2022-11-02 18:00
Last Updated: November 2, 2022 With one day in Portland, you’ll have your work cut out for you! Here is my Portland itinerary – 24 hours in Portland, Oregon. More often, visitors… Read More
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Adventures of one quarterlife crisis and a year-long trip around the world.
2022-10-27 15:30
Last Updated: October 27, 2022 Central Oregon is full of stunning waterfalls, from mountain run-off, rivers, and lakes. You’ll find plunge waterfalls, river rapid chute falls and every… Read More
2022-10-20 15:30
Last Updated: October 20, 2022 Bend, Oregon has 30 breweries now. And with 40+ total breweries in the greater Central Oregon area – including Sisters, Redmond, Prineville, and Sunriver… Read More
2022-10-16 17:35
Last Updated: October 16, 2022 Sunriver, Oregon is a charming vacation town in Central Oregon. And while the Sunriver area may not seem like much more than a resort community, there’s… Read More
2022-10-06 17:00
Oregon fall colors are some of the most beautiful in the world. While the changing leaves season is more fleeting than east coast fall colors, it makes the views all the more special since t… Read More
2022-10-03 16:00
Last Updated: October 3, 2022 What to wear paddle boarding depends on the weather and your preferences. But there are some key clothing and safety items that will make your experience more e… Read More
2022-10-01 00:16
Last Updated: September 30, 2022 Mt Hood National Forest is full of gorgeous lakes. From hiking to kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, camping, backpacking and more Mt Hood lakes are some of… Read More
2022-09-27 15:00
Last Updated: September 27, 2022 Very few bike brands make women’s fat bikes. While many mountain bike and road bike manufactures make women-specific bicycles, it’s more rare to… Read More
2022-09-14 04:40
Last Updated: September 13, 2022 There are so many amazing viewpoints in Portland to catch surprise mountain views and stunning city skylines. From Portland’s highest lookout points to… Read More
2022-08-28 15:00
Last Updated: August 28, 2022 Portland in September can be one of the hardest months to plan for! September can be one of the best months to visit Portland. Because the shoulder season of go… Read More
2022-08-01 17:00
Last Updated: August 1, 2022 August in Portland is the busiest and hottest month of the year. Locals and tourists are out making use of every spare second of nice weather. Hiking, biking, pa… Read More
2022-06-28 18:40
Last Updated: July 3, 2022 July in Portland is peak summer! It’s one of the best months of the year, for good reason. Summer is in full swing, berry season is here, and the rivers, lak… Read More
2022-05-26 15:49
Last Updated: May 27, 2022 June in Portland is one of my favorite months of the year! Summer is just starting, roses are blooming, berry season is on the way. And we’re already countin… Read More
2022-04-25 18:31
Last Updated: April 25, 2022 Portland is home to amazing breweries and quite a few annual beer festivals. While summer is prime beer festival season, you can find a beer festival almost any… Read More
2022-04-25 16:00
Last Updated: April 25, 2022 May in Portland can feel downright summery and great shoulder season, travel-wise. Depending on the year, it feels like a summer preview with way less spring rai… Read More
2022-04-20 19:00
Last Updated: April 20, 2022 Planning out backpacking meals often starts as a simple process. “What do I want to eat?!” But by the time you’re packing up, suddenly you&rsqu&hell…Read More
2022-04-16 15:11
Last Updated: April 16, 2022 Last summer, I did a weekend bikepacking trip with a friend to four Mt Hood Forest lakes. There is a very thorough run down of the route on Bikepacking.com and R… Read More
2022-04-07 21:38
Last Updated: April 7, 2022 Portland is home to many amazing nurseries and garden centers. And it’s no wonder we have so many plant-filled retailers, being located in the lush valley… Read More
2022-03-24 18:00
Last Updated: March 24, 2022 Ah spring! April is the start of a comfortable shoulder season in Portland. Some warmer spring weather, but still not as busy as summer gets. And April brings lo… Read More
2022-03-23 18:27
Last Updated: March 23, 2022 Manzanita and Oswald West State Park will forever have my heart. This extra scenic portion of the North Oregon Coast is gorgeous in any season. From summer to wi… Read More
2022-03-09 17:00
Last Updated: March 9, 2022 Portland is known as the City of Roses. One of the best things about May, is that all throughout the city roses are starting to bloom. The International Rose Test… Read More
2022-03-06 18:32
Last Updated: March 6, 2022 When it comes to backpacking food and meal planning – lunch is one of the most challenging to plan, yet surprisingly simple. Camping breakfast is always the… Read More
2022-02-24 17:08
