In 2022, the world still felt a little strange. Masks were common, travel still carried that odd post-pandemic energy, and many people were trying to figure out what “normal” even looked like again. My wife Danielle and I, who run That Oregon Life together, decided to...
Portland has never been a city that settles for ordinary. It’s a place where creativity spills into the streets, where old buildings are given new life, and where some of the most memorable spots are the ones you stumble into by accident. That spirit is alive and well...
There’s a stretch of Highway 26 on the way to Mount Hood where the air feels a little fresher, the trees grow a little taller, and if you time it just right, you’ll stumble onto one of the coziest food stops in Oregon. That’s exactly how many people discover Zigzag...
If you’ve ever wanted to see the Oregon Coast come alive with color, movement, and pure joy, this is your weekend. On June 27–28, 2026, the skies above Lincoln City will once again transform into a breathtaking display of soaring shapes and vibrant designs during the...
If you’ve ever driven through Salem and noticed the Oregon State Hospital, you’ve probably wondered what stories live behind those historic buildings. It’s one of those places that feels familiar, yet most people have never actually stepped inside. What many...
There’s something about a drive-in movie theater that feels like stepping into a different era. The glow of a giant outdoor screen. The hum of car radios. The smell of popcorn drifting through warm evening air. It’s the kind of experience that instantly slows you down...
There is something about classic video games that never really fades. The sounds, the pixel graphics, and the challenge of beating a level without saves or shortcuts all come rushing back the moment you pick up a controller. That feeling is exactly what the Eugene...
If you’ve been waiting for a night of classic Southern rock under the Oregon sky, this is it. Legendary rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd is officially headed to Eugene for a huge live show at the iconic Cuthbert Amphitheater, bringing decades of hits, guitar solos, and that...
Before we even get to the splashdown, it’s worth understanding why this place hits so differently. Enchanted Forest isn’t some corporate theme park built by a massive company. It’s something much rarer. It was created by Roger Tofte, who began building the park in the...
There are places in Oregon where time doesn’t just slow down… it quietly slips away altogether. I discovered one of those places the moment I stepped aboard a vintage train in the tiny town of Elgin. The engine hummed to life, the whistle echoed across the valley, and...
A couple summers ago, we were already a few days into a laid-back stay in Astoria, soaking in the kind of slow coastal rhythm that makes you forget what day it is. That particular morning, we had a loose plan to show the kids a couple of The Goonies spots—the house...
There’s something about nostalgia that hits a little deeper in the summertime. Maybe it’s the longer evenings, the golden light stretching just a bit farther, or the way simple moments seem to carry more meaning. Nostalgia isn’t just about looking back. It’s about...