The Nines hotel in Portland, Oregon

In Portland, nothing says 'hip hotel' like nude mannequins in the lobby. Relax, Mom and Dad -- a few conventional touches and a friendly...

Seattle's Arctic Club mines gold rush-era memories

The Doubletree hotel offers a pleasing 'Call of the Wild' aesthetic, rich in detail and consistent with the edifice's history.

Rafting on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River

College friends brave Idaho's scenic yet punishing Salmon River for an adventure of a lifetime.

Oregon to Washington road trip completes a West Coast journey

California already conquered, he finishes off the country's West Coast, one beach scene at a time.

Places to stay along the Oregon-Washington coast

Here are seven waterfront lodgings I used while driving 1,147 coastal miles from southern Oregon to northern Washington (and 90 more in...

Once home to Aryan Nations, northern Idaho makes progress

For all its natural wonders, northern Idaho has a recent social history that scares some travelers. And the man in the middle of that...

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, is a relaxing lakeside retreat

Time to power down? Coeur d'Alene and its lake, its resort and its biking trails provide refuge for the overloaded.

The boar war that was averted on San Juan Island

In 1859, the U.S. and Britain almost went to war again -- over a dead pig. Today residents celebrate how forebears used words, not weapons,...

Oregon: Rain or shine, Portland beckons

Beyond being virtually pollution-free, surrounded by lush greenery and, at 568,300 people, a manageable size, it's home to the kinds of...

Oregon: In the valley of wine

The Pinot Noir grape set its roots in Willamette more than 40 years ago, and it's flourished ever since. Is this region the next Napa?

Oregon and Washington coast: where to eat

These aren't the five best restaurants in the Pacific Northwest, but they did serve the five best meals I found in seven days of road-...