9 Gorgeous Frozen Waterfalls In Oregon That Must Be Seen To Be Believed

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Discover nine breathtaking waterfalls in Oregon that become even more enchanting during winter.

There’s something truly magical about a wintery waterfall; the stunning sight of an ethereal cascade framed by ice and snow is an almost otherworldly beauty. Here are nine waterfalls in Oregon that are breathtaking that become even more enchanting when the temperature drops below freezing. Bundle up and grab your gear, and prepare for a day of stunning scenery on these best winter hikes in Oregon!

1. Elowah Falls

A person stands in front of a tall waterfall surrounded by rocky cliffs and icy terrain.
flickr/ Michael Matti

Located in the Columbia River Gorge, this stunning waterfall is more than 200 feet tall, and it’s absolutely stupendous when it freezes. A short 1.5-mile hike will lead you to the falls, but be extra careful in the wintertime. The path can be quite muddy, and extremely slippery closer to Elowah Falls.

2. Salt Creek Falls

A snowy waterfall cascades down rocky cliffs, surrounded by tall evergreen trees in a winter landscape.
flickr/ Willamette National Forest

At 286 feet, Salt Creek Falls is the second tallest waterfall in Oregon. Located in Lane County, this amazing waterfall looks straight out of a fairytale in the wintertime. Seeing it in person is one of the best things to do in Oregon in the winter!

3. Horsetail Falls

A frozen waterfall cascading into a dark pool, surrounded by icy rocks and frosted vegetation in a serene landscape.
flickr/ dvdmnk

Horsetail Falls is a wonderfully graceful waterfall located right off the Columbia River Highway in the Columbia River Gorge. It’s especailly wondrous when adorned with snow and ice.

4. Latourell Falls

A person stands in front of a tall waterfall cascading from a rocky cliff, surrounded by frosty vegetation.
flickr/ Michael Matti

Latourell Falls is an absolute gem. Also located in the Columbia River Gorge, you can reach the base of the falls on an easy 2.5-mile loop hike that’s open year round. Again, you’ll want to bring sturdy shoes and be careful not to slip as you get closer to the magical, misty waterfall.

5. Tumalo Falls

A stunning winter scene featuring a waterfall cascading down rocky cliffs, surrounded by snow-covered trees and a river.
flickr/ Andrew Warren

Located near Bend, Tumalo Falls is truly breathtaking. There’s a great viewpoint right next to the parking area where you can see the snowy falls and surrounding scenery, or if you’re feeling adventurous you can hike in closer.

6. Weisendanger Falls

A person in a red jacket stands near a frozen waterfall surrounded by icy rocks and trees in a serene forest setting.
flickr/ Michael Matti

One of the most beautiful frozen falls in the country, Weisendanger Falls is another gorgeous Columbia River Gorge waterfall located between Portland and Hood River. One great way to see it up close is to hike the amazing Multnomah-Wahkeena loop trail.

7. South Falls (and the rest of the Silver Falls State Park waterfalls)

A serene waterfall cascades into a pool, surrounded by moss-covered trees and a wintery landscape.
flickr/ Kabayanmark Images

Silver Falls State Park is an amazing state park located near Silverton, and it’s full of gorgeous waterfalls that will blow you away any time of year – just take a look at South Falls in the winter. Take a hike along the Trail of Ten Falls for an unforgettable experience.

8. Abiqua Falls

A panoramic view of a waterfall cascading into a rocky pool, surrounded by lush greenery and ice formations.
flickr/ Darryll DeCoster

Abiqua Falls is a lovely hidden gem waterfall located near Salem, Oregon. The short hike to the base of the falls can be a bit tricky in the winter, but for sure-footed folks, the view of the waterfall surrounded by crystalline icicles makes it oh-so-worth-it.

9. Multnomah Falls

A snowy waterfall cascades down rocky cliffs, with a bridge visible above, surrounded by lush greenery.
flickr/ audreykristine

Multnomah Falls is a stunning natural wonder. It’s the second tallest year-round waterfall in the country, and it’s located right off Interstate 84, making it easily accessible even in the depths of winter in Oregon, when the massive cascade is surrounded by glowing white snow and ice.

For this and other local news, please visit Only in Oregon

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Oregon judge finds city of Lake Oswego can’t restrict access to lake

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“Life changes,” Clackamas County Circuit Court Judge Kathie Steele wrote. “Banning the public outright is unreasonable”

An Oregon judge has issued a ruling that effectively makes the waters of Oswego Lake open to the public, though it could be appealed. The decision issued Wednesday finds the city of Lake Oswego’s ordinance that blocks public access to the lake violates state law.

Access to the lake is restricted to members of the Lake Oswego Corporation, which is primarily made up of people who own properties — most of them large, pricey homes — that surround the water. City residents can access a seasonal swim park on Oswego Lake. The general public is not allowed to enter to swim, fish or boat.

Clackamas County Circuit Court Judge Kathie Steele began her seven-page opinion noting that in the past, women weren’t judges or attorneys; old property deeds used to prohibit the sale or ownership to people of color; Congress didn’t prohibit gender discrimination in public schools until 1972; women in Oregon weren’t allowed to open bank accounts without their parents or husbands as co-signers until 1974 and couples of the same gender couldn’t legally marry one another in Oregon until 2014.

“Life changes,” Steele wrote. “The issue before the court here is, under current laws, regulations, and rules, has life changed enough to affect how we treat and protect the public’s interest in Oswego Lake.”

Small metal signs adorn steps leading down to Oswego Lake's shore in a public park read: “Private Lake – Please stay on the steps.” Access to Oswego Lake is restricted to city residents only.
Small metal signs adorn steps leading down to Oswego Lake’s shore in a public park read: “Private Lake – Please stay on the steps.” Access to Oswego Lake is restricted to city residents only.

Conrad Wilson / OPB

Steele acknowledged that the city can set limits on access, but said the current restrictions go too far.

“Managing the risks is reasonable in Oswego Lake,” Steele wrote. “Banning the public outright is unreasonable.”

In April, a Clackamas County jury found the city’s law barring access was too restrictive. Steele wrote in her opinion she “recognizes the jury verdict,” which was technically advisory. Steele’s opinion, however, is binding.

The case dates back to 2012, when kayaker Mark Kramer and open-water swimmer Todd Prager challenged the city’s rules in a lawsuit.

“The court’s thoughtful decision reaffirms an important principle of Oregon law and one of our state’s values: that our rivers, lakes and streams belong to the people,” said Nadia Dahab, an attorney representing Prager and Kramer.

Lake Oswego Corporation Board President Justin Harnish said it was willing to work with the city and plaintiffs to try and find a solution that works for everyone.

“The Court’s opinion makes no secret of the fact that it is trying to change decades of established law in Oregon,” Harnish said in a statement Thursday. “We think that is wrong, and we hope that the Oregon Court of Appeals and Supreme Court will respect local governments and the long-recognized property rights of Oregonians.”

The city didn’t immediately return OPB’s request for comment.

Attorneys for the city argued the parks along the lake provided the public with “visual access to the lake.” The city said in its legal briefs that it was “objectively reasonable” to prohibit physical entry into the lake because the city designed the parks for “events and gathering spaces.”

Access to Oswego Lake is limited to Lake Oswego residents. There’s a city-owned swim park for residents. All other access is restricted to members of the Lake Oswego Corporation, a nonprofit made up of the roughly 3,500 homeowners who live around and near the lake.
Access to Oswego Lake is limited to Lake Oswego residents. There’s a city-owned swim park for residents. All other access is restricted to members of the Lake Oswego Corporation, a nonprofit made up of the roughly 3,500 homeowners who live around and near the lake.

Conrad Wilson / OPB

Since the case was first filed, it has wound through the courts and broken into two key questions. The first looked at whether the water was subject to the state public trust doctrine. In 2022, a judge ruled Oswego Lake was, meaning the public must have access.

This second looked at whether the city’s restrictions “unreasonably interferes with the public’s right to enter the lake.” As Steele’s opinion makes clear, they do.

“The City needs the opportunity or chance to fix the public access,” Steele wrote. “Clearly, the City may not violate the public trust doctrine and shall correct the violation. The Court has the authority, based on the evidence and jury verdict, to tell the City to take down the ‘No Access’ sign and remove the restrictions.”

 

For this and other local news, please visit OPB.com

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Real Estate Is Still a Good Investment: See How It Stacks Up Against Other Assets, From Gold to Bitcoin

High mortgage rates are making it more expensive to buy a home right now—but many experts still believe that real estate beats out other investment opportunities.

Despite that, many investors have been swept into the thrill of playing the markets or trying out new asset classes like art, cryptocurrency, classic cars, and even wine.

If all of these options leave your head a bit scrambled about where to put your money, you’re not alone.

Choosing an investment strategy requires considering your budget, time horizon, and risk appetite. It also depends on how much effort you’re willing to put into learning about the particular market.

Some areas of investment, like art, require specialized knowledge while others depend on how much risk you’re willing to take.

