Traveling While Black: Bellingham, WA
Welcome to our latest adventure in the Pacific Northwest! If you’ve been following us for a while, you know that we have a lot of episodes in Washington State, and this time, we’re taking you to Bellingham, a charming coastal city nestled between Seattle and the Canadian border.
The Overview:
We first visited Bellingham back in August 2020 as a surprise birthday getaway for Anthony. At that time, Traveling While Black was still newish, and our visit was during the pandemic. Fast forward to today, and Bellingham, like our show, has evolved. This time around, we returned to experience the city without pandemic restrictions, allowing us to dive deeper into its history, community, and the outdoors.
Bellingham is known for its beautiful scenery and easy access to outdoor activities, making summertime the perfect season to head to this city. With a new perspective and more freedom to explore, we were excited to see what had changed and how the city welcomes Black travelers today.
A Rich History:
Our journey through Bellingham wouldn’t be complete without delving into its history. Before Bellingham became the bustling city it is today, the area was home to the Coast Salish Peoples for centuries. It wasn’t until 1792 that George Vancouver named the area Bellingham Bay, setting the stage for the city’s eventual formation.
We were fortunate to connect with WWU Professor, Josh Cerretti, who shared fascinating insights into Bellingham’s past. The city's development was marked by the merging of smaller villages, but it wasn’t without its struggles. The competition between Fairhaven and Whatcom to become the dominant city is a story of stubbornness and eventual compromise that shaped Bellingham into what it is today. See more about the history on our YouTube episode.
However, Bellingham’s history isn’t just about names and mergers. Like many American cities, its growth was driven by industry, but this also brought challenges, including periods of exclusion and discrimination. Learning about these darker chapters from Professor Cerretti was eye-opening, especially as we contrasted them with the more inclusive atmosphere we experienced during our visit.
Drive Grade: Seattle to Bellingham
Driving to Bellingham from Seattle is a drive up Interstate 5 North, taking about an hour and a half (or closer to two hours with traffic). The drive offers some scenic views, especially as you approach Bellingham.
Here’s how the drive scored on our rating scale:
Quality of Views: 1/2 points - The views improve as you get closer to Bellingham, but they’re not the most spectacular we’ve seen in Washington. You’ll see the mountains during certain periods of the drive and pass by some rivers and lakes.
Roadside Amenities: 2/2 points - There are plenty of places to stop for gas, food, and other essentials on the way to Bellingham. You’ll pass the major city of Everett on your way there, which is a great spot for gas and food.
Route Simplicity: 2/2 points - Driving from Seattle the route is easy. You’ll drive up I-5 North with no confusing turns or detours.
Roadside Attractions: 1/2 points - There are not many notable attractions along the route, but we’ll give a point for the casinos you’ll pass on the way up.
Quality Parking Options: 1/2 points - Parking in Bellingham mostly requires payment, but since our hotel was centrally located to downtown, we were able to walk to a lot of destinations to avoid paying a lot for parking.
Overall, we rated the drive a 7 out of 10.
Level of Fun: Bellingham, WA
This time in Bellingham, we stayed at the same place as we stayed when we visited in 2020: Hotel Leo. This historic hotel, once the Leopold Hotel, continues to attract with its blend of old-world charm and modern amenities. From the Clark Gable-inspired theater to the library and fitness room, it’s a great base for exploring the city.
Bellingham is known for its outdoor activities, so naturally, we took a stroll on the South Bay Trail through Boulevard Park. This light hike offered us a chance to soak in the natural beauty of the area without too much exertion. The path was paved for most of it, which makes it assessible for many. The park has a rocky beach with a few benches.
Beyond nature, Bellingham offers a wealth of activities, from exploring local history to enjoying its vibrant bar scene, thanks to its college-town vibe.
Here’s how the city scored on our Level of Fun scale:
Quality of Activities: 2/2 points - With plenty of outdoor options and historical sites to explore, Bellingham offers something for everyone.
Demographic Applicability: 2/2 points - Bellingham is a college town, so there are plenty of options for everyone!
Affordability: 0/2 points - While cheaper than Seattle, Bellingham’s cost of living is still above the national average, and its housing market is notoriously expensive.
Quality of Restaurants: 1/2 points - We had a fantastic meal at Brandywine Kitchen, a Black-owned restaurant with fresh, locally sourced options, but we struggled to find other standout dining experiences in the city.
Special Events: 2/2 points - Bellingham’s calendar is packed with events, including the Downtown Sounds concert series we attended, which was a highlight of our trip.
Overall, we rated Bellingham a 7 out of 10 for Level of Fun.
Comfortability for Black People Rating: Bellingham, WA
During our first visit, Bellingham scored a perfect 5 out of 5 for comfortability for Black people. This time, with our new 10-point rating scale, we wanted to see how the city would fare.
Amount of Black People Seen: 2/2 points - We were pleasantly surprised to see more Black people this time! With the Black population numbers low, we still were able to meet the local Black population.
Black Population Numbers: 0/2 points - The Black population in Bellingham is still just 1%, so no points here.
Prevalence of Black History: 1/2 points - The city could do more to highlight its Black history, but thanks to our visit with Professor Cerretti, we learned about some significant sites, see more in our YouTube episode.
Artifacts of Inclusion: 2/2 points - We saw plenty of signs of inclusion, from Black Lives Matter signs to Pride flags, and even a monument acknowledging past injustices against Asian communities.
Personal Comfort Level: 2/2 points - We felt comfortable and welcomed throughout our visit, especially when interacting with local Black residents and those at Hotel Leo.
Overall, Bellingham scored a 7 out of 10 for comfortability for Black travelers.
Final Thoughts:
Bellingham remains a city that offers plenty of natural beauty and a decently welcoming atmosphere for Black travelers. While it has its challenges, especially in terms of affordability and visibility of Black history, our overall experience was positive. We hope this guide helps you plan your visit and experience all that Bellingham has to offer!
Watch full YouTube episode on the experience!
Traveling While Black Across America RoadTrip: Stop #4 - Billings, MT
Us at Zimmerman Park in Billings, MT
Welcome to the last stop of our Traveling While Black Across America (Volume 1) series! A little background on this series, we decided to hop on the road to take (and document) a roadtrip from Wentzville, MO to Billings, MT.
If you’re new here, our show Traveling While Black usually has us in the Pacific Northwest or flying to international destinations, but we realized that many don’t know what middle America is like OR how safe it is for Black travelers. So, we decided it was time for us to expand our show to help those who may be wondering what it’s like to drive and stop in four cities: Kansas City, MO; Denver, CO; Cheyenne, WY; and Billings, MT. For each city will provide our typical ratings too: Drive Grade, Level of Fun, and Comfortability For Black People!
Here’s our experience in Billings, MT!
The Overview:
Billings drew us in with its history, amazing access to the outdoors, and vibrant craft beer scene. According to our research, Billings has a unique twist on the railroad industry story, with similarities to the other Rocky Mountain state cities we visited.
Just like Cheyenne (our 3rd episode), Billings' origins are tied to the railroad, specifically the Northern Pacific Railroad, which established the city in 1882.
