holden chase author at My Family Travels
Article
This Oregon Bakery Has Exposed Beams, Community Tables, And Paper Snowflakes Hung By Local Kids

Walking into this Oregon bakery feels like stepping into a friend's cozy kitchen, if that kitchen had soaring ceilings and warm wooden beams overhead. The exposed architecture...

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Oregon’s Painted Hills Look Like Mars, Until You Touch Them And Realize They’re 50 Million Years Old

The rusty stripes look like something a rover should be photographing. You half expect the ground to be red sand and the sky to be pink.

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A 30,000 Square Foot Oregon Hardware Store Sells Vintage Doorknobs From A 1920s Bank That Was Demolished

You cannot find a doorknob like this at a big box store. This one came from a 1920s bank that was torn down decades ago, and now it sits in a 30,000 square foot hardware warehouse...

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6 Oregon Shipwrecks You Can Walk To At Low Tide Without Getting Your Feet Wet

You won’t need a boat, a snorkel, or even a towel for this hunt. Scattered along the Oregon coastline, six historic ships lie half-buried in the sand, waiting to be discovered.

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This Oregon Diner Housed In A Former Gas Station Packs Cozy Charm That Melts Away Gray Skies

You know that feeling when a gray Oregon sky threatens to ruin your whole day? This cozy diner, tucked inside a former gas station, has been melting those clouds away for decades.

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7 Oregon Fire Lookouts You Can Rent Overnight For Less Than A Motel Room

The alarm clock is a woodpecker, the room service is a self-lit wood stove, and the only neighbor for miles is a family of deer. That is the overnight experience waiting inside...

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The Spaghetti At This Minnesota Spot Is So Memorable, It Will Haunt Your Dreams All Week Long

A plate of spaghetti so good that you will wake up thinking about it days after your last bite. I sat down in a red vinyl booth and the smell of garlic and simmering sauce wrapped...

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This Minnesota Cave Restaurant Lets You Eat Dinner Below Historic Downtown

A staircase leads down beneath the historic streets into a sandstone cave where candlelight flickers off rough stone walls. I walked into the dining room and the temperature dropped...

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There’s A Water Park In Minnesota That Locals Love Too Much To Share

A water park that locals keep whispering about but never post on social media for fear of the crowds showing up. I heard about it from a friend who made me promise not to share...

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The Most Beautiful Walkable Towns In Minnesota You Should Explore This Spring

Fresh spring air and blooming flowers make wandering through these places feel like stepping into a postcard that actually exists. I parked the car and left my keys in my pocket...

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The Tiny Diner Where $5 Buys Oregon’s Best Breakfast On A 70 Year Old Griddle

The bell on the door is part of the 70-year-old griddle's charm, a cast-iron heirloom so seasoned with eggs and bacon that it greets you with the smell of breakfast before you've...

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This Massive Minnesota Bookstore Has Thousands Of Titles At Shockingly Low Prices

A bookstore so large that you could easily spend an entire afternoon just wandering the aisles without any regrets. I walked in with a small budget and left with a stack of books...

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The Scenery at This Minnesota State Park Is So Gorgeous You Won’t Believe Your Eyes

A cliff of pink quartzite rises from the prairie like nature decided to show off just a little bit. I stood at the edge and the view stretched so far that the horizon seemed to...

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This Enchanting Train Ride Hiding In Minnesota Is Something Most People Don’t Know About

The train whistle echoes through the trees and suddenly you feel like you are in an old movie scene. I climbed aboard and found a seat by the window ready to watch the landscape...

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This Family-Owned Minnesota Restaurant Will Turn Your Breakfast Wishes Into Reality

The menu is so full of breakfast options that you might need a few minutes just to decide. I sat in a cozy booth while the smell of bacon and fresh coffee floated through the air...

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Over 100 Rare Muscle Cars Hide Inside This Little-Known Auto Museum in Minnesota

The building looks like a simple shed from the outside and that is exactly the point. I walked in and my jaw started a slow descent toward the concrete floor immediately.

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The Giant Thrift Store In Minnesota Where A Full Cart Costs Just 30$

Walking in with a twenty dollar bill felt like bringing a spoon to a food fight honestly. The shelves go on forever with clothes and lamps and weird little ceramic frogs everywhere.

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Do Not Expect To Enjoy Ordinary Ice Cream After One Visit To This Minnesota Custard Shop

My first bite of frozen custard ruined regular ice cream for me completely. It is creamier and denser and somehow richer than anything I have ever tasted before.

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You’ll Walk Past This Minnesota Convenience Store Soda Cooler 100 Times Before Someone Shows You The Door

I walked past a soda cooler at least fifty times without knowing the secret. A friend finally grabbed the handle and pulled it toward me slowly.