With real estate in particular, many homeowners are sitting on record-high equity, which can be used through a home equity loan or a HELOC to purchase an investment property, according to Hannah Jones, senior economic research analyst at Realtor.com®.

“However, investing in real estate is not a slam-dunk in all markets as high home prices and elevated mortgage rates squeeze potential earnings. Investors, or homeowners looking to branch out into buying an investment property, should fully understand expected cost and expected income from a property, as well as the time horizon to see a profit,” she says.

Here’s how real estate stacks up against other investments.

Real Estate Is Still a Good Investment: See How It Stacks Up Against Other Assets, From Gold to Bitcoin

Buying real estate

Pros: Real estate values have grown at a slower pace than the S&P 500 on a year-over-year basis, but according to a Realtor.com analysis, real estate has seen an average five-year return of +26% since 1975. That’s nothing to sneeze at.

Typical homeowners have also accumulated at least $147,000 in housing wealth in the past five years, according to the National Association of Realtors® in its latest quarterly report.

“Traditional investments like 401(k)s, IRAs, and ETFs are great for passive growth, but real estate brings in a whole different level of wealth-building,” says Dan Reedy, a real estate investor and broker.

Real estate is also a much more hands-on investment.

“With real estate, you can actively influence your returns by making strategic upgrades or managing rental rates. Plus, real estate offers deductions—mortgage interest, depreciation—that can make a huge difference come tax season. It’s not just about growing wealth; it’s about growing wealth you can control,” he adds.

Sara Levy-Lambert, vice president of growth at real estate management company RedAwning, adds that although real estate is not without risks, its “blend of passive income potential, stability, and the chance to build equity over time make it a solid choice for those looking to diversify beyond paper assets.”

Cons: If you value liquidity and being able to access your funds at a moment’s notice, it’s probably not the right move for you. Buying and selling homes can take months—if not years—and can require a lot of upfront costs.

“The biggest problem I see is that people have record equity in their home right now, more than they’ve ever had before. But that’s just a number on paper,” says Ralph DiBugnara, founder of real estate resource site HomeQualified. “You can’t really do anything with it unless you’re willing to take [money] out of the house, unless you’re willing to leverage it.”

By that, DiBugnara means being able to leverage a home equity loan or home equity line of credit.

Investing in real estate directly “gives you full control—you decide on tenants, renovations, and how it’s managed. But you also take on the costs and responsibilities that come with ownership,” says Jace Graham, CEO of Rising Phoenix Capital.

Real estate investment trusts

Pros: When you think of real estate investing, you’re likely picturing putting a down payment on a home and negotiating the terms of a mortgage. But if you can’t afford to build a personal portfolio of investment properties, that shouldn’t discourage you from buying into the market.

Many do so by participating in real estate investment trusts, or REITs.

REITs allow investors to buy shares in a real estate company. Their portfolios typically include a mix of residential and commercial properties.

“You don’t own the property directly, so you’re hands-off, which is easier for most people,” Levy-Lambert says. “They’re also traded like stocks, making them more liquid. Just buy or sell whenever you want, without the management headaches.”

The IRS requires REITs to pay out at least 90% of their income as dividends to shareholders, so investors have a steady flow of funds coming in. It’s also taxed as regular income.

“In a nutshell, direct real estate gives you control and potential tax perks but requires more work and patience, while REITs offer easy, flexible access to real estate returns without the management hassle but are taxed a bit differently,” says Levy-Lambert.

A REIT also might be a great place to start if you haven’t saved up enough for a down payment but want to make a steady return on the market.

Cryptocurrency

Pros: There’s big money to be made—or lost—in the cryptocurrency market at the moment. Bitcoin initially traded at $0.00099 in 2009, but today it’s over $88,000, and early investors who have held on have made many millions of dollars.

Cons: Of course, investing in cryptocurrency comes with many risks. Aside from the many crypto-related scams, including the spectacular collapse of Sam Bankman-Fried‘s FTX, you might need nerves of steel to play in this market.

“Cryptocurrencies are notoriously volatile, subject to speculation, and witness frequent bubbles and crashes,” says Harry Turner, founder of Sovereign Investor. “That’s why cryptocurrencies are really only suitable for individuals with a high-risk tolerance and an understanding of the underlying technology, which can be complex. Real estate doesn’t have this problem.”

Gold

Pros: These days, you can purchase gold stocks or ETFs, or buy the physical stuff—coins and gold bullion. If that’s what you’re into, you can even buy gold at Costco now. For some, nothing beats the security of owning a chunk of precious metal.

Gold is a relatively stable asset. It’s less reactive and can be a good hedge against the volatility of the market. In the four years following the 2008 financial crash, the price of gold increased dramatically—in 2011 alone, by 32.8%.

Cons: Though you can buy gold at Costco, you can’t sell it through the store. In fact, it’s fairly difficult to sell gold commercially—and you’ll have to do a fair bit of research to get a fair price.

Let’s be real: Physical gold weighs a ton, and it’s not the easiest thing to move around. Plus, you’ll want to insure it, which will cost you additional money, and there are higher taxes on physical gold. So if you sell, you’ll have to pay a capital gains tax of up to 28% on any profit. (The typical capital gains on stocks and bonds is 20%.)

Investing in other types of tangible assets

Pros: Relatively niche markets allow investors to dig into the things they love, be it art, cars, or wine.

Cons: There’s a high barrier to entry in some of these particular markets—not just financially, but in terms of knowledge. For example, the classic car collectible market is fairly exclusive, and as an investment category, it might not be very practical either, because every time you use one of these collectibles in your portfolio, you run the risk of lowering its value.

Alternative assets can be exciting and sometimes profitable, but they come with extreme volatility. The wine market, for instance, is affected not just by the collector market but also by the agricultural outlook and weather conditions. These markets don’t necessarily move quickly, either. As interest ebbs and flows in different types of asset classes, so do potential moneymaking opportunities.

“Look at crypto—bitcoin, for instance, went from $60,000 to $20,000 in under a year,” says Reedy. “The occasional blue-chip wine or NFT might pay off big, but real estate lets you sleep at night while building long-term wealth.”

No matter what you choose to invest in, you should talk to your financial adviser about what types of investments are right for you.

 

For this and related articles, please visit Realtor.com

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A Pocket Guide to Pacific Northwest Hot Springs

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From a one-hour drive from Portland to a weekender destination, beat winter chill with a soak at one of these eight natural hot spots.

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Cold rain here, hot water in the Alvord Desert.

Image: Shutterstock

The rain drums against the roof, the wind yanks the last damp leaves from the trees—and all the snuggies in the world can’t seem to insulate you from winter creep reaching deep into your bones. It’s time to soak out the chill—and revive your spirits—at one of the Pacific Northwest’s beautiful natural hot springs. We’ve got your guide right here, whether you’re looking for a quick half-day trip or a DIY mineral treatment much farther afield.

Soak-on-the-go? From Portland, these two hot springs are one or two hours by car.

Bagby Hot Springs
Take your time on the easy 1.5-mile hike in to Bagby, which feels shockingly lush even for native Northwesterners who grew up drinking in the greenest of hues. The three partially covered bathhouses, which house hand-hewn tubs fed by cedar plumbing, sit at the mouth of two underground springs that gush about 25 gallons of 136-degree mineral water every minute. Exhibitionists rejoice! Clothing is optional on the bath decks.

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Image: Breitenbush Hot Springs

Breitenbush Hot Springs
These hot springs double as a retreat for those who could use a more focused vacation from the city. The Breitenbush Retreat and Conference Center offers community events that center on mental and physical wellness, such as yoga and meditation workshops. Reservations at their year-round cabins include three hearty vegetarian meals per day and the best sleep of your life.

Pack an overnight bag for these mini getaway spots: each three to four hours from Portland.

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Cougar Hot Springs’ terraced (and totes clothing optional) pools.

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Cougar Hot Springs
Also known as the Terwilliger Hot Springs, these five pools have a temperature for everybody. Each rock-walled pool feeds into another below it to create a descending gradient of heat: at the top, a scalding 112 degrees; the bottom, a comfortable 90 degrees. Play Goldilocks and dip your toe into each bowled terrace to find that one that’s “just right.” (For a weekend trip, stay nearby at the McKenzie River Mountain Resort.)

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Just the spot!

Image: Regina Winkle-Bryan

Newberry Caldera Hot Springs
Newberry is classified as an active volcano, which means that it’s not a question of if, but when it will erupt again. Don’t let that deter you from exploring its caldera, though. The Newberry National Volcanic Monument features two lakes, Paulina and East, both of which have blissfully hot springs on their banks. Be warned that these springs are for the slightly more adventurous set—you may have to dig out your own soaking tub, and the sulfuric smell is not for the faint of heart.

 

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Bonus: haunted!

Image: Hot Lake Springs Resort

Hot Lake Springs
After a 1934 fire that destroyed the original building near La Grande, Hot Lake Springs Resort lay mostly in ruin for seven decades, during which it changed hands many times. Today, the beautifully restored bed-and-breakfast complex houses not only the springs but also an art gallery and coffee shop. (Along with the mineral springs, make sure to soak up a little of the Oregon Trail at their history center while you’re there.)

