Explore the journey — one trail, museum, meal, and memory at a time.
Banks Lake Birds & Lake Chelan
A peaceful morning beside Banks Lake in Washington state was filled with frogs, geese, and Red-winged Blackbirds until the mood shifted after witnessing children using air rifles to shoot birds along the shoreline. Leaving the Columbia Basin Wildlife Area behind, the drive continued through Chelan and eventually to Wenatchee in search of a quieter place to spend the night.
Spokane River Walk
Spokane surprised me. What started as a simple search for coffee became a full day exploring downtown, walking the Spokane Riverwalk, watching the falls crash through the center of the city, and stumbling into a state wrestling tournament at The Podium. The night ended beside Banks Lake listening to birds in the reeds while a bald eagle skimmed low across the water at dusk.
Snake River to Steptoe Butte
A long day on the backroads of eastern Washington led from the Snake River to Palouse Falls and Steptoe Butte. Along the way were abandoned homesteads, giant transmission towers, railroad trestles, smoke-filled farmland, and some of the best rolling landscape photography I’ve encountered anywhere in the United States.
Tamástslikt & Pendelton Mills
After slowing down for a few days near Pendleton, Oregon, I visited the Tamástslikt Cultural Institute, explored the long history behind Pendleton Woolen Mills, drove through the Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge, and crossed into Washington beneath a rising orange full moon.
Paper Tickets and Desert Highways
A quarter tank of gas feels very different in rural eastern Oregon. Driving north from the Painted Hills toward Pendleton, I stopped in Spray at an old-school gas station running on trust, paper tickets, and ancient equipment. Later, over lunch in Long Creek, I met a man named Al whose stories ranged from Harleys and prison time to caring for his daughter through cancer.
Crater Lake to Painted Hills
What started as a simple morning at Crater Lake turned into a long, uncertain drive to the Painted Hills—and five hours I didn’t expect to spend there. Along the way, the landscape shifted from dense forest to high desert, the light kept changing, and the hills revealed more the longer I stayed. The day ended in a quiet pullout, surrounded by cattle and just enough silence to notice.
Crater Lake
A quiet drive from Bend to Crater Lake turned into one of the most memorable days of the trip. Lava fields, snow-covered roads, changing weather, and the deep blue caldera made it feel like visiting the park at exactly the right moment—just before the crowds and long before the snow fully disappeared.
Mount Hood and Bend, OR
From a quiet morning in Hood River to the slopes of Mount Hood and down into Bend, this day blends van life routine with a few surprises. Timberline Lodge didn’t work out, but the High Desert Museum more than made up for it. Add in slow Starlink uploads, a solid meal, and a quiet street to park for the night, and it’s a full day that feels exactly like life on the road.
Multnomah Falls & Hood River, OR
A low-energy morning turned into one of the fuller days of the trip. I hiked Multnomah Falls, talked a couple of women through the switchbacks, shot the Columbia River at golden hour in Hood River, and — almost by accident — ended up in a documentary screening about indigenous communities fighting for their river. Not a bad Tuesday.
Willamette Heritage Museum
I didn’t know what to expect walking into the Willamette Heritage Center, but it turned into one of the more interesting stops in Salem. From the water-powered Thomas Kay Woolen Mill to the darker, colder Picker House and the surprisingly detailed historic homes, the entire site shows how wool became fabric—and how a community formed around it.
Salem Capitol, Oregon
A day in Salem, Oregon—starting with a solo tour of the State Capitol, followed by a walk along the riverfront, coffee shops, chance conversations, and a visit to the historic Reed Opera House. It’s a mix of small moments, local places, and the kind of day that unfolds without much planning.
Astoria/Portland
After a loud night in Astoria, I made my way up to the Astoria Column for early morning views of the Columbia River under heavy coastal clouds. From there, I drove to Portland and spent time inside Powell’s City of Books, getting lost in photography shelves and old techniques that still matter. A day of travel, history, and small moments that shaped the experience.
Haystack Rock & Columbia River Maritime Museum
Cannon Beach starts quiet with a walk along the sand toward Haystack Rock, where the scale of the coastline settles in slowly. The day continues north to Astoria and the Columbia River Maritime Museum, where the stories shift from scenery to survival. It’s a mix of calm coastal wandering and the reality of one of the most dangerous river entrances in the world.
Tillamook Creamery
From a quiet overnight spot above the beach in Newport to a memorable encounter with a local artist, the day unfolds along Oregon’s coast. A stop at Tillamook Creamery brings more food than expected—and consequences—before a misdirected drive to Cape Meares Lighthouse adds one more unexpected turn to a day that didn’t quite go as planned.
Oregon Coast Aquarium
Driving the Oregon coast from Florence to Newport turned into more than just another stretch of Highway 101. A stop at the Oregon Coast Aquarium delivered unexpected moments—from glowing jellyfish to close encounters with puffins—followed by a quiet overnight near the ocean. One of those days that ends up being better than planned.
John Dellenback Dunes
A solo hike through the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area along the John Dellenback Trail. From dense coastal forest to open sand and a quiet stretch of Pacific shoreline, this route delivers constantly changing terrain, challenging footing, and surprising solitude.
Coos History Museum
Rain forced a change of plans along the Oregon coast, turning a day of hiking into a visit to the Coos History Museum in Coos Bay. What followed was a deeper look at logging, shipbuilding, fishing, Indigenous languages, and a difficult piece of local history. The day ended at Cape Arago, a reminder that travel rarely goes as planned—but often leads somewhere better.
Harris Beach and Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor
From a quiet morning at Harris Beach to hiking the Indian Sands Trail in the Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor, this stretch of the Oregon coast delivers nonstop views. Short hikes lead to cliffside overlooks, natural arches, and rugged shoreline. A practical look at what to expect, where to stop, and which trails are worth your time.
Lady Bird Johnson Grove and Fern Canyon
From towering redwoods to a hidden canyon carved by water, this day along California’s north coast delivered one unexpected moment after another. A chance encounter led to Fern Canyon, where moss-covered walls and flowing water create a surreal landscape. The day ended at Gold Bluffs Beach, watching waves glow in the setting sun.
The Founders Tree
Driving into the redwoods along the Avenue of the Giants feels like stepping into another world. In Founders Grove, massive old-growth trees rise more than 300 feet, surrounded by a forest that nearly disappeared to logging. This post follows a rainy walk through one of the most important preserved groves in Humboldt Redwoods State Park and the history behind how it was saved.