Four Days: Washington DC

Washington, DC is more than monuments and museums—it’s a vibrant mix of culture, food, and unexpected fun. Whether I’m in town for work or play, I always find something new to love. This isn’t your typical DC travel guide—just one gay traveler’s personal take on what makes the city worth coming back to.

Weekend: Palm Springs

Palm Springs has been a favorite of mine for over 20 years—and it’s easy to see why. With its sunny weather, queer-friendly vibe, and endless options for relaxation or adventure, the desert city offers something for every kind of traveler, especially for LGBTQ folks and during the busy winter season.

One Week: Maui

Maui is one of my all-time favorite travel destinations. Read on for my favorite places to visit, personal tips, and must-do activities for a diverse mix of ideas to fit any length of stay.

Weekend: Seattle

Updated January 2025. Seattle is just a hop, skip, and jump away from our home in Portland, which makes it an ideal weekend getaway. Nicknamed the Emerald City for its year-round greenery, it generally shares Portland’s mild climate. This can make it an attractive spot for to escape oppressive summer heat for folks in hot […]

10 Days: Olympic Peninsula Camping

Despite living in the Northwest for over a decade, I didn’t take my first trip into and around the Olympic Peninsula until 2020: the coast, the towering evergreens, the unspoiled lakes, and—at least for the first half—clear skies. The National Park/lack-of-airport thing got in the way before, but after pivoting to different forms of travel […]

Quick Take: Sonoma Wine Country

Sonoma’s wine country is more than just great wine—its rolling hills, twisting old vines, and the earthy scent of harvest in the air. Whether you’re a wine lover or just chasing the views, it’s a destination I love to explore in every season.

Maui: Part 1 – Van Camping and Touring

As much as I love the Northwest (aka: Upper Left), winter can be a gloomy drag. A solution: take two work holidays, add two weekend days, and mix in round trip flights to Maui and a camper van. Presto! Sounds simple, right? Well, kind of. Sure, Thanksgiving and the day after are work holidays for […]