The three of us spent Thursday in the Gorge. Up first, a hike to Hamilton Mountain. This 7.5-mile loop (2,100' gain) is located on the Washington side of the Gorge in Beacon Rock State Park (45 minutes east of Portland). We were pleased to have snagged a parking spot at the trailhead, despite anticipated holiday crowds and getting a later start. For a full description, see the post from my first go at the trek last October.
Stubborn morning clouds were hanging about, but I was excited all the same to show Anna and Alex one of my favorite areas.
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| Date hiked: 7/4/19 |
A stop at the impressive Multnomah Falls is mandatory for first-time visitors. Rather than join the patriotic festivities going on downtown, our trio ended the day close to home at German pub, Stamtisch. Prost!
Silver Falls State Park was the focus of Friday. Just 1.25 hours south of Portland, deep in the Willamette Valley, this gem embodies the lush and green palette of Oregon. Having visited last September, I was eager to see the falls more full.
We completed the Trail of Ten Falls loop, and agreed that it would be worthwhile to take my parents here during their upcoming trip.
We closed out the day at Breakside Brewery in north Portland--a crowd favorite!
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| Date hiked: 7/5/19 |
A narrower, 0.4-mile lakeside trail encircles the glacial lake, cutting through a willow swamp. The reflection of Mt. Hood is perfect on a windless day.
Hiking beyond the lake up to Tom Dick and Harry Mountain in the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness is a more challenging trek with a view of the Cascade Range--noted for a future clear date!
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| Date hiked: 7/6/19 |
A bit further along the scenic highway, Trillium Lake is a popular day-use and camping destination in the Mt. Hood National Forest.
The summer scene was drastically different from my winter wonderland snowshoe experience in January--I am itching to return soon with a paddle board or kayak!
Our next stop lay across the highway. Constructed in 1937, Timberline Lodge stands at 6,000' on the south slope of Mt. Hood. The magnificent ski lodge and mountain retreat is a tribute to the rugged spirit of the PNW. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1977. New bucket list item to book a night at the lodge during ski season!
The Gorge White House was our final destination. The 1908 historic home and working farm has something for everyone; fresh fruit and flowers, mountain vistas, delicious wines, ciders and beers, and a local gift shop.
The extensive u-pick orchard offers seasonal fruit picking, currently producing mouth-watering blueberries and raspberries. My happy place.
The three of us wrapped up the day in the Pearl District on the west side of Portland with craft beer and pub fare at Von Ebert Brewing (#23) and rooftop views at 10 Barrel Brewing Co. (#24).
On our way out of town on Sunday, I took Anna and Alex to the country’s longest-running rose test garden in Washington Park--another Portland must-see. Roses here typically bloom between April and October, but most gardens hit peak bloom in June.
After we'd had our rose fix, the three of us continued on to Astoria, the port city located on the Columbia River in the northwest corner of Oregon. We paid a visit to Buoy Beer Company and Fort George Brewery (#25 and another favorite!).
From there, we picked up coastal highway US-101 south to Cannon Beach. Eager to greet the fresh sea air, we were pleasantly surprised that it wasn't cold outside.
We leisurely hung around Haystack Rock on Monday, taking in the rugged Oregon coastline.
Wrapping around Tillamook Head, just north of Cannon Beach, Ecola State Park stretches along nine miles of coastline. The entrance road meanders through a lush spruce forest, eventually opening up to a grassy bluff offering breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. Sea stacks punctuate the long sweep of shoreline south, backed by the town of Cannon Beach and ridge of coastal mountains above. The park’s trail network includes an eight-mile segment of the Oregon Coast Trail and a 2.5-mile historical interpretive route. Cliff side viewpoints showcase secluded coves, forested promontories and an abandoned lighthouse. Local wildlife include elk, eagles and migrating gray whales (winter/spring).
Before heading to the airport, we stopped in downtown Cannon Beach to pick up obligatory sea foam candy and a drink at Public Coast Brewing Co. (#26).
In hindsight, I was perhaps overzealous in my effort to show Anna and Alex my new home (and a good time). Consequently, the common theme of the weekend seemed to always have us running out of time. Nevertheless, I am incredibly thankful for their visit. The highlight for me was watching them fall under the spell of the enchanting PNW--and noting Portland's similarities to Pittsburgh. Anna and Alex are two very special people in my life, and I dearly miss being a bike ride away from them. Family is everything.
