Quick Overview of this newsletter:

1. 🇨🇦 Thoughts on the Quebec press trip
2. 🍂 More Fall Foliage at Silver Falls State Park, Oregon
3. 🧥 It’s Flannel Season
4. 🧳 No Big Deal: Quoted in Well+Good article about packing carry-on luggage

Bonjour Reader,

Oui, Oui, I’m back from Canada! For a 7-day trip, it was jam-packed with activities and food -- I’m still full of cheeses and sweets because I had to try them all. I am currently reviewing my footage, and in contact with the editor I’ll be working on for the formal article (this trip was specifically for me to write about the destination for a different publication, in case you missed it). You’ll be one of the first to know when everything is published, but in the meantime, I wanted to share some initial thoughts from the trip:

1. The fall foliage 🍁 was essentially at its peak in Quebec City and maybe slightly past peak but still vibrant in the other regions. I was practically rolling around in the leaves in happiness wherever we went.
2. Ooh la la, the French language was far more prevalent than I anticipated. I (dumbly) assumed everyone would also speak English, but delighted to meet someone who didn’t. I still don’t know how to pronounce everything, but I had fun trying. 🤭
3. This trip gave me access to experiences that I could not afford at the moment or maybe wouldn’t prioritize for my personal travel. Think 5- and 7-course tasting menus 🍴 and fancy hotels. Of course, I did everything in my power to soak it up by getting up extra early and jumping into the spa pools when available. 🧖‍♀️ Why yes, I was exhausted.
4. I lucked out with a small group whom I had a blast with. Not only was it encouraging to meet others in the industry, but also others who were willing to jump in and try a new adventure together. 👯‍♀️👯‍♀️ It was non-stop laughing.
5. My favorite experiences included whale watching 🐋 on the St. Lawrence River, hiking 🥾 in two national parks, taking on a Via Ferrata for the first time, and learning from a First Nations community. ✨

I feel beyond grateful for the experience and excited to dive into the “travel writing” side of my career that I’ve slowly been nurturing.

Au revoir pour le moment,

Hanna

Nope, I didn't have any fun at all - JUST KIDDING. Upper left was pre-whale watching, upper right was at Parc National des Hautes Gorges de la Rivière Malbaie, bottom right was us recreating this emoji 🍁 at Wendake, and bottom left was at Canyon Sainte Anne.

More Fall Foliage at Silver Falls State Park

Returning to Oregon, I’m seeing that the fall colors are just now going full tilt boogie, and I am STOKED I get to experience peak foliage in two places. I had a friend in town this last weekend, so I went out of my way to have pumpkin waffles, pumpkin spice lattes, apple picking (we got four different varieties!!), apple crisp, and a mandatory visit to Silver Falls State Park.

This was my third visit to the little state park this year, but I don’t mind because I absolutely love it. It’s been fun to experience the different seasons, and we hit PEAK foliage. We were mesmerized watching each leaf twirl and dance down to the creek with a waterfall behind it. Incredible. Here’s a photo from the day, and I have one post already up about doing the 5ish-mile mid-sized loop in spring, which is a good introduction to the park.

It’s Flannel Season

Packing for my Quebec trip was similar to my current Eugene wardrobe, but narrowing down the chunkier sweaters, flannels, and corduroy that I wanted to bring was challenging. Don’t tell anyone 🤫 (especially after you read the next section), but I ended up sizing up my luggage for the trip since checked baggage was included. And then got lightly ribbed for how large it was from my fellow travelers, which is fair. However, I have no regrets about my luggage size and warm layers during the trip. Over the next few weeks, I want to share some of the cornerstones of my PNW wardrobe because it’s perfect for fall/winter anywhere! Let’s start off with the classic flannel.

Mid-weight flannels - I often get my flannel shirts second-hand and often shop in the men’s section because I love the oversized look. But for the particular colors, you’ll probably need to shop new.

• Patagonia: Their Fjord Flannel is well-rated and is also available at REI​
• Backcountry: Backcountry has almost too many options from their own Backcountry brand, a solid color one from Stoic brand, or Marmot’s boyfriend flannel (many options are on sale)
• LL Bean: Quality you can trust. I like their midweight option, but they have many to choose from.
• Old Navy: For a less expensive option, Old Navy has a wide array of colors

Waffle-knit henleys - Pair a regular or waffle-knit henley under your flannel, and we’re basically cozy twins.

• REI: Not waffle-knit, but classic henley from REI Co-op​
• Backcountry: Ooh, I love this brown color and fit from the Stoic brand​
• LL Bean: Here’s a more fitted option from LL Bean​
• Old Navy: And so many color options at Old Navy​

Left is me in an Old Navy Flannel at the Portland Japanese Garden, and right is me in an LL Bean Solid Flannel about to do the Via Ferrata near La Malbaie in Quebec, Canada.

No Big Deal: Quoted on Well + Good about Packing Carry-on Luggage

“The global baggage mishandling rate jumped from 4.35 bags per 1,000 passengers in 2021 to 7.6 in 2022, a nearly 75 percent increase.” — Gina Rich confirms our suspicions that more luggage has been delivered late, damaged, lost, or stolen in recent years. That should scare you right into going for carry-on only!! In her article, “How To Travel With a Carry-On Only,” she gives tangible and practical tips for traveling with a carry-on only, and I was quoted! Because I’m an expert. 💁‍♀️

My tips are scattered throughout the article but are mainly about deciding when or when not to do carry-on, thinking about size and weight, using mini dropper bottles for your serums, and a multi-purpose wash for your clothes. And I love/use many other tips in the article, including some I’ve never thought of before! If you’re constantly overpacking or want a stress-free packing experience, head to my Stop Overpacking blog post for the exact system I use to pack.

The other experts cover additional tips, so be sure to check them all out in the article. It’s called “How To Travel With a Carry-On Only and Keep Your Belongings From Taking a Trip to the Island of Lost Luggage” by Gina Rich on Well + Good.