Archive for 'Travel'

Resolutions Check

We’re nearly a month into 2012, a time when many of us start forgetting our ambitious New Year’s Resolutions, but I’m really trying to keep up with mine this year. It helps that my goals for the year weren’t too lofty to begin with, and a few are so vague they allow for pretty broad interpretation of the word “success.” Here’s how I’m doing so far (in no particular order): 1. Give up the guilt: This is an ongoing goal for me and one I’m sure I’ll be working on for the rest of my life, but I have to say I’m feeling pretty good about my progress so far this year. 2. Don’t let fear stop me from living the life I want to live: Another broad and probably lifelong goal, this one has already come up in the form of a strange and possibly wonderful opportunity which I’m hoping my family can seize next month. (More on that if it pans out!) 3. Find more activities my pre-teen son and I can enjoy together: I bought my son a puzzle over winter break (an impulse purchase as I shopped for holiday trappings) and we had so much fun doing it we’ve started doing puzzles nearly every weekend. Our whole family enjoyed doing jigsaw puzzles when my son was younger, but we hadn’t done one in at least a year. My husband cut a large piece of cardboard so we can move the puzzle off the dining room table every evening at dinnertime, and now we’re back in business. It’s a great way to spend snippets of time together throughout the week/weekend and talk about anything and everything as we hunt for the right pieces. 4. (Re)learn a foreign language: I started an Italian class at PCC a few weeks ago and although I was panicked before the first class (I hadn’t taken Italian in nearly 30 years but I signed up for the second level), it all started coming back to me as soon as the class started and I love it! In fact, when our second class was canceled because of inclement weather, I was truly disappointed! (“You’re disappointed you get a snow day?,” my son asked incredulously!) 5. Learn to make great pie crust: I haven’t started on this one yet, but there’s still time, right? 6. Travel more: I’m working on this one. (See #2, above.) That’s all I’ve got for now, but having written it all down I have to say I’m pretty proud of myself. How are you doing on your resolutions, if you made any? Please share your progress and your challenges in our comments section below -– it might help you stay on track, get back on track, or even make new resolutions for the months ahead!

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Resolutions Check

Fishing Rock State Park a Hidden Gem Found on the Oregon Coast

Fishing Rock in Lincoln Beach on the Oregon coast, hidden from most travelers a two block side trip from Highway 101, offers memorable majestic ocean views.

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Fishing Rock State Park a Hidden Gem Found on the Oregon Coast

Vista House in the Columbia Gorge Makes the Perfect Stop

Situated on the historic Columbia River Highway, Vista House was purpose built to allow the traveller to enjoy the natural beauty of the area.

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Vista House in the Columbia Gorge Makes the Perfect Stop

Bend Oregon Vacations, Travel and Events in Winter with Hotels

Winter activities in Oregon include the Bend WinterFest. Travelers around the western U.S. enjoy this weekend event featuring winter sports, arts and food.

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Bend Oregon Vacations, Travel and Events in Winter with Hotels

Smith Rock –Oregon’s Rock Climber Paradise

This is a short overview of Smith Rock State Park in Eastern Oregon's high desert. Included are photos and info to entice the local and weekend traveler and

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Smith Rock –Oregon’s Rock Climber Paradise

Portland Oregon Travel for Vacations with Hotels and Activities

Travel to Portland, Oregon, on the Pacific Northwest coast offers outdoor activities, cultural attractions, scenic beauty and easy public transportation.

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Portland Oregon Travel for Vacations with Hotels and Activities

AAA: Despite higher gas prices, Thanksgiving travel up

Gas is about a quarter higher per gallon than a year ago but AAA Oregon/Idaho said the percentage of Thanksgiving travelers will go up about 11 percent nationwide from a year ago.

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AAA: Despite higher gas prices, Thanksgiving travel up

Airport lines move smoothly nationwide, at PDX

The lines of Thanksgiving travelers moved smoothly at airports around the country Wednesday morning despite an Internet campaign to get passengers to gum up the works.

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Airport lines move smoothly nationwide, at PDX

Oregon Coast Travel and Vacations via Pacific Coast Highway 101

Travelers who take the time for a road trip along the Oregon coastline are rewarded by scenic views, lodging in quaint beach towns and fun activities.

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Oregon Coast Travel and Vacations via Pacific Coast Highway 101

Visiting Vista House and Crown Point near Portland, Oregon

Traveling the Old Columbia River Gorge Highway, first stop should be Vista House high atop Crown Point overlooking miles of forest, cliffs and river below.

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Visiting Vista House and Crown Point near Portland, Oregon

White Water Rafting In Oregon Adventure Vacations & Guided Tours

Travelers from singles to families enjoy whitewater rafting trips on Oregon's wild rivers for exhilarating, relaxing vacations from April through October.

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White Water Rafting In Oregon Adventure Vacations & Guided Tours

Portland food carts ranked best in world

From Bankok to Brussells to Portland, you can find great food sold on the street and Budget Travel’s Web site ranked the Rose City as the best place to eat it – in the whole world.

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Portland food carts ranked best in world

Need Summer Reading Recs?

Last week we wrote about “Summer Learning Loss” – where the average student loses about two months of academic growth during summer break – and all the educational opportunities parents have incorporated into their summer travel plans. But there’s an even easier way to stave off learning loss – encourage your kids to read! They can do it anywhere. It’s free. And it’s fun! The key is to provide kids with plenty of engaging, quality books to choose from. That’s why we were so excited to include recommendations for great new books for kids from some of our favorite local children’s librarians in our July issue . You’ll find something for every interest and reading level, and because they’re all recently published, even the most voracious reader should be able to find something new! Check out their recommendations in our magazine or online, then tell us what your family’s favorite books are. What books did you love as a kid that your own kids now love? What are some of the great new books you’ve discovered along with your children?

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Need Summer Reading Recs?