micah dawson author at My Family Travels
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February Is the Best Time to Visit This Peaceful Oregon Lakeside Escape

When winter settles deep into the Cascades, this alpine lake transforms into a sanctuary of silence where nature feels slower, softer, and more contemplative.

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This Oregon Flea Market Is a Treasure Hunter’s Dream Come True

A sunny Sunday morning pulled me into a market that instantly felt like Portland at its best. I thought I was just browsing. Three...

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This Oregon Garden Earns a Spot on the 2026 World’s Most Stunning Gardens

I still remember the moment I stepped through the entrance at 611 SW Kingston Avenue in Portland, Oregon, and felt the entire world quiet down around me. The Portland Japanese...

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This Hidden Oregon Gem Is a February Must-Try Even If You’re Not in Portland

Depoe Bay hugs Highway 101 at one of the most dramatic stretches of the Oregon coast, where waves slam into dark rock and gray whales cruise past close enough to spot from shore....

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These 10 Oregon Stores Sell Tillamook Cheese for Way Less Than You’d Expect

Oregon knows cheese. More specifically, Oregon knows Tillamook cheese, that creamy, tangy gold that graces everything from grilled cheese sandwiches to fancy charcuterie boards.

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Why Locals Escape to This Luxurious Oregon Resort in February

February on the Oregon coast brings something most people try to avoid: storms, rain, and relentless wind. But locals know better.

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You Won’t Believe What This Tiny Oregon Town Hides From Tourists

I rolled into Bandon, Oregon on a foggy winter morning thinking it was just another stop on Highway 101, and then my jaw hit the floor. Most people snap a quick pic at Face Rock...

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This Oregon Buffet Surprise Diners With Unexpected Flavors and Variety

Sitting high above the coast with wide-open ocean views, Hill Buffet & Grill in Newport is one of those places that completely sneaks up on you.

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This Oregon Buffet Is Worth the Drive Even If You’re Not in Portland

Last weekend, I made the scenic drive to Grand Ronde, Oregon, and found myself face-to-face with a seafood paradise I didn’t know existed: the Spirit Mountain Casino Seafood...

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This Oregon Mountain Overlook Serves Views Straight Out of a Dream

Climbing the 120 stairs to Sherrard Point for the first time felt like stepping onto a postcard. Perched at 4,055 feet in the Columbia River Gorge, Larch Mountain delivers one...

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8 Oregon Buffets That Don’t Look Like Much But Hit Every Craving

I’ve spent years roaming Oregon, and the best meals almost never look impressive from the outside. Some of my all-time favorites came from buffets hiding in strip malls, stuck...

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The Oldest Restaurant in Oregon That Still Feels Alive Today

I stepped into Huber’s Cafe on a rainy Portland afternoon and instantly felt like I’d slipped through a time portal. The mahogany walls gleamed beneath stained-glass skylights,...

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This Gorgeous Oregon Coast Town Proves You Don’t Need a Fortune to Retire Happy

I've spent years chasing coastal sunsets and retirement dreams, and let me tell you something real: Coos Bay, Oregon just might be the best-kept secret on the Pacific coast. Nestled...

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This Magical Waterfall in Oregon Remains a Well-Kept Secret

I still remember the first time I stumbled upon Toketee Falls in Oregon, tucked away in the Umpqua National Forest like a secret waiting to be discovered. The drive alone felt...

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8 Oregon Towns With Secret Attractions You Won’t Believe Exist

Oregon hides some of the most astonishing attractions in plain sight, tucked away in small towns that most travelers zoom past on their way to bigger cities.

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The Lesser Known Oregon Coast Locals Escape to When Peace and Quiet Matter Most

Tucked between towering cliffs and crashing waves lies a hidden stretch of sand that locals guard like a precious secret. Secret Beach, nestled in the Samuel H.

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9 Tiny Oregon Diners That Serve the Best Breakfast in the State

Oregon has always been a haven for food lovers who crave authentic, down-home cooking served with a smile. Across the state, from the misty peaks of Mt.

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9 Unusual Spots in Oregon You’ll Regret Missing

Oregon hides some of the most surprising and unusual places you could ever visit, far beyond the typical tourist trail. From ancient geological wonders to gravity-defying mysteries,...

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These Oregon Restaurants Locals Rely on During the Week, Not Weekends

Oregon locals know a secret that tourists often miss: the best meals happen on Tuesdays, not Saturdays. While weekend crowds swarm the trendy spots plastered all over Instagram,...

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Oregon Places Locals Hope Tourists Don’t Ruin

Oregon holds a special kind of magic that locals have cherished for generations, from misty coastal hideaways to remote mountain ranges that stretch endlessly toward the horizon....

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The Oregon Spot Everyone Has a Different Opinion About

Portland, Oregon is a city that rarely inspires indifference. Known for its outspoken protest culture, fiercely independent spirit, and ongoing struggles with homelessness and...

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These 10 Oregon Restaurants Locals Return To Without Thinking Twice

You landed in Oregon with an appetite, and locals already know exactly where your cravings will lead. This list is a map of reliable...

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These Oregon Burger Spots Are Why Locals Argue About “The Best One”

Oregon has become a battleground for burger lovers, and the arguments get heated fast. From Portland's bustling food scene to Eugene's hidden gems, locals defend their favorite...

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These 9 Oregon Towns Are Surprisingly Good for Food Alone

Oregon's culinary landscape extends far beyond the bustling streets of Portland, where hidden food towns dot the state from coast to mountains, each offering flavors as diverse...

