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15 Best Garden Centers & Nurseries in Portland, Oregon

April 7, 2022

Portland is home to many amazing nurseries and garden centers. And it’s no wonder we have so many plant-filled retailers, being located in the lush valley. All that rain has some reward! From larger nurseries and farms to small garden nurseries to hole in the wall plant shops. So here are our favorite nurseries in Portland, Oregon. The best spots to fill out that new container gardener. Give…

Portland, Oregon• Things to Do

Portland in April – 2022 Events, Things to Do, and Weather

March 24, 2022

Tulip fields at the wooden shoe tulip festival in Woodburn

Ah spring! April is the start of a comfortable shoulder season in Portland. Some warmer spring weather, but still not as busy as summer gets. And April brings loads of spring events from tulip festival to beer fests and runs. April can still feel a little rainy and cold, but with an average of 12 days of rain and only 3.5 total inches of rain for the month,…

Pacific Northwest• Travel

21 Fun Things to Do in Manzanita, Oregon – Hikes, Restaurants, & more

March 23, 2022

Manzanita and Oswald West State Park will forever have my heart. This extra scenic portion of the North Oregon Coast is gorgeous in any season. From summer to winter, here are 21 fun things to do in Manzanita, Oregon. Oswald West is an hour and a half drive from Portland. With Manzanita another 15 minutes south of Oswald West State Park. Manzanita has that low-key beach town vibe,…

Portland, Oregon• Things to Do

Portland in Spring: 35 Fresh Things to Do {& 2022 Events}

March 18, 2022

Portland spring brings blossoms, outdoor events like the Rose Festival, beer festivals and relief from winter’s cold rainy weather. By mid-spring, Portland experiences high temperatures in the mid-60s and average lows in the mid 40s. Ah Portland in spring – the worst is almost over! Every year, it’s the same feeling as the grey and rain of winter starts to lift and the city starts to bloom. Warmer…

Portland, Oregon• Things to Do

Rose Gardens in Portland, Oregon: 8 Best Places to See Roses!

March 9, 2022

Portland is known as the City of Roses. One of the best things about May, is that all throughout the city roses are starting to bloom. The International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park is flooded with roses, and my local favorite is the Peninsula Park rose garden in North Portland. So here are the best rose gardens in Portland, Oregon – from the biggest The International Rose…

Backpacking• Hiking

17 Easy Hiking & Backpacking Lunch Ideas: No Cooking Required!

March 6, 2022

When it comes to backpacking food and meal planning – lunch is one of the most challenging to plan, yet surprisingly simple. Camping breakfast is always the easiest to plan. And dinners can be simpler just from having more time, cooking with a camp stove and using backpacker meals etc. That leaves us with lunch. This post is all about ideas for hiking and backpacking lunch when you’re…

Portland, Oregon• Things to Do

Cherry Blossoms in Portland: 15 Best Spots for 2022 Spring Blooms

February 28, 2022

Cherry Blossoms at Waterfront Park on a sunny day

Spring is almost here, which means one thing for the Portland waterfront… cherry blossoms! The best time to see cherry blossoms is for just a couple of weeks each spring. After they bloom but before a heavy rain storm knocks all the blossoms off the trees. Depending on the year, cherry blossom season runs from early to mid-March through early April. It’s fun to go back through pictures…

Portland, Oregon• Things to Do

Portland in March – 2022 Events, Things to Do, and Weather

February 24, 2022

March in Portland kicks off spring, after what always feels like a long winter. The worst of winter drizzle is almost over, spring is arriving and in three months it will be summer! March is also the last month of five months of heavy rain (November through March see about 5-7″ each!). So we’re beginning to see the light of spring in Portland. And with average highs in…

Gear• Hiking• How Tos + DIY

What to Wear Hiking in Winter: Essential Hiking Gear Checklist!

February 17, 2022

What to wear hiking is very dependent on personal preference. However, when it comes to what to wear hiking in winter, there is definitely a basic structure to follow so that you stay warm and dry. And ultimately enjoy the great outdoors! Preferably in style! ;) While some of us already know what we like to wear hiking, it’s a question I answer quite a bit from visiting…

Hiking• Pacific Northwest• Portland, Oregon

15 Epic Waterfall Hikes Near Portland within an Hour Drive

February 14, 2022

Wahclella falls - waterfall hikes near portland

There are so many gorgeous waterfalls near Portland, Oregon. The highest concentration of waterfalls is in the Columbia River Gorge, followed by the Mt Hood area. And what better way to see waterfalls than to go on a waterfall hike! So here are my 15 favorite waterfall hikes near Portland within a 1-ish hour drive, plus the best waterfalls for easy hikes or accessible hikes, and the best…

Hiking• Portland, Oregon

12 Best Hikes IN Portland, Oregon for Views, Forest Trails, & Urban Walks

February 6, 2022

Portland is a city with more green space and parks than most urban cities. And as a city sitting on dormant volcanoes, vast forests, and multiple rivers, this makes urban Portland a great place to hike! You don’t even have to leave the city limits in Portland to find exceptional hiking opportunities. So here are the best hikes in Portland for mountain views, forest wanders, and streams and…

Backpacking• Gear

Backpacking Gear List Spreadsheet: My Checklist + Pack Weight Calculator

January 28, 2022

Backpacking gear weight can add up quickly! Over the years, I have added all my gear to a handy spreadsheet. This serves as both a backpacking checklist – so I don’t forget anything – and a pack weight calculator! So here’s my sharable backpacking gear list spreadsheet and how I use it for trip planning and even planning before buying new gear upgrades! One of the great things…

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Newer Posts

Life in PORTLAND Oregon + Outdoor Adventures + Spreadsheets

16 Stunning Portland Viewpoints + Best Mountain & City Views

Backpacking Gear List Spreadsheet: My Checklist + Pack Weight Calculator

10 Best Fat Tire Bikes for Women: for Bikepacking, Snow, & FUN!

15 Best Garden Centers & Nurseries in Portland, Oregon

Portland in April – 2022 Events, Things to Do, and Weather

21 Fun Things to Do in Manzanita, Oregon – Hikes, Restaurants, & more

Portland in Spring: 35 Fresh Things to Do {& 2022 Events}

Rose Gardens in Portland, Oregon: 8 Best Places to See Roses!

17 Easy Hiking & Backpacking Lunch Ideas: No Cooking Required!

Cherry Blossoms in Portland: 15 Best Spots for 2022 Spring Blooms

Portland in March – 2022 Events, Things to Do, and Weather

What to Wear Hiking in Winter: Essential Hiking Gear Checklist!

15 Epic Waterfall Hikes Near Portland within an Hour Drive

12 Best Hikes IN Portland, Oregon for Views, Forest Trails, & Urban Walks

Backpacking Gear List Spreadsheet: My Checklist + Pack Weight Calculator