Travel Writing Clips

5 Hut-to-Hut Hiking Destinations for Adventurous Moms – She Explores Life

With summer coming to a close and winter on its way, you may find yourself struggling to come up with vacation options that get your family out into nature while providing the creature comforts necessary for making travel with the babes enjoyable.

6 Mom-Tested & Approved Zip Line Tours – She Explores Life

Nothing brings a family together like an adrenaline pumping adventure-at least that’s what I’ve been told. With three kids (two who are teenage girls) my family needs more bonding time than ever. Zip line excursions are one of the few activities that everyone eagerly agrees to do without complaint, regardless of where we are.

Crystal Crane Hot Springs: Women in the Wild

Autumn is one of my favorite seasons. Across Oregon, temps drop and colors across the state’s landscape pop as the weather shifts. My adventures switch from looking for locations that offer a reprieve from the heat to searching out destinations with a cozy element.

Discover the Midwest: Explore Madison Wisconsin

You don’t have to head overseas to have a blast on your family vacation. The 50 states are full of fantastic locations to explore. While each of the coasts has beautiful beaches and large cities to explore, and the South entertains with its colorful culture and delicious cuisine, the Midwest should not be overlooked for the perfect family getaway.

Shooting the Rapids: Your OARS Whitewater Family Adventure

While a summer coastal getaway or lake retreat makes for a nice family vacation, the Pacific Northwest has a system of rivers that offer whitewater experiences that take your family off-grid where you can create memories that last a lifetime.

Southern Pride: A Guide to Louisville’s Vibrant LGBTQ Scene

Louisville may be best known as home to Muhammad Ali and the Kentucky Derby, but it is quickly making its mark as a queer-friendly destination. With a host of LGBTQ-friendly neighborhoods, events and businesses, this vibrant city welcomes those seeking an inclusive place to live, work and play.

What It’s Really Like to Live on Catalina Island

Catalina has long been considered an accessible island escape for those living on the mainland. Just 22 miles off the southern California coast, visitors are welcomed by warm waters, white sand beaches and palm trees.

Moving to Bend, Oregon? Here’s Everything You Need to Know

Located in the high desert of Central Oregon, just east of the Cascade Range, Bend is best known for its access to world-class outdoor recreation and a multitude of microbreweries. Along with unparalleled snowboarding and rock climbing, this slice of paradise offers access to higher education and job opportunities in healthcare, the tourism industry and the thriving brewery scene.

8 Surprising Things About Living in Oregon

The “Keep Portland Weird” slogan has branded the city, along with the whole state of Oregon, as an eccentric destination for those looking to move to the Pacific Northwest. Perhaps best known for its hipsters, hippies, and “Portlandia”-like personalities, the real-life Oregon experience may catch visitors and new residents off-guard.

Avondale: the Rebirth of a Historic Birmingham Neighborhood

During the Second Industrial Revolution, Birmingham’s Avondale neighborhood thrived along with the entire city. Its main street – 41st Street – ended at Avondale City Park, which was home to Birmingham’s first zoo and offered the residents a beautiful gathering space. Like other industrial areas, Avondale fell into decline during the civil rights movement.

Family Wellness on the Go: Explore Northwest Florida

For the health conscious families, summer vacations can be a mixed bag. When you are on the road for days or weeks at a time, eating well and fitting your workouts in gets tough.

Kidifornia: Southern California’s Dream Family Getaway

Like the holiday season, the summer months give families time to bond. While social media posts relay the joy and excitement of seasonal family adventures, finding the perfect location for your getaway can be challenging-even stressful-when individual interests and travel time come into play.

7 Reasons to Move to Kirkland, WA

When it comes to prominent cities located in Washington, Seattle likely comes to mind first. While it may be the birthplace of the grunge music scene and inspiration for classic flicks like “Sleepless in Seattle,” its smaller and more serene neighbor to the Northeast is beginning to draw some serious attention.

 

Out with the Kids

Central Oregon is a giant playground for active adults, but there’s plenty for kids to do, too. Here’s where adventure-loving tykes-and parents-are guaranteed to up the fun-factor in any family outing.

 

The Best Home Base Cities for Adventure Enthusiasts

If outdoor adventure is your #1 priority, these small cities are the perfect home base. Annette is a writer, editor and photographer from Portland, OR. Her work appears in a variety of publications including Bust, Red Tricycle, Motherly and Domino. When she’s away fro… more

5 Surprisingly LGBTQ-Friendly Small Cities

Big cities have long been the go-to places to live for members of the LGBTQ community looking for an enjoyable and inclusive place to call home. Times are changing, and now those seeking the more relaxed pace of life found in smaller cities and towns have a variety of options to choose from.

