Extend Your Summer with These 5 Trips

It's October and it's turning into our cold and rainy season here in Oregon. It's not hard to endure one or the other, but both at the same time can be brutal. This is one of the reasons we usually travel this time of year. The others are that it's cheaper and destinations are much less crowded, because the kids are in school.

I don't mind packing a coat and boots when I travel, but there are lots of places you can go in the early fall that are still warm, so you don't have to take your swimsuit and shorts out of your carry-on to finish packing.

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Marrakech, Morocco 

With temperatures still in the mid-80s, you can revel in the sunlight during the day, then add a layer for the evening when they dip into the 50s. This gives you the option to enjoy the beach, hiking, wandering the souks for items to bring home, and wandering the gardens and streets to take pictures of amazing architecture and different flora. October hotel rates are pretty low, so you can definitely fit it into a budget.

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Gran Canaria, Spain

Located in the Canary Islands, Gran Canaria is off the coast of Spain and Africa. The black and white beaches are something to behold, that you won't find elsewhere. And there are 37 miles of them, meaning you won't have to fight for a stretch of sand of your own. Hike the famous dunes, explore the lovely little coast town, and soak up some history while you're there. Whether you're looking for a totally chill vacation or one full of sightseeing and more, you'll find it here.

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Santa Barbara, California

Southern California is usually very comfortable this time of year. We're headed to San Diego, but Santa Barbara is just as fantastic. The weather in both are in the mid- to high 70s, which means you can still head to the beach if you like. Not only are there plenty of sandy spots to call home, there's also awesome hiking and wine tasting venues. If you're a shopaholic or a foodie, you won't run out of places to give you an easy vacation high. Hotel rates are fairly low, as well as airfare, so your wallet will definitely thank you.

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Crete, Greece

Packing your walking shoes and be prepared to climb a billion steps, but with the most amazing views you'll see anywhere. Even the blue and whites of the buildings on the cliffside are photo-worthy. The days will range between the 70s and 80s, making it much more bearable than the crazy hot summers. Not only can you find accommodations in all price ranges, but you can laze on the beach, explore charming villages, go hiking (on more than just steps) or immerse yourself in history. And if you love food, Greece is not the worst place to be to get your eat on.

Sedona, Arizona

Want to rest and recharge? Hit up Arizona when the weather isn't like visiting Hell. Sedona is known for luxury and healing. Get in on outdoor activities, like hiking, golf, and wine tasting, or indulge in spas, yoga retreats, and hot springs. Depending on where you want to stay, you may be paying a little bit more for a hotel room, but you'll make up for it in affordable airfare.

Fall travel without the fall weather is doable if you're creative and think outside of the box. Like I always say, every destination has awesome stuff to see and do if you look hard enough. Ask friends on social media, research online, and do whatever you can to plan the most awesome, off the beaten track, trip you can. What's your favorite fall vacation destination?

My Portland Coffee Tour - Part 7

It's officially fall, you guys! You know what that means: hot coffee is back in my life. Not that I quit on it over the summer, because we still had some mild mornings, but now we're into the real cooler weather and sitting down with a hot cup of coffee sounds like a little luxury. Yesterday was also National Coffee Day, so this seems pretty topical today.

This month I tried out some quick-stop coffee shops, because it was hot out and I wanted to get out and about with my iced lattes and such. This may be the last month of cold drinks for me in the mornings, and I might also have to take a break from my coffee shop visits for the month with my crazy schedule, but that doesn't mean the end of this series.

Silver Bullet Coffee

This new coffee shop comes in the form of a sleek silver Airstream trailer in the parking lot near the Washington Square Mall. You can see it when you get off the highway and it calls to you...or it does to me. I've been here two or three times now, because they have a small, but perfect menu of drinks and nibbles. the first trip there I got a vanilla latte, which came with a wooden nickel for a $1 drink on my next visit. I mean, that meant I need to go back, obvs.

On my next trip I picked up a chai tea latte and a bagel. The staff are awesome, the drinks are delicious, and you can either drive or walk up and enjoy the shiny truck. I love the location and it's one of my new favorite quick-stop coffee joints. A medium latte is just $3.50 and a bagel with cream cheese is only $2.25, plus it's just a hop to the mall, Cost Plus and Sears Auto Center (so I can get a drink while I wait for my oil change). 

Silva Cafe

This food truck has been a staple of Multnomah Village for a few years now. I had been meaning to try it, but didn't know that they were known for their coffee. The bright blue truck is easy to spot and are near plenty of other stuff you might want to check out (like all those lovely boutique shops in the Village), so it's not even out of the way. 

I was in the area, so I decided to check it out. I'd heard they had fantastic breakfast sandwiches, which I'm all about. I ordered myself an iced chai tea latte (can you tell I love those?) and a biscuit sandwich with bacon, egg and cheese. Oh my! The homemade biscuit was something to talk about. It was a bit crumbly, but it reminded me of biscuits my grandmother made during my childhood, with a lot more butter. My latte was perfectly spicy and not super weak like they can be when you order them iced. 

