About the Author

Annelise Kelly

When she's not exploring the rich culinary offerings near her Portland home, Annelise Kelly likes to hit the road seeking small-town atmosphere, old-growth hikes and hot springs. Food, history, nature and agriculture—especially baby goats—put a smile on her face.

Three Awesome Days in Albany

April 16, 2018
What's awesome about Albany? Architecture, food, drink, history, art and access to the outdoors, for starters. Spend a long weekend here and you can drink negronis in an historic bank building, visit the restored historic carousel, pop between quirky galleries and shops, set the kids free in a splatter paint studio and restore yourself with riverside nature walks. More
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Willamette Valley , Albany , Favorite Trips ,

Fall Family Weekend in Lincoln City

September 25, 2017
Summer inspires beach trips, but here’s a little secret: on the Oregon Coast, fall reigns supreme: The weather is mild. The fog has rolled out. The wind has died down. And the crowds have headed home. It’s one of the best times to explore the Oregon beaches. It’s a perfect time to sink into the relaxed pace and unexpected adventure of Lincoln City, a town that unwinds for seven miles along Highway 101, parallel to an equal length of driftwood-strewn beaches. With traffic mellowed from...
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Oregon Coast , Lincoln City , Art Galleries & Studios , Beach Activities , Seafood , Trip Ideas , Retail , Eat & Drink ,

3 Days in Yachats

April 25, 2017
Sometimes you need to unplug and rejuvenate. That’s easy to do in Yachats, the little coastal town on Oregon’s Central Coast where you might look up from your crab cakes to admire a bald eagle wheeling overhead or a grey whale spouting beyond the surf. With innovative restaurants and shops and the forest and ocean… More
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Oregon Coast , Yachats , State Parks , Parks, Forests & Wildlife Areas , Hiking & Backpacking , Restaurants , Seafood , Trip Ideas , Outdoor Recreation , Eat & Drink , Attractions ,

Hike, Eat, Repeat in the Willamette Valley

December 15, 2016
Sure, anyone can hike in summer, but off-season hiking in Oregon has buckets of rewards for the Gore-Tex-clad: Thinner crowds and fatter rivers, empty trailheads and outrageous waterfalls. Sure, there’ll be rain and puddles — so skip the picnic and plan your hike around a great meal afterward. Nothing gives you more genuine Oregon trail-cred than building up an appetite in our incredible outdoors, then bringing your wet self inside to quaff local wine or microbrews and devour a hot and hearty meal. More
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Willamette Valley , Keizer , Lakes & Reservoirs , State Parks , Parks, Forests & Wildlife Areas , Rivers & Streams , Waterfalls , Hiking & Backpacking , Restaurants , Snow Sports , Trip Ideas , Outdoor Recreation , Eat & Drink , Attractions ,