clara rivers author at My Family Travels
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Oregon Eatery That Lets Guests Cook Their Own Meal

This Oregon eatery turns dinner into the main event the second you sit down. I walk in expecting a plate in front of me, but instead I’m handed the tools to cook it myself.

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Dig For 40-Million-Year-Old Fossils At This Oregon Quarry

Ancient history gets surprisingly hands-on at this Oregon quarry. I show up expecting scenery, and instead I’m told I can actually dig for 40-million-year-old fossils.

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This Cliffside Oregon Restaurant Lets You Watch Whales While You Enjoy a Meal With an Ocean View

A cliffside Oregon restaurant like this doesn’t just serve food - it serves a full ocean moment. I sit down and instantly realize the view is doing half the work here, with waves...

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This Oregon Car Meet Brings Together Rides, Coffee, and Local Car Culture Every Month

Oregon’s monthly car meet feels more like a rolling social club than an event. I pull in and immediately see rows of polished rides, from classics to modern builds, all lined...

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10 Ways to Experience Year-Round Adventure in Central Oregon From Trails to Stargazing

Central Oregon doesn’t really do “off-season” - it just keeps the adventure going all year. I jump from sun-soaked trails to wide-open landscapes that feel built for wandering.

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Easter Sunday Feels Like a Slow, Cozy Holiday Escape at This Oregon Spot

Easter Sunday turns into the softest kind of slow-motion escape at this Oregon spot. The whole place feels calmer, like even the air decided to take the day off.

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10 Things Only People From Oregon Truly Understand

Oregon has its own secret language, and if you’re not from here, half of it will probably go right over your head. I quickly realized there are things only locals truly get -...

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This Oregon Trail Leads to a Hidden Floor of Perfectly Preserved Prehistoric Fossils

Ever wanted to walk in the footsteps of creatures that roamed the Earth millions of years ago? This Oregon trail leads straight to a hidden floor of perfectly preserved prehistoric...

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This Unforgettable Ghost Town Road Trip Through Oregon Is Packed With Spine-Chilling History

Setting off on this Oregon ghost town road trip felt like signing up for a slightly spooky adventure - with snacks. Each stop brings crumbling buildings, creaky silence, and just...

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This Oregon Pizza Spot Uses A 36-Hour Sourdough Process For Its Legendary Signature Squares

I didn’t think pizza could feel fancy - then I tried the signature squares at this Oregon spot. A 36-hour sourdough process sounds intense, but every chewy, crispy bite proves...

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This Oceanfront Escape Lets You Fall Asleep to Waves and Wake Up to Whales on the Oregon Coast

This oceanfront getaway on the Oregon Coast instantly felt like hitting the pause button on life. Falling asleep to the sound of waves crashing is somehow more relaxing than I...

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This Hidden Oregon Lounge Lets You Sip Underground In Style

There’s a rumor among friends that the best nights in Oregon aren’t always found on busy streets. Some are hidden just out of sight.

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This Little Oregon Izakaya Has Mastered The Art Of Japanese Happy Hour

Ever notice how a modest spot can turn a regular weekday into a tiny festival? That’s exactly what happened the first time I discovered this unassuming izakaya tucked away in...

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This Small-Town Oregon Steakhouse Serves Huge Steaks With Stunning River Views

Picture the scene I fell into after a long drive through Oregon’s rolling hills: a modest town and a river that glitters like polished glass. Nearby, a steakhouse serves plates...

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This 62-Acre Sanctuary Built Into A 110-Foot Cliff Is One Of Oregon’s Most Peaceful Hidden Retreats

There’s something magical about a place that feels both vast and intimate. It’s even more special when it’s perched on a towering cliff in Oregon’s rugged terrain.

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This Tiny Oregon Island Is Home To One Of The Most Photographed Lighthouses In America

When I first stepped onto that small island in Oregon, I immediately felt the pull of history and sea air. The lighthouse stood tall, its white paint gleaming against the deep...