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Minnesota Flea Market That Will Make You Question Why You Ever Bought New

You walk in with twenty bucks and zero expectations honestly. Three hours later you are carrying a lamp and a vintage jacket. The...

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A Beloved Oregon Quilt Shop Has Been a Go-To Stop for Crafters Since 1996

Rows of color greet you the moment you step inside this beloved Oregon quilt shop, where creativity has been quietly thriving since 1996. The space is turned into something that...

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Once You Try The Prime Cuts In This Oregon Steakhouse, You Become A Regular For Life

One visit to this Oregon steakhouse and your standards change fast. I sit down expecting a solid meal, but the prime cuts hit the table like they’ve got something to prove.

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This Minnesota Cafe Serves Pie From A Tiny Window And The Line Wraps Around The Block

A tiny window is all they need to sell pie. No indoor seating, no fancy plates either. Just a small opening and hours of patient...

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Minnesota Has A Restaurant Inside A Train And It Moves While You Eat

A restaurant that moves while you eat. That is either brilliant or a disaster waiting to happen. This one is brilliant. The...

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This Huge Candy Store In Minnesota Will Take You Right Back To Your Childhood

Remember when a dollar made you feel like a billionaire? This place remembers. It is a candy store the size of a grocery store,...

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One Tiny Bakery In Minnesota Makes The Most Amazing Donuts Of Your Life

The line starts forming before the sun is fully up. That is how you know something special is happening inside. Minnesota has...

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Oregon’s Most Unplugged Hot Springs Has No Wi-Fi and Serves Three Vegetarian Meals a Day

No Wi-Fi, no cell service, and absolutely no one complaining about it. That is how you know a place is special. Oregon has a...

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All-In-One Oregon Waterpark Resort Where Massive Slides And Indoor Waves Meet Stress-Free Family Dining

A waterpark inside a hotel means no one has to drive home wet and shivering. That is already a massive win. Oregon families have...

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The Minnesota State Fair Has More Food on a Stick Than Anywhere on Earth (Yes, Including Hotdish)

If it exists, someone in Minnesota has put it on a stick and fried it. That is not an exaggeration, it is a state law at fair time.

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There’s a 20-Foot Crow Statue in This Minnesota Town and It’s Exactly as Odd as It Sounds

Some towns have water towers. This one has a giant bird. Minnesota is no stranger to roadside oddities, but a twenty foot crow...

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An Abandoned Gravel Mine in Minnesota Became One of America’s Best Ice Climbing Destinations

An old gravel mine does not sound like a tourist destination. Unless you have ice axes and a sense of adventure. Minnesota took...

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The Small-Town Restaurant In Minnesota With $28 Steaks That Locals Swear Are the Best In The State

Twenty eight dollars for a steak in a small town restaurant. That sounds either impossible or suspicious. Minnesota locals will...

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This 2-Mile Minnesota Boardwalk Trail Takes You Through A Hidden Bird Sanctuary Most People Drive Past

Drivers zoom past this spot every single day without a clue. The entrance is easy to miss, which is honestly part of its charm. A...

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This Minnesota Rooftop Bar Offers Skyline Views and a Heated Pool Retreat

A Minnesota rooftop bar takes things up a level - literally. Skyline views stretch out in every direction, giving the whole city that golden-hour glow from above.

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The Massive “Hidden City” In Minnesota Where You’ll Find The Best Papaya Salad In America

A massive “hidden city” feel runs through this pocket of Minnesota, where culture, food, and everyday life stack together in the most unexpected way. From the outside, it doesn’t...

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Minnesota Has A Bin Store Where The Prices Feel Like Somebody Forgot A Decimal Point

You walk in and immediately think something is wrong. The prices are that low. Like, did they mean to add another zero low....

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This Historic Minnesota National Park Remains One of the Country’s Best-Kept Secrets

A historic Minnesota national park sits quietly on the map. But once you’re inside, it feels like you’ve stepped into something most people completely overlook.

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This Oregon Diner Serves Giant Pancakes So Big They Hang Off the Plate

A classic Oregon diner flips breakfast into something almost theatrical the moment those pancakes hit the table. They don’t just sit on the plate - they spill over the edges...

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The Clam Chowder at This Middle-of-Nowhere Oregon Diner Is Seriously Out of This World

Middle of nowhere, Oregon - and somehow that’s exactly where one of the best bowls of clam chowder is hiding. This diner doesn’t look like much from the outside, but step in...

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This Foggy Oregon Coastal Town Feels Exactly Like A Scandinavian Fishing Village

A thick coastal fog rolls in and suddenly this Oregon town doesn’t feel quite like Oregon anymore. Weathered docks, muted colors, and quiet streets give it an unmistakably Scandinavian...

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This Legendary Oregon Smokehouse Draws Diners From All Over the State for Its Famous Smoked Meats

A smoky haze greets you before you even open the door, and just like that, you know you’ve arrived somewhere serious about meat.