Last Updated: February 24, 2022 March in Portland kicks off spring, after what always feels like a long winter. The worst of winter drizzle is almost over, spring is arriving and in three mo… Read More
2022-02-17 19:30
Last Updated: February 17, 2022 What to wear hiking is very dependent on personal preference. However, when it comes to what to wear hiking in winter, there is definitely a basic structure t… Read More
2022-02-14 23:00
Last Updated: February 14, 2022 There are so many gorgeous waterfalls near Portland, Oregon. The highest concentration of waterfalls is in the Columbia River Gorge, followed by the Mt Hood a… Read More
2022-02-07 03:58
Last Updated: February 6, 2022 Portland is a city with more green space and parks than most urban cities. And as a city sitting on dormant volcanoes, vast forests, and multiple rivers, this… Read More
2022-01-28 16:00
Last Updated: January 28, 2022 Backpacking gear weight can add up quickly! Over the years, I have added all my gear to a handy spreadsheet. This serves as both a backpacking checklist &ndash&hell…Read More
2022-01-25 17:12
Last Updated: January 25, 2022 February is still one of Portland’s colder months. And with the grey and drizzle stretching on for what feels like ages, it can leave your spirits feelin… Read More
2022-01-23 04:33
Portland has an abundance of local plant shops. From specialty plants to flowers, house plants, gifts, and even small garden nurseries. While there are also many bigger garden nurseries in P… Read More
2022-01-14 23:52
Last Updated: January 14, 2022 Backpacking the Kalalau Trail on Kauai’s Napali Coast is one of the most epic trips I’ve taken. It’s challenging and rewarding and a much dif… Read More
2022-01-06 19:51
My favorite outdoor adventure last year, was backpacking the Kalalau Trail on Kauai’s Napali Coast. What a way to celebrate turning 40 with my best friend! This trip had been an idea b… Read More
2021-12-30 00:48
Last Updated: December 29, 2021 Cabin camping at Suttle Lake Lodge is an adventurous weekend getaway in winter. Last January, we spent a winter weekend at Suttle Lodge in the rustic cabins n… Read More
2021-12-26 17:16
Last Updated: December 26, 2021 January is just about the coldest month of the year in Portland! Hello winter. So January is your best bet for experiencing some Portland snow. But more often… Read More
2021-12-01 19:00
Last Updated: December 6, 2021 A favorite holiday outing in December is going to a Christmas light display. We have plenty of options in Portland for Christmas lights – ranging from fr… Read More
2021-11-30 06:38
The Three Capes Scenic Loop is an often overlooked spot on the North Oregon Coast. Tucked in between Tillamook and the Pacific Ocean, the Three Capes Loop includes Cape Meares to the North… Read More
2021-11-24 17:22
Last Updated: November 24, 2021 December in Portland is the coldest, wettest, and darkest month of the whole year. It’s a good thing we have the holiday season and outings to distract… Read More
2021-11-11 05:30
Portland has plenty of fun Christmas activities, events, and holiday things to do. From Christmas light displays to holiday arts and performances, holiday markets, and the holiday ale fest… Read More
2021-11-02 22:34
Last Updated: November 2, 2021 This list of the best gifts for outdoorsy women is basically my wishlist. Combined with hiking and backpacking things I already have and LOVE! From stocking st… Read More
2021-11-01 16:24
Last Updated: November 3, 2021 November in Portland is full on fall colors and a race to enjoy fall before the rain and wind knock all the leaves off the trees! Because November is one of th… Read More
2021-10-26 17:40
Pittock Mansion is a historic house and museum in the hills above Portland. The view overlooking the city and Mt Hood is one of the most iconic viewpoints in Portland. History? Check. Views?… Read More
2021-10-19 00:39
I’m always in search of the best breakfast in Portland! Here are 21 of my favorite brunch spots and what to order. Plus, the important stuff, like if you get to have coffee while waiti… Read More
2021-10-06 16:50
A quintessential fall experience is going apple picking in Hood River. You can do part of the “Fruit Loop” in Hood River and Parkdale, or just head straight to your favorite orch… Read More
2021-10-01 15:00
Last Updated: November 2, 2021 October in Portland is the start of our rainy season. But there are always a few weekends of sunny warm weather still. One weekend you might be camping in 70 d… Read More
2021-09-26 16:00
Portland is a river city, so there are plenty of kayaking and SUP opportunities close by. And we’re surrounded by mountains with lakes and forests, rivers, and the ocean. There are gre… Read More
2021-09-14 05:02
Last Updated: September 13, 2021 One of the best things about Portland is how close it is to a diverse amount of scenery. Beaches, mountains, rivers, waterfalls, forests. Oregon has some of… Read More
2021-09-09 15:32
Last Updated: September 9, 2021 Almost every night in September – just before sunset – you’ll find people flocking to Chapman Elementary School in NW Portland. They&rs&hell…Read More
