About the Author

Amanda Calnan Vowels

Amanda Calnan Vowels is a Portland-based journalist whose career started in daily, print newsrooms of the Pacific Northwest. Living overseas as an expatriate with young children gave her a deeper appreciation for the remarkable spaces and stories of their native Oregon. Amanda's best days are spent chronicling top Northwest spots and encouraging family travel of all types and budgets.

Girlfriends’ Getaways in Oregon’s Outdoors

April 20, 2022
Women-focused guided trips provide great ways to escape work, family and the bustle of everyday routines. In Oregon, you can travel solo or with a group of female-identifying friends to a scenic spot where you can learn how to surf, cycle Crater Lake’s rim or even learn to paddle through Rogue River whitewater rapids. We’ve rounded up some of the state’s best adventures for women, with women and led by women guides. More
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Guides & Charters , Lakes & Reservoirs , State Parks , Bicycling , Road Riding , Tour Companies , Mountains , Other Outdoor , Favorite Trips , Tours & Guided Trips , Campgrounds , Rafting , Parks, Forests & Wildlife Areas , Parks & Recreational Areas , Camping , Rivers & Streams , Wilderness & Natural Areas , Health & Wellness , Waterfalls , Bicycling , Sustainable Travel , Glamping & Treehouses , Hiking & Backpacking , Beach Activities , Paddle Sports , Regions , Destinations , Trip Ideas , Outdoor Recreation , Back Country Guides , Cities & Regions , Guides & Tours , Trails , Backpacking ,

Give Your Heart to Oregon

January 24, 2022
We heart Oregon. To celebrate statehood each year on February 14 — and year-round — let’s give back to this big, gorgeous state we all adore. By volunteering, we can do our part to support the fantastic people, places and wildlife that call Oregon home. More
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State Parks , Guides & Charters , Tour Companies , Other Outdoor , Favorite Trips , Parks & Recreational Areas , Tours & Guided Trips , Family Fun , Health & Wellness , Pet-Friendly Travel , Sustainable Travel , Guides & Tours ,

6 Ways to Have Fun and Relax at The Cove at Sunriver Resort

June 15, 2021
I’ve been visiting Sunriver Resort in Central Oregon since I was a little girl learning to ski in the early 1980s. Today I visit with my own family, year-round, and we build our long sunny days around water activities. My husband is up early fly-fishing, and our 12-year-old, 16-year-old and dog float the Deschutes River. Still, my kids’ favorite thing about the massive resort has always been the freedom to bike everywhere — especially to The Cove pool. More
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Central Oregon , Sunriver , Resorts , Places to Stay ,

3 Days of Family Adventure in Depoe Bay

December 11, 2020
Depoe Bay serves up some of the very best parts of the wild Oregon Coast. A constant stream of fresh ocean air, an oceanfront downtown, bustling wildlife and bold outdoor family activities nearby make it an ideal base camp. Two major draws keep visitors enamored: the world's smallest navigable harbor and a resident pod of very active and famous gray whales. Here’s how to spend three days in Depoe Bay with your own pod. More
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Oregon Coast , Depoe Bay , Favorite Trips , Trip Ideas ,