Sometimes called Cascadia, and frequently short-handed the PNW, the Pacific Northwest retains a rugged coastal charm that can be hard to come by in the United States.
To my good fortune, I live in Portland, Oregon, where I find myself endlessly exploring the surrounding region as my personal playground. There is something so sweet about having an abundance of natural wonders in your own backyard, which is why I’ve decided to take you along on a visual journey. So grab your hiking boots, put on a wide-brimmed fedora, and buckle your seat belt—we’re going on a road trip.
Even in the the rain, the view as a passenger is always better.
Slow drives though the Larch Mountain Corridor, just a short distance from the city of Portland. I find myself here often, driving up the tree-lined path to the top. My sweet friend Bayley Junes takes the wheel of the Volkswagen, affectionately named Oly.
Above the clouds and among the trees, the only place I want to be. Autumn, in Mount Hood, Oregon.
Just as I thought the sunrise was over, I walked back to the parking lot and saw the sun peeking through. I captured these streams of light as I lay on the ground near Hug Point Beach, on the coast of Oregon.
Even Oly the van has to represent how he feels about the PNW.
Flying high above the San Juan Islands, just outside of Seattle, Washington. You can get there by seaplane or by ferry. We choose the route less traveled, offering a whole new perspective.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: The window seat is always better. San Juan Islands, Washington.
Drive about 40 minutes south of Seattle and you'll wind up in Tacoma, Washington, a city on Puget Sound with incredible views of Mount Rainier.
Mount Rainier National Park is a magical land with adventure for the taking.
An A-frame cabin within Mount Rainier’s surrounding forest is the kind of place I could call home.
It's easy to miss the waterfall beneath the entrance road into Mount Rainier.
We found a bridge tucked away in the hidden trails behind an old motel in the tiny town of Carson, Washington. If you find the yellow caution tape, you’re on the right path.
The intimate scenes of the Pacific Northwest never get old.
On the off chance that you come across a sunny day in Portland, take a short drive out to Mount Hood, which is especially lovely in the spring and summer months.
Kick back, relax, and take a drive out to the Oregon Coast. I promise you will not be disappointed (as long as you bring your hiking boots).
The life of the ocean along the Oregon coast is surely not a dull one. This view from above at Cape Kiwanda.
The one and only Haystack Rock. Located just offshore at Cannon Beach, Oregon.
