Tag: oregon

The Ultimate Guide to Pet Friendly Vacation and Glamping Destinations

Speaking of happy places, if you’re a pet lover, then any place you can travel with your pets has to be a happy place. Here are a few ways you can bring the pup(s) along, glamp, and have the freedom to let them tag along at these dog friendly places.

Cottage at Tall Chief Campground
Cottage at Tall Chief Campground

Seattle, Washington: The pet-friendly cottage at Tall Chief sleeps four humans and is the perfect glamping spot to host a getaway with your pet. Dog-friendly outings when heading into Seattle can include the Washington Arboretum; Gas Works Park, a lovely grassy park built on the site of a former gas works plant that offers paved walking paths and great views of Lake Union; and leashed dogs are welcome to explore the iconic Pike Place Market. Several breweries welcome dogs too including Fremont Brewing and Outer Planet Brewing.

Cabin at Lake George Escape
Cabin at Lake George Escape

Lake George, New York: Our Lake George Escape resort is extremely pet-friendly as all of the glamping accommodations welcome pets. Once you settle in, get ready for an Adirondack adventure with your furry friend. Don’t miss all the opportunities to explore Lake George with your pup in tow – from a brewery (Bolton Landing Brewing Company) or a winery/cidery (Adirondack Winery & Extreme Heights Cidery) to a hike with views of the Hudson River (Hudson River Park) and a sunset cruise on Lake George (Lake George Waterfront Cruises).

Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver Yurt
Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver Yurt

Bend, Oregon: Choose from a pet-friendly cabin, cottage, or yurt at Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver and explore “the outdoor playground of the West” on four legs or two! Most of the Deschutes National Forest is dog-friendly. The North Fork Trail is shady thanks to all the Douglas firs and offers a shorter 4-mile loop as well as a 6.7-mile loop. Of course, you’ll find the Bend Ale Trail here – because Bend is also known as “Beer Town USA” and most of the breweries along the trail welcome pets. If you’re up for shopping for new gear for you and your pet, check out the Patagonia store in Bend which welcomes pets and has some good gear for them (and you), too!

Carmel, California: Carmel is considered one of the most dog-friendly cities in California so it’s no wonder dog-lovers and everyone’s favorite Golden Girl, Betty White, kept a beach house here for over 40 years. Rent the pet-friendly cottage at Marina Dunes and see what makes Carmel so dog-gone pet-friendly. Sip and stroll with your pet and enjoy some of the offerings from the Carmel-By-the-Sea Wine Walk which has plenty of pet-friendly tasting rooms or take to the sugary sand at Carmel Beach, which welcomes dogs. After beach time, check out the Fountain of Woof in Carmel Plaza and let your pet drink from the fountain for good and you can explore the shops here, too! Also, most restaurants that have patio seating welcome dogs as well.

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5 Things to Do in the Mt. Hood Area

If you’re heading to Oregon’s Mt. Hood area in the next month or so, your agenda most likely involves skiing or winter trail hiking. But this area has something to offer any season you visit and we’re taking a look. Of course, your visit here won’t be perfect unless you book one of the amazing accommodations at Mt. Hood Village in Welches – from yurts to cabins, cottages and tiny houses, there are plenty of choices for your glamping getaway here.


1. Winter Activities: How about five different ski areas with 4,500 miles of skiable terrain for the ultimate ski trip? That’s what you’ll find in this region. From the legendary Mt. Hood Ski Bowl to the historic Timberline Lodge, there’s lots of powder to schuss in here. Mt. Hood is also great for sledding, tubing, and snowboarding. Cross-country skiing and snowshoe trails are another option. Trillium Lake has a great trail with views of Mt. Hood and beginner cross-country skiers should definitely check out Mt. Hood Meadows Nordic Center which offers lessons and rentals.

Interior of Anderson Tiny Home at Mt. Hood Tiny House Village
Anderson Tiny Home at Mt. Hood Tiny House Village

2. Timberline Lodge: Speaking of the historic Timberline Lodge, whether you plan to enjoy the snow sports, or not, this is a destination worth a visit. The Lodge was built in 1937 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and was dedicated by President Franklin Roosevelt in September of that year. The Lodge is open for public viewing daily and there are several restaurants open to the public. Another fun fact – the exterior shots of The Shining were actually shot here!

