Oregon

I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate the words "you are in remission" than with a trip to Oregon. We also happened to just have our 9 year wedding anniversary so another great reason to celebrate! It was a last minute trip due to my ongoing health issues but one of the best trips we have been on in a long time. We wanted to go somewhere relaxing and beautiful and that is just what we got. We drove just under 900 miles and saw so much of Oregon in just a short 6 days. We started in the city, spent a few days in the mountains and then wrapped up our trip along the coast. I came home from this trip thinking "WOW I might actually want to live there." Where would be the question? Would it be in the mountains of Bend or somewhere tucked along the quiet coastline? Hmmm... 

Oregon has so much to offer with it's lush and dense rainforests, the breathtaking views, waterfalls & mountains. It's uncrowded and so green!! Coming home to San Diego I was reminded just how much I miss the green scenery. With San Diego's lack of rain and drought situation this place is just ugly brown lately, even the palm trees look thirsty. The weather has been hot and humid and if it weren't for that ocean a couple blocks from my home I might really consider a move.

We spend only one full day in Portland, but are able to explore a lot of the city. Portland is the largest city in Oregon and is located in the northwest part of the state on the Willamette River. 

A few interesting facts about Portland...

Portland is the only major US city to have a dormant volcano within city limits. It has over 700 food carts located throughout the city and has been named the best city in the world for street food. It is home to more than 60 breweries and has more microbreweries than any other city in the world! So as you can imagine we did lots of eating and drinking while we were there. 

After checking into our hotel and getting our rental car we quickly head to the city. Our first stop in Portland... Voodoo Doughnut!!

Voodoo Doughnut - "The magic is in the hole"

Maple Bacon Doughnut- YUM!

Mural at SW Washington & 11th Ave. by Faith47

Downtown Portland

Portland food trucks

We happened to stumble upon the farmers market while making our way through the South Waterfront area of Portland. We buy some local wine and some delicious cold-pressed juice from the Portland Juice Company. If you're traveling through Portland and want good local juice I would highly recommend this place. Try Mantra- if you like spicy you won't be disappointed! 

Love buying local!

The next few pictures are from the top of the Portland Aerial Tram. The tram travels from South Waterfront to Marquam Hill and offers spectacular views of the city.

Views of the city

You must try out the local microbreweries while you are in Portland! We went to Deschutes Brewery, as well as another little place called the Oregon Public House. Both serve delicious local brews.

Tasting the local brews at Deschutes Brewery

From Portland we travel to Bend. Bend is located in Central Oregon and is on the eastern edge of the Cascade Mountain Range along the Deschutes River. Unfortunately from a photography standpoint I didn't get quite what I was looking for in Bend. Due to the Washington Wildfires the skies were mostly smoke filled and grey with no clouds. Not exactly what you want for your landscape photos but even with the grey skies, Bend is absolutely beautiful. Bend is full of lakes and ponds, it is incredibly peaceful and has this granola hippy vibe. I honestly could move there.

Trillium Lake with Mt. Hood in the background (we stopped here on the way to Bend)

Trillium Lake

Bridge at Mirror Pond

Sparks Lake-really grey skies this day

Leaving the smokey grey skies of Bend we set out to Cannon Beach. Unfortunately the poor air quality and smokey skies continue as a new wildfire has started along HWY 26 (the road that would take us to Cannon Beach). We need to detour around the fire which adds another 40 miles and makes a 4 1/2 hour trip almost a 6 hour one due to the slow, windy road we must take. 

So proud of my navigation skills :)

Smoke filled air & extreme fire danger almost the whole way from Bend to the coast

After our 6 hour road trip we finally make it the coast. It is insanely gorgeous and we are so excited to be there! The rainforests quickly become my favorite part. They are located right along the ocean and are covered with thick layers of moss and an endless landscape of green. The Sitka Spruce is the dominant tree and is one of nature's toughest for it can stand up to the coast's unrelenting windstorms while most other trees snap and fall over. The Western Hemlock and Western Red Cedar also grow here. Both Ecola State Park and Oswald West State Park offer hiking trails through this unique ecosystem. We do hikes through both parks and are surprised to see not a single person along these trails as we make our way through. Awesome. 

Roosevelt Elk in Ecola State Park

Roosevelt Elk are some of the wildlife that can be seen throughout the rainforests. We see these guys everywhere in the early mornings when we start our hikes. It was so much fun watching their behavior.

Ecola State Park is in Cannon Beach, perched on the edge of Tillamook Head. It is located in the north end of the beach and winds through the rainforest and offers numerous views overlooking rock formations, as well as the coast. You can take many trails, but the main attractions there are Ecola Point, Tillamook Rock Lighthouse and Indian Beach. 

Moss blanketing everything 

Tillamook Rock Lighthouse

View from hiking trail

Views from hiking trails of Indian Beach

Indian Beach

Oswald West State Park stretches over 2,484 acres and offers a beautiful secluded sandy beach and miles of trails right along the coastline. This park is home to Short Sand Beach which is one of the big surf spots along the coast. A short 1/2 mile walk from the trailhead will get you from the road right to the beach. We hiked for about 3 1/2 hours through this park and literally only saw one person when we stopped to take pictures at Devils Cauldron. 

Short Sand Beach

Devil's Cauldron

In the meadows along the trail to Devil's Cauldron

We spend our afternoons driving along the coast. One day we went north all the way to Astoria and the next day we drove south ending in Tillamook. We stop at many different spots along the way.

Oceanside

Oceanside

Rockaway Beach

Astoria- Rogue Ales Public House

Pier 39 Astoria

Off Pier 39 in Astoria

Tastings at Pelican Brewing Company in Tillamook

Cannon Beach was where we spent our down time, walking the beach at night and watching the sunsets... we loved it there. The weather was perfect. It actually got quite chilly at night but it was a nice change from the humid nights we've been having here in San Diego. Oh and you can still drink on the beach in Oregon!

Early morning Cannon Beach

:)

Cannon Beach

Beautiful sunset our last night