Take a few sick days (we promise you’ll feel better) and head to these far-flung springs, five to seven hours away.

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Hot springs—plus full-on grand lodge amenities like a poolside deli and massages—at this resort deep in the Olympics.

Image: Olympic National Parks

Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort
The breathtaking three-pronged Sol Duc Falls alone are well worth the trip up to the northern edge of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula. One option: book a rugged three-day trek on the High Divide Loop trail (including the best view of Mount Olympus) with stay at the resort, where you can regenerate with four onsite soaking pool options. (Temperatures range from 104 degrees to a brisk 50 degrees in the freshwater pool.) A less-intensive way to get your fix of nature? Try a year-round guided trek of the Lake Quinault Rainforest. Want even more? Lodge-hop the whole peninsula.

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A range of overnight accommodations—from teepees to campsites to waterfront cabins—provide easy access to these high desert springs.

Image: Crystal Crane Hot Springs

Crystal Crane Hot Springs
Options abound at Crystal Crane, an “informal” resort tucked in Oregon’s far southeastern corner not far from Steens Mountain. Prepared to rough it in a tent? There’s a campsite. Prefer the luxury of an inn? They have two. Open pond or cozy private tub? Your pick, but insiders recommend an early morning dip in the 102-degree outdoor pool while listening to the distant howls of coyotes as you watch the sun rise.

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Alvord Hot Springs—wide open to the desert sky.

Image: Cristopher Cotrell/Flickr

Alvord Hot Springs
The lure remains at these once-free springs that have turned commercial. Near the eastern base of Steen Mountain, these isolated dipping pools may now feature a parking lot and bathrooms, but nothing can diminish the view of the full moon hanging low over the desert.

 

 

 

 

 

For this and other local articles, please visit PortlandMonthly

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Oregon’s first romance-only bookstore is now open in Portland

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As the romance genre continues to bloom, love-devoted Grand Gesture Books welcomes Portland readers

The exterior of Grand Gesture Books on Oct. 26, 2024, in Portland, Ore. Grand Gesture is Oregon's first romance-only bookstore.
The exterior of Grand Gesture Books on Oct. 26, 2024, in Portland, Ore. Grand Gesture is Oregon’s first romance-only bookstore.

Sukhjot Sal / OPB

More than 400 people made their way to downtown Portland on Saturday to celebrate the opening of Grand Gesture Books, the state’s very first romance-only bookstore.

“Isn’t love grand?” the lettering on the store’s exterior window asks. Walking inside, you’ll see the answer is, of course, “Yes.” Muted pink walls, a rosy rug, delicate vases of blooming flowers and velvety armchairs surround dark brown bookshelves filled to the brim with every romance reader’s dream: a wide variety of subgenres to please even the pickiest of customers.

Katherine Morgan, pictured in this undated handout image, is the owner of Grand Gesture Books in Portland, Ore.
Katherine Morgan, pictured in this undated handout image, is the owner of Grand Gesture Books in Portland, Ore.

Courtesy of Spencer Pond

Katherine Morgan, romance enthusiast and owner of Grand Gesture, hopes the bookstore will offer a plethora of books about love, provide a space for book clubs to meet and host romance authors on book tours. It’s also one of just a handful of Black-owned romance bookstores in the nation.

At the store’s grand opening, Morgan estimates at least $15,000 worth of books were sold, with the line extending out the door and around an entire block. The store remained packed until 10 minutes before closing.

“Within five minutes, the whole store was full,” Morgan said. “… It was a lot, but it was wonderful.”

The local author section was particularly interesting to customer Kate Szorm. Currently, she’s reading the third installment of “The Murderbot Diaries” by Martha Wells, which chronicles the story of a cyborg searching for the meaning of life. Now, Szorm wants to branch out and try reading a sci-fi romance novel.

“The line to check out is super long and everybody’s just chatting, so the vibe is great,” Szorm said.

People line up to checkout romance novels at Grand Gesture Books at its grand opening on Oct. 26, 2024 in Portland, Ore. Grand Gesture is Oregon's first romance-only bookstore.
People line up to checkout romance novels at Grand Gesture Books at its grand opening on Oct. 26, 2024 in Portland, Ore. Grand Gesture is Oregon’s first romance-only bookstore.

Sukhjot Sal / OPB

Filling a long-empty space in Oregon’s romance literature community, Grand Gesture boasts books focused on love with all kinds of central themes: LGBTQ+, mystery, paranormal, erotica, contemporary, historical, fantasy, nonfiction, self-love, platonic love and Pacific Northwest authors.

“It’s the one genre where you know for sure how it’s going to end, and that’s one of the things people like to make fun of,” Morgan said. “But it’s like no, how it ends doesn’t matter. It’s what happens on that journey. You want to root for these people.”

Growing up a lonely child in an environment with frequent abuse, Morgan said she discovered reading as a means to escape into a wonderful world separate from her own. She fell out of reading but came back into the romance genre with full force with “The Wedding Date” by Jasmine Guillory in 2019 when she was managing the romance section at Powell’s.

“Something about it just makes me swoon and realize how I want to be loved as a person, and how I want to love people in my life, whether it’s platonic in a friend group or romantic with my partner,” Morgan said.

OPB previously interviewed Morgan when she was a Powell’s bookseller. She left her job at Powell’s to fully run Grand Gesture, which first opened online last November.

The love spreads

Grand Gesture Books' nonfiction section features novels on self-love, platonic love and other types of love on Oct. 26, 2024 in Portland, Ore. Grand Gesture is Oregon's first romance-only bookstore.
Grand Gesture Books’ nonfiction section features novels on self-love, platonic love and other types of love on Oct. 26, 2024 in Portland, Ore. Grand Gesture is Oregon’s first romance-only bookstore.

Sukhjot Sal / OPB

Romance bookstores are still something of a novelty though. In 2016, there was only one dedicated romance bookstore in the United States — The Ripped Bodice in Los Angeles.

But love for the love genre has grown quickly over the past eight years, corresponding to the opening of more than 20 romance bookstores in the nation. Until now, the closest romance bookstore for Oregonians was The Romance Era, a queer and Black-owned used romance bookshop in Vancouver, Washington, opened by Ren Rice in 2023, who has been a big supporter of Grand Gesture’s opening in Portland.

“Grand Gesture is the hard work of someone who really loves what they do,” Rice told OPB in an email. “I am excited that Katherine is able to bring all the knowledge and skill she has to provide books and titles to everyone in the PDX community. I love that she has her own spin on the bookstore and between us we have a great deal of coverage, something for everyone!”

The interior of The Romance Era bookshop in Vancouver, Wash. in this undated handout image.
The interior of The Romance Era bookshop in Vancouver, Wash. in this undated handout image.

Courtesy of Ren Rice

Romance sales have soared in recent years, from 18 million copies sold in 2020 to more than 39 million in 2023, The New York Times reported. Some point to readers’ desire to escape from certain circumstances, like the pandemic or increasingly stressful politics, while others say younger generations, through spaces like BookTok, are embracing the formerly stigmatized genre with open arms and less shame.

The romance genre has not just boomed nationally or only in sales — Portland metro area libraries have also observed the increase. The Multnomah County Library organization, which manages more than 20 libraries across Portland, has observed a doubling in the number of romance checkouts in e-books and audiobooks since 2018.

Washington County Cooperative Library Services, which is a partnership between Washington County, nine cities and three nonprofit organizations that operate local libraries, also noticed a skyrocketing increase in romance novels post-pandemic.

WCCLS saw the number of physical romance novel checkouts increase by nearly 30% from 2017-18 to 2023-24. In the same time frame, romance audio checkouts increased by around 16% while romance e-book checkouts grew by around 40%.

“I think there’s a parallel to a rise in the popularity of (cozy) mysteries — as the real world becomes more fraught with uncertainty and things beyond our control, it seems only natural to turn to reading that will have a full and satisfactory conclusion: all conflicts are resolved, the couple lives happily ever after (or happily for now), the murderer is caught,” said Rian Debner, WCCLS library systems and collections supervisor, in an email.

Courtney Sheedy, an e-content librarian with WCCLS, noted that romance sub- and micro-genres have grown massively as previously niche areas of interest have become mainstream, and self-published authors used social media to gain an engaged audience.

“The genre as a whole has also expanded in its inclusivity with regards to body size, gender expression, sexual orientation, non-monogamy, and beyond,” Sheedy said.

People browse the shelves at Grand Gesture Books on opening day, Oct. 26, 2024, in Portland, Ore. Grand Gesture is Oregon's first romance-only bookstore.
People browse the shelves at Grand Gesture Books on opening day, Oct. 26, 2024, in Portland, Ore. Grand Gesture is Oregon’s first romance-only bookstore.