3. View Mt. Hood: Of course, this 11,239 foot peak is visible if you just look up, but how about checking out the highest point in Oregon from some of the best viewpoints around? The Timberline Trail at the aforementioned Timberline Lodge is one place to get a great view. Come summer, Elk Meadows is not only a great place to see Mt. Hood, but also a spot to get your fill of the wildflowers that bloom, among them lupines and asters. If you want to take an easy route, drive to Trillium Lake where views of the mountain across the picturesque lake are really incredible.

4. Explore local wineries: While Welches is less than 90 miles from the Oregon wine country known as the Willamette Valley, there are some great wineries to be found right in the area. To learn about the Mt. Hood Wine Trail, which is actually in the northeast corner of the Willamette Valley, and the more than a dozen wineries that can be found along the way, check out mthoodterritory.com/winetrail.

Portland, Oregon at sunset
Portland, Oregon

5. Keep it weird in Portland: Day-trippin’ to Portland is a real possibility when you’re glamping at Mt. Hood Village. Oregon’s largest city is just under 90 miles from the Mt. Hood area and much of the drive can be done via the scenic byway. If you want to make this scenic drive just once during your stay, then consider these must-do’s for a day in Portland: the Portland Japanese Garden, the Portland Rose Garden, Powell’s Books (which spans an entire block), and the historic Pittock Mansion. If you’re hungry, definitely have a cup of coffee from an indie roaster (Portland is one of the top coffee cities in the country according to wallethub.com) and partake in some of the best donuts in the country (for some reason Portland is also known for their donuts). Voodoo Doughnuts, which also offers vegan options, is one hot spot while Blue Star is known for its boutique, and unique, flavors like creme brulee and blueberry bourbon basil.

Mt. Hood Tiny House Village
Mt. Hood Tiny House Village

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The Cherry Orchards

It’s cherry time! If the cherry trees aren’t blossoming, then they are just about ready for picking! If you are planning to make some cherry delights this summer and are looking for the freshest of the fresh, check out these cherry orchards near some of our great glamping locations.

Mt. Hood, Oregon: Rent a tiny home at Mt. Hood Tiny House Village or a larger cabin for extra space and enjoy an Oregon cherry orchard (note that Oregon cherry harvest times runs approximately July 1-August 7). Draper Girls’ Country Farm, open since 1962, is an option for U-pick beginning in July. They also have a country store and cidery onsite which is open daily (Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.) For information, visit drapergirlsfarm.com. Packer Orchards and Farm Place (packerorchards.com) has all kinds of U-pick goodies available come summer and promises cherries for eating in June and pie cherries in July. They also have a bakery and farm store, plus events like Baby Animal Days. For an organic option, check out Hood River U-Pick Organic. Check the website in June (hoodriverupick.com) for details but know that cherry varieties including Bing and Rainier (for eating) and Montgomery (for pie baking) will be available. There’s also a fun petting zoo, alpacas roaming, and picnic tables with splendid views of Mount Hood while picnicking!

Yurt at Tranquil Timbers Campground
Yurt at Tranquil Timbers Campground

Door County, Wisconsin: The Wisconsin Peninsula where the fun never ends is great for cherries, too. The blossoms are in full force through May and the sight is amazing as Door County has 2500 acres of cherry orchards. So, this must be the place for cherry picking. Book a cabin at Tranquil Timbers and explore the Door’s cherry orchards. Again, July and August are picking time while the month of May promises the beautiful blossoms. Lautenbach Orchard Country Winery & Market has tart cherries for picking and sweet cherries (and all kinds of cherry goodies like cherry salsa and chocolate covered cherries) available in the indoor market. In addition to the cherries, Lautenbach offers wine and cider tastings and live music. For details, go to orchardcountry.com.

Cabin at Spring Gulch Camping Resort
Cabin at Spring Gulch Camping Resort

Pennsylvania Dutch Country, Pennsylvania: Kissell Hill Fruit Farm (kissellhillfruitfarm.com) has been around for about 100 years and is planning on a pick-your-own cherry season from mid-June to early July this year. On Saturdays, from late April to mid-November, the farm serves up a BBQ Chicken Dinner, beginning at 10 a.m., that is considered some of the best in the area. Weaver’s Orchard is another u-pick option and it’s not only cherries. While cherry picking runs from late June to early July for sweet and early July for tart, there are also strawberries (late May to late June), apricots in mid-July, red raspberries (early June through July), and apples come August (through October). There’s also a farm market, garden center, tours, and special events. Visit weaversorchard.com for details. Glamping options for these orchards include cabins at either Robin Hill or Spring Gulch.

