old world charm, and delectable food and drink - and welcoming tourists with open arms. This post…
Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa: Your Perfect Oregon Coast Getaway
Head Out. Stay In. Whatever you choose, you'll discover your perfect Oregon coastal getaway at Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa in Pacific…
Orenco Woods Nature Park {Hillsboro, Oregon}
Visitors to Orenco Woods Nature Park can choose from wide variety of activities, including hiking, bicycling, geocaching, picnicking, and enjoying…
What We Learned When We Accidentally Stumbled Into the National Basque Festival {Buffalo, Wyoming}
Every year, the National Basque Festival brings together Basque communities across North America to celebrate and share their heritage and…
Take a Romantic Winter Getaway to Hood River, Oregon
Nestled into the Columbia River Gorge against a stunning scenic backdrop, Hood River, Oregon offers visitors a perfect romantic getaway. This post…
McCully House Inn – Jacksonville, Oregon {Plus a Ghost Story!}
Relax, unwind, and take a trip back through Oregon history - at the McCully House in beautiful Jacksonville, Oregon. {Plus a Ghost…
Pennington Farms Blackberry Buckle
Pennington Farms Blackberry Buckle - the recipe for which they have generously shared with us -is just one of the many delicious treats you can find…
One Fine Day in Jacksonville {Oregon}
Blending small town ambience with sophisticated taste, this 1850's gold-rush town is booming with music, wine, and history. This post may contain…
Rogue Creamery {+ 24 Delicious Blue Cheese Recipes}
Rogue Creamery began producing blue cheese in 1954, and today, they continue to draw both inspiration and resources from Southern Oregon’s Rogue…
A New Era at Graceland: Elvis Presley’s Memphis
The newly opened Elvis Presley's Memphis Entertainment Complex is vast, eye-opening, humbling, and a must for music lovers of all…
Why You Will Love “The Guest House at Graceland”
From first impression to last, the vibe at The Guest House at Graceland is a fusion of classic elegance and modern luxury - welcoming,…
Top 7 Things to Do in Memphis {Music Lovers Edition}
Memphis is a town that lives and breathes music. Check out our picks for Top 5 Must-dos for Music Lovers, plus two great bonus…
The Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum: Why You Need to Visit
A visit to The Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum may change how you think about American music – in all its forms –…
Home of 1000 Hits: RCA Studio B {Nashville}
RCA Studio B is the oldest surviving recording studio in Nashville. Here, 1000 hits were brought to life and American music history was…
25+ Savory, Slow-food Slider Recipes (plus, ‘The Great Slider Debate’)
From the American South and beyond, here's a delicious collection of 25+ Savory, Slow-food Slider Recipes that you can really sink your teeth…
The Sound Nashville Music Tour ♫ ♪ Songwriters Welcome
On The Sound Nashville Music Tour, you'll see the sights and hear the sounds of Nashville – and write a song while you do it! We teamed up with…
Nashville & Memphis for Music Lovers {Tips & Itinerary}
This is our real-life trip itinerary. Follow along as we recap our adventures in Memphis & Nashville over the next few months, or use it to…
Love Music? Then Add Tennessee to Your Bucket List!
If music is the pulse of America, its heartbeat is in Tennessee. If you love music, you need to add Memphis and Nashville to your Bucket…
Moon Walking in Idaho {Craters of the Moon}
The next time you find yourself in eastern Idaho looking to do something out of this world, check out the Craters of the Moon {National Monument…
California Quinoa Salad {with Piña Colada Dressing}
California Quinoa Salad is bright, light, amazingly healthy combo served with a delicious tropical piña colada dressing. (Inspired by Chef Marcel…
Remembering Packy {+ Video: Elephant Lands at the Oregon Zoo}
Commemorating the life and legacy of Packy, Portland's biggest celebrity, on the anniversary of his birth. When I was a little girl, Packy…
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’…
Capturing Adventure {Blurb Photo Book Review}
Capturing adventure in a Blurb photo book is simple, easy, and so worth the effort! This post may contain affiliate links, but don't…
Oneonta Gorge Hike {9 Essential Tips}
The Oneonta Gorge Hike in the Columbia River Gorge creates an indelible memory for those who brave the trail to get there. Oneonta Gorge is…
Wahkeena Falls {Hike}
Beautiful and easy to access, Wahkeena Falls is one of the most popular destinations in the Columbia River Gorge. The Columbia River Gorge…
Grilled Halibut over Greens with Verjus White Truffle Vinaigrette
Chef Steve Debaste, of the New Leaf Café on Orcas Island, shares his recipe for "Grilled Halibut over Local Salad Greens with Verjus White Truffle…
Unpretentious Elegance: New Leaf Café
The New Leaf Café on Orcas Island offers guests an exceptional menu and unpretentious elegance. Everyone told us the New Leaf Café…
Slow-food at its Best on Orcas Island
The Deer Harbor Inn Restaurant offers Orcas Island diners a locally-sourced menu of slow-food at its best. While we were on Orcas Island, we…
