Tyler James was born in Oregon and founded That Oregon Life in 2013 after finding peace and a renewed sense of purpose in the state’s forests, mountains, and coastline. What started as a personal connection to the outdoors became a way to help others discover new places, support local businesses, and appreciate Oregon’s quirks. He writes about local history, outdoor adventures, good food, and the occasional bit of satire, or whatever catches his attention before the coffee wears off.
Oregonians know the feeling. The first stretch of warm spring weather hits, the rain finally backs off a little, and suddenly everyone starts dreaming about campfires, mountain lakes, and waking up to the smell of pine trees instead…
As Oregon prepares for another summer of floating rivers, paddleboarding, and drifting downstream with friends, many residents still remember the bizarre controversy that made headlines across the state last year. Not because it was funny, although plenty of…
Nobody in Oregon looked at Portland over the past few years and thought, “Yep, everything’s going great.” So the latest polling showing Gov. Tina Kotek struggling in the state’s largest Democratic stronghold probably comes as a surprise to…
For years, the chairlifts at Spout Springs Ski Area have sat still in the mountains of northeastern Oregon, quietly weathering snowstorms, summers, and the passing of time. But now, after nearly a decade without lift operations, there’s renewed…
UPDATE 5/13/2026: Alexa has been found and is home safe with her family. A Springfield, Oregon family is asking for the public’s help in locating 15-year-old Alexa Ausmus, who was reported missing to the Springfield Police Department after…
Every spring, something extraordinary happens in Southeast Portland. Quiet woodland paths suddenly burst into color. Massive blooms spill over shaded trails in brilliant shades of pink, purple, crimson, orange, and white. Waterfalls tumble beneath flowering branches while ducks…
There’s something magical about late spring on the Southern Oregon Coast. The rain begins to ease. Rhododendrons and azaleas erupt into impossible shades of pink, red, orange, and white. Ocean air drifts through towering coastal forests. And in…
After weeks of cooler spring weather, western Oregon is about to get a quick taste of summer. A strong ridge of high pressure is moving into the Pacific Northwest, setting the stage for a dramatic warmup Monday and…
There’s something magical about discovering an Oregon restaurant that instantly feels timeless. Not trendy. Not polished. Not trying too hard to impress anyone. Just authentic. That’s exactly the feeling we got the first time we pulled into the…
Every spring on the Oregon Coast, the town of Florence bursts into color as thousands of blooming rhododendrons transform the area into a coastal garden paradise. Streets fill with parade floats, carnival lights flicker along the waterfront, classic…
A planned fuel reduction burn southeast of Bend took a dangerous turn Thursday after flames crossed containment lines and sparked spot fires outside the intended burn area, prompting officials to reclassify the incident as a wildfire. What began…
For millions of people who grew up in the 1990s, Free Willy was more than just a movie. It was emotional, unforgettable, and for many kids, it was the very first time they questioned whether wild animals truly…