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5 Things to Do In Portland

Rip City, Stumptown, City of Roses, Bridgetown, Portlandia. Whatever you want to call Portland, which does in fact carry the nicknames mentioned here for a variety of reasons, Oregon’s largest city is a great one to visit for many reasons. While exploring the area, stay in a tiny house, cabin, or yurt at Mt. Hood Village to get the best of both worlds: a little bit of nature while keeping Portland weird. Here are five things to do while visiting the area:

  1. As green as Portland is (it was named the third greenest city in 2021 in a Wallethub study), spending lots of your own personal “green” doesn’t have to be first and foremost here. There are so many things to do in Portland that are free, and we mean absolute zero cost to enjoy these things. The Saturday Market featuring 350 artisans is free (what you buy is up to you); browsing through the books at Powell’s City of Books, considered the world’s largest independent book store, is free (again, avid readers may have a different outcome); Elk Rock Gardens, a hidden gem of a botanical garden, is free; and access to Forest Park, Portland’s 5200-acre urban forest, is absolutely free and visitors can hike, bike, or simply stroll along the trails to see wildlife and beautiful greenery.
  2. Eat, drink and be weird! Another slogan associated with the city is “Keep Portland Weird” which came about when a blog compared Austin and Portland to see which city was “weirder.” One of the reasons Portland took top billing was the Voodoo Doughnut shop, which after opening in 2003 wedged between two nightclubs, quickly became the hippest spot to enjoy sweet treats. To enjoy a Voodoo Bubble (a donut topped with a piece of Double Bubble gum) or a chocolate-iced Voodoo Doll, visit the original in Old Town, or the second Portland location on Davis Street. Of course, coffee and doughnuts go together, so consider a tour with Third Wave Coffee Tours, which offers a variety of tours to taste Portland’s coffee offerings and are said to have had a following all their own long before that other Pacific Northwest based coffee place! For tour info, visit thirdwavecoffeetours.com.
Hiking around Portland
  1. Portland outdoor adventure has several options from on the waters to in the mountains. Consider a kayak ride on the Willamette River that takes you through the downtown area with great skyline views. Take a trip to Sauvie Island (about 30 minutes outside the city) which has several trails for hiking and biking as well as Sauvie Island Farms (sauvieislandfarms.com) which offers u-pick opportunities for seasonal fruits and veggies. Don’t miss Multnomah Falls, Oregon’s tallest waterfall, located along the historic Columbia River Highway. Several viewing platforms are available along the route and the falls can also be seen via a moderate hike.
  2. Eating and Drinking – Part Two: A visit to Portland must include a stop in the city’s Pearl District, home to breweries, bakeries, cafes, restaurants, art galleries, and shops. The galleries host First Thursdays on the first Thursday of each month where art galleries stay open late and live music and other entertainment are often featured. Wine tours of the nearby Willamette wineries are an option (check out willamettewines.com) and City Brew Tours have options for tours to taste some of the Pacific Northwest’s finest beers (citybrewtours.com). For foodie options, consider checking out many of the “food carts” in the city, especially The Cart Blocks in Ankeny Square. Just south of the Pearl District is 1927 S’mores, a gourmet s’mores shop that will have you falling in love with this campfire taste treat. Appropriately themed like a cabin, visitors can choose from s’mores flavors such as coco raspberry, moose tracks, whiskey salted caramel, seasonal options, and more, including the classic chocolate and marshmallow combo.
  3. Whatever the nickname you prefer, to find out the history of Portland, visit some of these interesting museums that tell the story of the area – the World Forestry Center, located in Washington Park; the Oregon Rail Heritage Center; the Oregon Maritime Museum, housed in an historic steam-powered tug on the Willamette River and the Oregon Historical Society Museum, home to the Portland Penny which was flipped in 1845 to determine the city’s name – it was Portland or Boston!
Cabin at Mt. Hood Village Resort
Cabin at Mt. Hood Village Resort

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Best Photo Op Spots

Sam Abell, a photographer well-known for his amazing photos for National Geographic through the years said, “Essentially what photography is is life lit up.” Light up your life this month and get outdoors and take some amazing pics of your life’s adventures. After all, it is National Photography Month. Back in the day, excellence in photography required all kinds of gear. Now it’s simply using your ever-present smartphone to capture the people and scenery experienced during your travels. Here are a few spots to visit for some guaranteed spectacular shots.