Earth & Fire, Inspired {Orcas Island Pottery}
From one generation to the next, through earth and fire, Orcas Island Pottery continues to create and inspire. In my experience, the need for…
The Best Kept Secret on Orcas Island {Plus, Chocolate}
The quiet, remote, revitalizing peace of Orcas Island in the springtime may just be one of the island's best kept secrets. (My guess is that…
In Which Mr B & I Visit Historic Downtown Anacortes En Route to Orcas Island
A visit to Historic Downtown Anacortes is a great start to an Orcas Island vacation. There are several ways to get to Orcas Island and the…
Why Orcas Island May Be the Most Relaxing Vacation Spot in the Pacific NW
Last week, Mr B and I took the most peaceful, relaxing, inspiring vacation ever - to Orcas Island. We loved it so much that we almost didn't come…
The Lake House Bed & Breakfast {Otis, Oregon}
Our annual Valentine’s weekend getaway took us to the Oregon coast this year, and The Lake House Bed & Breakfast. This post may contain…
Tilikum Crossing {Bridge of the People}
Hey Portland, remember that one gloriously bright sunshiny day we had a week or so ago? You know the one. (Because there really was only one.)…
The Trail Less Traveled: Elowah Falls & McCord Creek Falls {Hike}
Enjoy both sweeping views and relative solitude on this – the Elowah Falls & Upper McCord Falls Hike –the least-traveled trail on Oregon’s…
Sunset on Hawaii {Pretty Pictures & Free Background Images}
Sometimes I just need to look at something peaceful and pretty. Maybe you do too. From recipes to hikes to travel tips, the focus here for the…
Simply Elegant {Duc’s Bistro}
Dining at Duc's Bistro in Honolulu's Chinatown is an unforgettable experience in casual elegance, delicious food, and warm…
Hiking Diamond Head {360° of Amazing}
Hiking to the peak of Diamond Head Crater is no stroll through the park, but Wow! What a payoff! No, I am not sunburned in the picture above.…
Photography Tips for Beginners {Or, What I Learned at Sunrise in Hawaii}
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…
Tips for {Snorkeling} Virgins
Helpful Tips for Snorkeling Beginners, plus a brief recap of our adventure in Hanauma Bay, Oahu. As an Oregonian, I’m conditioned to tense and…
Kahuku Shrimp Recipe Roundup
Our top pick for Oahu Cheap Eats, plus a roundup of buttery, velvety, amazing Kahuku Shrimp Recipes so you can relive those North Shore memories at…
The Best Oahu Cheap Eats {Part 2}
The second installment in our countdown of delicious and wallet-friendly Oahu food finds. {Read Part 1 here.} This post may contain affiliate links,…
Great Oahu Cheap Eats {Part 1}
The first installment in our countdown of delicious and wallet-friendly Oahu food finds (plus one helpful note for bus-tourists with limited lunch…
Dole: The Complete Pineapple Experience
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…
Freedom, Justice, Honor, Duty, Mercy & Hope {Pearl Harbor}
Highlights of our visit to the USS Bowfin, Pacific Aviation Museum, and the USS Missouri at Pearl Harbor and a good story about an honorable…
In Memory of Gallant Men {Pearl Harbor}
Highlights and reflections on our visit to the USS Arizona Memorial at the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument at…
Embracing Your Inner Tourist {Hawaiian Style}
I'm fine with being a Tourist. I have Inner Peace with it. This post contains affiliate links, but don't worry - they won't bite. Because…
Pasty in Paradise: How to Avoid Sunburn on Your Tropical Vacation
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…
Cannon Beach Distillery
Notes from the Man Cave Tucked on the far end of the touristy section on the north end of town, Mike Selberg’s Cannon Beach Distillery is making…
Mosier Twin Tunnels {Hike}
We decided to wrap up our Valentine's weekend trip to Hood River by stretching our winter-weary hiking legs with a trip up to see the historic Twin…
Hood River BnB {Hood River, Oregon}
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…
Pick of the Season: Apples! {Oregon Heritage Farms}
The heady scent of fresh apples is in the air, drawing me out to the country once again. There is nothing like a fresh apple straight from the…
Let ‘er Buck! {Pendleton Round-up Recap}
The second weekend in September is a big deal around here: it's Roundup time! This year we loaded up the kids and headed a few hours east to…
Hike to Witch’s Castle {Forest Park, Portland}
Once upon a time, I had visions of hiking through the hills and valleys of the Pacific Northwest with my happy little train of children, traipsing…
HQ Southern BBQ {Casper, WY}
Notes from the Man Cave I travel to Wyoming once or twice a year on business, and Renée occasionally goes with me. When I’m on the road, I always…
City of Roses – Portland’s International Rose Test Garden
We took a trip to Portland's Rose Garden last weekend. As I wandered through the seemly endless rows of roses, I found myself contemplating this…
Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival
Last Wednesday my sister and I had the rare chance to spend the day together, and her only request was to go “somewhere pretty.” So I took her to…
