This Way To Paradise

Did you know that Ridgefield, Washington holds a magical oasis of wildlife, wetlands, and forests just waiting for you to explore? Ridgefield Refuge is one of my favorite places to hike, and it’s just minutes away from Portland, Oregon. There’s even an auto tour route if you want to see the wildlife without getting out of your car. I loved taking the route in my convertible this last summer. You will see many birds from your car, and if you keep your eyes open, you are also likely to see otters, turtles, and nutrias. The auto route is only open from April-October so that the wintering waterfowl aren’t disturbed. Ridgefield…

The Oregon Coast is one of the most beautiful coastlines to explore. Oregon law allows free beach access to everyone, so you are free to stop and explore anywhere you want along the way. With its sea cliffs, beaches, bays, and haystacks, the coast never gets boring. The hardest part is deciding which things to do on the Oregon Coast, so here are my favorites, the ones you don’t want to miss. Things To Do On The Oregon Coast 1. Drive On The Beach At Sunset Beach If your idea of a beautiful beach is long and sandy, then Sunset Beach is the place to start. Located in Warrenton, Oregon,…

If you’re looking for an easy Washington hike, I highly recommend checking out Moulton Falls Trails in Washington. This hike is just an hour away from Portland and the clear East Fork Lewis river and cascading waterfalls spotlight some of the prettiest features of the Pacific Northwest. The trail here is wide and flat, so it’s a perfect hike to bring your kids or dogs. It’s also wheelchair accessible, as the trail starts out paved. It does turn to gravel, though, so keep that in mind. Moulton Falls itself is more of a rocky cascade of water and not a towering waterfall, but it’s still makes for a beautiful hike.…

Byodo-In Temple lies at the base of the Ko’olau Mountains in Valley of the Temples Memorial Park in Honolulu, Hawaii. This nondenominational Buddhist temple was built in 1968 to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaii. The Temple is a beautiful replica of the 950 year-old Byodo-In Temple in Uji, Japan. It is one of the most tranquil and peaceful spots on the island of Oahu. This incredible structure was built without any nails, and the grounds themselves are a lush paradise filled with koi carp and wild peacocks. The large reflecting pond provides stunning views which took my breath away. The essence of being alive seems…

Lulumahu Falls is definitely one of the most adventurous Hawaii hikes that I did. Not because it was long or difficult. At 2 miles, it’s a pretty short hike. But, the beginning was extremely muddy, and I almost turned back! It was so muddy that someone even lost a shoe, though, I’m not sure who thought they could make it through this hike in heels! Technically, the hike is on private government property and you are supposed to get a permit, but no one ever seems to abide by this rule. You can get a ticket for not having one, though, so you’ve been warned! You find the hike on…