Redmond, Oregon is Bend’s fast-growing sibling. Located 20 minutes up the road from the city of 200,000, Redmond has doubled in size over the last decade and continues to be one of the fastest-growing municipalities in Oregon. Home to around 35,000 people as of 2021, Redmond has several sights that make it worth visiting on…

Birch Bay, Washington is a pretty beach community 10 minutes south of the Canadian border. Popular with Canadians and Washingtonians, Birch Bay is busy in the summer and quiet in the winter. We spent summer 2020 in Birch Bay. It was quiet with the border closed (and, you know, the global pandemic). However, we still…

Not to be confused with the city in India, Madras is a small town located 40 minutes north of Bend in eastern Oregon. We spent plenty of time in Madras while living and working in Prineville. Madras isn’t a thriving metropolis like its counterpart in India, but there are still plenty of must-see things to…

Bellingham, Washington is a sneakily nice city. Seattle and Vancouver get all of the hype. Well, Bellingham is perfectly located between both world-class cities. It’s far enough from both cities to get space – but close enough to enjoy the airports and pro sports teams. Everyone from the Lower Mainland is familiar with Bellingham. However,…

For a town with fewer than 100,000 people, Bellingham punches above its weight for breweries. At last count, Bellingham was home to 12 breweries. But it’s not just the number of breweries that matters: it’s also the quality. With top options like Aslan and Kulshan in the mix, Bellingham is one of the best cities…

Interlaken, Switzerland is one of Europe’s most beautiful sights. There are many great hostels in Interlaken, including cheap party hostels, upscale group accommodations, and everything in between.  I’ve visited Interlaken. I’ve partied in the basement of Balmers. I stayed at the surprisingly fancy Backpackers Villa Sonnenhof Hostel. I’ve even watched hockey at the Hooters in…