5 Road Trips for Your Memorial Day Weekend Escape

If you’ve been dreaming of putting the minivan in drive, hitting the road and never looking back…take ten deep breaths and gently bring yourself back to reality. Every parent feels like making a break for it once in a while, and this Memorial Day weekend you’ll get your chance (with kids in tow).

Sips & Sippy Cups: Local Wineries Welcome All

There’s nothing quite like taking in Oregon’s wine country with your loved ones. The area’s wineries offer visitors a dreamy way to spend their spring and summer days. The scenery. The bites. The sips. You don’t even need to have a baby sitter to take in all of these delights.

Retreat and Recharge: Mom Weekend Getaways to Book Now!

Moms work hard and while it’s nice to give them a couple of hours at the spa or a fun night out with the girls to rejuvenate, sometimes it is just not enough. Give that special do-everything lady a real treat with a weekend away from home.

Portland’s Fantastic Family-Friendly AirBnBs

If you live in Portland, you know there’s plenty love about it and its surrounding areas. From the weird to the wonderful there’s so much to see and do so when it comes time to plan your family vacation, you may just decide you want to stay.

Why Leave?

Ben Edwards c/o Five Pine You’re in love and you live in one of the most beautiful places on earth-so really, you don’t need to go anywhere to get the type of getaway you and your partner deserve. Check out these romantic staycations this V-Day.

Destination Durango: Your New Favorite Family Vacation

Nestled between the San Juan Mountains and the Animas River Valley lies a small southern Colorado town where families can find big adventures and a surprising amount of fun. If exploring ancient ruins, whitewater rafting, and eating farm-to-table meals sounds like a great way to spend your vacation …

5 Reasons You Should Go on a Mom Retreat

A growing number of moms across the country are packing their bags, kissing their partners and kids goodbye, and going on retreat. Mom-specific and women-only retreats held all over the world are on the rise and gaining popularity with the baby burping, diaper-bag-toting, and bottle-and-breastfeedin…

Best Skinny Dipping Spots

When it’s as hot as it has been in Central Oregon, there are times when you’ll need to take a swim but won’t necessarily have your suit along. Not to worry – you don’t really need it… Not that this pick represents the opinion of ALL our staff…but regardless, the following spots all qualify for the best place to go skinny dipping.

The Best Museum & Zoo Sleepovers in the U.S.

Thank the movie Night at the Museum for not only igniting your kid’s interest in historical artifacts, buildings and things of the past, but also opening up doors across the U.S. for after-hours fun. Wonder what you can do at these galleries when the lights out?

Seabrook, WA: The Perfect Family Getaway

Just a three hour drive from Portland, Seabrook is a small town on the Washington coast offering families a dream retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life. Imagine a beautiful PNW beach destination that you and your kids can enjoy year round.

10 Unplugged Family Vacations to Take This Year

If you’ve been trying to wrangle up some options for a unique vacation that will force your family to unplug, you’re in luck. We’ve found the coolest off grid vacations for kids in the U.S. that are guaranteed to inspire adventure and engagement. Scroll down to find out where your next unplugged family vaycation should be.

Go Glamping: Your Next Winter Retreat

Portlanders love the outdoors. Sure the winters can get a little wet and cold, but that doesn’t stop us from donning our warm, waterproof gear and heading out. While your family may not be down for camping during the Pacific northwest’s chilliest season, chances are they’d love to go glamping!

Warm Up at These Nearby Hot Springs

Autumn in the Pacific northwest is beautiful but crisp. After sweltering summer days, it can be tempting to stay cozy inside instead of bundling up and heading out. Don’t let this spectacular season pass you by.

Hit the Tracks with These Seasonal Train Rides

Polar Express may seem like the stuff kids’ dreams are made of, but some dreams do come true! Grab your little railroad enthusiast and get ready to purchase your golden tickets to one of the season’s magical excursions.

