Southern Oregon Road Trip – 2TravelDads

Southern Oregon - 2TravelDads

We love our road trips, you know that, and living in the Pacific Northwest, we’re at the gateway to some of the best road trips in the United States. Oregon is our neighbor and we visit it a lot, but it’s rare that we really explore the south part of the state. This is our (future) award winning southern Oregon road trip that takes the best of the Cascades and pairs it with the Oregon Coast. This road trip itinerary is ideal in Spring and Summer and is great with kids!

When we found out we were heading to Southern Oregon we knew two things: the Umpqua National Forest and the southern coast are going to be fun and drastically different. The Cascade Mountains run from British Columbia to Northern California. They’re dotted with snowy peaks and dense forests, which when put together make for an epic collection of waterfalls. Doing a road trip with kids, we knew that we needed to pack in some big wow items, and waterfalls always do the trick.

For fun along the coast, we make it a habit to fly kites when possible, but when the weather doesn’t permit we do the next best thing: beach combing. Even in rainy weather the kids love searching for beach glass and interesting shells, so getting some time on the coast is perfect for us. In addition to the beach, there are lots of unique coastal experiences that are great for families. We made time to do fun activities we can’t do at home, including experiencing some of the natural phenomena of the Oregon Coast (see below).

If you’ve done a road trip with small to medium age kids, you know that being in the car is a bummer. We try to break up longer drive times with fun. Here are our top tips for ensuring every part of the road trip experience is awesome.

By Rob Taylor – Full Story at 2TravelDads

Southern Oregon Coast Gay Travel Resources

 

Gay Portland, Oregon – The Gay UK

portland - pixabay

For years, my former boss at South Florida Gay News would rave about Portland, Oregon. He loved the free-spirited nature of the community as well as the abundance of outdoor activities available outside the city. After years of seeing Norm and other friends post breathtaking photos on social media, I thought it was time to give Portland a try.

When I first arrived, I got the feeling that I was in a smaller version of Seattle, but as I spent time in Portland, I quickly discovered that it had a life of its own. I did however speak to some locals and they told me the city has been going through a bit of an identity crisis as of late as they try to compete with Seattle’s economic boom, mostly driven by Amazon and other tech firms. But, why try to be Seattle? Just be Portland.

The entire downtown area is pretty much walkable, with many of the city’s main attractions located within a few miles of each other. What was obvious from the start were the abundance of rainbow flags scattered throughout the city. I think it’s safe to say that Portland may have the highest concentration of rainbow flags per capita than any city I have visited thus far.

My first stop in Portland was The Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education. Being of Jewish decent, I found it fascinating that this particular attraction would be located in Portland. I wasn’t aware of the city’s extensive Jewish community. The museum explores the legacy of the Jewish experience in Oregon and teaches the universal lessons of the Holocaust. The museum features rotating exhibitions that showcase Jewish contributions to world culture, issues of Jewish identity, and the forces of prejudice. They also offer an extensive program of films, lectures, and concerts throughout the year, which cover a wide range of topics relating to Jewish art, culture, and heritage.

By Joey Amato – Full Story at The Gay UK

Gay Portland, Oregon Travel Resources

 

Dundee Manor Bed & Breakfast – Dundee, Oregon Gay Bed and Breakfast

Dundee Manor Bed & Breakfast

Dundee Manor is truly a destination for discriminating treavelers. Originally built in 1908, with all the clean, elegant architecture of a four square Edwardian estate. Wander through our gardens and under massive trees, or just relax and ponder by the fountain. Sit in the Gazebo and deck areas and admire Mt. Hood & Mt. Jefferson in the distance.

Enjoy a gourmet breakfast in our antique-furnished dinning room, or outside on one of two private deck areas, surrounded by nature and all the glory of the red hills of Dundee. Savor a glass of wine from one of our local wineries, and let us spoil you during your stay.

Each room is filled with treasures brought back from four continents. There’s a private library with video collection, and the most delightful rocking chairs on the front porch to enjoy the garden view.

When your stay at Dundee Manor, you can enjoy the many amenities the area has to offer. Spend the day wine tasting and touring Mt. Hood or visiting the Oregon Coast, and return to the manor for the warmth and comfort we offer. And yes – Turn-Down Service is included.

See the Dundee Manor Bed & Breakfast Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Willamette Valley Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals

Queer Family Hiking in Bend, Oregon – 2TravelDads

Queer Family Hiking in bend, Oregon - 2TravelDads

Bend, Oregon with kids is an ideal vacation plan. Seriously. We just returned from a week long fall trip to Bend and enjoyed the culture and outdoors of Bend so much that we’re chatting about doing a return trip to consider and research moving there. We were based out of LOGE Camps Entrada Lodge on the Cascade Lakes Highway and couldn’t have been more pleased how it added to our Bend itinerary.

Check out our really cool, perfect family accommodations at LOGE Camps Entrada as well as our family friendly Bend itinerary for taking advantage of the outdoors. It’s the perfect vacation plan to make you fall in love with Central Oregon.

