Places

A ropy web of tree roots imitates the shape of Little Zigzag Falls behind them on a sunlit day in Mt Hood National Forest, Oregon.

The hike to the falls is especially nice on a hot summer day. Little Zigzag River is fed by springs and snowmelt coming off Mt Hood. As such, the water is always extremely cold, which in turn keeps the little forested canyon nice and cool. In addition the hike is quick and feels nearly flat...

Cannon Beach features a group of three major offshore - aptly-named Haystack Rock is on the right, with The Needles, a pair of tall and skinny sea stacks, at center and left.

If you’re looking for great photographs and Instagram-worthy shots I suggest focusing on these top spots. My top Oregon beach picks alll feature something extra, be it cool rock formations, arches, waterfalls, tidepools, cliffs, or even caves....

Panther Creek Falls spills out of thick forest in autumn.

Panther Creek Falls is one of my absolute favorite spots for a few reasons. The falls itself are unlike any I’ve seen - powerfully grand yet remarkably delicate and intricate. I’m always amazed how few people there are here even though it’s pretty easy to access. This is especially true in the evening. I’ve been here a few times where I have been the only person at the viewpoint!...

Abiqua Falls drops 92 feet over a columnar basalt cliff into a calm, blue pool. Forest in visible above the falls, and mossy boulders fill the left foreground.

Abiqua Falls is one of the most epic waterfall locations in Oregon. The main falls pour gracefully and cleanly over columnar basalt cliffs into a huge amphitheater where red lichen mixes with mosses and cliff-dwelling plants on the towering stone walls. While the main plunge is a modest 92 feet, the size and depth of the waterfall basin imparts a sense of grandeur....

Curly Creek Falls drops in two steps with a stone arch across the face of the waterfall in the center.

Curly Creek Falls is a true hidden gem. It’s one of only a dozen or so waterfalls in the world with two rock arches crossing it’s face. With such rarity one would think this waterfall would be crawling with people and parking impossible to find. In fact the opposite is true! On top of that the very short trail to the viewpoint is handicap accessible...

This image shows the front exterior of Columbia River Maritime Museum in Astoria, Oregon

The museum’s website describes the museum as “nationally renowned” and I can see why. Columbia River Maritime Museum takes what could be a boring subject and really creates something fascinating out of it. The displays are beautiful and varied, the museum is well-designed, and the location makes visiting easy....

A photo of the pretty red-brick exterior of Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.

Amsterdam is lucky to have a world-class museum like this. With several famous paintings and a mind-blowing number of art objects on display, it’s easy to discover aspects of art and history that speak to you within their vast collection....

A modern art installation of transparent multi-colored spheres resembling bubbles is displayed at moco Museum.

moco Museum Amsterdam, along with it’s two sibling institutions in London and Barcelona, curate works by modern and contemporary artists. The name of the museum combines the words MOdern and COntemporary to create the name, and is always in lower case letters…how edgy! At moco Amsterdam you will find a relatively small museum with works by Banksy, Basquialt, a piece or two by Warhol, and limited representation by several other artists from around the world....

A man in a black T-shirt is seated between two large wax figures of Shrek and Fiona.

Madame Tussauds Amsterdam is one of the premiere attractions in Amsterdam’s busy old town and is certainly worth the time. We visited in the middle of the day on a Sunday and had a great time. The Madame Tussauds brand produces incredibly realistic wax figures and displays them in fun, sometimes interactive environments in several cities around the world....

This photo looks down a desert canyon with a river flowing in the bottom.

Peter Skene Ogden State Scenic Viewpoint is a quick stop with a dramatic view along Hwy 197 in Central Oregon....

Two tall pinnacles of stone with craggy tops reach up into a blue sky laced with thin clouds at Smith Rock State Park.

Smith Rock State Park is a grand feather in the cap of the extensive Oregon State Parks system. With miles of trails to explore and world-class rock climbing set within a gorgeous desert canyon with unique geology harboring loads of wildlife and sublime views, this park has something to offer everyone who loves the great outdoors....

The Deschutes River pours over Steelhead Falls in Oregon.

Set in an impressive canyon, Steelhead Falls is an emerald oasis in the Central Oregon desert landscape that’s worth a visit. This wide and powerful 20-foot plunge on the upper Deschutes River pours down a few channels into a frothing bowl with a perfect head-on viewpoint....

A view looking down a canal in Amsterdam at row of canal houses, most about five stories tall.

Amsterdam is known as “The Venice of the North” for good reason. From the city’s humble origins in the 1270’s to the metropolitan capitol city we know today, Amsterdam is bursting with history and culture waiting to be explored and experienced....

Branches of flowering cherry trees loaded with blush-pink blossoms erupt in late March on the Portland waterfront.

Portland and the Willamette Valley offer no shortage of spring splendor. From gardens to farms to hiking trails, here’s a play by play of the best spots to enjoy the wonder and beauty of spring!...

Stairs descend into the darkness at the main entrance to Ape Cave in Mt St Helens National Monument.

Ape Cave (sometimes called Ape Caves due to 2 entrances) is one of the most popular destinations in the region for good reason - it’s a fascinating and unique hike through a long, snaking, and surprisingly wet lava tube....

Up close view of craggy Mt Hood Oregon bathed in pink sunset light with an evergreen forest silhouette in the foreground.

Mt Hood is Oregon’s tallest and most iconic peak. With it’s relative ease of access, close proximity to Portland, and beautiful scenery, a day on Mt Hood is a day well spent!...

Item added to cart.
0 items - $0.00