Featured image: A dragon boat team prepares for the races on the Willamette River near the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) in Portland Photos by Cheryl Landes The 2018 Portland Dragon Boat Festival is coming this weekend! Watch these beautiful, brightly colored boats compete on the Willamette River in downtown Portland starting at … Continue reading Watch the dragon boats race on the Willamette River in downtown Portland

Featured image: Fisherman at Spectacle Lake, seven miles northwest of Tonasket, Washington, in Okanogan Country (photo credit: Okanagan County Tourism Council) Central Washington is a fisher's paradise for trout, bass, and walleye. It also has some of the best rivers in the state for sockeye, steelhead, and king salmon. And there are many options for … Continue reading Find that perfect fishing spot in Okanogan Country with this free guide

Featured image: Houseboats on Lake Union in Seattle (photo by lauramba, courtesy Pixabay) Seattle's floating homes community enjoy and embrace a unique lifestyle near the center of one of the fastest growing cities in the nation. It's a place where humans protect nature and both live in harmony. On September 9 from noon to 5 … Continue reading Tour houseboats on Seattle’s Lake Union in September

Featured image: Welcome sign near the Maine state border (photo by Money for Coffee, via Pixabay) Many states have towns named after foreign countries, but I've noticed the most so far in Maine. During drives there, I've passed small towns like Mexico, Denmark, Norway, and Peru. And that's just for starters. It's  easy to assume … Continue reading Why does Maine have so many towns named after foreign countries?

Featured image: A beach in Provincetown, Massachusetts, on the tip of Cape Cod (photo by Mark Martins, courtesy Pixabay) Looking for some inexpensive ways to enjoy exploring Cape Cod this summer? Check out the Boston Globe's guide to 20 ideas, from food to shopping: 20 things to do for under $20 on Cape Cod

Featured image: Traffic on Third Avenue in downtown Seattle (photo credit: King County Metro) On August 20, 13 blocks of Third Avenue in downtown Seattle, from Stewart Street to just south of Yesler Way, began daily closures to car traffic from morning to night. This change is permanent. From 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. daily, … Continue reading Seattle’s Third Avenue now closed to car traffic during certain hours

Featured image from Creative Commons Grab a lawn chair or spread a blanket on the grass in front of the gazebo at Esther Short Park and enjoy a summer evening of music as the sun sets in downtown Vancouver, Washington. Here's the lineup for 2018. All concerts are on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. … Continue reading Free Six to Sunset concerts return to Esther Short Park in downtown Vancouver, WA

Featured image: Summer Heirloom pizza from Pagliacci Pizza (photo credit: Pagliacci Pizza) For 40 years, the original Pagliacci Pizza location on The Ave in the University District has been a popular stop for pie fans in Seattle. Now it says good-by on its last day of business on Thursday, July 26, by dishing up free … Continue reading Pagliacci Pizza on The Ave in Seattle says good-by July 26 with free pizza slices

Featured image: The entrance to Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and one of the venues open during a Free Fun Friday (photo by Cheryl Landes) Each Friday from late June through late August, the Highland Street Foundation hosts free admission to a range of cultural venues throughout Massachusetts. Visit art museums, … Continue reading Free Fun Fridays in Massachusetts June through August

Featured image: Cricket (photo by makamuki0 via pixabay) This report might bug some readers, but I feel obligated to share the news. If you're looking for an unusual culinary experience, it's coming to Portland, Maine, on July 9. That's when the state's first edible insect meals will be served at the Bao Bao Dumpling House … Continue reading Experience edible insect dining on July 9 in Portland, Maine