Historical Impact of Redlining in Billings:
By that time the West had developed its own tactics for dealing with Black and immigrant populations, the railroad company divided the city with a railroad track. On the north side of the track were where white residents were able to live and on the south side of the tracks were where the Chinese, Japanese, and Black population were able to live.
Black History of Billings:
Despite the discrimination, Black pioneers like Walker Browning and his family played influential roles in the community, advocating for social mobility and helping to establish the city's only Black church.
Knowing the contributions of Black cowboys and cowgirls to Montana's history, we were excited to see how these contributions were commemorated in Billings.
Drive Grade:
Cheyenne, WY to Billings, MT
The drive from Cheyenne to Billings took about 7 hours, excluding stops. Without the windstorm we encountered driving to Cheyenne, we were able to appreciate the beauty of the landscape along the way, even with a bit of rain. The Big Sky nickname for Montana is so true, as the expansive land makes the blue sky seem even larger.
Us in Douglas, WY!
Our drive included some unique stops, starting with the world's largest Jackalope statue in Douglas, Wyoming. However, a subscriber warned us that the city might not be Black-friendly, so we didn't stay long. We also made a quick stop to Sheridan, Wyoming, we were intrigued by signs for the Black Diamond Trail, though poor service prevented us from researching further what this was all about. But it could be a cool stop! The highlight of our drive was the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument in Montana, this was a powerful and educational experience that made us appreciate the area's history. We definitely recommend a stop at this National Monument!
Here's how the drive from Cheyenne to Billings fared against our rating scale:
Quality of Views: 2/2 points - The breathtaking landscape and expansive sky were as beautiful as we imagined. We can see why it’s called Big Sky!
Roadside Amenities: 1/2 points - There were a lot of options for gas and food on the drive. We did dock a point for this ride because of the potentially unfriendly stop in Douglas, WY.
Route Simplicity: 2/2 points - Even though we took three different highways, the open road and high speed limits made the drive feel easy and freeing. It was the first time we saw a speed limit of 80 MPH!
Roadside Attractions: 2/2 points - We stopped at three places, the one that stood out the most to us was The Little Bighorn Monument. This stop alone made this drive memorable!
Quality Parking Options: 1/2 points - There was a decent amount of parking in Billings, but we had to pay each time! You all know how Anthony feels about paying for parking!
Overall, we rated the drive an 8 out of 10, making it our favorite drive of the whole road trip.
Level of Fun Rating: Billings, MT
To try and enjoy Billings, we decided to dive into the local culture. Based on our research, we explored the city's history, craft beer scene, and outdoors.
We started with the Western Heritage Center Museum, housed in the historic Parmly Billings Memorial Library building. The museum offered intriguing exhibits, including ones focused on Native American experiences in the West. After the museum, we hit the Billings Brew Trail, a self-guided tour through the historic downtown that includes breweries, distilleries, a cider mill, and a winery. Our favorite stop was the local distillery, UnDammed!
For our outdoor experience, we headed to Zimmerman Park just outside the city for a hike. The park's loop trail offered breathtaking views and was a calming experience at the end of our road trip.
Here's how Billings scored on our Level of Fun scale:
Quality of Activities: 1/2 points - The museum and brew trail were interesting, but the activities left a lot to be desired.
Demographic Applicability: 0/2 points - Billings has limited options for fun and the abundance of casinos hurt the city's appeal across different demographics. There are casinos EVERYWHERE.
Affordability: 2/2 points - One good thing about Billings is it was affordable! Plus, Montana doesn’t have a sales tax, was a bonus!
Quality of Restaurants: 1/2 points - We enjoyed a few restaurants in Billings, but there weren’t a huge selection of options. If you want to support a Black-owned restaurant while there, check out Sassy Biscuit!
Special Events: 0/2 points - Billings does not have any professional sports teams. When we were visiting a PBR even was taking place, but we did not attend.
Overall, we rated Billings a 4 out of 10 for Level of Fun.
Comfortability for Black Travelers: Billings, MT
Comfortability for Black travelers is crucial. Billings has a very low Black population percentage (less than 1%)! Plus, the city's Black history wasn't visible, which was disappointing given Montana's rich history of Black cowboys.
Here's how Billings scored on our Comfortability for Black People scale:
Amount of Other Black People Seen: 2/2 points - Even though the population is less than 1%, we saw more Black people than expected! This was a pleasant surprise.
Most Recent Black Population Numbers: 0/2 points - As we mentioned before, the Black population percentage is only 1%, so we can’t give any points here.
Prevalence of Black History: 0/2 points - Billings didn’t show a lot about their Black history. We did learn more about a Black family that was visible in the city. You can learn more about them in our episode!
Visibility of Inclusion Signs: 1/2 points - Billings didn’t have a lot of inclusion signs, but we saw a few supporting the LGBTQ community.
Our Personal Feelings of Comfort: 1/2 points - Overall, Billings felt very cold. We don’t know if that’s because of the city overall or because of the lack of diversity.
Overall, we rated Billings a 4 out of 10 for Comfortability for Black People.
Our Final Thoughts on Billings
Overall, Billings, MT fell short in terms of inclusivity and comfort for Black travelers (in our opinion). Despite this, we appreciated the opportunity to explore this part of the country and gain new perspectives.
Billings was our final stop in volume 1 of our road trip series! This trip taught us a lot about America and ourselves. We encourage everyone to take a road trip, even if it's a short one, to see the diverse beauty and experiences our country has to offer.
Thank you for joining us on this adventure from Wentzville, Missouri, to Billings, Montana. Be sure to follow us for updates on our next journey and subscribe to our blog for real-time updates and behind-the-scenes content.
Watch our experience in Billings, MT!
Traveling While Black Across America RoadTrip: Stop #3 - Cheyenne, WY
Us in front of the Cheyenne Railroad Depot
Welcome to another stop on our Traveling While Black Across America (Volume 1) series! As a reminder, we took a road trip from Wentzville, MO to Billings, MT, highlighting each city's unique aspects and evaluating them for Black travelers. If this is the first time you’re reading our blog, our show Traveling While Black, usually covers the Pacific Northwest or international destinations, but we wanted to shine a light on middle America and its safety for Black travelers. So, we decided it was time for us to expand our show to help those who may be wondering what it’s like to drive and stop in four cities: Kansas City, MO; Denver, CO; Cheyenne, WY; and Billings, MT. For each city we will provide our typical ratings too: Drive Grade, Level of Fun, and Comfortability For Black People!
This is our review of our stop in Cheyenne, WY!
The Overview:
History of Cheyenne:
Cheyenne, the capital of Wyoming, boasts a rich history tied to the American railroad, specifically the Union Pacific Railroad. Established in 1867 as the Union Pacific's Mountain Region Headquarters, the city's rapid growth and economic boom were fueled by the railroad's influence. Cheyenne's unique history is evident in its architecture and city layout, with landmarks like the Wyoming State Capitol and the Union Pacific Railroad Depot standing as testaments to its past.
During our visit, we aimed to explore this history and see how Cheyenne, with its small Black population, would fare in terms of our travel experience as Black visitors.
