All Posts by Kelsey Samsel

Lower Twin Lake has some of the most beautiful water I have seen in the Mt. Hood National Forest. It’s blue-green color can be seen from any part of the lake and in some spots, you can see all the way to the bottom. Before you head up the mountain, grab a $5 Northwest Forest […]

Looking for a quick, family-friendly waterfall hike? Head out to Tamanawas Falls in the Mt. Hood National Forest. Grab a few snacks, make sure you have your Northwest Forest Pass,  and drive about 40 minutes to the Tamanawas Falls Trailhead. This is an easy hike and I saw several families on the trail. If you […]

If you are looking for a quiet, stunning location to camp or hike, Burnt Lake is for you. It was cloudy the day we went so the mountain wasn’t visible, but it was cool to see fog swirling around on the water. Pack a picnic lunch, grab a $5 Forest Day Pass from Whispering Woods […]

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! No, not Christmas… blackberry season. I look forward to August all year because blackberry picking is one of my favorite things to do in the summer. There’s something about the challenge of picking them that makes it even more fun. You have to work hard to get […]

One of the most popular places to take the perfect photo of Mt. Hood is Mirror Lake. If you are staying at Whispering Woods Resort, hop in your car and drive 15 minutes up the road to the trailhead. Mirror Lake is part of the Mt. Hood National Forest so before you leave, visit the […]

Oregon is full of incredible views and scenic drives including the Mt. Hood Scenic Loop. We have created a Google Map for you with some of our favorite stops along the way. Because of the 2017  Eagle Creek fire, the historic highway is currently closed for repairs but driving I-84 is also a great way to […]

Photo by Yutacar on Unsplash With the weather getting increasingly hotter, sometimes all you can do is drink a cold beer. Oregon is famous for it’s beer scene and there are several opportunities throughout the year to taste different beers at festivals. So, grab a friend, check out our list of upcoming brew fests below and  remember to […]

It’s officially Hood Strawberry season! Hood strawberries are tiny, melt-in-your-mouth berries that make you feel like you’re eating dessert with every bite. We found a few recipes that may inspire you to buy or pick one of our favorite local fruits. Strawberries are so versatile that you can use them in recipes for just about […]

Photo: Elk Cove’s Estate Vineyards, Gaston, Willamette Valley, Oregon Founded in 1974, Elk Cove Vineyards remains a family-owned business known for their Pinot Noirs and cool-climate white wines. Winemaker Adam Campbell runs the 200-acre estate vineyard now but it was originally started by his parents, Pat and Joe Campbell. They are open every day from […]

If you love wildflowers and want to see stunning views of the Columbia River Gorge, hop in your car and head to the little town of Mosier. About eight miles past Hood River, Mosier may be small but it is surrounded by beauty. The best time to see wildflowers is from March through May with […]