That Oregon Life · Stories & discoveries
Earlier stories from the Willamette Valley archive. Return to the latest stories →
There are certain moments in Oregon that feel almost unreal. The first warm evening on the coast. The smell of pine after rain in the Cascades. Sunlight breaking through vineyards in wine country. And then there’s…
For years, the hike to Tamolitch Blue Pool has been one of those rare Oregon experiences that still feels raw, natural, and earned. Planning a visit? Read our complete Blue Pool Oregon hiking guide for the…
There are some restaurants you stumble across once and never forget. The kind of spot you tell your friends about weeks later because you’re still thinking about the meal. Tucked along Highway 58 in the tiny…
Tucked away in the charming small town of Brownsville, Oregon is a place that feels equal parts museum, treasure hunt, art gallery, and roadside wonder. At first glance, you might think Living Rock Studios is simply…
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…
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…
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…
There’s something comforting about a place that never seems to close its doors. The kind of spot where the lights are always on, the coffee is always hot, and no one looks twice if you walk…
Some restaurants serve burgers. Others dare you to prove something. At Giant Burger, larger than life burgers have been part of their identity for generations. This old school burger joint in Springfield, Oregon has been turning…
It happened in the middle of the day. Not late at night. Not in some deserted alley. But in a busy Costco parking lot in Salem, with people around and normal life happening just a few…
If Eugene had a food love language, Kasumi House would be fluent in it. This isn’t one of those places that tries to impress you with buzzwords or over-designed plates. Kasumi House is cool in the…
Date Night On A Willamette Valley Train Ride? Yes Please. If you’ve ever driven through the Willamette Valley and caught yourself staring a little too long at the railroad tracks, wondering where they go and what…