Drive Grade:
Denver, CO to Cheyenne, WY
Let’s talk about our road trip experience, or what we call our Drive Grade Rating. Our road trip from Denver to Cheyenne was short, about an hour and forty-five minutes. What was intense about this drive was… the WIND of Wyoming. We drove through a legit wind storm. It was pretty crazy seeing semi’s blown over and pulled over on the way up. They ended up closing the highway later that night, so we got into Cheyenne just in time! Because of the wind, we weren’t able to stop at any attractions, but since the drive was short - we didn’t feel like we were missing anything.
Now let’s get to how we rated the drive:
Quality of Views: 1/2 points - While the landscape is beautiful, the notorious Wyoming winds significantly impacted our view experience.
Roadside Amenities: 1/2 points - The route had few gas stations and restaurants. We suggest filling up before you leave Denver, just in case.
Route Simplicity: 1/2 points - The straightforward drive was overshadowed by treacherous winds, making it a challenging journey, especially for truck drivers.
Roadside Attractions: 0/2 points - The severe wind conditions made it impossible to stop and enjoy any potential attractions along the way. Hopefully on the next ride, we can stop at some attractions!
Quality Parking Options: 2/2 points - Cheyenne offered ample free and premium parking, a highlight of our drive. Anthony loved this aspect about Cheyenne!
Overall, we rated the drive a 5 out of 10, mainly due to the challenging wind conditions.
Level of Fun Rating: Cheyenne, WY
Cheyenne offers a variety of activities, though they are somewhat limited. During our visit to Cheyenne we caught up with the history and checked out to some great restaurants!
Here's our thoughts on Cheyenne’s level of fun:
Quality of Activities: 1/2 points - The city has great attractions like the Cheyenne Depot Museum and Curt Gowdy State Park. However, the range of activities is somewhat limited depending on what you like to do.
Demographic Applicability: 1/2 points - The city's history appeals more to older visitors and families with young children, while its outdoor offerings cater to a broader audience. For a younger crowd, it may be hard to find fun!
Affordability: 2/2 points - Cheyenne is very affordable, with the lowest cost of living in the Rocky Mountain states. This makes it a great option if you’re looking for an affordable travel option.
Quality of Restaurants: 2/2 points - Cheyenne has some great restaurants! We enjoyed excellent meals at local spots like Epic Egg and Railspur (be sure to get the birria tacos if you go here!). We were pleasantly surprised with the restaurant selection!
Special Events: 1/2 points - Cheyenne doesn’t have any professional sports teams, but they host one of the largest outdoor rodeos in the country, Frontier Days. We weren’t able to attend this year, but hopefully we will in the future.
Overall, we rated Cheyenne a 7 out of 10 for Level of Fun.
Comfortability for Black Travelers: Cheyenne, WY
This category is crucial for our travel experience. Cheyenne’s Black population is currently at 3.4%. With a city with that low of a population, it was important for us to visit this city.
Here's how Cheyenne scored in our Comfortability for Black people rating:
Amount of Other Black People Seen: 2/2 points - We were pleasantly surprised to see more Black people than expected during our visit. With a low Black population percentage, we did see a good amount of Black people in the city.
Most Recent Black Population Numbers: 0/2 points - We couldn’t give any points here, because the Black population in Cheyenne is less than 3%. We did a chance to speak to Jazminn Coleman, owner of The Louise event center. Jazminn gave us insight on what the Black experience is like in Cheyenne (see more in our episode!).
Prevalence of Black History: 1/2 points - While we didn't find many explicit monuments to Black history. There are some Black history, like Sam “Bronco Sam” Stewart, who was one of the first Black rodeo icons.
Visibility of Inclusion Signs: 1/2 points - We didn't see many explicit signs of inclusion, but there were signs of inclusion at dedicated to this impact women made in Cheyenne.
Our Personal Feelings of Comfort: 2/2 points - Although Cheyenne had a low Black population, we felt comfortable and welcomed throughout our visit. There were friendly interactions with locals and staff at the various places we explored!
Overall, we rated Cheyenne a 6 out of 10 for Comfortability for Black People.
Our final thoughts on Cheyenne:
Overall, Cheyenne, WY, offered a unique blend of history, affordability, and friendly interactions. Despite the crazy wind storm we encountered on the way there, we enjoyed our visit and found the city welcoming. Cheyenne's rich history and beautiful landscapes make it a worthwhile stop on any road trip, especially if you're interested in the story of the American railroad.
Don’t forget to subscribe to our blog for updates on our journey and follow us on social media for real-time updates and behind-the-scenes content!
Check out the Cheyenne, WY
YouTube Episode!
Traveling While Black Across America RoadTrip: Stop #2 - Denver, CO
Welcome to the second stop of our Traveling While Black Across America (Volume 1) series! A little background on this series, we decided to hop on the road to take (and document) a roadtrip from Wentzville, MO to Billings, MT.
Our show Traveling While Black usually has us in the Pacific Northwest or flying to international destinations, but we realized that many don’t know what middle America is like OR how safe it is for Black travelers. So, we decided it was time for us to expand our show to help those who may be wondering what it’s like to drive and stop in four cities: Kansas City, MO; Denver, CO; Cheyenne, WY; and Billings, MT. For each city we will provide our typical ratings too: Drive Grade, Level of Fun, and Comfortability For Black People! This is our review of our stop in Denver, CO!
The Overview
Denver, also known as the Mile-High City, offers a lot of Black history and culture. To learn more about that Black history, we started our journey within the historic Five Points neighborhood, by taking a self-guided walking tour of the neighborhood!
Five Points: The Harlem of the West
The Five Points neighborhood was bustling with Black-owned businesses ranging from clothing stores to grocery shops and even dry cleaners. A notable landmark within this neighborhood is the historic Denver Fire Station No. 3, a symbol of safety and community for the residents (we got a chance to tour it too!).
Us on the Five Points District Walking Tour.
Jazz also played a pivotal role in shaping Five Points' identity. Thanks to a local musician, George Morrison, the district attracted legendary artists like Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, and Ella Fitzgerald, thus earning its nickname “Harlem of the West.”
Unfortunately, like many historic Black neighborhoods across America, Five Points faced decline due to factors like continued redlining and the construction of a light rail. This led to the area being declared blighted in 2012. Despite these challenges, vibrant Black businesses and motivated individuals are working tirelessly to preserve the neighborhood’s character and heritage. To learn more about the Five Points District head here.
Drive Grade:
Kansas City, MO to Denver, CO
Let’s talk about our road trip experience, or what we call our Drive Grade Rating. Here’s how we broke down the drive from Kansas City, MO to Denver, CO. The drive is typically 9 hours, but ours took a lot longer because we decided to stop at some historic Black history landmarks along the way. The first landmark stop was in Topeka, KS at the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Park. This park and museum is housed at the historic Monroe school building where the landmark cases started. This is a stop you should definitely make! Not only is it history, but Topeka is the capital of Kansas - so there are ample restaurants and gas stations in this city.