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People Drive For Hours Just To Eat The Giant Pancakes At This Oregon Breakfast Spot

There’s something magical about a breakfast spot that becomes a destination, and in Oregon I found exactly that. I’d heard whispers about a pancake so huge it practically earned...

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This Rugged Oregon Canyon Feels Like a Window Into Oregon’s Wild Past

I trekked into a rugged canyon in Oregon that felt like stepping straight into the state’s ancient wilderness. The sheer walls rose around me, their weathered faces whispering...

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10 Beginner-Friendly Hikes In Oregon To Tackle This Spring

Spring has officially sprung, and if you’ve been dreaming of shaking off those winter blues and embracing the great outdoors, this is your sign! Oregon comes alive with vibrant...

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This Underrated Oregon State Park Might Be The Most Beautiful In The State

We all love discovering those destinations that are truly extraordinary, ones that might fly a little under the radar but deliver an experience far beyond imagination. Oregon is...

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This Oregon Tulip Festival Turns the State Into a Sea of Color Every Spring

Pulling up to Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm on a crisp March morning, I genuinely did not expect to feel so completely overwhelmed by color. Rows upon rows of tulips stretched out in...

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This Oregon Mountain Fire Lookout Lets You Sleep Above the Clouds

Imagine waking up with mountain peaks stretching in every direction, clouds drifting just below your window, and the only sound around you being the wind.

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Take This Picturesque Oregon Train Ride For A Relaxing Spring Day Trip

Rolling along the northern Oregon coastline aboard a vintage train sounds like something from another era, and that's exactly what makes the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad such a...

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This Bewitching Oregon Shop Is Filled With Oddities and Old-World Apothecary Charm

I pushed open the door and immediately felt like I’d stepped through a portal into another century. What waited inside wasn’t your typical coastal tourist stop, but a moody...

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This Oregon All-You-Can-Eat Spot Is So Good, It Deserves A Visit In 2026

Portland’s dining scene just got a lot more exciting thanks to a place that blends bold Thai street food energy with interactive hot pot dining. Instead of just ordering a plate...

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This Oregon Craft Market Feels Like a Treasure Hunt You Can’t Miss this Spring

Walking through the Portland Saturday Market feels like stepping into a world where creativity lives on every corner and discovery waits around every booth. Located at 2 SW Naito...

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Oregon’s Mexican Spot That Feels Like a Full-Blown Telenovela, Drama-Free, Extra Salsa

Walking through the doors of this Tigard favorite feels a little like stepping onto a colorful telenovela set, just without the slow motion gasps and dramatic plot twists. The...

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A Family-Run Chocolate Shop in Oregon That Brings Back Childhood Memories

Walking into Creo Chocolate feels like stepping into someone's kitchen where magic happens daily. The smell of roasted cacao beans fills the air, where the Pelaez family has built...

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This Lesser-Known Oregon Beach Town Is a Seven-Mile Slice of Heaven

Rockaway Beach sits quietly along the Oregon coast, letting the bigger-name beach towns grab all the attention while it keeps its seven miles of sandy perfection mostly to itself....

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The Tiny Oregon Diner Where The Breakfast Special Hasn’t Changed In Decades (And That’s Awesome)

I stumbled into Debby's Diner on a Saturday morning, drawn by the sight of a gleaming Studebaker parked outside and the unmistakable hum of Chuck Berry drifting through the doors....

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These Lesser-Known Oregon Forests Have Trees So Twisted Locals Swear They’re Magical

Oregon has a way of hiding its wildest wonders in plain sight, and nothing proves it better than its secret forests. I’ve...

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This Oregon Wilderness Drive Is So Surreal It Doesn’t Feel Real

I thought I knew what a scenic drive looked like until I tackled Steens Mountain. Rising nearly 10,000 feet out of southeastern...

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These 9 Oregon Towns Make You Rethink Your Next Weekend Trip

Oregon has a way of sneaking up on you when you least expect it. I thought I’d seen all the best weekend getaways, but then I started wandering into these small, off-the-map...

