Photo Christian Heeb; John Day Fossil Beds National Monument (Eastern Oregon) A National Monument Tour Fossil beds, lava flows and scenic stops in Oregon and Idaho by Matt Wastradowski In the Pacific Northwest, Mother Nature has sculpted the landscapes: Volcanic eruptions left jet-black lava flows behind, erosion carved out colorful hillsides, and the confluence of three…
Photo Courtesy: Steve Heap Cruising Alaska Find amazement in the 49th state by Alex Pulaski As much as words and photos might hint at Alaska’s grandeur, know this: The reality always seems to surpass our imaginings. I rediscovered these truths last summer on an 11-day Alaska and the Inside Passage cruise from Seward, Alaska, to…
Photo Courtesy: Myles McGuinness for Experience Scottsdale Scottsdale, Arizona Take the chill off winter with a spring visit to the desert by Georgann Yara When it comes to embracing the best of both city life and natural spaces, there are few destinations that hit the mark better than Scottsdale, Arizona. Sure, it’s a place where…
Photo Courtesy: Joseph C. Filer Chasing the Storm The Pacific Northwest showcases some of the earth’s wildest moments by MaryRose Denton When the sky turns a moody gray and the wind begins to howl, the Pacific Northwest coast comes alive with a dramatic spectacle of nature’s power. This is the art of storm watching, a…
Photo Courtesy: Carlos Flores Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Contrasts and culture along the coastline by Meagan Drillinger Framed by the emerald folds of the Sierra Madre and the gaping curve of Banderas Bay, Puerto Vallarta tells the story of a humble fishing village that grew into the cultural and economic anchor of Mexico’s Pacific coast. The…
Photo Courtesy: Amtrak Cascades Riding the Rails in the Pacific Northwest Hop on a train to experience a slower way to travel by Dan Shryock Travelers are lulled into a sense of unhurried calm by the ever-present clicking sound of steel wheels on rails and the train car’s gentle, lateral sway. Outside each window, forests…
Photo Courtesy: Explore Tualatin Valley/Vanessa Wolf Creative Winter Getaway to Tualatin Valley Escape to This Charming Area West of Portland for Wine Tasting, Bird Watching and Hot-Tub Soaking by Jennifer Burns Bright Long known as a convenient escape from nearby Portland, the Tualatin Valley is a patchwork of green spaces, peaceful country roads and small…
Photo Courtesy: Cody Wilson Wine Country Reinvented Wine regions are transforming themselves and expanding the wine varieties they grow by Casey Hatfield-Chiotti Residents in the West are spoiled with a plethora of top-notch wine regions to explore, from the verdant Willamette Valley with its elegant pinot noirs and mineral chardonnays to the arid and high-elevation…
Photo Courtesy: Vancouver Cruise Boat Pacific Coastal Cruises Find a vacation at sea that is short, sweet and packed with savings by Alex Pulaski Every spring, cruise ships leave Mexico and the Caribbean for the Alaska summer season. Along the way, these vessels pick up passengers for a shorter jaunt along the Pacific Coast—and typically…
Photo Courtesy: Cody Wilson Wonders of the Wallowas History and winding waters in Joseph and beyond by Heidi Hausler It’s impossible not to fall in love with the Wallowa Mountains. Formed millions of years ago by the collision of volcanic islands, their granitic arms stretch wide across the southern horizon of Wallowa County. With peaks…