Next we stopped at the Buffalo Solider’s Memorial in Junction City, Kansas. This memorial is great if you’re interested in the history of the Buffalo Solider’s and need a food or bathroom pit stop. Junction City is very close to Fort Riley, so you’ll see a big military presence in the city.
Us at the Nicodemus Historical Park
The last Black history stop in Kansas before we stopped into before Denver was in Nicodemus, KS. The Nicodemus, KS National Historical Park commemorates: (from the park website) “Formerly enslaved African Americans left Kentucky at the end of the post-Civil War Reconstruction period to experience freedom in the "Promised Land" of Kansas. Nicodemus represents the involvement of African Americans in the westward expansion and settlement of the Great Plains. It is the oldest and only remaining Black settlement west of the Mississippi River.” This is a wonderful place to visit! It is slightly off of 70, so you will need to go through many small towns before you make it to this park and to get back on I-70. So be sure to get gas in Hays, KS before you stop here. Also be sure not to speed through those small towns on the way to the park and on the way back to I-70.
Now let’s get into the drive grade rating:
Quality of Views: 0/2 points - Unfortunately, the drive through Kansas was flat and boring. Even though that was expected, we can’t give any points for views.
Roadside Amenities: 2/2 points - The abundance of gas stations and fast food options along I-70 makes this drive a lot less stressful. You won’t have to worry about going hungry or without gas.
Route Simplicity: 2/2 points - I-70 provided a straightforward route with minimal traffic and few highway switches (except on our stop to Nicodemus, KS).
Roadside Attractions: 2/2 points - We discovered some incredible stops that we spoke about above. Another attraction we saw was the OZ museum in Wamego, KS! Marlie loves the movie Wizard of Oz, so this was a must do!
Quality Parking Options: 1/2 points - While parking was ample in Kansas City, it was more challenging in Denver aka the cost of parking was steep!
Overall, we rated our drive from Kansas City, MO to Denver, CO a 7 out of 10.
Level of Fun Rating: Denver, CO
The sign at the entrance of the Historic Lincoln Hills
Denver offers a wide variety of activities for all demographics. During our time in Denver, we took a walking tour of the Five Points Neighborhood, had the chance to tour the historic Lincoln Hills Resort (Learn more about Lincoln Hills and Lincoln Hills cares here), and check out two Black owned establishments - LeFrench restaurant and Novel Strand Brewing and Taproom. LeFrench was one of the best restaurants we’ve eaten at in awhile! We even tried escargot for the first time, and to be honest… we liked it! Novel Strand Brewing had a great atmosphere. The beer was great and the people were super friendly. We recommend going to Novel Strand if you’re looking for some quality beer!
Here’s how we evaluated Denver's fun factor:
Quality of Activities: 2/2 points - From exploring the historic Five Points district to enjoying the craft beer scene, Denver has something for everyone. You won’t be bored here!
Demographic Applicability: 2/2 points - The city caters to a diverse audience, offering activities suitable for families, couples, and solo travelers.
Affordability: 1/2 points - Denver is on the more pricier side, especially in comparison to midwestern cities. However, it is more affordable than our home city of Seattle.
Quality of Restaurants: 2/2 points - We had fantastic dining experiences, especially at the Black-owned establishments, Novel Strand Brewing Company and Le French.
Special Events: 2/2 points - Denver hosts numerous events, including a Juneteenth Music Festival and the Five Points Jazz Festival. Plus Denver has 5 major sports team. There’s always a special event happening in this city!
Overall, we rate Denver a 9 out of 10 for Level of Fun.
Comfortability for Black Travelers: Denver, CO
Us in front of the Denver capital building
Comfortability for Black travelers is crucial. Denver’s Black population is only 8%, however we did see and meet a lot of other Black visitors in the city. One of those interactions was with KweenWerk a Black outdoor creator and co-owner of the Inclusive Guide. The Inclusive Guide that helps you find inclusive destinations around the world!
Here’s how we rated Denver for our Comfortability for Black People Rating:
Amount of Other Black People Seen: 1/2 points - Although we saw a good amount of Black people, it was significantly less compared to Kansas City.
Most Recent Black Population Numbers: 1/2 points - As we mentioned before, Black or African American non-Hispanics make up only 8% of Denver's population. A pretty low population amount for a major US city.
Prevalence of Black History: 2/2 points - The rich history of Five Points and landmarks like the Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library highlight Denver's contributions to Black history. Plus being known as the Harlem of the West, shows the significance of Black History in the city.
Visibility of Inclusion Signs: 1/2 points - There were fewer explicit signs promoting inclusion compared to other cities we’ve visited. We expected to see more in Denver.
Our Personal Feelings of Comfort: 2/2 points - We felt comfortable and welcomed throughout our visit to Denver, CO. The friendly interactions and diverse establishments made it a great and comfortable experience for us. We would definitely go back!
Overall, we rated Denver an 8 out of 10 for Comfortability for Black People.
Our Final Thoughts on Denver
Denver scored well across all categories, making it a destination worth exploring for anyone. We can’t wait to return and dive deeper into the city’s history and culture. Next up in our TWB Across America Roadtrip Series is Cheyenne, Wyoming – stay tuned to see how it compares to Kansas City and Denver!
Don’t forget to subscribe to our blog for updates on our journey and follow us on social media for real-time updates and behind-the-scenes content.
Watch our full YouTube episode on our experience in Denver!
Traveling While Black Across America RoadTrip: Stop #1 - Kansas City, MO
Welcome to the first stop of our Traveling While Black Across America (Volume 1) series! A little background on this series, we decided to hop on the road to take (and document) a roadtrip from Wentzville, MO to Billings, MT.
If you’re new here, our show Traveling While Black usually has us in the Pacific Northwest or flying to international destinations, but we realized that many don’t know what middle America is like OR how safe it is for Black travelers. So, we decided it was time for us to expand our show to help those who may be wondering what it’s like to drive and stop in four cities: Kansas City, MO; Denver, CO; Cheyenne, WY; and Billings, MT. For each city will provide our typical ratings too: Drive Grade, Level of Fun, and Comfortability For Black People!
We started the journey from Anthony’s hometown of Wentzville, MO and here’s our experience!
The Overview:
When thinking of Kansas City you may not think it’s a large city, but in fact, it’s the 36th largest in the United States. It’s also pretty famous within Black culture and American history!
For example, when thinking of Kansas City, BBQ definitely comes into mind. During our visit, we had the chance to sit down with George W. Gates II, COO of the historic Gates BBQ. He proudly proclaims that "Kansas City is the BBQ capital of the world." He’s right, because the city boasts over 128 BBQ restaurants, which is a testament to its rich culinary tradition. BBQ in Kansas City isn’t just food; it's a cultural experience that has evolved from humble beginnings to a celebrated cuisine. We had the chance to try some Gates BBQ, and let us just say, be sure to add one of their locations to your list when you visit Kansas City!
The 18th and Vine District:
We were able to explore the 18th and Vine District while in Kansas City. This district was not only a hub for jazz and BBQ, but also a significant cultural landmark. It began as one of the few areas where Black families could live, work, and build businesses during Kansas City's early development. Today, it stands as a testament to the resilience and creativity of the Black community. This is why the American Jazz Museum and The Negro Leagues museum is housed in this neighborhood.