Staying at LOGE Camps Entrada Lodge

We first stayed at a LOGE Camps location in Westport, Washington and we were hooked. LOGE Camps are the coolest compounds perfect for outdoor lovers and families. LOGE Entrada is the newest member to the collection of family-friendly hotels in the group. Located just outside of the main downtown area of Bend, LOGE Entrada is on the way out to Mount Bachelor and the Deschutes National Forest. The location was perfect for us and our outdoors-focused Bend itinerary.

The rooms at LOGE Entrada are super cool, as they’ve been updated to incorporate outdoor elements like rustic wood and hammocks. Some accommodations have bike racks in the rooms themselves, others have exterior storage lockers with locks/keys provided. In the event you’re not prepared for the adventures, LOGE has everything you need for purchase, from Yeti coolers to metal coffee tumblers, charging cables to hammocks.

By Rob Taylor – Full Story at 2TravelDads

Bend Gay Travel Resources

 

Oregon Coast Road Trip – 2TravelDads

Oregon Coast road trip - 2TravelDads

With so many ways to do a road trip you can take almost any approach. We just did it with two kids so we are ready to share exactly how to get the most from the Oregon Coast. Doing an Oregon Coast road trip is really fun and very easy. There are zero chances to get lost and 1000 opportunities to fall in love with the nature and nautical sights along the way.

Have you done the Oregon Coast with kids? Want to see what we did to keep them entertained as well as give us parents things to look forward to with each stop? Here’s how you do an Oregon Coast road trip with kids that’s good for the whole family no matter the season.

The Oregon Coast is gorgeous… even in the foggy rain which you might experience any time of year. When you’re packing for an Oregon Coast road trip be sure to plan for hot sun as well as chilling wet. As a rule when we’re touring around Western Washington or Oregon we always pack equally for rain or sun, erring on the side of the time of year. This includes activities we bring with us.

Like with any itinerary, take this one with a grain of salt and update it for your own family. We like to visit beaches, breweries and lighthouses, so this Oregon Coast road trip itinerary has a healthy mixture of nature and culture. And like any jaunt through small town America, you’ll be tempted to stop in places we don’t mention and to find your own foodie spots. Go for it! Road tripping is all about fun and new experiences and the Oregon Coast is no exception!

By Rob Taylor – Full Story at 2TravelDads

Oregon Gay Travel Resources

Dundee Manor Bed & Breakfast – Dundee, Oregon

Dundee Manor Bed & Breakfast

Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay:

Dundee Manor is truly a destination for discriminating treavelers. Originally built in 1908, with all the clean, elegant architecture of a four square Edwardian estate. Wander through our gardens and under massive trees, or just relax and ponder by the fountain. Sit in the Gazebo and deck areas and admire Mt. Hood & Mt. Jefferson in the distance.

Enjoy a gourmet breakfast in our antique-furnished dinning room, or outside on one of two private deck areas, surrounded by nature and all the glory of the red hills of Dundee. Savor a glass of wine from one of our local wineries, and let us spoil you during your stay.

Each room is filled with treasures brought back from four continents. There’s a private library with video collection, and the most delightful rocking chairs on the front porch to enjoy the garden view.

When your stay at Dundee Manor, you can enjoy the many amenities the area has to offer. Spend the day wine tasting and touring Mt. Hood or visiting the Oregon Coast, and return to the manor for the warmth and comfort we offer. And yes – Turn-Down Service is included.

Whatever you desire, Dundee Manor will be your home base and refuge after a long and busy day enjoying the Best of the Oregon Wine Country; we can reserve your tee times, dinner reservations, private wine tours, and massages.

Dundee Manor has been rated five stars on Trip Advisor by guests over a two year period. The area has more than 160 World Class Wineries.

The Manor has been reviewed by Northwest Palate Magazine and numerous other publications as a true destination with style in the Oregon Wine Country, we are continuously raising the bar! Food, comfort, passion, location and guest services, presented by its Innkeepers!

  • A/C available in each unit (when needed)
  • Guest laptop available
  • CD, flat-screens and full premium cable in all suites
  • Vast collection of videos & CD’s (Updated and archived)
  • Gourmet breakfasts
  • Ensuite Snacks refreshed daily
  • Homemade baked goods made fresh daily
  • Beverages free for guests
  • Spinal Comfort Euro Queen Beds
  • Down Comforters with full Count Luxury Linens
  • Fleece Spa robes for each guest (Hair dryers)
  • Flowers in each suite refreshed daily
  • Nightly Turn Down Service with special sweet treat
  • Local wine available for sale to our guests (Riedel Wine glasses provided)

Coming to the Oregon Wine Country? Stay with us at Dundee Manor.