California: The varied landscape of California makes for plenty of great photos (not to mention all kinds of outdoor fun). Consider a stay in a cabin or cottage at Russian River and head to nearby Guerneville to capture the majestic giant redwoods; or book at yurt at Yosemite Lakes and try your luck at photographing a moonbow at Yosemite Falls. Late May and early June are prime time for this opportunity and for specific times and details, check out yosemitemoonbow.com.

Florida: The Sunshine State is full of all kinds of great photo ops, from the crocodiles in the Everglades to the characters of Disney World. But one off the beaten path location that makes for great photos is Kelly Park, home to the amazing Rock Springs. Book a colorful cottage at Tropical Palms Resort in Kissimmee and spend the day photographing the natural beauty of Kelly Park/Rock Springs.

Maine: According to goxplr.com, there are at least 17 great photo opportunities in Maine’s Acadia National Park. Those include the view from atop the Park’s Cadillac Mountain, Schoodic Point, Jordan Pond, and the Park’s wild gardens. Choose your basecamp from either Mount Desert Narrows or Narrows Too, book a cozy cabin, and see if you can capture all 17. For a complete list, go to www.goxplr.com/maine/guide-to-acadia-national-park.

Photo Captured from Mount Desert Narrows Camping Resort
Photo Captured from Mount Desert Narrows Camping Resort

Oregon: May is said to be a great time to capture the rushing waters of Multnomah Falls in the Columbia River Gorge. The melting snows of winter make a May visit to the falls worth the trip. Plus, the budding wildflowers are an added bonus. Book a tiny house at Mt. Hood Tiny House Village and get set to capture plenty of breathtaking images in this area, including majestic Mt. Hood of course.

Pennsylvania: Although the covered bridges found throughout Lancaster County are man-made, they still provide some pretty unique opportunities for great photos if you’re planning to spend some time in this beautiful area of Pennsylvania. With 29 covered bridges sprinkled throughout the County, there are plenty of choices. Some of the most popular include Pine Grove Covered Bridge and Zook’s Mill Covered Bridge. For a list of bridges and covered bridge tour opportunities, visit discoverlancaster.com/things-to-do/covered-bridges. A cottage or yurt rental at Circle M makes for a great stay while snapping the bridges.

Bay Landing • Bridgeport, TX
Bay Landing • Bridgeport, TX

Texas: Are you a fan of Bridgerton? If so, you might want to plan a visit for you and your camera to the Rose Garden at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. The garden rivals anything you might see on the popular Netflix series, and you can make-believe you’re waiting for Lady Whistledown to write you into the story. Book a cabin at nearby Bay Landing and explore the gardens. The months of May and June promise plenty of blooms from the Garden’s jasmines, hydrangeas, dogwoods, and southern magnolias.

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Green City Getaways

With April having two dates that recognize the importance of taking care of our Earth (Earth Day and Arbor Day), it makes sense to plan a trip to visit a Green City this month (or in the future).

Cherry tree blossoms on the waterfront in Portland, OR.

According to treehugger.com, there are several things to take into consideration in determining how “green” a city is. Those include efficient public transportation, quality public space, plentiful parks, and the availability of bike lanes as well as composting and recycling programs. One other interesting item is whether a city offers “good green fun,” which means farmer’s markets, plenty of organic fare served up in the local eating and drinking establishments and music festivals and outdoor events that feature solar-powered stages and valet parking for bicycles. There are several more “green definers” and combined that’s a lot for a city to tackle, yet slowly but surely, more and more of our urban areas around the country are hitting the mark when it comes to being green. Additionally, there are many different groups providing different rankings for these cities, but some consistently make the grade across the board.

  1. San Diego, California: San Diego’s nickname is “America’s Finest City”, but it can also boast being one of America’s greenest cities. San Diego is home to Balboa Park, one of the largest urban parks in the country. Other green things about this southern California city include dozens of weekly farmer’s markets, a major “Farm to Fork” movement in the dining industry, a variety of public transportation including trolleys, shuttles, and pedi-cabs, and plenty of opportunities for green fun including kayaking, mountain biking, and surfing.