The American Jazz Museum offers a deep dive into the rich cultural history through interactive exhibits and artifacts. The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum preserves and celebrates the rich history of African American baseball, highlighting the incredible impact it had on sports and civil rights. You MUST visit both of these museums if visiting Kansas City.
Drive Grade:
Wentzville, MO to Kansas City, MO
Let’s get into our roadtrip experience or how we call it, our Drive Grade Rating. Here’s how we broke down the Drive Grade from Wentzville, MO to Kansas City, MO.
Quality of Views: 0/2 points - The drive through Missouri did not offer great views. The route was mainly lined with gas stations and billboards. So, we didn't award many points in this category.
Roadside Amenities: 2/2 points - This was great! The abundance of gas stations and fast food options along I-70W made the journey convenient. It was easy to find places to stop for fuel and food, which added points to our score.
Route Simplicity: 2/2 points - Traveling on I-70W was straightforward. The highway provided a smooth, uninterrupted drive with minimal traffic and few highway switches.
Roadside Attractions: 1/2 points - On this route we stopped at two places: America’s National Churchill Museum in Fulton, MO & the Missouri State Capitol. Other than that, there weren't many attractions along the way that made us want to pull off the highway.
Quality Parking Options: 2/2 points - In Kansas City, we found ample parking options, often free. Which was a big positive to Anthony!
Overall, we rated our drive to Kansas City a 7 out of 10.
Level of Fun Rating: Kansas City, MO
Kansas City offers a wide variety of activities for all demographics. Here’s a deeper look at how we evaluated the city's fun factor:
Quality of Activities: 2/2 points - From a vibrant nightlife in the Power and Light District to numerous professional sports teams, Kansas City has something for everyone! The city's rich cultural attractions, like the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the American Jazz Museum, which we really enjoyed, add to the variety of experiences available.
Demographic Applicability: 2/2 points - The city caters to a diverse audience. Whether you're a family looking for kid-friendly activities, a couple seeking a romantic getaway, or a solo traveler in search of adventure, Kansas City has plenty to offer.
Affordability: 2/2 points - The Midwest prices around the city were a welcome experience, since we live in Seattle now. Dining and entertainment options were reasonably priced, making Kansas City an attractive destination for budget-conscious travelers.
Quality of Restaurants: 2/2 points - Kansas City's culinary scene is outstanding. We enjoyed delicious meals at Black-owned establishments like Mesob Ethiopian and Caribbean restaurant and Ruby Jean's Juicery. Of course, the BBQ was a highlight, particularly at Gates BBQ.
Special Events: 2/2 points - The city hosts numerous events throughout the year, adding to its appeal. During our visit, we found a lively atmosphere with plenty of ongoing activities.
Overall, we rate Kansas City a perfect 10 out of 10 for Level of Fun.
Comfortability for Black Travelers: Kansas City, MO
Comfortability for Black travelers is a crucial aspect of our travel experience. Here’s how we rated Kansas City in this category:
Amount of Other Black People Seen: 2/2 points - During our visit, we saw many Black people, contributing to a sense of community and comfort.
Most Recent Black Population Numbers: 2/2 points - According to 2021 statistics, Black or African American non-Hispanics make up the largest minority demographic in the city. It shows there’s diversity in this city.
Prevalence of Black History: 2/2 points - Kansas City's Black history is deeply embedded in its culture, especially in the 18th and Vine District. Museums like the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the American Jazz Museum highlight the city's significant contributions to Black history.
Visibility of Inclusion Signs: 1/2 point - While the city's Black history is prominent, we didn't notice many explicit signs promoting inclusion. This is an area where the city could improve to make all visitors feel more welcome.
Our Personal Feelings of Comfort: 2/2 points - Throughout our visit, we felt comfortable and welcomed. Interactions with locals were friendly, and establishments like the 21C Museum Hotel (where we stayed) featured diverse and inclusive staff.
Overall, we rated Kansas City a 9 out of 10 for Comfortability for Black People.
Our Final Thoughts on Kansas City
Kansas City was the perfect start to our cross-country journey. We highly recommend visiting Kansas City to experience its unique blend of BBQ, jazz, and Black history.
Stay tuned as we continue our Traveling While Black Across America series, with our next stop in Denver, Colorado!
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Watch our experience in Kansas City!
Traveling While Black: Orcas Island, WA
One of the best things about living in Washington state is having access to some amazing islands. For this experience we took another trip to Orcas Island. Here’s how it felt visiting as a Black traveler.
One of the best things about living in Washington state is having access to some amazing islands. And if you watched our YouTube Episode 145, then you know that the San Juan Islands definitely fit in that category. For this experience, we took another trip to The San Juans Archipelagoes. This time to check out the second island of what we considered to be the main three; Orcas Island.
Orcas island, which was originally inhabited by the Straits Salish peoples, surprisingly got its name not from the majestic animals that inhabited its surrounding waters, but rather from the Mexican Viceroy who financed the exploration of the area in the late 1700’s. Compared to the previous island we visited, San Juan Island, Orcas Island has some noticeable differences.
The terrain. As opposed to San Juan Island, Orcas Island is more mountainous and forested.
The population. While San Juan Island is more populated than Orcas Island, Orcas Island is slightly bigger.
The islands were definitely different in those aspects. However, there would be another difference on Orcas we were told about that wasn’t so visibly seen. At least to us initially….
Prior to our previous trip to San Juan Island, we had heard that the islands overall were “magical”. Which turned out to be true based on our experience on San Juan Island’s Friday Harbor. But prior to this trip we were told that Orcas Island would in fact be where we would find the most magic.
Hearing this really surprised us, because we didn’t think it could get more magical after our experience in Friday Harbor. With our interest peeked, we wondered what could it be that makes people consider Orcas Island to be more magical than the others? So using what we learned from our previous visit to the Islands, we booked our ferry tickets and headed off to find out the answer for ourselves.
Drive Grade
The journey to get from Seattle, WA to Orcas Island according to our GPS would take us around 3 hours and 2 minutes. Which included the hour and half drive to the ferry on Anacortes, WA. Taking into account the hour wait showing up at the recommended pre-departure time, the journey was about 4 hours total for us. Learning from the mistake we made our last visit to the San Juan Islands, we reserved our spot on the ferry weeks in advance making our ferry experience a lot better this time.
Thanks to our preemptive booking, which again can be done up to 90 days in advance, we were able to get a later ferry time. Book your ferry ASAP!
The length of the ferry ride wasn’t bad either. Even with it lasting about an hour and a half, it still went by fast.
So, for our trip to Orcas Island, we give a 5 outta 5 for Drive Grade.
Level of Fun
Once the Ferry landed we were excited to get onto Orcas to find out what was it about the island that makes people claim it to be the most magical of all the San Juan islands. But not before checking into the place where we would be laying our heads for the next couple of nights.
First, it is important to note that on Orcas Island you won’t find many traditional “hotels”. And a lot of visitors to Orcas Island come to camp at the many campsites on the island. For those not wanting to stay in a tent or camp at all; AirBnB’s and bed and breakfast type establishments more so fit the vibe of the island.
