I did very little on my last day in Oregon. I hadn’t yet been to Voodoo Doughnut, and although I know they aren’t the best donuts in the city, I still wanted to visit the iconic pink-trimmed building in Old Town for a breakfast treat. I walked over from my hotel and with no early morning line yet, I was able to walk right up to the takeout window and get my donuts (a buttermilk bar and a “Viscous Hibiscus”).
Continue readingRecipe for a perfect day: 1. Dip your toes in the Pacific Ocean; 2. Eat fried cheese curds. And of course I did both of those things on my day trip to the northern Oregon coast today.
Did you know that one of the most iconic active volcanoes in the United States is less than 100 miles from Portland, Oregon? Mount St. Helens last erupted in 1980, but the effects of that eruption are still visible today. Don’t worry… the volcano didn’t erupt while I was there!
I’m back! Let’s just say that what I thought was allergies wasn’t allergies after all and I’ve spent the last few days by myself in my hotel room. I was finally able to get outside yesterday and today and I’m determined to make the best of my extra few days in Oregon.
I’ll admit to doing very little today and spending several hours lounging in bed (a luxury I never allow myself to indulge in at home). One word: allergies. I have no idea what it is that I’m allergic to here, but my three allergy medicines are having a tough time keeping up. I spent the entire day outdoors yesterday, so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. All of that to say I felt pretty congested and tired all day today. It didn’t help that the skies were overcast most of the day so my motivation was on the low side. Nevertheless, I did manage to do a few things.
Continue readingEverything’s coming up roses! I have a few fond memories from my last visit to Portland, but none so fond as visiting the International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park. That was the location where I took the photo that would become the symbol for my photography business. Visiting again was at the top of my list of things I wanted to do in Portland.
People often ask me how I choose my vacation destinations. Honestly, I don’t have a bucket list or anything like that (except for New Zealand and South Africa). I usually just choose places that fit my mood at the time. April was my first vacation since last summer and I wanted an equal mix of adventure and rest. Hence, Zion National Park. This time, I was drawn to a place I visited almost exactly 10 years ago: Portland and the Oregon coast. On my previous trip, I covered much of eastern Oregon. However, my travel style has definitely evolved since then and I now find myself more inclined to visit just one or two places and really get to know those places as opposed to moving around a lot during a vacation. On my last visit to Oregon, I loved the relaxed, laid back vibe of Portland and the gorgeous scenery along the Oregon coast. It shouldn’t come as a surprise, then, that I settled on Portland and Cannon Beach as my two destinations for this vacation.
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No trip to Oregon would be complete without a visit to the Columbia River Gorge. The gorge is a deep canyon, formed by the Columbia River, which extends over 80 miles from the Cascade Range in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west. Most visitors choose to visit the roughly 60-mile stretch between Portland and Hood River, which also encompasses the Historic Columbia River Highway. One of the main attractions in the gorge is the sheer volume of waterfalls (more than 90 on the Oregon side alone), many of which are easily accessible to visitors. For most visitors, a visit to the Gorge begins and ends in Portland, and the trip is often a day trip which includes a stop at Mt. Hood and a drive through the famous Hood River Fruit Loop. However, to really do justice to the area, at least one full day is recommended in order to have time for a few short hikes and not feel rushed while visiting the Gorge’s many attractions. This suggested route begins in Hood River and ends in Portland, but can easily be adapted to reverse direction or as part of a single-day trip.
While the northern Oregon coast tends to attract day trippers and weekenders from Portland, the central Oregon coast is a bit more removed from the big cities and has a much more laid-back feel. But spend a few days along the central Oregon coast, and you’ll find it has a charm and character all its own. Yachats (pronounced “yah-hawts”) is a perfect base for exploring the central Oregon coast. There are several small inns and hotels along the coast in this area, and while not “built up”, the town is large enough to have several quality restaurants and shops. Best of all, Yachats is just a short drive from Cape Perpetua, a true gem of the Oregon coast.
“…the grandest and most pleasing prospects which my eyes ever surveyed, in front of a boundless ocean…” -William Clark
Where can you find rugged coastlines, secluded beaches, and stunning vistas, all in one area? If your answer involved the Oregon coast, you’re correct! The Oregon coast has long been known as one of America’s most beautiful and scenic coastlines, and it’s easy to see why. Around every bend, there is seemingly one beautiful vista after another. Add to this the fact that the majority of the Oregon coast is comprised of small coastal villages scattered amidst miles of beaches, and you have the perfect recipe for a seaside vacation.
Traveling with Laura 