Book a cabin or cottage stay at Pio Pico or Oakzanita Springs for a San Diego Green Getaway.

Tiny House Savannah at Mt. Hood Tiny House Village in Welches, OR.
  1. Portland, Oregon: With over 90,000 acres of green space and a top-notch biking/walking trail system, Portland is definitely eco-friendly. In fact, they have the highest rate of workers biking to the office than any other U.S. city. They were also one of the first cities to ban the use of plastic bags. For green space, visitors and residents alike need to look no further than the city’s Forest Park, a 5200-acre urban forest, featuring hiking and biking trails, waterfalls, and plenty of greenery!

Book a stay at the Mt. Hood Tiny House Village for a Portland Green Getaway.

Cozy cabin Yukon Trails in Lyndon Station, WI.
  1. Madison, Wisconsin: Did you know that the man behind Earth Day was from Wisconsin? Gaylord Nelson, who served as both governor and senator of the state was not only a politician, but also an avid environmentalist, calling upon the citizens of America to bring awareness to problems with the environment. So naturally, it makes sense that Madison would be a green city – it’s in the genes! Madison consistently ranks as a green city thanks to its abundance of green space – from plenty of city parks to acres of lakes and miles of biking and hiking trails. Madison is home to more bikes than cars and the city is very walkable. The city has more farmer’s markets than you can shake a cucumber at, and in fact, Saturday on the Square, an event that features more than 250 vendors, is a popular destination for visitors and Mad-Town residents like.

Book a cabin stay at Yukon Trails for a Madison Green Getaway.

Lake Eola Park in Orlando, FL.
  1. Orlando, Florida: While green space is not as abundant as in some of the other green cities, Orlando makes the green grade thanks to its continued efforts and eye to the future when it comes to being, and staying, green. With goals like a 40% city-wide tree canopy coverage by 2040, the One Person One Tree initiative to help expand the urban forest, and a host of programs to protect the ecosystems found here, Orlando is definitely putting a green foot forward. And to clarify, they have plenty of green space to the tune of more than 100 parks, plus plenty of lakes and wetlands.
Colorful cottage stay at Tropical Palms in Kissimmee, FL.

Book a colorful cottage stay at Tropical Palms for an Orlando Green Getaway.

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Cheers to National Lager Day

Friends toasting with beer glasses in the brewery.

Did you know the third most widely consumed beverage in the world is beer? With water and tea being number one and two, respectively, beer comes in at number three most likely due to the fact that cultures around the world have their own version of their favorite brew. December 10 is National Lager Day so why not raise a glass of lager and toast this popular drink? If you’re planning to continue to celebrate National Lager Day well past the December date, consider these popular lagers when you’re on the road to your next outdoor adventure.

BTW – what makes a lager different from other beers, you ask? Becoming a lager is all about the bottom-fermenting technique and using younger hops, a main ingredient in beer. Also, lager yeast can withstand lower temperatures, unlike ale yeasts, and that is where it gets its name. Lager comes from the German word “lagern” which means to store and lager is in cold storage while it ages. Some examples of lagers include Corona, Budweiser, and Miller Lite. We came up with a round of lagers from some of the smaller U.S. brewers conveniently located near our great Petite Retreat accommodations.

New Glarus Brewing Company, New Glarus, WI.

New Glarus Brewing Company, New Glarus, Wisconsin: Check out the Two Women lager at this Wisconsin brewery in the Swiss-style village of New Glarus. This lager is aptly named because it is the result of a collaboration between two craft breweries both run by women. Book a cozy cabin or a cottage at Yukon Trails and visit New Glarus to sample Two Women as well as the other brews made here, including the pretty popular Spotted Cow. Forget about the beer that “made Milwaukee famous” – New Glarus and Yukon Trails is where it’s at!

Mt. Hood Tiny House Village in Welches, OR.

Deschutes Brewery, Bend, Oregon: The perfect tasting trip could combine a tiny home accommodation at Mt. Hood Tiny House Village and a visit to Deschutes Brewery in nearby Bend. Deschutes has been craft brewing since 1988 and has two really great lagers in their repertoire of beer – Pacific Wonderland and Rip City Lager, whose interesting name has ties to the Portland Trail Blazers basketball team. Want to be even closer to the brewery? Try staying in a yurt or snug cabin at Bend-Sunriver.