Sukhjot Sal / OPB

For Chris Walters, a Portland author who writes cozy contemporary romance and urban fantasy/paranormal romance, Grand Gesture is a chance to help boost the genre locally by attracting more authors to this city, from bestsellers to small-press and indie authors.

“I feel like romance has this weird reputation as perhaps not real writing or only for women, and Grand Gesture can hopefully help break some of those stereotypes,” he told OPB via Instagram. “Romance is for everyone, and I believe Katherine is going to help spread the word about how incredible romance books can be.”

Inclusivity is definitely at the heart of Grand Gesture. That’s why, in addition to housing BookTok’s most popular romances, Morgan is focusing on highlighting underrepresented love stories — from a Sapphic Black romance to a multiracial zombie love story — you name it, she’s got it (or something similar).

Happily ever after

And Grand Gesture doesn’t just house books. Morgan knows her target audience too well.

Grand Gesture Books provides a seating area for readers in front of a painted wall that reads, "Find love in Portland," on Oct. 26, 2024 in Portland, Ore. Grand Gesture is Oregon's first romance-only bookstore.
Grand Gesture Books provides a seating area for readers in front of a painted wall that reads, “Find love in Portland,” on Oct. 26, 2024 in Portland, Ore. Grand Gesture is Oregon’s first romance-only bookstore.

Sukhjot Sal / OPB

“Romance girlies love three things,” she said. “They love books — and they get more than one book, they’re not just buying one — they get tote bags, and they get stickers.” The bookstore has all three things, she promises, as well as t-shirts and literary-themed candles.

On top of all that, Morgan — who is an ordained minister — would love nothing more than to host weddings at Grand Gesture. Or at least have it be a couple’s meet-cute (definition: where two love interests meet for the first time).

“I am very open and honest about the fact that my whole personality is wanting people to get married in my store, or engaged in my store, or first dates, I want that to happen,” Morgan said.

Grand Gesture is located at 814 Southwest 10th Avenue in Portland. Morgan will be tabling at the Portland Book Festival on Nov. 2.

Go-to romance recs from the two PNW bookstore owners:

Morgan’s recommendations:

  • “Before I Let Go” by Kennedy Ryan
  • “The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy” by Megan Bannen

Rice’s recommendations:

  • The Brown Sisters trilogy by Talia Hibbert
  • The Raven Cycle series by Maggie Stiefvater

 

For this and other local news, please visit OPB.com

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Destination Saunas in Oregon and Beyond

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Shvitz in a “wine barrel,” cold plunge in a river, or soak up the steam from a bubbling hot spring.

The barrel sauna at Sosta House, with its wine fermenting tank–turned–cold plunge, evokes the feeling of sauna-ing in a pinot noir barrel.

Image: Jason Hill

Save the adrenaline fiends and modern explorers using their PTO for backcountry expeditions, most of us hope to spend our vacation time, you know, relaxing. And when trying to wick away stress, it helps to sweat it out. Scattered across Oregon and Washington, contrast therapy evangelists have set up floating saunas over serene lakes and parked wood-burning trailers near mountain rivers, so sweaty visitors can cool off in the chilly waters of the Pacific Northwest. And while several hotels and resorts will stick a basic electric sauna near the hot tub or spa, a few spots have invested in truly spectacular soaking or shvitzing setups, from cabins hidden in the wilderness to huts hazy with hot spring steam. Below, find an array of destination-worthy saunas and steam rooms—some found within  inns and lodges, others open to outside guests hoping for an out-of-town sweat session. For something closer to home, our local sauna guide may help.

Sosta House

Washington County | Price: Included with stay; reservations start at $200 per night | Swimsuit? Yes, required

The electric sauna behind this three-bedroom Willamette Valley B&B is as close as a person can get to shvitzing in a wine barrel. Nico and Mia Ponzi Hamacher transformed their mother’s childhood home, situated next to Ponzi Vineyards’ original plantings, into an intimate inn surrounded by grapevines and gardens. While in college in Canada, Nico would sneak out to the barrel sauna hidden in the woods near his campus. In honor of his old hangout, he and a group of family and friends constructed Sosta House’s fir sauna using materials from Sanctuary Barrel Saunas. The cold plunge, built into the cedar deck, stays on theme, made from a converted fermenting tank the siblings found behind the winery. Out the sauna window, guests gaze onto cresting waves of grapevines, a nearby trickling creek, and towering conifers that loom over the property. Chickens coo and cackle from a pen nearby. Like many of the amenities at Sosta House, the sauna is self-serve and free for guests to use at any time during their stay. —Brooke Jackson-Glidden

Gather founder Halina Kowalski-Thompson stands next to her original sauna trailer, built by her business partner and husband, Dorian Thompson.

Image: Courtesy Jayde Silbernagel

Gather Sauna House

Central Oregon | Price: Starts at $36 for a 75-minute session | Swimsuit? Yes

Trauma therapist Halina Kowalski-Thompson is a fervent proponent of contrast therapy as a tool for physical and mental healing. It’s what inspired her to open her Central Oregon sauna business with her husband, Dorian Thompson, who built Gather’s first mobile, wood-burning sauna out of a converted horse trailer. Gather parks its saunas alongside natural bodies of water—the Deschutes River, primarily—to host communal and private sauna events, punctuated by icy dips. Halina leads sessions incorporating elements of the Latvian pirts, a thermal bathing tradition that uses medicinal plants in the form of teas and aromatherapy. At Gather, Halina wields herbal whisks she makes herself, brushing them against the skin or using them to fan steam throughout the room. The couple harvests and forages botanicals throughout the region for their own oils, salves, and tinctures, which serve as complements. Coming soon: a full-on sauna center in Tumalo, with an herbal garden for build-your-own whisks. —BJG

The stunningly designed ofuro—or bathhouse—at Snow Peak’s Campfield in Long Beach, Washington.

Image: Courtesy Campfield

Campfield Long Beach

Long Beach, Washington | Price: Free for overnight guests; day passes start at $35 for a 90-minute session | Swimsuit? Yes, required

In the warmer months of 2024, revered Japanese outdoor brand Snow Peak opened its first American “Campfield”—part ritzy campground, part consumer testing ground for its gear—on Washington’s Long Beach Peninsula. Families build fires in Snow Peak–branded stainless-steel fireplaces and roll sleeping bags onto Snow Peak–branded high-tension cots within Snow Peak–branded tents. Beyond the cushy camp gear and scenic wetlands, a main draw of the campground is its ofuro, a Japanese-style bathhouse with an accompanying cold plunge and sauna. The electric sauna is lined with temple-grade hinoki cypress, with a window looking out at the spa’s verdant grounds. The circulating cold plunge—kept between 45 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit—is steps away, as is the 105-degree soaking pool, with a view of surrounding alder trees. Note that Snow Peak Campfield is a family-friendly spot, so don’t be surprised by the chatty 8-year-old joining you on the bench (adults-only slots are available after 7pm each day and before 11am). —BJG

Breitenbush skips the typical electric or wood-burning heat, using the natural hot spring to steam up its sauna.

Image: Courtesy Breitenbush Hot Springs

Breitenbush Hot Springs

Idanha, Oregon | Price: $35 day pass; overnight stays start at $112 | Swimsuit? Optional

Clothing optional, completely off the grid, and free of cell service and Wi-Fi, Breitenbush Hot Springs is the stuff of Oregon legend. The 153-acre resort, nestled into the Willamette National Forest east of Salem, is the Pacific Northwest’s largest privately owned geothermal springs site and has spent the better part of a century as a wilderness health spa; well before it came into private hands, Indigenous tribes gathered here to soak, trade, and feast. A worker-owned cooperative since the late ’70s, Breitenbush today feels part summer camp, part storybook getaway: think communal meals and song circles amid idyllic wooded surrounds. (While the Labor Day fires of 2020 took out historic buildings and left behind burn scars, they couldn’t extinguish the spirit of the place.) The soaking pools, some lined with river rocks and tucked into a meadow with mountain views, steal much of the attention, but consider the sauna a sleeper star. Housed in a sweet cedar hut, it sits atop a capped geyser that would, according to the resort, shoot 30 feet into the air on a regular basis were it not sealed. Hobbit-sized doors grant entry to the dim space, which fills with steam that rises from slats in the floor. When full, it can be a sloppy sea of sweaty bodies, sighing and stretching and sometimes singing. After you’ve maxed out, a sunbathing deck and cold plunge tub await, with icy water piped from a glacier-fed river. —Rebecca Jacobson

Minam River Lodge’s secluded hot tub and sauna—not to mention the lodge itself—are only accessible via a lengthy hike or chartered plane.