Even the historic Orcas Hotel which has been operating since 1904 feels more like a bed and breakfast. For us, we chose to stay at Otters Pond Bed and Breakfast. An adult retreat that offers 5 luxurious suites that are available year-round.
On the East sound side of Orcas Island
Not only are the suites themselves very comfortable, the property also offers relaxing lounging areas both inside and outside with beautiful views of Otters Pond as well as wildlife. Oh yeah they even offer an outdoor hot tub, so you can really chill out while enjoying the view.
As soon as we checked in, we knew that we made the right choice for our stay on the island. On top of the amazing accommodations, we were also able to get a breakdown of the island before starting our search to understand Orcas magic.
For simplicity, Orcas Island can be divided up into two parts: East sound and West sound.
The West sound is where you depart the Ferry. You will find a very small village with a few shops and restaurants.
The East sound you will find the larger village with more shops and restaurants.
Outside of their different vicinities, both East and West sound offered quite a bit. For example, both offered excellent options for food and drink. On the East sound side, we had dinner at two great places: Buck Bay Shellfish Farm and New Leaf Cafe.
On the West sound, we enjoyed a delicious meal at Orcas Hotel Cafe. What’s interesting about this experience, is that the historic hotel where the cafe is located is reported to be haunted. We may have possibly encountered some of the actions of the supernatural resident during our dinner - spooky!
We had some great lunches and dinners on the island. As for Breakfast, we had the luxury of being served a different delicious breakfast every morning. Which lends to another great thing about Otters Pond Bed and Breakfast, in that it is owned and operated by a James Beard recognized chef; Amanda Zimlich.
Other than great food and drink, both the East and West sound offer amazing outdoor options. Those options of course include an abundance of beaches. We must note, that it is on the West sound that you will find the only sandy beach on the island within the Deer Harbor area.
Along with the beaches, Orcas Island offers a ton of camping and hiking options. Like Turtleback mountain on the West sound, and not one but two state parks on the East sound: Obstruction Pass State Park and Moran State Park.
Views from Mt. Constitution
On our trip we decided to check out the much bigger Moran State Park. A big reason why we chose this park over the other was the parks access to the islands highest point, Mt Constitution. We really enjoyed this mountain view experience, because while there are a multitude of multi use trails you can take to the top; you can also chose to simply drive to it. Which is exactly what we did.
If you do choose to drive up, there is a parking lot along with a visitors center that includes some really clean public bathrooms. But of course the real payoff is the views which are enhanced by the stone watch tower. Which also offers some interesting exhibits within.
Even though we loved the shortcut to the payoff, we couldn’t visit Moran State Park without experiencing a real hike. So we found out about an often overlooked hike that offers another spectacular payoff; and even better it was decently easy.
That hike was to Cascade Falls. A moderate trail that takes hikers a quick, but peaceful hike through a beautiful forest. In less than half a mile, you come to a spectacular 45 foot waterfall. Which can be taken in, either at an upper or lower viewpoint. If you happen to be interested in more of a challenge, the trail also connects to more trails that lead to other waterfalls.
It is important to note that the parking around all of the trails within the state parks requires a Discover Pass. But there are plenty of pay stations around if you only need a day pass. Also, if you don’t have a boat or boating accessories there are plenty of places around Orcas Island that offer rentals. And renting doesn’t just stop with boats; visitors can also rent bikes, mopeds, and even cars. Cars may be a great option if you chose to take the fast ferry from Anacortes.
Yes we had a blast during our outdoor experience on Orcas Island, just like our previous experience on San Juan Island. And we can honestly say that we really enjoyed our time.
Still, at the end of it all we had to ponder, what was it that makes Orcas Island more magical than the other islands? And in asking, no one could articulate it for us. Not the locals who joined our table for our meal at Buck Bay Shellfish, not any of the locals at the local Farmers market, not even our host Amanda at Otters Pond.
But when we thought deeper about our experiences it finally hit us; whether we were enjoying a meal at one of the restaurants, driving from place to place on the island, staring at a waterfall in Moran State Park, or even just lounging at Otters Pond Bed and Breakfast; we were always surrounded by nature. To the point we were always engulfed in it. Yes, it was magical.
While we don’t know if we can say Orcas Island offers more or any less magic than San Juan Island; we can say that it is a different type of magic. How we sum it up is that San Juan Friday Harbor provides the type options that take you to experience the magic of the Archipelago, but Orcas Island provides options for the magic to come to you.
Once again we definitely recommend a visit to the San Juan Islands, no matter if you chose the namesake island or Orcas Island.
In regard to this experience on Orcas Island; we give a 5 outta 5 for Level of Fun.
Comfortability for Black People
As for our comfort rating for Orcas Island, even though they don’t boast a Black mayor like Friday Harbor on San Juan Island; we still experienced the same comfortable feeling. Not only was the service at all of the establishments welcoming, the locals we encountered were extremely friendly. At Buck Bay Shellfish two ladies joined our table and engaged us in friendly conversations, as well as tips and recommendations for the island.
The picture taken because we looked cute to an Orcas Island resident.
The friendliness of the locals continued at the Orcas Island Farmers Market, when one lady working her booth called us over to send us a picture she took of us while we were taking a picture of ourselves, simply because she thought we were cute.
On our trip for the couple of days we’re on the island, we did see two other Black visitors and also saw some more around the ferry station both when we were arriving and leaving the island.
In regards to the Black resident population, Orcas Island is less than 1% Black. While on the surface this could cause some reservations, but Orcas Island is still is a perfect example that the current lack of Black residents doesn’t automatically equate to an uncomfortable experience, and also a PERFECT reminder to why we do our show.
We go to these places so we can encourage more of our people, and really more of anyone outside of the majority, to experience these amazing places despite the lack of familiar or diverse faces.
Also, we did notice quite a bit of Pride flags which visibly added to our comfort prior to interacting with the people.
All of these are reasons why for our experience on Orcas Island we give a 5 outta 5 for Comfortability for Black People.
Watch our Orcas Island episode on YouTube!
Traveling While Black: Hiking at Pinnacle Peak
Welcome back to another blog for our first hiking series of 2024. If you saw our last blogs on our hiking series, we checked out two easy hikes: Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park and Spring Lake/Lake Desire Park.
For the next and final hiking recommendation, we are hiking Pinnacle Peak. But here’s the deal… if you were to search “Pinnacle Peak”, you may be somewhat confused because the search would return three possible options just within the state of Washington alone.
Tatoosh Range
North Cascades
King County
For his hike, we are hiking the Pinnacle Peak in… King County! This Pinnacle Peak is located 25 miles north of Mount Rainier. Ironically the confusion with this Pinnacle Peak could have been avoided if it wasn’t for a flame that use to burn at the top of the original lookout. Because, the name of this summit was originally referred to as Mount Pete, in honor of a Yugoslavian immigrant who settled in in the area in the early 1900s. But throughout the years the name Pete got misconstrued as "Peak", hence the newer name, Mount Peak. Ironic because look we know something about misconstruing names … Okanogan….Vashon….Willamette….