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This Scenic Oregon Coast Park Is Back Open With a Forest Trail Leading to a Peaceful Beach

A forest trail slowly opens up toward the ocean, and suddenly you realize this Oregon coast park is back in full magic mode. Tall trees frame the path, guiding you toward a beach...

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10 Historic Monuments in Oregon That Tell the State’s Most Fascinating Stories

Oregon isn’t just forests, coastlines, and mountains - it’s also a state full of stories carved into stone, metal, and memory. These historic monuments aren’t just markers...

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10 Minnesota Restaurants Serving the Best Tater Tot Hotdish in the State

A bubbling casserole dish comes out of the oven, and suddenly you understand why Minnesota takes its hotdish so seriously. This isn’t just comfort food - it’s a full-on regional...

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This Old-School Oregon Seafood Shack Serves Fresh Ocean-Caught Favorites

A weathered shack by the coast greets you before you even step out of the car. Salty air drifts through the parking lot, carrying the unmistakable smell of the ocean straight to...

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The Most Breathtaking Wheelchair-Friendly Trail in Oregon That Redefine Accessible Adventure

I didn’t expect a trail in Oregon to completely reshape how I think about accessible adventure, but this one did exactly that. From the very first stretch, it feels open, inviting,...

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10 Small-Town Steakhouses in Oregon Serving Huge Steaks With Unforgettable Views

Small-town Oregon knows exactly how to do steak - go big, keep it simple, and let the view handle the rest. I walk into places where the grill does all the talking and the portions...

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This Oregon-Based Store Has Been a Go-To Spot for Farm, Ranch, and Outdoor Gear Since the 1960s

Oregon has a store that feels like it’s been built for anyone who actually lives outdoors. I walk in and it’s immediately clear - this isn’t a trend spot, it’s a workhorse...

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This Oregon Seafood Buffet Features A Massive Spread And All The Crab Legs You Can Eat

This Oregon seafood buffet doesn’t believe in holding back. I walk in and the first thing I see is a massive spread that already feels like a challenge.

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This Tiny Oregon Market Features Italian Cuisine, Fresh Pasta, and Imported Goods

This tiny Oregon market feels more like a little slice of Italy tucked between aisles. I walk in and the smell of fresh pasta hits before I even see the counter.

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10 Hidden Oregon Beaches So Stunning They Feel Like Secret Getaways

Oregon doesn’t just have beaches - it hides them like secrets waiting to be found. I hit the first one and immediately understand why people keep these spots quiet.

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This Oregon 1,040-Acre Wildlife Spot Lets You See Massive Elk Herds Up Close Year-Round

An Oregon wildlife spot this big doesn’t feel like a destination - it feels like stepping into someone else’s world. I arrive and instantly realize the landscape stretches...

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This Eclectic Oregon Shop Is Filled With Nearly Every Toy You’ve Ever Forgotten You Loved

Oregon hides a shop that feels like stepping straight into childhood memory overload. I walk in and it’s instant chaos - in the best way.

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10 Hiking Hacks for Exploring Oregon Trails Like a Pro

Oregon trails look easy… until you realize they’ve got their own personality. I’ve learned pretty fast that hiking here isn’t just about walking - it’s about knowing...

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This Oregon Spot Serves Creative Ramen, Sushi, and Robata in a Cool Warehouse Setting

Oregon’s warehouse ramen, sushi, and robata spot feels like a flavor lab gone deliciously right. I walk in and get hit with steam, smoke, and the kind of energy that tells you...

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The Oregon Airport Diner Where You Can Eat a $10 Breakfast While Small Planes Land 20 Feet from Your Window

Ever had pancakes with a side of jet engines? This Oregon airport diner serves up $10 breakfasts while small planes land just 20 feet from your window.

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This Oregon Ice Cream Spot Kicks Off 40th Year With Early Scoops and Sweet Celebrations

Celebrating 40 years of scoops, this Oregon ice cream spot knows how to throw a sweet party. I showed up early and was instantly hit with the smell of fresh cones and sugar that...

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This Easy Oregon Waterfall Stop Is Just Steps From the Road and Seriously Stunning

Who says you need a long hike to see something jaw-dropping? This Oregon waterfall is basically a “walk out your car and wow” kind of spot.

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The Charming Restaurant In Oregon Locals Swear Serves The State’s Most Irresistible Chicken Pot Pies

Walking into this Oregon restaurant, I immediately understood why locals rave about it. The chicken pot pies aren’t just food - they’re little golden pockets of pure happiness.

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The Easy Oregon Hike Where You Can Check Four Massive Waterfalls Off Your Bucket List In One Afternoon

Who knew you could knock four massive waterfalls off your bucket list without breaking a sweat? This Oregon hike somehow packs all that jaw-dropping water drama into just a single...

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