Image: Courtesy Leon Werdinger

Minam River Lodge

Eagle Cap Wilderness, Oregon | Price: Included with lodge stay; accommodations start at $350 per night, with a minimum three-night stay | Swimsuit? No formal policy, but visitors typically use swimsuits

It doesn’t get much more isolated than this: a hotel deep in Northeastern Oregon’s Eagle Cap Wilderness, accessible only by chartered small-plane flight or an 8.5-mile trail. The cabin-like sauna hides between trees and overlooks the Minam River, whose chilly waters serve as a cold plunge. Lodge staff light the sauna fire at 7am daily, warming cedar benches and paneling. Deeper in the forest, a spring-fed, wood-fired hot tub simmers, lodge staff tending to its flame throughout the day. With only a handful of cabins, lodge rooms, and canvas-wall tents, there are never more than a few dozen guests at the remote hotel; meals draw from the gardens and greenhouse on site. Fishing excursions, horseback rides, or massages in the historic barn disperse visitors, creating a luxurious sense of solitude. The only other trace of civilization is Red’s Horse Ranch and its historic cabins, a half-mile upriver; there, US Forest Service volunteers share stories of how the property once hosted guests as varied as Burt Lancaster and Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas. —Allison Williams

The Society Hotel Bingen’s spa is home to a variety of soaking pools, as well as a spacious sauna and cold plunge.

Image: Courtesy Talia Jean Galvin

Society Hotel Bingen

Bingen, Washington | Price: Free for overnight guests; drop-in visits start at $30 for a one-hour session | Swimsuit? Yes, required|

A sibling of the Society in Old Town, this hostel-hotel hybrid occupies a former school in the Columbia River Gorge, with some of the original features intact (yes, you can play basketball in the gym or gossip on the bleachers). A ring of Scandinavian-vibed cabins surround a shared bathhouse, which follows a similar model to Knot Springs: visitors can work their way through a tepid saltwater soaking pool, a super toasty outdoor soaking pool, a chilly 54 degree cold plunge, and a cedar sauna. Those interested can add a few spa services to their visit, including facials, brow waxes, and exfoliating lip treatments. —BJG

Von Sauna’s lakeside locale offers an obvious natural cold plunge post-shvitz.

Image: courtesy Gabrielle Ann Photography

Von Sauna

Kirkland, Washington | Price: $40 per person for a 75-minute session | Swimsuit? Yes, required

In the mornings, Lake Washington at Kirkland’s Carillon Point is so still the water could be mistaken for glass, the illusion shattered only when sweat-soaked visitors plunge into its depths. The seasonal Von Sauna made its debut in Washington in January 2024, one of the state’s first public floating saunas according to owner David Jones. The DC native decided to bring the floating sauna experience to his adopted home after multiple trips to Norway. Guests choose between a private sauna or a 75-minute communal session, booking one of 12 seats in an allotted time slot. The wood-fired sauna, which sits between 170 and 195 degrees Fahrenheit, juts out over the water on a small dock, with two floor-to-ceiling windows for maximum lake views. —Abby Luschei

 

For this and other local articles, please visit PortlandMonthly

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7 Mistakes People Make Handling Deceased Family Members’ Estates

Dealing with a family member’s death can be a double cruelty. There is the emotional loss. Then, that’s often followed by the monumental task of dealing with the deceased’s estate—you might have to figure out how to sell their home (here’s how to find a real estate agent in your area) and sort through any property or possessions left behind—especially if there’s no will.

Given this is a hard time, it’s understandable that many people in this situation make mistakes. In an effort to get you through this process with minimal pain and suffering, here are the pitfalls to watch out for—and smarter ways to handle them.

7 Mistakes People Make Handling Deceased Family Members’ Estates

1. Going through possessions piece by piece

People tend to start by sorting through each and every item they encounter as they go through the house, says Jacqui Denny, co-founder and chief development officer of estate sale marketplace Everything but the House. But this approach easily becomes a huge drain on time.

“That’s how you end up spending four hours looking through paperwork in one drawer,” Denny points out.

What to do instead: If you want to avoid burnout, she recommends a simple sorting method. Mark four boxes with personal correspondence, photographs, medical papers, and legal documents. Go through the house looking for just those items and place them in their respective bins. Now you’ve removed an entire layer of items from the house, possibly the most important things. You can sort through each box later and decide what to keep or let go.

2. Undervaluing items you aren’t familiar with

Some people will carefully collect the silverware and then drag the fishing equipment to the curb. But some flies are worth tens of thousands of dollars. Who knew? Don’t assume that stuff is worthless because some hobby or style of art just isn’t your thing.

What to do instead: Talk with an appraiser before going through the estate to make sure you aren’t overlooking something rare or valuable.

3. Overvaluing items you like

Denny says she sees this happen a lot: When we like something, we tend to value it more than the market does. For example, a costume jewelry fanatic may think an entire collection is uniformly valuable. But that’s not always so.

“A vintage Miriam Haskell rhinestone brooch can bring hundreds of dollars,” she says. “But the typical, unsigned rhinestone brooch of the same vintage will sell for $35 to $50.”

What to do instead: Manage your expectations! And again, work with an appraiser to find the true value of items.

4. Overlooking the attic and basement

Maybe your parents came from more humble origins and you doubt they’ve collected anything worth a lot of money. You’d be surprised, Denny says. She recalls a client who assumed his mother didn’t have anything worth selling. But it turns out she left behind a 17th-century Korean bodhisattva statue in the attic, which later sold for $47,000.

What to do instead: Don’t neglect the attic and basement. Denny says they’re where the most valuable items are usually found.

5. Letting your vintage-loving friends sort and assess the estate for free

Hey, you have friends who love vintage items and are volunteering to sort through your parents’ estate. That’s better than hiring someone, right? Unless they’re experts, perhaps not.

“What if they donate something you end up seeing on ‘Antiques Roadshow’?” Denny asks.

What to do instead: Thank your friends and let them help you with other tasks. Most estate sale companies will do a free consultation, so you might as well tap their expertise just in case. It pays to have someone knowledgeable about the vetting process.

6. Selling to dealers rather than collectors

Most people consider selling first to dealers, but remember this: A jeweler will pay less for your jewelry than an ordinary consumer who just loves it. A jeweler wants to make a profit; a consumer just wants that lovely piece you have.

What to do instead: If you can, sell to collectors rather than dealers.

“End buyers don’t need to make a profit,” Denny says, “so they are willing to pay more.” The same goes with coins, stamps, and other collectibles.

7. Not dealing with debts

We’ve gone over the profitable elements of an estate. But remember, an estate includes debts as well.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, in the U.S., family members of the deceased are not responsible for paying the deceased’s debts. (That’s in most cases.) Debts should be paid from the deceased’s estate. If there’s not enough in the estate to cover the debt, the remainder goes unpaid. However, there are some conditions when family members may be responsible: if they co-signed an obligation, are a spouse of the deceased, or are legally responsible for handling the estate and haven’t complied with laws.

What to do instead: Be proactive in following up on any debts the deceased left behind. Make sure obligations are met according to the law. You may need to hire a lawyer. You can also contact your state attorney general’s office if you need help.

 

For this and related articles, please visit Realtor.com

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How Down Payment Assistance Programs Can Help First-Time and Other Homebuyers

Buying a home can be an intimidating process right now, but there are many down payment assistance programs that can help aspiring homeowners pivot from home browser to homebuyer.

Many people believe they need to put down at least 20% if they want a home. But that’s not true. Most buyers have down payments ranging from 3.5% to 20% of the sale price of the home they’re buying. In this market, with prices hitting record highs, that can be a hefty sum. That’s where down payment assistance comes in and can help close the gap.

These programs can help buyers snag a home by providing cash that can go toward a down payment. There are even loan programs for certain qualified buyers that don’t require any down payments. The array of offerings from federal, local, and private sources can take the form of looser loan requirements, outright grants of money, or tax credits, all of which make homeownership more affordable.

First-time homebuyers, often with certain qualifications, are often beneficiaries of the assistance. Lower-income buyers, those who serve in the military or are veterans, and those who purchase fixer-uppers or homes in rural areas might also be eligible for the help. The assistance ranges greatly, from a grant of several thousand dollars to, at the high end, a savings of five figures over the life of the loan.

How Down Payment Assistance Programs Can Help First-Time and Other Homebuyers

The down payment dilemma

About 71% of first-time homebuyers put down less than 20% for their house purchase,  February Realtors Confidence Index Survey.

The median down payment for first-time buyers is just 7%, according to according to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR).

Meanwhile, only a small number of first-time homebuyers are taking advantage of down payment assistance programs—likely only 3% or 4%, according to the NAR.

Still, that 20% down has been something of a gold standard for homebuyers. Many buyers are finding that it’s the minimum amount down that sellers want to see if they’re going to win a bidding war in this incredibly competitive market, where first-time buyers might be competing with all-cash and investor offers. Sellers often believe buyers with 20% down are more financially stable and more likely to be approved for a mortgage.

It’s also the minimum that generally lets them avoid private mortgage insurance, or PMI, which is assessed because lenders believe the loan carries risk. This in turn raises the homebuyer’s monthly expenses.

Here’s an example: PMI is typically 0.5% to 1% of the loan amount per year. So if buyers put down less than 20% and their mortgage is $300,000, their PMI would be between $1,500 and $3,000 per year. That would add about $125 to $250 per month on top of their mortgage payment, a significant charge. (Homeowners can have PMI canceled when the equity in their home surpasses 20%.)

