If you’ve ever stood at the base of Mt. Hood and thought, there has to be an easier way to get up there, you’re not alone. In fact, back in the early 1950s, a group of Oregonians looked at that same mountain and came up with a solution so bold, so strange, and so...
Travel
Oregon is a beautiful destination for travelers who enjoy exploring the great outdoors. With its diverse landscape of mountains, forests, waterfalls, and coastline, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Visitors can hike through Crater Lake National Park, explore the Columbia River Gorge, and visit the famous Multnomah Falls. Oregon is also known for its vibrant cities, like Portland, where you can experience world-class dining, shopping, and entertainment. Whether you’re an avid outdoor enthusiast or a city dweller, Oregon has something to offer for your next adventure.
This Oregon Coast Inn Has a Star Trek Room, Tiki Escape, and Five Themed Stays Full of Personality
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...
This 3-Story Portland Hardware Store Feels Like a Museum Full of Hidden Treasures
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...
This Charming Log Cabin Café in Oregon Is the Pizza Stop You Didn’t Know You Needed
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...
Police Say Oregon Woman Used Driftwood As Weapon In Fight Over Glass Float
What started as a peaceful morning treasure hunt on the Oregon coast reportedly turned into something a lot more chaotic. A Corvallis woman is now facing assault charges after police say she struck a man multiple times with a piece of driftwood during a dispute over a...
The 42 Best Oregon Mom & Pop Restaurants to Eat At in 2026
We're going a bit out on a limb here at That Oregon Life. This story began as a sort of "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" compilation, but after a giant list of my own and a slew of recommendations from friends all over the state, we realized that wasn't going to work....
This Hidden Hobbit-Style Airbnb in Oregon Feels Like Stepping Into a Tolkein Book
There are places you book for a night… and then there are places that feel like you’ve stepped straight into another world. Tucked quietly into the rolling hills above the Columbia River Gorge near Mosier, there’s a one-of-a-kind stay that looks less like an Airbnb...
This Beloved Tigard Restaurant Has Been Serving Comfort (And Legendary Pie) Since 1979
There are restaurants you try once… and then there are the ones you grow up with. The ones where the coffee is always hot, the booths feel like they’ve heard a thousand stories, and the pie case quietly calls your name before you even sit down. In Tigard, Oregon, that...
This Hidden Oregon Trail Marks the Only WWII Bombing on the U.S. Mainland
There are places in Oregon where history whispers instead of shouts. No crowds. No big signs demanding your attention. Just a narrow trail winding through towering trees, the soft hush of wind through redwoods, and the quiet understanding that something extraordinary...
This Oregon ADA Trail Lets You Walk or Wheel Among Towering Redwood Trees
There’s something almost surreal about standing beneath a redwood tree. The scale doesn’t quite make sense at first. You look up, and up, and somehow still can’t find the top. The air feels cooler. The light turns soft and green. And for a moment, everything else...
Most Folks Don’t Know About This Nostalgic Drive-In Theater Hiding Away in Oregon
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...
Tufted Puffins Are Back in Oregon and Haystack Rock Is the Place to Spot Them
Spring on the Oregon coast brings more than just sunshine and wildflowers. It also marks the return of one of the region’s most beloved seabirds. Tufted puffins have begun arriving once again along the shoreline, drawing attention from visitors eager to catch a...











