It's been almost a year since I moved from New Mexico to Portland, Oregon, and it occurs to me that I sometimes forget to blog on here about my new hometown, partly because I'm already covering it fairly often for several other publications, and partly because, well, it's home - I occasionally take its considerable charms for granted. This week, however, as the sun has been out nearly every day, and I've had the chance to hike up near Mt. St. Helens, jog along downtown Portland's bustling riverfront, and gain back all the lost calories (and then some) by eating at some of my favorite restaurants (Andina and Beast are both very high on my list at the moment), I'm reminded that summer is definitely the best time to experience this city in its most favorable light.

With that in mind, I've been adding bit by bit to my photo gallery on gay Portland, which includes snapshots and descriptions of all sorts of cool things to see and do around town, from happily offbeat neighborhoods like Old Town and Hawthorne to alluring shops and cafes, such as the gay-owned UnderU4Men underwear boutique (which has fun runway-model events each week), and the kooky all-night snack shack, Voodoo Doughnuts. Keep checking back, as I'll be adding more material to this gallery throughout the summer.

I used to date a guy in Columbus and spent many happy weeks there throughout the late '90s. In terms of food, arts and culture, the gay scene, and progressive-minded locals, I always considered Columbus to be one of the nation's great little secrets - it's not a bona fide tourist destination the way Chicago or Boston are, but as an engaging weekend getaway, it's great fun. I spent a recent weekend here and came away every bit as impressed as I was during my regular visits a decade ago.

I stayed at The Lofts, a swanky, intimate boutique hotel within walking distance of the many galleries, restaurants, and gay hangouts in the vibrant Short North Arts District. Large rooms, exposed-brick walls, high-ceilings, and handy amenities (free Wi-Fi, Aveda products) make this a great little urban nest. I had dinner in the Short North at a fairly new place called Rosendale's, whose amiable chef has done turns at some of the nation's best restaurants - indeed, my molecular gastronomy-inspired meal here would have stood up to the best in any big city (although I think the smaller plates here shine above the main dishes). I had drinks at the exceedingly lovely Union gay bar, and ate out-of-this-world artisanal Thai chilli and banana-goat cheese ice cream at Jeni's, which has earned kudos from Gourmet magazine and the Food Network. One afternoon I drove an hour southeast to the verdant Hocking Hills region, with its bucolic state parks, many opportunities for hiking and canoeing, and increasing bounty of gay-friendly accommodations - if you go, don't miss the romantic Inn at Cedar Falls, which has lately become popular for commitment ceremonies. If none of this compels you to book a trip to central Ohio, fair enough...Provincetown or San Francisco it is not (nor does it strive to be). But Columbus is quite impressive and welcoming in its own right - check out my gay guide to Columbus for more on the region.