While the name Pinnacle Peak was given due to the fire lookout at the top; we’re just saying if Mount Pete stuck then there would be no need for a third name. Nevertheless, this Mount Peak is forest covered and offers hikers two options in order to reach the payoff.
The two trails offered by Mount Pete, or Mount Peak, or the King County Pinnacle Peak, are The Cal Magnusson trail, and the simply named South Trail. The South Trail sounded like Marlie’s type of trail - a gravel road with a gentle grade that gradually leads up elevation. But because the South Trail is multi use for hikers and bikers, or possibly because Anthony miss-read the research; we amazingly chose to hike the Cal Magnusson Trail, the trail that takes hikers a whole 1000 feet in just one mile through thick forest.
Drive Grade
The drive to get to this hike took a little longer than the other two hikes, being that it was about 1 hour 5 minutes from Seattle. Although the hour may have been due to our GPS taking us around the south bound traffic that we would have been gridlocked in.
The drive didn’t offer many spectacular views and with the length of the drive, it was not that exciting. This trip did have a positive, and one that reminded us of an important tip to mention when hiking… bringing snacks.
This route was not just perfect for snacks, but way more. On the way, you can stop in the South Park neighborhood. We did and grabbed some food at Uncle Eddie’s; and then some coffee from our friends at The Scene coffee; a Black owned coffee shop.
The accessibility to the good food, great coffee, and snack options definitely added to the trip. In regard to parking at the trailhead, there weren’t a lot of spots, but we were able to get lucky. You can also park along the street too. One plus, the parking is free.
As for our Drive Grade Rating, we give a 4 outta 5.
Level of Fun
Prior to embarking on the hike, we were really excited because we heard that the payoff was guaranteed to be the best of the three recommended hikes regardless of the weather. Not exactly knowing what we were getting ourselves into, we ventured into the park. But not long after we got hip to that fact that this particular trail was going to be something different. From the beginning to the end the trail led us uphill.
We hiked, and hiked, and hiked, and hiked... We passed what looked to be variety of skilled hikers. We can say the surroundings were beautiful. While that didn’t make the trek any easier, it did make it bare able. It was also cool to see the steps that formerly supported the lookout. Also the basalt outcroppings formed by the rapid cooling of lava.
Marlie wanted to turn around a couple of times, because she was triggered by one of her pet peeves. Which is when you’re passing people on a trail and they tell you, “You’re almost there” or “You’re halfway there” BUT you still have forever to go.
Based on our experience and “scientific” research, we’ve determined that “You’re halfway there” equates to 45 minutes left and “You’re almost there” equates to 40 minutes of hike left.
Anthony continued to encourage Marlie to finish the hike, which was beneficial because after an hour and 22 minutes, we eventually made it to the payoff at the summit lookout.
Walking up the observation deck definitely offered some great views. We even enjoyed the views from just sitting on the log benches.
The hard work was definitely worth it. Plus we felt really accomplished conquering such a challenging (for us) hike.
Other important points worth mentioning about the trail are:
While the path is dirt, there are concrete steps in places throughout on some of the steepest points.
The Dirt Trail can very easily turn into mud; which was the case in some areas on the day of our hike.
Dogs are welcomed on the trail, but must be on leash.
Overall we really enjoyed our experience at Mount Pete, or Mount Peak, or the King County Pinnacle Peak. And we can definitely recommend you giving it a try. Remember that if you’re looking for a less rigorous hike up the peak, you can take the South trail.
For our experience at Mount Peak via The Cal Magnusson trail we give a 5 outta 5 for Level of Fun.
Comfortability for Black People
Once again these episodes where we are in nature are going to be high on the comfort rating. Big reason why? Come on say it with us…
NATURE LOVES BLACK PEOPLE!
And for this experience, along with the nature once again we encountered some friendly people on the trail. Outside of walking up 1000 feet of elevation, we were really comfortable. And with this being the last episode of this hiking series for the year, we want to remind you to get outside and enjoy the nature. Remember, studies show that being in the outdoors can have tremendous mental health benefits.
While this hiking series is ending the best time of year for hiking is just starting. Hopefully we see you out on the trails this spring, summer, and fall.
For this experience at Mount Peak we give give a 5 outta 5 for Comfortability for Black People.
Watch our experience on YouTube!
Traveling While Black: Bend, OR
See our experience visiting Bend, Oregon as Black travelers!
Hi it’s Marlie and Anthony with Traveling While Black! Welcome back to another travel review! As a reminder, we rate destinations we visit as Black travelers on three criteria: How the drive/travel was to the destination how much fun we had, and how comfortable we feel as Black people visiting for the first time.
Now let’s get into our experience in Bend, OR!
Since living in the Pacific Northwest, we can say that we’ve been to Oregon quite a few times. But the truth is, Portland is the only place we’ve truly experienced. Considering that Oregon is 44% larger than Washington, we knew there had to be more dope experiences to be found in other parts of the state. Which we heard was in fact the case, specifically in the Central Oregon region. An area known for its abundant access to nature and outdoor recreational activities. It is definitely the topography of Central Oregon that makes it perfect for outdoor recreation. Whether it’s skiing and snowboarding in the winter or rock climbing and hiking in the summer.
The outdoors isn’t the only popular draw to the central part of the State. The city of Bend is a popular destination that attracts more than 3 million visitors annually. In part thanks to its many craft breweries lending to its nickname of “Beer Town USA”. Yes, the large craft Brewery scene, the great outdoor access, and a bunch of other great things we heard about. We knew we had to check out this part of Oregon.
So we packed some bags and took a trip to the three counties that make up central Oregon. To find out how it is to travel coming from Seattle. To find out how much fun can be had in the area.
And most importantly, in an area where the Black population is less than 1%; we had to find out How it is visiting as a Black traveler for the first time.
Travel Grade
We found out it was almost a six hour drive from Seattle to get to where we would be staying in the city of Bend. But when we found out that we could fly straight into the region from Seattle. And that the flight was under an hour. Let’s just say we bypassed the opportunity to traverse some of the beautiful scenic byways the area is known for. Still in hindsight we can say that flying was a great choice.That’s because the travel time wasn’t the only positive of the decision. Believe it or not, but the airport actually added to the positive experience.
The airport is Redmond Municipal Airport. And what made this experience so nice was that the airport is really chill. It did not take long to get our bags off the carousel. And probably best of all, the rental car counter was right across from baggage claim and parking lot was right outside.
The drive from the airport to where we were staying in Bend wasn’t bad either. As it wasn’t much more than 20 minutes. Now we can imagine the drive from Seattle would be pretty scenic.
But definitely more favorable in the summer. Based on our great experience flying. We can definitely recommend it as being a great option for anyone considering the trip in.
And that’s why we will give a 5 outta 5 for Travel Grade.
Level of Fun
We landed in Redmond, but during our time in Central Oregon, we would stay in Bend. Specifically at the luxurious Oxford Hotel.