See the Dundee Manor Bed & Breakfast Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals in Oregon

 

TouVelle House Bed & Breakfast – Jacksonville, Oregon

TouVelle House B&B Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay: TouVelle House Bed & Breakfast is ready to welcome you with a gentle, serene environment where you can relax knowing that all of your needs have already been anticipated. TouVelle House combines modern comforts with understated elegance and leisure. Restful gardens, feather-soft bedding, home-made breakfasts and bountiful amenities create a luxurious retreat from the day-to-day. This Craftsman estate sits atop a knoll and is set well back from the street. The house is draped in an acre of lush landscaping and is open to a variety of local fauna. A short walk will take you to the heart of Jacksonville where you will find ample opportunities for shopping, dining, wine tasting and pampering. Historic guided tours offer insight into Jacksonville’s gold rush days or we can provide a pocket guide to explore on your own. Feeling like getting out beyond the Rogue Valley? Crater Lake National Park, the Oregon Caves and the California Redwoods National Park are each a short day-trip from TouVelle House. We offer a sack breakfast option if you want to head out early but don’t want to skip a meal. We post a daily breakfast menu of three courses. If the menu doesn’t suit you, we offer a selection of alternatives that satisfy most dietary restrictions and allergies. We happily accommodate gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan diets with advanced notice. As former military and law enforcement officers ourselves, we like to recognize and thank others in the armed forces and law enforcement agencies. Mention your service and we’ll be honored to offer you a ‘thank you’ discount. We look forward to having you as our guests. Please let us know how we can make your visit to Southern Oregon extra special.

See the TouVelle House B&B Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals in Southern Oregon

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Columbia River Gorge – Dolly Travels

Columbia River Gorge - Dolly and Randy My blog posts are usually about faraway places: Europe, New Zealand, Mexico, but today I had the lovely experience of riding through the magnificent Columbia River Gorge, right here in the United States, on the back of a motorcycle. I came up to southern Washington State several days ago, primarily to visit my eldest son and his family and to help Randy celebrate his 60th birthday. Now those festivities are in the past, but we wanted to do something fun. Sunny days have been a rarity up here during this trip; however, yesterday and today turned out to be very pleasant. Randy asked me if I would like to visit the Columbia River Gorge on his motorcycle. We left La Center, motored south past Vancouver, crossed the bridge over the Columbia River and turned east. The Columbia River is the boundary between the states of Oregon and Washington for over 80 miles. We wanted to travel the Historic Gorge Highway, which is on the Oregon side. We left the main highway, got onto the Gorge Highway, which winds up and up, twisting and turning, crossing old bridges, following along what is known as the “Waterfall Trail”, as there are several waterfalls along the route. The largest of the waterfalls is Multnomah Falls, towering 620 feet above the gorge, falling in two sections to join a stream that flows down to the Columbia River. There was so much traffic around the falls today that signs were up directing traffic away. We had to stop and take this picture from a roadside stop on the Washington side of the River. The falls are still impressive. Along the Historic Highway, we stopped at Vista House. This building was constructed in the early 1900’s as a rest stop for travelers. It is a very attractive building, built of local stone with stained glass windows and inside walls of marble. We climbed the staircase inside the building and came out onto a balcony that encircled the building, giving visitors a 360-degree view of the Columbia River, mountains in the background, farmland around small waterways. We were happy that we had talked to the young couple. They were from Melbourne, Australia, and they were having a grand time touring our Pacific Northwest. However, they were a bit embarrassed that they could not pronounce the names of places correctly. Randy told them that some of the names are of Native American extraction , so unless one was born here, the names are difficult for all of us. They were so cute and friendly. We were sorry to leave them. Later, we stopped for gas and a snack, which we had while resting at a picnic area. A young man, also riding a motorcycle, stopped and engaged Randy in a conversation about road trips, motorcycle efficiency and other motorcycle-related topics. This must be the way things are all over the world: people of like minds and interests gravitate to others of the same interests. Finally, we had to head for home. We crossed the Columbia River again, over to the Washington side, by way of the Bridge of the Gods. This is a cantilevered steel bridge. While driving across, I fcould look down and see the water about 400 feet below us. I only looked once! I had to research why it is called Bridge of the Gods. Apparently, over 600 years ago, an earthquake made a dam in the River, allowing people to cross from one side of the River to the other. Eventually, that dam washed away, and other bridges were made, with only man-made materials and labor, but the name stuck. Once on the Washington side of the River, we followed the Lewis and Clark scenic highway back to Vancouver. We had to get on the freeway for some time before Randy turned found the exit he wanted. We finished our trip by going through more farmland and peaceful scenery. I had a great time, and I am very grateful to my son who took the time to take his mother on an adventure. Thank you, Randy. Ciao for now, Dolly

By Dolly Goolsby – Full Story at Dolly Travels

Columbia River Gorge Gay Travel Resources

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Featured Gay Friendly Accommodations: Silverton Inn and Suites, Silverton, Oregon

Silverton Inn & Suites Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay.

The Silverton Inn & Suites is a luxury boutique hotel located less than a mile from The Oregon Garden one of Oregon’s most popular destinations, and minutes from The Silver Falls State Park. The Inn’s incredible lodging experience includes rooms with their own individual character.

See the Silverton Inn and Suites Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals in the Willamette River Valley

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Featured Gay Friendly Accommodations: Lodge at Detroit Lake, Detroit, Oregon

Lodge at Detroit Lake Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay.

Located in the heart of the Willamette National Forest, the lodge offers luxury accommodations featuring flat screen televisions, jetted tubs, kitchenettes and all the charm Detroit Lake has to offer.

See the Lodge at Detroit Lake Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals in the Willlamette River Valley

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