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The Buffet in Oregon Locals Swear Is Secretly the Best in Town

Salem holds a little secret most tourists never stumble upon, and it’s called Gold Dragon Restaurant. Tucked at 4645 Commercial St SE, this unassuming Chinese buffet has been...

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This Oregon Safari Lets You Drive Through Giraffes, Rhinos, and More

I never expected to lock eyes with a giraffe through my windshield in southern Oregon, but there I was, frozen in my driver’s seat and grinning like a kid. Wildlife Safari in...

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This Oregon’s Cozy Mountain Café Has a $9 Pizza That Steals the Show

I stumbled into Zigzag Mountain Cafe on a crisp morning while heading up to Mt. Hood, and instantly knew I’d found something special.

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A Breathtaking Cliffside Garden Wonderland in Oregon Worth Visiting

I still remember the exact second Shore Acres State Park stole my heart. One step onto those dramatic sandstone cliffs near Coos Bay and boom, the Pacific is raging below me while...

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This Historic Oregon Mansion Is Said to Be Haunted and Visitors Still Report Strange Experiences

I never thought I'd be ghost hunting in a mansion, but here I am at Pittock Mansion in Portland, Oregon, and let me tell you, the stories are wild. Built in 1914 by newspaper tycoon...

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The Oregon Pancake Spot Where $13 Feeds You Like Royalty

Tucked along a busy stretch of SW Canyon Road in Beaverton, Oregon, sits a breakfast haven that has quietly mastered the art of feeding hungry diners without emptying their wallets....

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Oregon Breakfast Places So Good Locals Don’t Mind Waiting in Line

Oregon's breakfast scene has become legendary among food lovers who know that the best meals are worth the wait. From Portland's bustling streets to cozy cafes in Oregon City,...

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9 Oregon Cities That Hide Unexpected Charm Around Every Corner

Oregon hides some of the most delightful surprises you never knew existed. Beyond Portland's famous food carts and Crater Lake's stunning blue waters, there are small towns scattered...

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The Oregon Waterfall That Feels Like Your Own Secret World

Tucked away in Mount Hood National Forest, Tamanawas Falls is one of Oregon's best-kept secrets for adventurers craving a peaceful escape into nature. This stunning 100-foot waterfall...

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These Oregon Restaurants Locals Trust Without Thinking Twice

Oregon's food scene pulses with authenticity, where locals skip the tourist traps and head straight to the places they've been trusting for years. These aren't necessarily the...

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These 10 Unassuming Oregon Locations Will Surprise Even Locals

Oregon has earned its reputation for stunning coastlines, towering mountains, and lush forests, but the state also hides a treasure trove of lesser-known wonders that even lifelong...

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These Forgotten Places in Oregon Locals Still Talk About

Oregon holds stories that slip between trees, settle in river fog, and linger in empty doorways you might pass without noticing. Locals...

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This Oregon Restaurant Doesn’t Look Creepy – But Locals Whisper About the Ghost There

Tucked away in Portland’s Buckman neighborhood, My Father’s Place looks like an ordinary dive bar at first glance. Step inside, though, and you’re met with classic American...

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These 10 Oregon Lakes Locals Use for Weekend Relaxation

Oregon's weekend warriors know the secret to perfect relaxation lies in the state's incredible collection of freshwater lakes. Nestled...

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These 9 Oregon Buffets Locals Always Recommend Despite the Look

Oregon has never been known for glitz and glamour when it comes to dining, but that's part of the charm. Tucked into strip...

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10 Places in Oregon That Don’t Try to Impress – and Still Leave an Impression

Some places whisper, yet you remember them long after louder destinations fade. Oregon is full of quiet corners where color,...

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How Oregonians Really Learn to Live With the Rain

Rain colors Oregon with a quiet shimmer, and you feel it the moment clouds lower over cedar rooftops and glistening streets. The...

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