So, while a buyer can also choose loans that require a down payment of just a single digit, that PMI can stretch a budget paper-thin. That’s where down payment assistance can help.

A lack of knowledge about these financial helping hands could mean many buyers are leaving money on the table! Let’s take a closer look at these programs and whether they could help folks snag homes of their own.

What is down payment assistance?

Down payment assistance can take several forms and can even help buyers circumvent the PMI payment.

At least 2,000 such programs exist across the country. Some are federal, but most tend to be at state and local levels, which is important to know when searching for help. Private organizations, from lenders to nonprofits, also work with borrowers who need help.

These programs might offer grants, loans, tax credits, or a combination of a couple of these benefits. Funding can come from our government, nonprofits, and private enterprises. Let’s take a closer look:

Grants might be the most desirable form of down payment assistance. Typically, a grant is fully forgiven at closing and never has to be paid back. Yes, we’re talking about free money!

About 7% of down payment help comes in the form of grants, says Veronica Khandelwal, vice president of HFA Relations at Down Payment Resource, which provides consumers with guidance on this kind of assistance. But there is a catch.

“Grants require owner occupancy,” she says of the requirement for buyers to live in these properties. That’s to make sure these loans don’t go to investors or vacation-home buyers. “Some programs allow grants to be applied to multifamily purchases of one to four units so long as one of the units is occupied by the borrower.”

Forgivable loans are another option. These loans need to be repaid only if a repayment trigger event occurs, such as the home being sold before the end of the term, the home being no longer owner-occupied, the title being transferred, or the loan being defaulted on.

Deferred-payment loans are also available. These are paid back either at the end of the loan term or if a repayment trigger occurs. So, while it’s not a gift, it will help homebuyers get over that down payment hurdle and buy a house they might otherwise not have been able to afford.

Repayable loans are another leg up on homeownership. They require borrowers to make monthly payments, like a typical loan. But here’s the good part: They do so at interest rates starting as low as 0%. That helps spread the down payment and closing costs over a number of years, making it much easier to enter the housing market.

Some agencies also offer a combination of these forms of assistance. That could mean that a portion of the help will be forgiven (or “written off” with no repayment needed) while some will need to be repaid. Tax credits are sometimes offered as well, further sweetening the deal.

Each down payment assistance program will have its own rules and guidelines, but the vast majority are offered only for a home that buyers will live in as a primary residence.

What kinds of down payment assistance are available?

Now let’s get down to the specifics. Here are some of the more popular national options folks might access to help them to pivot from home shopper to homebuyer.

FHA (Federal Housing Authority) loans were created by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for first-time homeowners (HUD). These mortgages allow as little as 3.5% for the down payment, provided buyers have a credit score of 580 or higher, along with other qualifying factors. The federal government insures these loans, and for that reason, banks are more willing to loan money to homebuyers who have neither top-tier credit nor loads of cash to put down on the purchase.

FHA Section 203(k) loans require only 3% down, provided qualifying buyers will live in the property, typically one that needs work, while they fix it up. For buyers hoping for a DIY route into a dream home, this could be a win-win. The cost of improvements is included in the loan so buyers can finance both the home and up to $35,000 in repairs.

But buyers beware: The cost of materials and construction labor has spiked since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and work is taking much longer to be completed than it did just two years ago.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are federally funded loans that can help buyers skirt steep down payments. The Home Possible, HomeReady, and HomeOne loans typically offer a 3% down payment mortgage to qualifying, lower-income homebuyers.

Good Neighbor Next Door is another HUD-sponsored program. In this case, law enforcement officers, teachers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians can enjoy a substantial incentive in the form of a discount of 50% from the list price of the home in a community that is being revitalized. The buyer must live in the house for three years as a primary residence.

Teacher Next Door Grant is a program similar to the one above but is designed to help educators own their own homes. Grants to the tune of up to $8,000 in certain areas are possible with additional down payment assistance available in some circumstances.

The USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) Rural Home Loan Program was created to assist people buying homes in rural locations. For qualifying, single-family properties, loans might be available with no money down. There are maximum income limits and other qualifications to be eligible for one of these mortgages.

VA (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) loans might be offered directly by the VA or backed by the department. Several factors are considered, such as service history, duty status, income, and credit rating. But those who qualify can purchase a home with zero down as long as the sales price isn’t higher than the home’s appraised value.

There are plenty of other programs available as well. Different states and cities, as well as individual lenders and nonprofits, can help prospective homebuyers get the financing they need. Folks should put their location and “down payment assistance” into a search engine, and take a look at what’s available. They might see everything from Habitat for Humanity to local religious organizations pop up. Also, visit Down Payment Resource.

One other path to explore is whether a buyer’s job provides down payment assistance. A lot of employers may offer assistance in  the form of a $10,000 loan that is forgivable after five years.

Who can qualify for these programs?

Get ready for some good news. There are a lot of misconceptions about who qualifies for down payment assistance.

“Many people think these programs are only available to low-income borrowers, first-time homebuyers, or for properties that have sales price limits,” says Down Payment Resource’s Khandelwal. “But if you look, you’ll find specialized programs designed to assist specific groups, including first-generation homebuyers, minorities, Indigenous people, people of color, veterans, those with government jobs, disabilities, and more.”

Here’s something else to smile about: A first-time homebuyer doesn’t just mean someone who’s never bought a home before.

The federal government generally holds a broader definition of a first-time homebuyer. It’s someone who has not been a homeowner in the past three years. If you sold a house three-and-a-half years ago, you qualify as first-time buyer.

How can I get down payment assistance? What steps do I take?

Buyers can take several different steps to find a down payment assistance program that’s right for them.

Check the federal programs mentioned above (like HUD, VA, USDA, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac), and see if there’s anything suitable.

Buyers should also visit their state’s Department of Housing website and see what might be listed, or call their number and inquire what down payment assistance programs might be available. Cities, towns, private lenders, and nonprofits may also have help.

“Homebuyers should seek the assistance of a mortgage lender who specializes in affordable lending to identify their best options,” advises Khandelwal.

In terms of what is typically needed to access aid, the documentation is very much in line with what’s needed to apply for any mortgage. Buyers will likely need the following:

  • Pay stubs plus W-2s from the past few years to verify employment and income history
  • Any 1099 forms showing other income
  • Bank statements
  • Tax returns
  • Details on the property they intend to buy (The real estate agent can share this information.)

The paperwork is processed in much the same way as a home loan, and there may be requests for more documents.

Then, if buyers are approved, they will be ready to move ahead with a lower—or no—down payment as their homeownership journey unfolds.

 

For this and related articles, please visit Realtor.com

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The Best Snowshoeing Trails Near Portland

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icicles on rock with snow mounds in foreground)

It’s winter! And there are all kinds of ways to enjoy the snow up in the mountains, but snowshoeing is one of the simplest.

“Snowshoeing is the most peaceful thing that you can do,” says Norther Emily of Wild Solitude Guiding. ”It’s just like you and your little crunchy sounds, and maybe there’s like three birds.”

Emily has offered up a list of the best snowshoeing trails for every level — if you’re ready to try it out for the first time or you’re looking for a new challenge.

Easy

It’s a relatively flat trail but incredibly scenic — “one of the most heavily photographed destinations on Mount Hood,” says Emily. “You have a beautiful view of the mountain if the mountain is out. If the mountain is not out, you still have a beautiful lake, and then you just do a little loop around the lake.”’

Plus, accessing it when there’s snow isn’t difficult because it’s right off a highway that’s maintained by ODOT in the winter.

“It’s really chill and flat,” says Emily. You can also make it a longer adventure. “You can go for a long ways up there, and there’s a lot to explore [including] some neat little pine forests on the edge of the river.”

Medium

Snowshoeing up to Mirror Lake is pretty easy, but you can add on a challenge. “If you want to make it hard, you can keep going up the hill to the top of this mountain,” says Emily. “That’s a little bit more of an adventurous push, and there’s definitely more elevation gain with that.”

Challenge

It’s “a little trickier,” says Emily. “You have to know how to drive in snow. You have to know how to read maps and figure things out. [But] you can hike up into all kinds of areas that people don’t usually visit in the winter and explore around and see what it’s like.”

Close-In

“Did you know you can go snowshoeing in Multnomah County?” says Emily. “You don’t even have to go to Mt. Hood. Larch Mountain is right there in the Gorge. You drive through Corbett; you go up the hill until you hit the gate or you hit snow. Then you can snowshoe around in the Gorge high country, which is really cool.”

 

Emily also has tips for staying warm.

Where do you like to snowshoe? Send your tips.

What Are Mittens Good For?

For this and the full podcast, please visit City Cast Portland
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9 Grand Lodges of the Pacific Northwest

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For every season, there’s a dream destination.

Built 6,000 feet up a mountain, Timberline Lodge is Mount Hood’s only ski-in, ski-out resort.

