About the Author

Michelle Fahlgren

Michelle Fahlgren has been a NW gal most of her life and has made it a personal hobby to explore the unique and historical places that make this area fascinating. A camera in one hand, strong coffee in the other she is usually researching something new to explore with her hubby and son. She is a photographer, a reader, a road-trip junkie, a treasure hunter and finds most of life's troubles can be set right by salty sea air and a bit of chocolate. Check out more of her latest photos and adventures here</a.

Oregon’s Ghost Towns: Shaniko

June 26, 2014
Ghost towns have always been a fascinating subject for me, in part because I love to imagine what the energy was like when it was thriving. Towns are not created with the intent to become vacant. What celebrations took place in its streets? How did its founders envision the future? What hopes did settlers have… More
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Central Oregon , Shaniko , Ghost Towns , Historic Sites & Oregon Trail , Trip Ideas ,

Journey to the Painted Hills

May 14, 2014
I love the high desert area. Not just because of the juniper-scented warm air, but because it is a great home base for a radius of adventures. I was beyond ecstatic when I learned that the Painted Hills were only a short 1.5 hour drive from Redmond. What a perfect day trip for my son… More
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Parks, Forests & Wildlife Areas , Trip Ideas , Attractions ,

Family Road Trip: Marys Peak

October 8, 2013
Some days I don’t know if we should head to the beach, or see the mountains. But if caught on a clear day, I can almost do both by hiking to the top of Marys Peak. At 4,097 feet, it is the highest point on the Oregon Coast Range, but we only had to hike… More
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Willamette Valley , Corvallis , Parks, Forests & Wildlife Areas , Family Fun , Hiking & Backpacking , Trip Ideas , Outdoor Recreation , Attractions ,

Family Road Trip: McDowell Creek Falls

August 9, 2013
Oregon is home to a thousand waterfalls. Well, maybe not quite a thousand, but it seems every direction I drive the possibility to find one nestled in the dense trees is exceptionally high. When we want to skip the larger fall-seeking crowds, we head to McDowell Creek near Lebanon. It is a nice drive, winding… More
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Willamette Valley , Lebanon , Lakes & Reservoirs , Parks, Forests & Wildlife Areas , Rivers & Streams , Family Fun , Waterfalls , Trip Ideas , Outdoor Recreation , Attractions ,

Lincoln City Kite Festival

July 17, 2013
The Oregon Coast is known for its sometimes blustery afternoons, but this element is also what makes the Kite Festival in Lincoln City so amazing. It has been a summer tradition for my son and I to venture out on a Saturday morning, lunch packed and crossing fingers that the sun is warm and the… More
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Oregon Coast , Lincoln City , Trip Ideas , Events ,