D.G. Yuengling & Son, Pottsville, PA.

D.G. Yuengling & Son, Pottsville, Pennsylvania: Reputed to be America’s Oldest Brewery, Yuengling (pronounced ying-ling) offers a traditional amber lager that comes in in a “light” version as well for those watching their waists! Plan a stay at Appalachian RV Campground in a cozy cabin or cottage and head to Pottsville to explore Yuengling’s brewing facilities, which features hand dug caves for fermenting. It’s just about a 25-minute drive through the lovely Pennsylvania Dutch countryside from the campground.

Doghaus Brewery, Leavenworth, Washington: Proving you don’t have to be big to be good, Doghaus Brewery bills itself as a nano-craft brewery with a micro-sized taproom, but nevertheless offers the German Pointer Lager (get the dog reference?). Based on an original blue-ribbon recipe, this one is described as a helles lager, helles being German for “pale in color.” That’s it for this small brewery when it comes to lagers, but they also offer IPAs, stouts, and ales. This is a good place to visit because the Leavenworth Tiny House Village is just 30 minutes away and who wouldn’t want to enjoy some beer in this beautiful spot in the Pacific Northwest?

Leavenworth Tiny House Village in Leavenworth, WA.

If you are looking for a craft brewery near your favorite Petite Retreat, visit www.craftbeer.com for a listing of breweries across the country. Cheers!

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5 things to do in… Mt. Hood, Oregon

Mt. Hood Tiny House Village in Welches, OR

What do you look for when you want to get away? A quick dive into what factors are considered when selecting a vacation destination include 1) lodging preference; 2) travel purpose; 3) crowds or solitude; 4) the weather; and 5) the side trips. If we apply these to our destination of choice this month – Oregon’s Mt. Hood Area, here’s what shakes out:

  1. Lodging Preference: This is an easy one. What could be more enjoyable than a stay in a tiny home? The Mt. Hood Tiny House Village in Welches, Oregon, has seven tiny homes to choose from for your stay and each offers a little something different. Did you know tiny homes have personalities? That’s right, Anderson has a modern flair, enjoys a most-excellent cup of brewed coffee, and finds biking to be his raison d’etre. Savannah thinks being called “girly” is the ultimate compliment and her bright yellow exterior is an extension of her sunny personality. The tiny house gang at Mt. Hood has five more friends with five equally different personalities but one thing they have in common is that they are the right answer to “lodging preference.” Visit MtHoodTinyHouse.com to check them out and see which one suits your preference!
  1. Travel Purpose: Well, how can there be a right answer here unless you’re traveling alone? Someone likes to hike, someone likes to do nothing, someone likes to shop and someone likes to learn something new on vacation. Don’t worry, with a trip to the Mt. Hood Area, this box is checked for all involved. Hikers will be happy to know the area has more than 150 hiking trails. From local artisan crafts to antiques and boutiques to the very unique chain saw carvings, the area is a shopper’s delight with variety being the spice of Oregon life here. If you’re looking to learn something, the educational opportunities abound. Learn a new sport – attend a snowboard camp or learn to fly fish. Learn about the history of the area – visit the Mt. Hood Cultural Center and Museum. As for the vacationer who wants to do nothing – that’s OK, too. Just sitting and soaking up the scenery here is a pretty cool thing to do, too!  
View of Mt Hood from downtown Portland, Oregon.
  1. Crowds vs. Solitude: Now more than ever this is a top of the list item with social-distancing being all the rage. Actually, pre-COVID-19, this meant do you like crowds or prefer to spend time alone with your thoughts. Do you want to be “scene,” or do you want to left alone to enjoy more solitary pursuits? So think about it – “no people” activities can include hiking, fly fishing, or skiing while the more social traveler will enjoy the many craft breweries, the annual festivals like the Salmon, Mushroom, and Bigfoot Festival (held in October but sadly cancelled this year) or the Timberline Mountain Music Festival held in late summer annually.
Fall hikes in Mt. Hood National Forest, OR
  1. The Weather: Being a four-season vacation destination, weather conditions factor into a trip to Mt. Hood, well…never really. There is always something to do here. The area has one of the longest ski seasons around. The winter ski season at historic Timberline Lodge begins in early November and runs through Memorial Day. Springtime is great for waterfall hikes and salmon fishing season begins in May. Summer brings amazing wildflowers, festivals, and mountain biking opportunities and the tail end of salmon fishing season (it typically winds down in September). Plus, there’s huckleberry season which straddles late summer and early fall and brings with it the annual Huckleberry Festival (late August). Fall hikes and drives are the best among the changing colors – drive the Mt. Hood Scenic Byway or tackle the Mirror Lake Trail on a day hike.
The vineyards of Willamette Valley, about 90 minutes from Mt Hood, OR.
  1. Side Trips: This is important because it allows travelers to feel like they are getting more bang for their travel dollars! Consider that the Mt. Hood Area is just an hour from Portland. This means you can have all the pleasure of the fantastic outdoors that the Mt. Hood Area affords you, but also have the opportunity to be a city tourist in no time at all. If you’ve always wanted a wine country vacation, you can do that, too. The nearby Willamette Valley is considered Oregon’s Wine Country and there are options for both guided and self-guided tours of the wineries.