Image: Courtesy Timberline Lodge

Cascadia has timbered villas and chalets aplenty. But what exactly makes a grand lodge? It should breathe an air of epic romance, a place where quotidian worries succumb to wild beauty and creature comforts. These 10 retreats invoke the mythic best of the Northwest. And each has its perfect season.

Winter

Clockwise from top: Looking down at Timberline’s 400-ton fireplace; a bluebird day on the slopes; the lodge’s newly renovated pool.

Image: Courtesy Timberline Lodge

Timberline Lodge Is a Bastion of American Gumption

Timberline Lodge’s multistory stone hearth—an immense, hexagonal furnace weighing 800,000 pounds—would be at home on the History Channel’s Modern Marvels, along with the rest of this mammoth Mount Hood snow fortress. Dedicated in 1937, Portland’s nearest (dearest?) mountain lodge screams old-fashioned Oregon ingenuity. The Depression-era Works Progress Administration funded its local teams of weavers (who hand-loomed the curtains), artists (who lined its glass mosaics), and carpenters (who hewed beams big enough to hoist sails on the HMS Victory).

All to say that staying at Timberline is like bunking in a super-cozy history museum. But Timberline’s two million annual visitors also know that Hood’s only ski-in, ski-out resort is built 6,000 feet up a mountain with one of the longest seasons in the country—and that when it’s raining at Ski Bowl or Meadows, it’s still snowing on Timberline’s 41 varied runs.

The price of sleeping in this creaky castle is also steep: Room prices start around $240 and can run a good deal more than that, plus the cost of lift tickets. Vittles, too, will cost you—expect $30–60 entrées for a Cordon Bleu test-kitchen-level dinner in the Cascade Dining Room. (Timberline’s semisecret, closet-size, winter-only Blue Ox Bar serves topping-heavy pizza at a lower price point; also watch for the seasonal Phlox Point Cabin, known for its midmountain street tacos, to open when ski season hits.)

Still, there’s nothing quite like escaping a high-alpine storm through Timberline’s snow tunnel, then opening those heavy, mosaic-fitted doors to greet a toasty fire. And waking up to Hood’s south face beaming through your window? Timeless. —Benjamin Tepler

Government Camp, OR | winter rates $240–455

Sun Valley Resort is built into the eastern slopes of Idaho’s Sawtooth Range.

Image: Courtesy Sun Valley Resort / Kevin Syms

Sun Valley Resort Is a Mini Ski City for the Stars

Imagine a lodge where silver screen star Tyrone Power rubbed elbows with Henry Ford and Hemingway; where Janet Leigh (and, later, daughter Jamie Lee Curtis) skied while presidents and jazzmen sipped whiskey in leather armchairs snugged up to well-stoked hearths.

Such a gratuitously star-struck lodge exists: Sun Valley Resort, built into the eastern slopes of Idaho’s Sawtooth Range. And all that glamorous legend-making? Hand-spun, one zealously courted celebrity at a time, by New York publicists. The story of Sun Valley has always been a study in power plays (and powder playing), starting in 1936, when W. Averell Harriman, heir to Union Pacific Railroad millions, built what he marketed as America’s first destination ski resort.

Nearly 90 years later, the once sorta-rustic lodge has swelled into an opulent, mahogany-paneled luxury complex with facilities capable of training Winter Olympians. Sun Valley is, in fact, its own city, with a dedicated zip code, workforce housing, and a “village” of eateries and tchotchke shops winding just beyond the main lodge parking lot. In 2015, the property’s current owners—the Holding family, heirs to Sinclair Oil millions—financed a massive update of the main lodge: vaster guest rooms, an expanded spa, a snazzier basement bowling alley. Also? Five new “celebrity suites,” each a themed tribute to a Sun Valley heavyweight who helped burnish the legend. (Hello, Papa.) —Ramona DeNies

Sun Valley, Id | winter rates $294–3,000+

Spring

Clockwise from left: The Boathouse restaurant and marina; Suttle Lake; Suttle Lodge in full winter mode.

Image: Courtesy Justin Bailie, Courtes Robbie McClaren, and Courtesy Christi Barnes

Suttle Lodge Is a Shabby-Chic Mountain Retreat

Loose Trivial Pursuit cards in plastic bags. Ouija boards. DVDs like Encino Man and Cabin Fever. At Suttle Lodge, 37 miles northwest of Bend near Santiam Pass, the entertainments are quirky and well worn.

It’s as if distractible Portland hipsters and the editors of Bon Appétit dreamt up a mountain retreat and brought it to life, complete with a Pinterest-ready Pendleton woolen throw on every bed, a Traeger grill by every cabin. On the menu of the warm-season Boathouse restaurant, a deliberately prismatic plate of crunchy veggies cuddles up with griddled hot dogs. Other details—say, that dog-eared Gil Scott-Heron record—could well be thrift store finds from nearby Sisters.

There’s both charm and occasional frustration here—a laid-back log palace where execution can feel like a run of incomplete sentences. Luckily for the lodge—which reopened in 2016 with new owners affiliated with the Ace Hotel Portland and bars Pépé le Moko (RIP) and Spirit of ’77—no one’s going to quibble with the setting. From Suttle’s generous deck, lawn games scatter across soft grass toward a beer garden and pastoral dock. Beyond that: calm Suttle Lake and the fragrant conifers of the trail-laced Deschutes National Forest. And within an hour’s drive, guests can access some of the state’s dreamiest hot springs: Belknap, Breitenbush, and Cougar. 

Suttle boasts year-round natural thrills—snowshoeing to canoeing—as well as mellower draws, such as lawn concerts, creekside yoga, and wine tastings on the deck. For urbane Portlanders, this is where to rough it, without roughing it at all. —RD 

Sisters, Or | spring rates for lodge rooms $125–367, rustic cabins from $85, premium/deluxe cabins from $295

Soak the day away at Salish Lodge.

Image: Courtesy Salish Lodge & Spa

Salish Lodge Is Your Great Northern Spa

Perched above Snoqualmie Falls and familiar from pancake-mix packages and the dreamy intro to the ’90s TV series Twin Peaks, 108-year-old Salish Lodge & Spa was once a simple, woodsy traveler’s rest. In 2017, the already slicked-up spot, now nearly absorbed by the Seattle metro area, got even more luxe with a “contemporary mountainside concept” renovation, including updated bathrooms and a new VIP lounge.

But it’s still all about the waterfall (pictured at top). While forking through predictable but pleasing Northwest fare (grilled salmon, sautéed wild mushrooms), eaters in the dining room or Attic restaurant can look out over the fantastical drop of the 268-foot falls, drama heightened by a deep wine list packed with Northwest AVAs. (A few guest rooms also offer Snoqualmie Falls glimpses.)

Note: The lodge is wedged between river and roadway. On summer weekends, that means traffic jams to viewpoints and competition for access to the Salish’s crisp, slate-floored spa from Seattle day-trippers on their way back from Mount Si. Visit, instead, in mistier months, when the spa’s soaking tubs (and area hiking trails and golf courses) are less crowded—and when that in-room fireplace extends a welcome worthy of Twin Peaks’ fictional Great Northern Hotel. (A gin-and-cardamom Dale Cooper cocktail helps, too.) —Margaret Seiler

Snoqualmie, WA | spring rates $408–1,288 

Come spring, wildflowers abound at Sun Mountain Lodge.

Image: Courtesy Sun Mountain Lodge

Sun Mountain Lodge Is a Sportsman’s Brigadoon

In Washington’s North Cascades between Winthrop and Twisp, Sun Mountain Lodge commands 360-degree views of the Methow River Valley. At 3,000 feet on an isolated crest, the perch has a king-of-the-world feeling, this fiefdom fully traversable by a trail system that extends well beyond the resort’s 3,400 acres.

In winter, that means groomed Nordic track; fall and summer are hiking, riding, and mountain biking. But come spring, as sunflowers blanket the valley, the lure is fly-fishing: steelhead and smallmouth bass.

Bearing witness to the circle of life is Sun Mountain’s astounding (confounding? distressing?) taxidermy collection. Hunting trophies—a bequest from a fan—throng the lodge, from the bison staring down guests at reception to the Gould’s turkeys, javelinas, and musk ox marching down the main arcade. In one cozy sitting room, four sheep heads flank a TV. In the wine cellar (home to 3,500 bottles stacked floor-to-ceiling), a polar bear looms over private diners.

Yes, Sun Mountain Lodge isn’t exactly a Left Coast oasis. It is, however, a place where local wild game might appear on a fine dining menu. That vast, America-centric wine list spans everything from a $460 Columbia Valley cab to $27 organic bottles from Chile. And unlike older lodges—built back when bunkrooms and shared bathrooms were endured by the well-heeled—this 56-year-old chalet (renovated in 1990) offers guests seriously private amenities: in-room fireplaces, whirlpool tubs, wet bars. For those seeking refuge from Portland preciousness, behold your Big Game Hunter Brigadoon. —RD

Winthrop, Wa | spring rates from $229–492

Summer

Clockwise from top left: Takeoff; Minam’s wood-fired hot tub; garden zucchini; a horse hitch and cabin.

