Timothy Lake (Mt. Hood) On the eastern shore of Timothy Lake, in the Mt. Hood National Forest, lies Gone Creek Day Use Area. It’s a great place to take your family for a day trip to explore a mountain lake. On a hot summer day in August, we took our kids, ages 2 and 5, to join another family for some summer fun. We started the day with a stop in Sandy at the famous Joe’s Donuts for coffee and you guessed it, donuts. All fueled up, we drove for an hour into the mountains to Gone Creek for a day of outdoor play. For $5/vehicle or the National Forest Recreation Day Pass, we parked at the Day Use Area. With life jackets on, the kids jumped right Keep Reading

Ready to discover (or re-discover) Portland? From the coast to the Gorge, from Clark County to Salem, The Ultimate Guide to Portland Family Fun will allow you to experience the awesomeness this area has to offer, all from Frugal Living NW readers! Go here for links to all posts! Troutdale General Store (Troutdale) If you’re hankering for a little nostalgia, it’s time for a trip to The Troutdale General Store. An easy half-hour drive east of Portland on the I-84 (full disclosure: It’s easy on the weekends when there’s little traffic), Troutdale offers a taste of Main Street USA on her Historic Columbia River Highway, with “The Troutdale Keep Reading

Magness Memorial Tree Farm (Sherwood) Summer is here and sometimes as a family all we need is just some time away from home but close by. My son and I love going to Magness Tree Farm, located in Sherwood, Oregon. We can choose between loads of trails to take depending on our fancy. My son usually chooses the straight up the mountain path while I go for the lazy walk. We have had many "discussions" and he usually wins out since I can't talk myself out of not getting healthy. Paved trail heading to the small bridge. So beautiful even in the rain. This place is really nice. Many trails are handicapped accessible. There are cabins to Keep Reading

Portland Parks & Rec's $5 5K Runs (Portland Metro) Running races is not cheap (which sounds funny in my head). Some events are $30-40 for adults and $15-25 for kids. That's why I was super pumped to have just found Portland Parks & Rec's $5 5K Runs! Yes, five dollars for adults and kids under 17 are FREE! There is also a 1K for younger kids. Jogging strollers are allowed. This is a great family event held several Sundays from April to October at local Portland Parks. Each park is family friendly and other family activities are included. Plus, Gabriel Park even has a skatepark! Here are the 2018 runs and locations: Sunday Keep Reading