2021-09-07 18:50
Last Updated: September 7, 2021 I keep a running list of all the breweries in Portland and which ones I still have to visit. The list is constantly growing as new breweries open and close. A… Read More
2021-08-27 22:52
Last Updated: August 27, 2021 Wahclella Falls Trail is a short 2 mile out and back hike in the Columbia River Gorge near Cascade Locks, Oregon. Technically 1.9 miles (with a lollipop loop at… Read More
2021-03-23 22:37
Last Updated: March 23, 2021 Happy spring! I’ve been gardening for about twelve years now! Time flies when you’re digging in and growing things. From our first posts about how to… Read More
2021-02-24 16:00
Last Updated: February 24, 2021 In the depths of winter, we could all use a bit more light. That’s where the Portland Winter Light Festival comes in. Started in 2015, by the Willamette… Read More
2021-02-18 04:56
Last Updated: February 17, 2021 Snow tubing at Ski Bowl (on Mt Hood) was on our Pacific Northwest “winter bucket list this year. I’ve heard about tubing for years and thought it… Read More
2021-02-13 15:00
Spring is almost here, which means one thing for the Portland waterfront… cherry blossoms! The best time to see the blossoms is after they bloom but before a heavy rain storm knocks a… Read More
2021-02-04 20:00
Last Updated: February 4, 2021 Ah Portland in spring – the worst is almost over! Every year it’s the same feeling, like by the end of February you begin to believe that the grey… Read More
2021-01-31 16:00
This winter, instead of just listing out all my favorite things to do in Portland during winter, I wanted to have a shorter list of adventures. So I picked a handful of do-able outings given… Read More
2021-01-26 06:21
Last Updated: January 25, 2021 Welcome to the middle of winter! I’m still awaiting some Portland snow, I thought I’d do an update on winter in Portland. While we don’t get… Read More
2021-01-07 23:00
Last Updated: January 27, 2021 While it’s still winter, I wanted to get around to writing about the holiday ale advent calendar I created this Christmas. Here in Portland, we have the… Read More
2020-11-09 00:25
If there’s one thing we hear repeatedly heading into the holiday season, it’s “Shop Local!” Thankfully, there are tons of awesome things made right here in Portland… Read More
2020-10-27 05:00
Last Updated: October 26, 2020 A few years ago, I wanted to make an adult advent calendar. No, not that kind of “adult”. Sheesh! I saw a friend’s adorable tree-topped… Read More
2020-10-21 23:02
Last Updated: October 21, 2020 When is the best time to visit Portland, Oregon? Usually, I would say anytime, except for COVID time! But there are definitely some seasons that are more fun t… Read More
2020-10-11 00:00
Visiting a pumpkin patch and corn maze (ahem maize) on Sauvie Island is just one of those fall things I love about Portland. It doesn’t quite seem like October until you’ve been… Read More
2020-10-07 23:28
Last Updated: October 7, 2020 One of my favorite summer and fall things to do in the Portland area is to visit the Sandy River. And stopping for treats at Sugarpine Drive-In. I’ve writ… Read More
2020-09-30 15:00
Last Updated: September 30, 2020 The Witch’s Castle Hike in Forest Park is one of the most popular hikes in Forest Park. And it’s popular for a few reasons! First, it’s a s… Read More
2020-09-23 23:00
It’s a been a minute or two since I blogged regularly on Powered by Tofu. After a few years away, I’ve been missing writing on the regular. The inertia of getting back to writing… Read More
2020-09-13 18:05
As Portland bids adieu to another glorious season of sunshine, here are 87 reminders of why Portland is still a great city to be in autumn. Since the transition back to rainy season can be t… Read More
2020-09-07 16:30
I love the routine of returning to my favorite fall things every September. An afternoon treat that I love to make is homemade chai spice lattes. Years ago, I found a recipe for a Pumpkin Sp… Read More
2020-09-07 16:30
I love the routine of returning to my favorite fall things every September. An afternoon treat that I love to make is homemade chai spice lattes. Years ago, I found a recipe for a Pumpkin Sp… Read More
2020-09-02 19:00
This month, we welcome another autumn into our lives. As a thoroughly predictable human being, every September I fight the changing season, and then start warming up to the idea after remind… Read More
2020-08-26 19:00
With 30 days of summer left, I’m starting to feel like I’m running out of time to experience all the summer stuff I love. But I feel like this every year. Summer in Oregon i… Read More
2020-08-26 15:00
With 30 days of summer left, I’m starting to feel like I’m running out of time to experience all the summer stuff I love. But I feel like this every year. Summer in Oregon i… Read More
2020-06-20 23:02
One of my favorite things about running the Lululemon SeaWheeze race is that you get shorts as part of your race entry. So no they’re not “free”, but it’s so much coo… Read More