Image: Courtesy Barb Gonzalez, Courtesy Leon Werdinger, Courtesy Nicole Freshley, and Courtesy Barnes Ellis

Minam River Lodge Is Luxury’s Last Frontier

On warm summer days, Barnes Ellis—a former reporter turned investment adviser and owner of the Minam River Lodge in Eastern Oregon’s Eagle Cap Wilderness—has been known to hop into his Kodiak 100 for wine-related emergency flights to Walla Walla. The party he’s refueling could be a wedding, or a lamb roast with guest chef Philippe Boulot. Possibly the lodge ran out of Syrah after a raucous weekend with winemakers from Elk Cove or Walter Scott. Or maybe guests just got extra thirsty on the hike in—nearly nine verdant miles by foot or horseback. The only other entry to this retreat? Private aircraft, landed on a backcountry strip so rugged it can bounce a plane right into its bordering, nationally designated “Wild and Scenic” river. (Not something that intimidates readers of Pilot Getaways magazine, which put Minam on a 2017 cover; the following season, Condé Nast Traveler named it one of world’s top new hotels.)

Minam’s inaccessibility is part of the charm; here, amenities shine with extra luster. The lodge—a neglected hunter’s retreat—took a tight crew of craftspeople six years (and a fortune in helicopter transport) to rebuild. Furniture was milled and hand-built on-site. The now-cushy main lodge is efficiently warmed by one central fireplace; down a trail, a wood-fired hot tub is tucked near Minam’s more affordable wall tents. Hikes run in all directions. (Consult the lodge’s own guidebook, penned by Pacific Northwest trail junkie Douglas Lorain.) From cabin porches, night skies rain starlight over the snow-dusted Wallowas: isolated splendor that comes with Terminal Gravity on tap and waterfall showers. —RD

Cove, Or | summer rates $350–795

Paradise Lodge was built in 1916 just below Mount Rainier’s treeline.

Image: Sveta Imnadze/shutterstock.com

Paradise Inn Is an Austere Romance

There’s a lending library tucked into a corner of Paradise Inn’s wraparound mezzanine; its worn titles include a Rock Hudson memoir and what must be the world’s entire catalog of Christmas-themed bodice rippers. Paradise isn’t open in winter—the lodge, built in 1916 just below Mount Rainier’s treeline, is snowbound half of the year. But there’s a crisp chill here even at the height of summer, when tricked-out summiteers and Chinese tour buses clog the parking lots, and the lodge’s yellow cedar–studded bunk rooms are booked solid.

That draft won’t reach the balcony, where guests hole up with schlocky books and complimentary tea and cookies. Below, two roaring fireplaces bookend the great hall; between them, most afternoons, a resident pianist (“Bill from Florida,” says the manager) plies the very same ivories tickled by Harry Truman back in 1945.

These comforts aside, Paradise can be, to borrow the manager’s phrase, an austere experience. There’s no pool, fitness center, or spa. And, famously, no Wi-Fi. In the original lodge, only the ADA-accessible ground-floor quarters have private bathrooms—though guests in the lodge’s renovated 79-room annex also enjoy this luxury. The restaurant fare is about what you’d expect for a private concern hawkishly watched by the National Park Service: bland, bulk-sourced, and cooked by kids who’d rather be mountain-climbing.

No, the romance of Paradise stems from the weather god outside: Mount Rainier towering in mist and snow. But that pink in your cheeks lingers indoors, with warm hearths, boozy “campfire cups,” and a good book. (Steamy, of course.) —RD

 Ashford, WA | summer rates $228–441

Fall

Clockwise from left: Tu Tu’ Tun Lodge; wildflowers on a Carlton Farms pork chop; the lodge and Rogue River in the gloaming.

Image: Courtesy Justin Bailie and Courtesy Tu Tu’ Tun Lodge

Tu Tu’ Tun Lodge Is for Literary Fly-Fishers

At the Tu Tu’ Tun Lodge, cedar cladding and an Arts and Crafts framework tell guests they’re in NorCal-adjacent Southern Oregon. Yet what with the rushing Rogue River, on-site fishing licenses for sale, and talk of the day’s catch, this feels like Norman Maclean country. 

Folded into an evergreen hillside off coastal US 101 eight miles east of Gold Beach, this former locals’ river retreat isn’t a place you just stumble upon. Someone must have told you about it, and those who stay here have the satisfied sense of being in on a secret. Pronounced a bit like “high-falutin’,” the Tu Tu’ Tun does attract well-heeled Bay Area ex-bohemians and moneyed Seattleites. (It survived the decline of Oregon’s fishing and logging industries by pivoting, in the 1990s, into a higher-end retreat.) But you’ll also find Canadian retirees here, and the occasional schoolteacher-turned-cowgirl back for a return visit.

Comprising a small lodge building, a guest wing, and three rentable houses, the Tu Tu’ Tun puts on no airs. It pampers, instead, with friendliness and familiarity. Staff greet guests by name, offering a jacket for jet boat rides, visits to the Adirondack chairs on the gently sloping lawn, or a turn on the bocce court, four-hole pitch and putt, or horseshoe pit. There are luxurious touches here: a lap pool, a seasonal spa tent, and river views for each cozy room, some with wood-burning fireplaces and private patio soaking tubs. An add-on dinner might include orchard apples—if the resident black-tailed deer haven’t munched them all—or a corn-and-pea succotash popping with cherry tomatoes from the flower-ringed kitchen garden, halibut or poached rockfish, salads with coastal Face Rock cheese, and the lodge’s “famous” piping-hot popovers. But the Tu Tu’ Tun’s personality is more literary fly-fisher than sybaritic shut-in. Take the surprising number of Glimmer Train issues on the bookshelf, or the fleet of kayaks and stand-up paddleboards for guest use—one of Tu Tu’ Tun’s many reminders, along with the framed fish art and folks in waders, that a river runs through it. —MS

Gold Beach, OR | fall rooms $300–1,375

From left: Skamania Lodge’s river-facing Adirondack chairs; the lodge’s skylit saline pool.

Image: Courtesy Susan Seubert and Amy Martin

Skamania Is a Normcore Paradise

Like an airport thriller you can’t stop reading, Skamania Lodge is a warm bath for tired minds. Popular with Christian groups, military reunions, and tech confabs, the sprawling complex—just 45 miles east of Portland in the Columbia River Gorge—evokes a corporate Breitenbush, rolling out basics without a drop of hipness. But in its serene blandness, Skamania comforts and still surprises.

Here, things stay interesting while evoking family-vacation vibes, from zip lines to lodge-chartered rafting and painting classes. At one end of the 254-room lodge, toddlers splash in the fitness center’s saline pool. Steps away, wholesome teenagers energetically make out in the hot tub. Out-of-state 50-somethings discreetly inquire about recreational pot. Hikers on Skamania’s trails are warned to watch for the area’s swift and heartless aerial predators: stray golf balls launched from its adjacent golf course. 

Built in the early 1990s as a lodge-themed event space, Skamania is about as transportive as a suburban mall, with Sting on the sound system and food that evokes Costco home cooking at fine-dining prices. Yet there are good reasons to visit. The setting, for one—a forest-ringed parkland with 270-degree views of Gorge beauty. Also, there’s just too much to do, from monkeying around the  aerial park (a stealth workout) to serious spa exfoliation. Amid the whir of golf carts, find unexpected catharsis from work and life in the lodge’s ax-throwing cage. Come dusk, roast s’mores (gear provided) by the firepit before retiring to your guest room (or one of the lodge’s four stilt houses in the trees). Like that airport page-turner, a stay here is a predictable, rock-solid win. —Amy Martin 

Stevenson, WA | fall rooms $189–737 

Stay overnight at the Allison Inn & Spa for access to the infinity-edge pool.

Image: Courtesy The Allison Inn & Spa

Destination Relaxation

These plush retreats might not qualify as grand lodges, per se. But their spas are far more than your basic scrub-and-rub.

Allison Inn & Spa

Champagne-oil massages, grape-seed moisturizers, and “pinot pedicures” remind Allison guests they’re in wine country. Consider lingering overnight after that facial to get access to the guests-only, infinity-edge pool.

Newberg, OR | treatments from $25 (lip, chin, or cheek wax) to $310 (couples massage in the “Zen Den Garden”) | rooms from $525

Salishan Spa & Resort

The spa at oceanfront Salishan is informed by salt water, marine mud, and exfoliating volcanic rock.

Gleneden Beach, OR | treatments from $30 (lip or chin wax) to $275 (90-minute CBD infusion massage) | rooms from $158

Willows Lodge & Spa

Skin resurfacing and microneedling. Swedish effleurage. A treatment all about oxygen. Some Willows services read like medical-grade sandblasting. Others just …hug you.

Woodinville, Wa | treatments from $25 (lip or brow wax) to $400 (in-room couples massage) | rooms from $290

 

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