holden chase author at My Family Travels
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Locals Say This Oregon Buffet Is the Ultimate Cheat Day Destination

Crab legs piled high, sushi rolls gliding past on display, and the sizzle of custom stir-fry hitting a blazing grill. The energy is loud, bright, and unapologetically indulgent.

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A Ghostly 2,000-Year-Old Forest Rises From the Tides on This Oregon Beach Every February

Walking along the Oregon coast, I never expected to stumble upon something that felt like stepping into another world. The Neskowin Ghost Forest appears like ancient sentinels...

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This Oregon Castle Has Ghosts That Locals Swear Are Real

I’ve wandered through my fair share of supposedly haunted spots in Oregon, but one moss-covered ruin in Forest Park genuinely caught me off guard.

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This Oregon Lavender Farm Is the Secret Spring Paradise Locals Don’t Want You to Know About

I stumbled onto Tumalo Lavender by complete accident one spring afternoon while winding down the quiet backroads near Bend. What I discovered was a ten-acre expanse of purple blooms...

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The Best Oregon Weekend Getaways to Visit This February

February in Oregon is when the state shows off its winter personality. You get snow-covered mountains begging for skis and snowboards, coastal storms that put on a show, and crisp...

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This Cozy Oregon Waterfront Eatery Is a Dungeness Crab Paradise

Crab lovers searching for the ultimate coastal dining experience will find their match at Local Ocean Seafoods in Newport, Oregon.

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This Oregon Trail Looks Ordinary Until You Reach the Jaw-Dropping February View

Last February, I thought I was just signing up for another muddy forest walk when I stumbled onto the Cape Falcon Trail in Oswald West State Park.

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This Oregon Town Feels Like You Accidentally Stumbled Into a Movie

The first time rolling into Cannon Beach felt unreal, like I’d wandered onto a film set before the director called action. Fog...

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This Low-Key Oregon Coast Spot Is Quietly Serving Next-Level Halibut

Some days on the Oregon coast feel like they’re meant for surprises, and finding J’s Fish & Chips in Lincoln City was exactly that kind of day.

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This Lesser Known Oregon Escape Is the One People Regret Sharing

Stumbling upon Tamolitch Falls in Oregon’s Willamette National Forest felt like finding a hidden portal. This isn’t just another waterfall - it’s a mesmerizing blue pool...

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This Oregon Breakfast Spot Serves Mornings Better Than Anyone Else

Breakfast along the Oregon coast has taken me to more cafés than I can count, but nothing comes close to the tiny, magical world inside Lazy Susan Cafe in Cannon Beach. This cash-only...

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8 Hole in the Wall Restaurants in Oregon That Pack a Bite Bigger Than They Look

I’ve spent years eating my way across Oregon, and the best meals almost always show up where you least expect them. The tiny spots tucked into strip malls.

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This Hidden Oregon Trail Takes You on a Walk That’s Basically a Forest Float

I didn’t plan on hiking Drift Creek Falls Trail 1378, but Oregon has a funny way of pulling you into places you didn’t know you needed. Near Otis, Oregon, I wandered into a...

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8 Unassuming All-You-Can-Eat Restaurants in Oregon That Quietly Win People Over

I stumbled upon some of the most unassuming all-you-can-eat restaurants in Oregon, and honestly, they changed my entire perspective on buffet dining. You know that feeling when...

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8 Oregon’s Hidden Hole-in-the-Wall Spots Where Flavor Comes First

Oregon has always been a foodie paradise, but the real magic happens when you wander off the beaten path and stumble upon those unassuming little joints where flavor reigns supreme....

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The Story of How an Oregon Town Became the State’s Largest Night Market Hub

Portland has quietly transformed into Oregon's most vibrant night market destination, and the story behind this metamorphosis is as captivating as the market itself.

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An Oregon Coast Train Ride With Ocean Vistas You Won’t Catch From the Highway

Cruising down Highway 101 along the Oregon coast delivers postcard-perfect views, but there's a whole world of coastal magic hiding just beyond the asphalt.

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The Oregon Waterfall You Can Visit Without Ever Seeing Another Tourist

Hidden away in the quieter corners of Crater Lake National Park, Plaikni Falls offers something rare in today's crowded world of tourism: a genuine chance to connect with nature...

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This Hidden Oregon Canyon Will Make You Forget Your Phone

Tucked away in the remote southeastern corner of Oregon lies a landscape so wild and untouched that it feels like stepping into another world entirely.

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Oregon Locals Love These Spots But Tourists Usually Miss Them

Oregon has so much more to offer than the usual tourist trail of Crater Lake and Cannon Beach. While visitors flock to the same handful of famous spots, locals quietly enjoy stunning...

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These 10 Oregon Towns Are Best Experienced Slowly – Locals Say

Oregon holds a special kind of magic that reveals itself only when you slow down and truly pay attention. Beyond the well-trodden tourist paths and bustling urban centers, there...

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10 Oregon Restaurants Locals Recommend Only to People They Trust

You can learn more about Oregon from a hushed recommendation than from any glossy list, and this guide speaks in those quiet tones.

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9 Beloved Oregon Places Locals Wish Tourists Would Stop Crowding

Oregon holds countless treasures that locals have cherished for generations, from quiet coastal villages to remote mountain trails that feel like stepping into another world.

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9 Charming Villages in Oregon Perfect for a Day Trip

Oregon is a wonderland of small towns and villages that pack big personality into every corner, from rugged coastlines to mountain valleys and wine country hideaways.