Fall Foliage Hikes

North Falls at Silver Falls State Park near Silverton, Oregon.

This fall, make it your goal to be an active leaf peeper. Yes, you heard that right. Leaf peeper – which by definition is someone who visits wooded areas in autumn to check out the changing colors of the foliage. Most everyone is a leaf peeper in some form or another. Maybe you don’t check websites for peak color dates or plan an annual trip around the changing colors but you most likely revel in the beautiful color show put on by Mother Nature and her children of the leafy kind come fall.

Now, we’re asking you to be an active leaf peeper, but we don’t mean just checking out the leaves. We think tossing in a hike – mild, moderate, strenuous, whatever a good hike means to you – while taking in this free, socially-distanced show is a great idea. These hikes are both good for your body and for your psyche.  We did some research and found some of the most popular fall foliage hikes around.

Silver Falls State Park (Silverton, Oregon): A moderate hike at almost 9 miles is well worth the effort as Silver Falls State Park offers hikers the opportunity to see waterfalls in addition to the gorgeous fall foliage. Ten waterfalls in fact, thus the name of the trail, Trail of Ten Falls, can be seen on this great fall hike.

(Plan a stay at one of the cozy cabins at nearby Pacific City while hiking Silver Falls.)

Washington Park Arboretum (Seattle, Washington): The Washington Park Arboretum in Seattle is possibly one of the best color shows contained in one location that you may find. In fact, according to the Arboretum’s website, fall in the Arboretum’s Woodland Garden section may possibly offer the most stunning display of fall colors in the region thanks to having one of the largest collection of Japanese maples in North America. All this beauty can be experienced on nearly one mile of winding stone pathways. How’s that for one-stop peeping? 

Japanese Garden at Washington Park Arboretum in Seattle, Washington.

(A great idea is to book a tiny home at Leavenworth Tiny House Village and drive into Seattle. This is a two-fer since fall in Leavenworth is another spectacular show.)

Franconia Ridge Trail (Lincoln, New Hampshire): Waterfalls, a running stream, fantastic views, and plenty of fall foliage can be found on this New Hampshire trail. At just about eight miles and definitely a “hike,” the scenic rewards are plentiful. It’s no wonder this loop was named one of the 10 best hiking trails by National Geographic in 2017.

Tiny House Murphy at Tuxbury Tiny House Village

(Book a tiny home at nearby Tuxbury Tiny House Village for the perfect complement to your fall getaway.)

Potawatomi State Park (Door County, Wisconsin): Driving into Potawatomi State Park in the fall is almost a color show in itself. The contrast between the deep black of the roadway and the yellows and golds of the branches overhead is pretty cool, but wait there’s more! The trails are a carpet of beautifully colored fallen leaves and the views are some of fall’s best. Check out the portion of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail that runs through the Park.

Tranquil Timbers in nearby Sturgeon Bay has the perfect cabin accommodations for your visit to Door County’s color-fall wonderland.

Ocean Path Trail, Acadia National Park (Bar Harbor, Maine): This trail, which stretches along the rugged Maine coastline, is postcard perfect in fall. With the rocky shores of the Atlantic on one side and the Acadia’s beautiful foliage on the other, it’s the perfect mix. Check out the fall leaves at Thunder Hole. Ocean Path is approximately 4.5 miles round trip.