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9 Oregon Hikes Locals Can Do in a Single Day

Oregon stands out as a paradise for hikers who crave variety without the commitment of multi-day backpacking trips. From the...

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11 Places in Oregon That Locals See Differently Than Visitors Do

You probably think you know Oregon, yet the state reveals itself very differently once you slow down and listen to locals. Visitors...

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These Oregon Nature Spots Feel Different After the Tourists Go Home

You know that quiet electricity in the air when the last cars pull away and the light softens across the trees. That is the...

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10 Towns Oregonians Escape To When They Need Peace

You can feel Oregon slow down the moment the highway narrows and the trees lean in, and that is where this guide begins. Each...

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These 10 Buffet Restaurants In Oklahoma Are Known For Their Variety And Value

You want big variety, good value, and zero guesswork, and Oklahoma delivers on all three with buffets that keep plates full and budgets happy.

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11 All-You-Can-Eat Restaurants In Oregon That Are Actually Worth The Price

Oregon rewards curious eaters with all-you-can-eat experiences that feel personal, polished, and full of local character. You...

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Colorado Mountain Restaurants Worth Discovering Beyond The Usual Tourist Spots

Colorado hides some mountain restaurants that locals whisper about, not because they are exclusive, but because they feel like secret chapters of the state’s story. You will...

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10 Small Towns in Oklahoma With Surprisingly Beautiful Landscapes

Oklahoma surprises at every turn, especially in its small towns where mountains, lakes, and forests meet quiet main streets. You will find cobblestone cottages, river bends, and...

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10 All-You-Can-Eat Restaurants In Oklahoma Locals Keep Coming Back To

Oklahoma loves a generous plate, and all you can eat spots are where that spirit truly shows. From classic American buffets...

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11 Massachusetts BBQ Joints That Make Every Bite Worth It

You came to Massachusetts for history and coastlines, but the smoke trails tell another story worth following. Across the...

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11 Hidden Hole-in-the-Wall Breakfast Taverns in Oklahoma That Feel Just Like Home

Some mornings beg for a booth that knows your name and a coffee cup that never runs dry. Oklahoma is stacked with soulful...

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10 Oklahoma Buffets That Are Worth the Drive

Road tripping across Oklahoma gets tastier when the destination is a buffet that actually delivers. From metro favorites to...

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10 Tennessee Buffets Locals Can’t Get Enough Of

Tennessee loves a good buffet, and locals know exactly where to find the most welcoming spreads with real character. This guide gathers beloved favorites and reliable standbys...

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Quiet Maine Villages That Make You Never Want to Leave

Maine has a way of slowing time, especially in its small villages where salt air and pine meet quiet streets. You will find places that feel timeless, with harbors that whisper...

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The Most Underrated Mountain Town in Oregon You’ve Never Explored

You think you know Oregon, then Joseph redraws the map in your mind with granite walls, quiet streets, and sky that feels close enough to touch. This little city at the foot of...

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10 Mountain BBQ Lodges In Utah Worth Visiting

Discover the hidden gems of Utah's mountain BBQ lodges, where rustic charm meets mouthwatering flavors. Nestled among the peaks, these unique spots offer an unforgettable escape...

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Texas Town That Might Just Be the Next Austin

Texas has a way of revealing places that feel both fresh and timeless, and Wimberley fits that sweet spot perfectly. You get Hill Country views, spring fed swimming holes, and...

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11 Montana Small Towns Grappling With the Challenges of a Tourist Influx

Montana calls with mountains, lakes, and small towns that feel timeless, yet the rush of visitors is reshaping daily life. You will see cheerful main streets and trailheads packed...

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This Town in Oklahoma Is Worth the Detour

Hinton sits quietly on the plains of Oklahoma, then surprises you with canyon walls, vintage stories, and a friendly pace that makes time breathe. Red rock trails, a pink landmark...

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Why Locals Claim This Colorado Small Town Is the Most Peaceful Spot in the State

If a calm day in Colorado sounds like a dream, Fort Collins turns it into your everyday reality. Locals talk about the hush that lingers between tree lined streets, and you can...

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10 Pennsylvania Places You Can’t Miss on Your Next Adventure

Pennsylvania packs more wonder into one state than you might expect, and every corner invites a different kind of adventure. From city icons to deep green gorges, you can jump...

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11 Oregon Towns Locals Say Tourism Has Transformed

Oregon keeps surprising travelers, and locals feel the ripple in everyday life. Quiet streets turned lively, storefronts revived, and trailheads now buzz where only birdsong used...

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Colorado’s Hidden Hills Restaurant That’s Got Everyone Talking

Colorado travelers keep whispering about a low-key legend where the plains meet the peaks and the neon sign feels like a beacon on Highway 85. George’s Drive Inn in Walsenburg...

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Top Fishing Lakes to Visit in Michigan

Michigan is a freshwater playground, and its fishing lakes deliver year round action that keeps anglers coming back. You will find everything from crystal clear trout water to...

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The Quietest Small Town in Wyoming With Endless Views

Pinedale, Wyoming, feels like a pause button pressed right where the plains meet the Wind River Mountains, and the silence carries further than the horizon. You notice it in the...

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This Rising Montana City Has Everything You Could Want

Billings in Montana feels like a city built for momentum, where sandstone cliffs meet a skyline that keeps stretching toward possibility. You get the energy of a regional hub with...

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