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These 9 Unassuming Places in Oregon Deserve More Local Love

Oregon holds secrets that even lifelong residents sometimes miss. Beyond the famous waterfalls and coastline attractions, tucked into the corners of this diverse state, lie places...

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These 10 Unassuming Places in Oregon Hide Stories Nobody Expects

Oregon keeps its boldest tales tucked into quiet corners, where the map looks empty and the silence does most of the talking. You...

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Weird Oregon Laws Tourists Always Break Without Realizing

Oregon looks carefree from the highway, yet small rules can trip you the minute you pull off for a view. Visitors hear wild...

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Oregon Weekend Adventures That Feel Off the Map

You came to Oregon for wild edges, not crowded viewpoints, and that is exactly where this list begins. Think quiet trailheads,...

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These 10 Oklahoma Destinations Locals Say Were Changed by Too Many Visitors

Oklahoma keeps turning up on travel lists, and locals feel the shift every time you pull off the highway. The places once...

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10 Oregon Restaurants Where Unlimited Dining Still Feels Special

Oregon rewards curious eaters with meals that feel generous, relaxed, and unhurried, even when there is no buffet line in sight.

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10 Charming Riverfront Towns in Missouri for a Relaxing Weekend

Missouri is packed with river towns where the pace slows down and the views steal the show. You can stroll historic streets, catch golden light on the water, and find welcoming...

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10 Peaceful Small Towns in Montana for Slow Living

You are probably craving a place where mornings feel unhurried and neighbors still wave from the porch. Montana delivers that rare rhythm, with towns that value quiet streets,...

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13 Hidden Pennsylvania Restaurants Where Shepherd’s Pie Steals the Show

Pennsylvania hides comforting corners where shepherd's pie is treated like a headlining act, and you can taste that care in every forkful.

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Rules Amish Families in Ohio Follow That Outsiders Rarely Understand

Ohio holds some of the largest Amish settlements in the United States, and their daily rhythms often surprise visitors who expect modern conveniences at every turn.

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10 Oregon Towns That Locals Believe Tourists Have Completely Taken Over

Oregon keeps landing on travel bucket lists, and locals feel every packed sidewalk and overflowing trailhead when peak season hits.

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11 Oklahoma’s Best All-You-Can-Eat Spots for Food Lovers

Buffet tables and bottomless plates tell a lot about a place, and in Oklahoma they tell a story of comfort, community, and hearty flavor.

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10 Beloved Pizzerias Across Florida According to Locals

Florida locals know great pizza, and their favorites stretch from Miami to Gainesville with serious pride. This guide hops between neighborhoods and styles, highlighting places...

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Vermont Winter Towns Perfect for a Holiday Movie Vibe

Vermont in winter feels like a film set, where snow settles softly on steeples and village greens glow with white lights. You can wander historic streets, peek into artisan shops,...

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Why This “Boring” South Carolina Town Is the State’s Best-Kept Beach Secret

You hear Surfside Beach called boring, then you arrive and realize it is exactly the calm you have been craving. South Carolina has louder shores, yet this small town invites you...

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11 New York Locations Sex And The City Fans Still Travel For

You love the show, and New York City still feels like the fifth friend in every episode. This guide takes you to the real places across New York State where screen moments became...

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9 Small Towns in Oklahoma People Keep Recommending

Oklahoma is full of small towns that surprise you with character, scenery, and stories that stick. You keep hearing the same names because locals know where the real charm lives,...

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Michigan Restaurants Famous for Their Spaghetti and Meatballs

Planning a Michigan food trip and craving the ultimate spaghetti and meatballs. You are in the right place because this list zeroes in on tried and true restaurants where the pasta...

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New York Weekend Adventures That Wrap Up With Famous Soul Food

Weekends in New York State invite you to chase art, history, parks, and skyline views, then wind down with soul food that tastes like home. You can hop boroughs, cross rivers,...

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10 Off-the-Radar New Mexico Spots Tourists Often Miss

New Mexico rewards curious travelers who wander past the famous icons to find soulful places that whisper their stories quietly. This list guides you to landscapes and communities...

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11 Hidden Gluten-Free Dessert Spots Across Oregon

You came to Oregon for wild coastlines and mossy trails, but the gluten-free dessert scene might be the sweetest surprise waiting around the corner. This list stitches together...

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The Louisiana Hole-in-the-Wall Serving Gumbo Locals Crave

Walk through the doors at 2301 Orleans Avenue, and the heartbeat of New Orleans greets you with color, history, and a smile. This Louisiana landmark does more than serve a bowl...

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Why Travelers Who Love Oklahoma’s Small Historic Towns Usually See Beauty Others Miss

You can feel it the moment you turn off the highway, a softer rhythm that makes Oklahoma’s small historic towns glow in a light many travelers miss. The brick streets, wide skies,...

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10 Places in Oklahoma Where Nature Gets Serious

Oklahoma turns wild the second you leave the highway, and the landscapes shift faster than your playlist. Granite peaks, jungle thick waterfalls, and salt flats that shine like...

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10 Hidden and Unusual Attractions Across Oregon

Oregon rewards curiosity, especially when you step beyond the familiar viewpoints and crowded overlooks. Hidden corners and unusual landmarks reveal the state’s personality,...

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The Prettiest Town in Oregon You’re Probably Not Talking About

Jacksonville, Oregon, slips into your plans the way a favorite song sneaks into your head, easy and irresistible. You get Victorian streets, mountain air, and a creative pulse...

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