Hiking in Acadia National Park

(Book a cozy cabin at Mt. Desert Narrows or choose from a cozy cottage or colorful cabin at Narrows Too for your fall foliage experience.)

The Thrill of It

Hiking trail at Red Rock State Park in Sedona, Arizona.

Are you a thrill-seeker? Are you always challenging yourself to try something new? Do you love the adrenaline rush and the sense of accomplishment after you’ve done something your friends or family say you were crazy to try?

Well you’re not crazy – and, according to some studies, you’re possibly managing life better than your more sedate friends. Tackling your fear of these thrilling sports can provide you with coping mechanisms that you can use in other parts of your life. Another benefit is the boost to your self-confidence. You did it! Hooray for you! Who doesn’t feel good about themselves after accomplishing these feats?

Cabins at Yosemite Lakes RV Campground in Groveland, CA

If you’re ready to get your thrill on, consider these sports:

  1. Whitewater Rafting: Book a stay at one of the cool yurts at Yosemite Lakes RV Campground in Groveland and ride the whitewaters of the Tuolumne River, which is considered one of the best rivers for such an adventure. Plenty of outfitters are waiting to help you tackle the Class III rapids of the Wenatchee River in Leavenworth, Washington. Visit www.leavenworth.org to find the one that fits your idea of thrills. Plan to stay with us at Leavenworth Tiny House Village in your own tiny house where you can relax after a thrilling day on the water!
Yurt at Yosemite Lakes RV Campground in Groveland, CA
  • Rock Climbing: If you’re heading to Maine, check out rock climbing at Maine’s Acadia National Park which offers all kinds of climbing options through the Acadia Mountain Guides Climbing School. Solo efforts can range from four to seven-hour jaunts, plus there are family climbs and evening climbs. Make a reservation at our nearby locations, Narrows Too (cabin and cottage options) or Mt. Desert Narrows (cabin accommodations) to be where the climbing action is. 
Cabins at Narrows Too in Trenton, ME
  • Zip-lining: Want to soar across the treetops of the amazing Adirondack forest? Book a comfy cabin at Lake George Escape and then find the zip-line adventure for you. There are plenty here including Adirondack Extreme Adventure Course or the Adirondack Adventure Center. Crazy views of Wisconsin’s Door County Peninsula as you fly over towering pine trees are what’s in store when you zip-line in this Wisconsin wonderland. Book a cabin at Tranquil Timbers and plan your adventure. Check out Door County Adventure Center or Lakeshore Adventures for their zip-lining courses.
Inside a yurt at Tranquil Timbers in Sturgeon Bay, WI
  • Snorkeling: No better place to dive deep than the Florida Keys. Reserve a colorful cottage at Fiesta Key or a super cool tiny home at Sunshine Key and explore the underwater kingdom of The Keys. The warm shallow waters off the Dry Tortugas are said to be best for snorkelers of all ages while John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the first undersea park in the US, is great for viewing the various coral species, plus turtles, parrot fish and butterfly fish.
Colorful cottages at Fiesta Key in Long Key, FL
  • Ultimate Hiking: While hiking is a great activity for both body and spirit, the thrill on these hikes is the view. These are ultimate when it comes to the unparalleled beauty of nature (not to mention majorly Instagram-worthy photo ops).

Fay Canyon, Arizona: An easy 2.4-mile trail in the scenic Fay Canyon of Sedona’s Red Rock State Park. Rent a tiny home at Verde Valley and hike the park everyday for a different point of view.

Joshua Tree National Park, California: All levels of hiking trails are available here and most come with views of the Park’s namesake, the Joshua Tree. Find Heart Rock within the Park and you’re guaranteed an insta-shot you will love! A cottage accommodation at Palm Springs is the perfect companion to this hiking trek.

Atticus the Tiny House at Mt. Hood Tiny House Village in Welches, OR

Mirror Lake Loop Trail, Oregon: The Mt. Hood area of Oregon is full of opportunities for great hikes and great pics. One of the most popular, and amazing, is the view of Mt. Hood from the Mirror Lake Trail, a 3.7-mile loop. A tiny house at the Mt. Hood Tiny House Village is perfect for the after-trail relax.