The Oxford is a beautiful nationally recognized boutique hotel. That offers guests upscale accommodations, along with luxury amenities. It also prides itself on a focus in sustainability. They describe it as Eco-Chic lodging. “I like that” - Marlie. Another of the great things about The Oxford Hotel is its location. Sitting at the corner of NW Minnesota Ave in downtown Bend, made it the perfect hub to explore the city.
One thing that stood out to us about the city, was some of the throwback storefronts….Like from record and stereo stores, to even the last BlockBuster!
But we weren’t there for the nostalgia of buying cd’s or renting dvds. No, we were there to try to experience the great things Central Oregon had to offer within the city of Bend.
And what better way to begin our journey than by learning directly from an educational perspective; like at a museum.
Lucky for us Bend is home to what is nationally recognized as one of the best Museums in the country, The High Desert Museum. The museum that opened in 1982, is an unique one that brings together wildlife, cultures, art, history and the natural world all to tell the story of the High Desert Region. The Museum sits on 135 acres and has more than 100,000 square feet of exhibit space within the museum itself; that includes a good mix of rotating and permanent exhibits.
On our visit, the museum had some really dope ones. In fact, in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, the High Desert Museum is featuring a yearlong series of exhibitions and public programs to explore and reflect on its impact on the High Desert and beyond.
The museum also offers daily talks where you can learn about local wildlife and also see one up close. On our visit we saw a majestic horned owl. To be honest, we really enjoyed this museum! If you do make a trip to Central Oregon, we most definitely recommend checking out the High Desert Museum. Check out their website for hours, rates, current exhibitions, and events.
Next to experience the best of what Central Oregon has to offer, what better way to experience within Beer City…wine. Yes even though we were in the beer capital, Marlie is a wine girl. So we stopped into Willamette Valley Vineyards tasting room; located in downtown Bend. The barrel booth seating and unique fireplaces made for a cozy atmosphere that went perfect with their delicious wines.
Yes we did a wine tasting and it was delicious. But along with the delicious wines we also got to enjoy some of their delicious lunch menu.
Willamette’s tasting room wasn’t the only place we experienced great food during our time in Bend. It was the same at places like Jia Asian Kitchen; an amazing restaurant that draws influences from Vietnam, China, Thailand and other parts of Asia. Serving family-style dishes.
Even in the Old Mill District we experienced an unbelievable meal at the Lady Bird Cultural Society. A. recently opened that offers an eclectic menu that how they say puts a polished spin on the farm-to-table concept. Even within our hotel we enjoyed great food and drinks at Roam. A place that serves urban-organic dishes made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients!
Yes the food and drinks were amazing. But we still needed to experience another big attraction to Central Oregon, the outdoors and nature.
To check that box we headed to a popular Park in town, Drake Park. One of Bend’s longest-standing and best-known parks, the downtown park is a local gathering place that hosts many events throughout the year.
We can definitely see why the park is chosen as the main location for the local gatherings, being all that it features. The famed Mirror Pond, acres of open lawn, an outdoor stage, restrooms, picnic tables, river access, and trail connections. While we definitely enjoyed our stroll through the park, and our little run in with the local wild life; we knew that this wouldn’t suffice as our outdoor Central Oregon outdoor experience alone.
Nope. We knew we had to turn it up a little bit more. Even if it meant we had to really get out of our comfort zone.
Being that Mt. Bachelor is the premier destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sports; it only made sense to both of us to go… skiing.
The thing is, this would be our very first time skiing. Talk about getting out of our comfort zone.
We took the 35 minute drive from downtown Bend. Well, hour on the day we went. Don’t forget 4 wheel drive when driving up the mountain in the winter!
And arrived at the spectacular mountain resort; that offers 4,323 acres of lift-accessible terrain with 360-degree descents from its over 9,000 ft volcanic peak. Mt. Bachelor also features 15 Woodward Mountain Parks, 56 km of groomed cross-country trails, snowshoeing, and sled dog rides.
Since this would be our first time skiing, we were signed up for a private lesson. Let us say that this made this experience everything for us. With us obviously not being skiers, we had to rent our equipment; which is offered by the resort. So we started out getting fitted for our gear. Everything from boots to skis to a helmet. After we were fitted and dressed, we met up with our instructor Scott. And Scott was great. He started us out with the basics and one ski; then slowly worked us up to two skiis.
Before you know it we’re skiing! Scott was great and by the end of it we felt comfortable. Scott said next time we will get on a real hill and do some real skiing. Ha! Yes the skiing was amazing, but Marlie was also excited to get to the resort bar to have a celebratory glass of wine. Ha! Yes we can’t say enough how much fun we had on Mt Bachelor.
Mt Bachelor offers great outdoor activities all year round including downhill mountain biking, ziplining, and whitewater rafting during the summer. We will be back for that, now that we feel like real central Oregon outdoor professionals.
After the skiing, we could finally say that we experienced the best of what we had heard Central Oregon has to offer, at least during this time of year. And after all of it, we definitely had a blast.
Yes this is an experience that we can definitely see ourselves coming back to enjoy. And is also a destination that we can recommend everyone checking out. That’s if you’re looking for fun options.
That’s why for Central Oregon we give a 5 outta 5 for Level of Fun.
Comfortability for Black People
So as you now know we did have a blast during our time in Central Oregon. And we can say that during our time in Central Oregon we were treated great within all of the places we went.
Yes a fun time, great service, and felt welcomed most of the places we went. But here’s the thing. Our whole time there, we did not see another Black soul until we got back to the airport. I guess this shouldn’t be surprising being that Black residents make up such a small percentage in Central Oregon.
For us, well we didn’t know how to feel about this. See even with our great experience personally, we felt that we needed to hear from a Black resident who lived within the community.
Once again we were lucky. Based out of Bend is an organization named The Fathers Group. The Black-led group was founded by several black fathers who were concerned about the experiences their children were having both in school and in the broader Central Oregon community.
The Father’s Group is active within the community and embraces collaboration and cross-cultural influences. Our luck continued when we got to meet with Executive Director & Board President Kenny Adams.
The meeting provided us with the perfect opportunity to get a valuable perspective from a Black person living there and doing the work. Kenny mentioned that they have come a long way, but work is still being done. He encourages Black people to still come and visit, because the area is beautiful!
So, it seems like even with being enormously outnumbered in an area where they continue to fight recent instances of ignorance, the Black community in Central Oregon wants you to come out. And more importantly know that they are there.
If you do consider a trip to Central Oregon, go to The Fathers Group (https://thefathersgroup.org/) to see how they can be a resource that can support your visit as well as other information about the group. What else stood out in what Kenny said, was that there is a large number of community leaders and members representing Central Oregon that are consciously working to improve the Black experience in the region.
That’s why for Central Oregon we give a 5 outta 5 for Comfortability For Black People
Watch the experience on YouTube!
The Black Experience in Ecuador's Enchanted Forest: Our Stay at Mashpi Lodge
Follow our journey as a Black couple to Mashpi Lodge, where we found a unique blend of adventure, cultural insight, and comfort. From night walks revealing the forest's active wildlife to meaningful insights into the lodge's conservation efforts, our experience was both enriching and empowering.
