Oregon Falls & Olympic Coast – PNW Series, Pt. 1

Hey there Reader,

Welcome to Last Summer in the PNW, a new series we’re kicking off with this issue!

Last summer, we packed up the car, strapped in our furry travel companions, and hit the road for a 7,000-mile adventure across the U.S., from Alabama all the way up to the northwesternmost point in the contiguous United States.

But this time, we did things a little differently. Instead of hopping between National Parks, we slowed down and gave the Olympic Peninsula the time it deserves.

Our first stop in the Pacific Northwest? Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge, with some iconic sights and unexpected finds along the way.

Sights on the way to Olympic

A Windy Riverside Picnic at Maryhill

A pebbly beach at Maryhill State Park with people swimming and relaxing near the water, leading into a grassy park area with trees, paths, and picnic shelters.

Before reaching Oregon's famous waterfall, we made a quick stop across the river at Maryhill State Park. It turned out to be a great riverside spot to stretch, picnic, and get blown around by that famous Columbia Gorge wind.

The park's actually across the river in Washington, so you get to cross a scenic bridge suspended over the gorge to get there.

👉 See what made Maryhill the perfect picnic spot

Multnomah Falls

Multnomah Falls is one of the most photographed waterfalls in the country. This two-tiered waterfall is easy to access, unforgettable in person, and a perfect, dog-friendly start to our PNW adventure.

👉 Discover why Multnomah Falls is a PNW must-see

Olympic’s Wild Southern Coast

Crossing into Washington brought us into the Olympic Peninsula, which is home to some of the most rugged and windswept coastline we’ve ever seen. We've explored Florida's beaches for years, but this was a whole different world.

And good news: So many stops in Olympic are dog-friendly, too! 🐾

Glamping in the Peninsula

Canvas glamping tent at Mossquatch Resort in Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, set on a wooden deck with a clear rain cover supported by rustic log beams. Surrounded by lush forest, the setup includes a couple of wooden chairs and a small firewood cart, blending comfort with nature.

Our home base for exploring the southern coast? A cozy yurt tucked into the trees just west of Forks. We stayed at Mossquatch Resort, which leans into the mossy vibe the region is known for.

👉 See inside our cozy yurt at Mossquatch Resort

Ruby Beach

Sea stacks. Driftwood. Fog. We spent an afternoon wandering Ruby Beach just as the tide was coming in. Our pups loved exploring—though they weren't huge fans of the drizzle.

👉 Wander the sea stacks and driftwood of Ruby Beach

The Tree of Life

Hanging by its roots over a collapsing cliffside, the Tree of Life at Kalaloch looks like it should have fallen long ago—but somehow, it's still standing.

👉 Meet the Tree of Life (it's defying gravity)

Big Cedar

Just down the road, this massive cedar tree offered a quiet, grounding moment (and it smells amazing, too).

👉 Find your quiet moment under the towering Big Cedar

What’s Next?

This was just the beginning. In the next part, we’ll hike into Olympic’s Hoh Rainforest and drive up to its far northernmost reaches. If you’ve ever wanted to walk through moss-draped forests or stand at the edge of the U.S.—you won't want to miss it.

Until our next mile,

Minerva & Sam

P.S. We're already counting down the days until we can go back. What's one place you've been that you just can't stop thinking about?