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.

4+ Great Day Trips from Portland

Despite what some recent news might lead folks to believe, Portland, Oregon is a great spot to visit (or in my case: live). Yes, Portland has experienced a few issues the last several years including some things that made dramatic headlines, but there’s still plenty of wonderful sights, bites, and things to do with a […]

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 […]

Weekend: Oregon Coast

Updated 2/2025. I originally wrote this post in September 2020 after a weekend in Coos Bay, followed by a drive north along the Oregon Coast before returning to Portland. Since then, I’ve made updates to include more detail from weekends in and around Astoria and Netarts Bay. Short story, Oregon’s Pacific coast is beautiful, and […]

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 […]

About Upper Left Traveler

Welcome to Upper Left Traveler, a gay travel blog exploring the world from Portland, Oregon. I’m Travis—storyteller, adventurer, and advocate for social justice. From LGBTQ-friendly travel tips to weekend getaways and campervan adventures, I share real stories and travel insights with heart. Follow along and find inspiration for your next journey.