I grabbed a seat at one of the outdoor tables and relished my meal. My coffee was just $3 and my sandwich was only $5 ($6 if you want a jalapeño cheddar biscuit instead of plain). That was a decent price for a quick and filling meal. 

Cozy Grounds Coffee

This tiny shop is new to downtown Beaverton, and I have been meaning to check it out, because it's not that far from my house. They have a nice selection of drinks, plus they have bagels and will soon have paninis. I asked for a recommendation and the barista suggested their Cocomac, which, as you can probably guess, is a coconut macadamia latte. I ordered it iced, because the weather has been pretty hot. 

It was a big punch of flavor for my taste buds and I loved it. I'd definitely head back there to try something else and check out the food on offer. The inside of the shop is quite small. It barely has room for their two two-person tables, so I would suggest taking a seat at the outside table or just taking your goodies to go. My coffee was average priced at $4.45.

And there you have my coffee reviews for September. I'm going to try to get a post in next moth if I have the time. For sure I'll be hitting up a few coffee joints in San Diego while I'm there on vacation, so you can see the photos on Instagram, but that won't help my Portland coffee tour. I'll do my best to get out into the city though and keep this going for you. Talk to me about your favorite coffee shop. 

Packing Light for Fall and Winter

Packing even for a beach trip in just a carry-on can be a little tricky if you aren’t used to packing light. Carry-on travel has become more and more popular as baggage fees have become the norm among most airlines. 

Not only does packing light save money, but it also saves time, because travelers don’t have to stand around the baggage carousel waiting for their luggage to (hopefully) make it off the plane. Having minimal baggage can save your back, too. Not sure where to start when planning your fall or winter travel bag? Here are some tips to keep your carry-on light, but still have a large wardrobe.

Mix and Match

When you carry fewer items, you need all your clothing to work together. Throw out the idea of packing a whole outfit for each day and instead look to mix and match everything you bring. Pick a color palette and stick with it, or make sure either all your tops or all your bottoms are a neutral color. If all your tops go with all your bottoms, you’ll find your choices are more than expected.

Scale Down

The only one who will know that you’ve worn the same clothing separates more than once on vacation is you (and your travel companions). It’s unlikely you will see the same people more than once on a trip, and if you do, they probably won’t notice that your outfit is similar to what they saw you in before. The magic numbers for what to bring: Five tops and three bottoms. These, coupled with the outfit you’ve traveled in, net you over three weeks of unique outfit combinations.

Layer, Layer, Layer

Just because it’s cold today, doesn’t mean it will be tomorrow. Plan for days that can vary in temperature by packing layers. You might have an unseasonably warm day in the middle of winter or an unexpected cold snap in fall. Be prepared. Pack a few sweaters, a scarf and a mix of tanks and tees. When it’s warmer out, you can opt for a t-shirt. When it’s really cold, you can add two or more layers together to keep chill out. If you’ve brought a dress, toss a pair of tights into your bag to protect your legs. Don’t forget your favorite jacket, which you should leave out of your bag to save space for other necessities. It can double as a pillow on the plane or can be stashed under the seat in front of you.

Choose Two

Shoes are the biggest challenge of everyone’s travel bag, it seems. A pair of flip flops is a staple to any carry-on, as they take up little room and are perfect for quick jaunts to the lobby or to the hotel pool. Other than those, two pair of shoes is all you need. When your destination is projected to be cool, a pair of comfortable boots and another pair of walking shoes are going to be your best bet. Don’t bring anything you haven’t worn before or that you can’t walk in for long periods of time comfortably.

Wear your walking shoes on the plane and leave your dress up shoes at home. You’re not going to want to wear high heels after a day of sightseeing. If you really want to wear a pair of nice shoes out, look for a fun pair of ballet flats or wedge booties that will go with other outfits as well.

Accessorize

If you feel that what you’ve brought is kind of drab and not really exciting for a night out, then accessories will elevate those plain Jane items. A scarf, a belt and some statement jewelry can pack small and make a big impact. Jazz up your little black dress or a simple tank with a funky necklace. Even if you’re specifically planning to go to an upscale restaurant or clubbing, you probably won’t feel like leaving your fancier clothes at home was a bad idea. If you aren’t going to wear something two or more times, it is just taking up valuable real estate in your carry-on.

Do Laundry

There’s no way around it. If you pack light and you’re gone for more than a week, you’re going to have to do laundry. Schedule some downtime (which you should do anyway) to clean your clothes. It doesn’t sound fun, but you can take the time to hit the pool, watch a show or catch a nap. Just need to freshen up a piece? Spray some vodka on it. It deodorizes, and since it doesn’t have its own smell, you won’t reek of booze.

Carry-on packing can be difficult at first, but with some practice you can become a pro and save baggage fees. With fewer bags to deal with, you’ll feel freer as you waltz off the plane and get right onto your vacation while everyone else is still waiting for their suitcases.