Category Archives for "Things To Do"

Apple Picking at Mt. View Orchards

By Kelsey Samsel | Things To Do

It’s apple season! We have been to Mt. View twice now and it’s one of our favorite orchards in Hood River. The owner and employees are incredibly kind and helpful and seem to genuinely love what they do. With 50 acres and over 50 years of familial dedication, they have built an incredible business. More recently, they […]

Read More

Camping at Trillium Lake

By Kelsey Samsel | Hiking

Trillium Lake is one of the most popular places to camp in the Mt. Hood National Forest. It’s also one of the best places to take an up-close photo of Mt. Hood. When I went, it was foggy and dreary so the mountain wasn’t visible but it was still really beautiful.  For those of you […]

Read More

Hiking to Lower Twin Lake

By Kelsey Samsel | Hiking

Lower Twin Lake has some of the most beautiful water I have seen in the Mt. Hood National Forest. It’s blue-green color can be seen from any part of the lake and in some spots, you can see all the way to the bottom. Before you head up the mountain, grab a $5 Northwest Forest […]

Read More

Tamanawas Falls: A 150-foot Waterfall

By Kelsey Samsel | Hiking

Looking for a quick, family-friendly waterfall hike? Head out to Tamanawas Falls in the Mt. Hood National Forest. Grab a few snacks, make sure you have your Northwest Forest Pass,  and drive about 40 minutes to the Tamanawas Falls Trailhead. This is an easy hike and I saw several families on the trail. If you […]

Read More

A Cloudy Hike to Burnt Lake

By Kelsey Samsel | Hiking

If you are looking for a quiet, stunning location to camp or hike, Burnt Lake is for you. It was cloudy the day we went so the mountain wasn’t visible, but it was cool to see fog swirling around on the water. Pack a picnic lunch, grab a $5 Forest Day Pass from Whispering Woods […]

Read More

Mirror Lake Loop

By Kelsey Samsel | Hiking

One of the most popular places to take the perfect photo of Mt. Hood is Mirror Lake. If you are staying at Whispering Woods Resort, hop in your car and drive 15 minutes up the road to the trailhead. Mirror Lake is part of the Mt. Hood National Forest so before you leave, visit the […]

Read More

Mt. Hood Scenic Loop Day Trip

By Kelsey Samsel | Things To Do

Oregon is full of incredible views and scenic drives including the Mt. Hood Scenic Loop. We have created a Google Map for you with some of our favorite stops along the way. Because of the 2017  Eagle Creek fire, the historic highway is currently closed for repairs but driving I-84 is also a great way to […]

Read More

Elk Cove Vineyards

By Kelsey Samsel | Wine Country

Photo: Elk Cove’s Estate Vineyards, Gaston, Willamette Valley, Oregon Founded in 1974, Elk Cove Vineyards remains a family-owned business known for their Pinot Noirs and cool-climate white wines. Winemaker Adam Campbell runs the 200-acre estate vineyard now but it was originally started by his parents, Pat and Joe Campbell. They are open every day from […]

Read More