2020-06-20 19:00
This week marks the official start to summer! As the weather heats up – yes, it gets into the 90s in Portland – city folk run for the Oregon coast and the nearest rivers. It&rsqu&hell…Read More
2020-06-20 19:00
This week marks the official start to summer! As the weather heats up – yes, it gets into the 90s in Portland – city folk run for the Oregon coast and the nearest rivers. It&rsqu&hell…Read More
2020-04-09 21:30
Last Updated: September 26, 2020TL;DR – I got this spin bike for $299 and use the Peloton $13/mo app plan. The spin bike is currently $370, but there are others in the $200-350 range… Read More
2019-12-04 18:00
Do you love or hate New Year’s resolutions? The idea of “resolutions” has never been as interesting to me as goals, challenges, adventures, and lists of epic proportions. M… Read More
2019-11-22 00:00
I consider myself a “dabbler” in many aspects of life – hobbies, interests, cooking, fitness… What makes a dabbler? It’s defined as “one not de… Read More
2019-09-22 19:00
This week we welcome another autumn into our lives. As a thoroughly predictable human being, every September I fight the changing season, and then start warming up to the idea after remindin… Read More
2018-09-28 18:39
What a difference three years makes! After a three year break from running the SeaWheeze, I ran the 2018 SeaWheeze half marathon. The biggest difference was that the race this year was the t… Read More
2018-06-19 17:00
I love the New York Times’ 36 Hours in [insert city name] articles, so here’s a NY Times inspired list in my neck of the woods — Bend, Oregon. Although I spent longer… Read More
2015-10-27 18:50
Overlook neighborhood used to embody its name a lot more. These days, however, North Portland‘s Overlook isn’t a secret. Overlook is close to downtown, has plenty of green space… Read More
2015-10-12 19:00
Do you set annual or monthly goals? With less than 90 days left in the year (how did that happen?!), I’d love to know how your goals are progressing. Take this short survey
Share… Read More
2015-03-20 19:00
Ah spring – the worst is over! Every year it’s the same feeling, like by the end of February you begin to believe that the grey and rain is just not going to end this time. But i… Read More
2015-02-04 19:00
I always hear from people who are overwhelmed by their inbox and drowning in email. Here’s my process for saving time in my Inbox everyday.
Email is kind of amazing and kind of terrify… Read More
2015-01-02 00:00
Happy New Year from Portland!
After my annual review of the closing year, here’s what I’m hoping to work on for 2015…
My 2015 Goals:
-Try a capsule wardrobe for one month… Read More
2015-01-01 00:00
In December, I like to reflect on the year — highlight the big moments, think about the challenges, and ultimately focus on the things I want to remember, before jumping into planning… Read More
2014-12-22 00:00
I consider myself a “dabbler” in many aspects of life – hobbies, interests, cooking, fitness… What makes a dabbler? It’s defined as “one not de… Read More
2014-12-15 00:00
I love goals. Perhaps it started by running around with a miniature notebook and a stockpile of colored pencils instead of going to preschool, either way I’ve loved goals and challenge… Read More
2006-06-07 11:16
Florida’s Tampa Bay area is having their own microbrewery explosion. It’s Portland, circa 2011. I made my first visit to Tampa in 2011. With a free Sunday afternoon, I suggested… Read More
2006-06-07 11:16
What defines a neighborhood? What makes a place feel “lived in”? I love maps, data, Portland, research, design, real estate, and numbers. A month or so ago, I fell down a ra… Read More
2006-06-07 11:16
After a few years of working and living remotely for several months each year, I’ve gotten the process of snagging a cheap rental car down to a science. Friends and family have asked m… Read More
2006-06-07 11:16
Happy new year from the sunshine state! Now that I’ve reviewed 2013, here’s what’s cooking for 2014… My 2014 Goals: Live / work remotely for at least a month –… Read More
2006-06-07 11:16
Do you set annual or monthly goals? With less than 90 days left in the year (how did that happen?!), I’d love to know how your goals are progressing. Take this short survey Share… Read More
2006-06-07 11:16
“You’ve got a mighty fine rhubarb plant, ma’am”. No, that’s not a pick up line, it’s a compliment from the old locksmith who came out after we moved in to… Read More
2006-06-07 11:16
As summer approaches, I’ve been excited about spending as much time outdoors as possible. I have great memories of eating meals outside in the summer time in the Pacific Nort… Read More
2006-06-07 11:16
I am all about meal planning. Creating a weekly meal plan saves money, is generally healthier – you’re eating more real food – and it can also cut down on fo… Read More
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