Chris Tharp

1 week ago | explore.com | Chris Tharp

Western Oregon is an outdoor playground filled with pristine rivers, misty forests, rugged Pacific coastline, and waterfalls galore (like the two that make up Siuslaw National Forest's Niagara Falls of Oregon). Even though the region is known for its chilly wet weather, come summertime, temperatures can soar to well above 90 degrees, sending locals to swimming holes in an attempt to beat the heat. One of these swimming holes is the picturesque Triangle Lake.

1 week ago | flipboard.com | Chris Tharp

NowFinland has topped the World Happiness Rankings for the eighth year running – but the real appeal for travellers lies in the country's deeply-lived values of balance, nature and everyday contentment. Finns tend to accept the accolade of supreme happiness, bestowed on them by the UN's World Happiness …

1 week ago | explore.com | Chris Tharp

Michigan's Upper Peninsula is a raw, magical place that has been celebrated by writers such as Ernest Hemingway, and for good reason. This wild piece of land is known for its deep woods, pristine rivers, and untamed nature. It is also surrounded by three of the Great Lakes, with long stretches of unspoiled shoreline where you can experience true solitude while watching the clouds blow over the water or, if you are very lucky, witnessing the kaleidoscopic light show of the aurora borealis.

1 week ago | explore.com | Chris Tharp

While Oregon has no shortage of gorgeous outdoor gems — like this budget-friendly beach – Crater Lake isn't just the state's only national park: at 1,949 feet from surface to bottom, it's also the deepest lake in America. Formed 7,700 years ago during a massive volcanic eruption, this caldera is one of the Beaver State's crown jewels.

1 week ago | flipboard.com | Chris Tharp

3 hours agoWe break down the simple steps for making Cornell chicken and talk about why some folks herald it as the best chicken recipe for summer grilling. Barbecue is defined largely by the region you're in. From vinegar- and mustard-based sauces in North Carolina to sweeter stuff in Kansas City, two …