8 of the Most Exhilarating Zip Lines in the World – Kids Included! – Almost Fearless

Nothing brings a family together like traveling to new places and going on adrenaline-pumping adventures that require teamwork and some healthy competition. Siblings learn to work together and parents learn to let go a little when braving great heights and learning to take flight. Bonds are sure to grow as members of your crew support, …

A Family Guide to Discovering the Beauty of Mount Rainier – Almost Fearless

The Mountains are calling and I must go. -John Muir Mt. Rainier first beckoned Sierra Club co-founder and national park activist John Muir in 1880 when he decided to hike its summit-an experience that would change both his life and the area’s future. Deeply moved by the mountain’s rugged beauty, he later wrote An Ascent …

A Family Guide to Discovering the Beauty of Mount Rainier – Almost Fearless

The Mountains are calling and I must go. -John Muir Mt. Rainier first beckoned Sierra Club co-founder and national park activist John Muir in 1880 when he decided to hike its summit-an experience that would change both his life and the area’s future. Deeply moved by the mountain’s rugged beauty, he later wrote An Ascent …

Cool Off with These White Water Adventures

The summer’s swelter is dying down but that doesn’t mean the fun has to. There’s still plenty of time left to get wet and wild with a local white water rafting trip. Suit up and grab your floatation devices because you’re about to beat the heat once again, get a good dose of adrenaline and make memories that will last a lifetime.

Family Vacation: Your Guide to a Road Trip Across the States

“National Lampoon’s Vacation” got it right! There’s nothing that can bring a family together like an epic road trip across the states. Much like the story line, there’s also plenty that can wrong along the way.

Your Next Escape: Suttle Lake

If you’ve been aching for a vacation that allows you and your little adventurers to explore new lands and brave the wilds, then you are in luck. Less than three hour drive away, near the crest of the Cascade Range, Suttle Lake awaits.

5 Awesome Pacific Northwest Road Trips

Sun Valley to Coeur d’Alene: Take N for 60.1 mi. Continue on ID-21 S for 91.3 mi. Then take ID-55 N/State Hwy 55 N and US-95 N to Coeur d’Alene. If you have time to kill in Boise, check out the Boise Art Museum or get a day hike in Boise National Forest.

Catch the Eclipse at These Great Spots!

On August 21st Oregon is going to flood with eager visitors from all of the country looking to catch the solar eclipse. Oregon lies in the path of totally and promises some of the best viewing opportunities. Has your family decided where they will be fore the spectacular, astronomical event?

Explore Olallie Lake: Oregon’s Hidden Gem

Schools may be shut down for summer, but Oregon families know that mother nature is the best teacher our children could ever have. While plenty of trails and campsites wait less than an hour’s drive away for Portlanders eager to get a dose of the outdoors, few offer the opportunity to completely unplug and disconnect for a true deep-woods getaway.

Explore & Stay: The Olympic Coastline & Kalaloch Lodge

Just a short drive away from both Portland and Seattle, the Olympic National Coastline and Kalaloch Lodge lies waiting for outdoor-loving families ready to explore, adventure and relax.

Soar, Explore and Learn: Discover Astoria

If a week or weekend filled with exploration, adventure and learning about Oregon history sounds like a great way to spend a family vacation, then it’s time to make your way to Astoria!

Allure of the Seas: A Caribbean Dream Come True

You’ve been fantasizing about sailing the Caribbean since long before your tots arrived, and now that you are a parent it’s hard to imagine how you can make your dreams of romantic dinners on deck and long strolls on foreign beaches come true. Royal Caribbean has the answer for you.

 

Swim, Soak and Stay Warm at These Soaking Pools & Hot Springs

Water play is a favorite family activity, but long after the weather warms, local lakes stay icy cold. You and your little swimmers can enjoy getting wet without turning blue at local and nearby soaking pools and hot springs. Read on to find out more about these heated opportunities where you can relax and soak while your children swim.

Mother’s Day Wine Tours She’ll Thank You For

Mom works around the clock, why not help her wind down this Mother’s Day with an afternoon of touring waterfalls or the Willamette valley while sipping on Oregon wines? Several local companies offer unique touring and tasting experiences that allow guests to “getaway” without going far.

Niagara to Buffalo: New York Like You’ve Never Seen it Before

When most people think of taking the family to New York on vacation, the Big Apple is the first thing that comes to mind. But if your family isn’t keen on the hustle and bustle of the big city, the state has so much more to offer.

Mt. Rainier: Discover A Magical Winter Getaway!

Living in Portland, you’ve probably hit the slopes at Mt. Bachelor more than once, twice or even three times. If your family is ready for a new mountain experience, you are in luck! Mt. Rainier National Park is only a two to three hour drive North of Portland and offers a multitude of winter activities and adventures that the whole clan will love.