Samuel Boardman

Despite countless road trips over the past five years, I had yet to visit the southern-most section of the Oregon coast. Since Tom and I wanted to visit good friends in southern Oregon before our move, we decided to take the scenic route.

June 22-25

Day 1: Newport

We packed up Sullie on Thursday morning, and left around noon. We drove southeast, picking up Highway 101 in Lincoln City. From there, we winded our way south through the lush and wild coastal foliage. The coast is typically cooler than Portland, and this weekend was no exception; we dropped 20 degrees into the low 60s.

We reached Newport after 2.5 hours of driving. Oregon Coast Glassworks is a local art gallery that offers glass blowing lessons and demonstrations. Tom and I signed up to make paperweights. The lesson was fun and insightful. I learned that glassblowing is common on the Oregon coast because the cool climate affords artists a comfortable environment near the hot ovens, and energy is cheap from nearby hydro sources.

 

After the lesson, we continued south for two hours to Coos Bay. We stopped at Thor's Well along the way. Also known as the drainpipe of the Pacific, the well is actually a hole in the rock that only appears to drain water from the ocean. The site is most spectacular at high tide and during storms. It would have been better to get a closer, birds-eye view by veering off-trail, but we were not willing to traverse the slippery rocks.

We made our way to Coos Bay, watching the sun drop gradually over the ocean. Having just passed the summer solstice, we were gifted with close to 16 hours of daylight. Dinner at 7 Devils Brewing Company.

Day 2: Bandon
On Friday, Tom and I drove 30 minutes south to Bandon, passing the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area and Shores Acres State Park. Bandon is known for its surfing, mountain biking, storm watching, and the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.

We walked several miles along the beach from Face Rock to Coquille Point. This area is filled with iconic rock formations that were once part of the coastline thousands of years ago. While I would have preferred blue skies, the dreary overcast created a mystical, extraterrestrial ambiance.

Throughout the summer, local artists create intricate artwork in the sand, called Circles in the Sand. The designs only last for a few hours during low tide before being washed away. Unfortunately, our visit did not coincide with its schedule.

Aunt Judy hooked us up with a room at Bandon Inn, which is close to Old Town and the boardwalk. We treated ourselves to a nice dinner at Alloro Wine Bar.

Day 3: Samuel Boardman

On Saturday, Tom and I continued 1.5 hours south to the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor. Craggy bluffs, secluded beaches, and offshore rock formations await visitors along this 12-mile section between Gold Beach and Brookings. Countless turnoffs offer viewpoints and trailheads that connect an 18-mile segment of the Oregon Coast Trail.

I enjoyed the short hike to Secret Beach. Go at low tide and familiarize yourself with the route ahead of time (several trail forks and no reception).

Natural Bridges is another worthwhile stop. Note that hiking near the bridges is discouraged due to the dangerous cliffside.

Cape Ferrelo and Harris Beach State Park are also worth a visit. We grabbed lunch at a deli in Brookings, which hosts an Azalea Festival every May.

Afterwards, we drove 2.5 hours northeast on Redwoods Highway 199 to Medford. I was grateful to return to the sun and heat. That evening, Tom went out for a boys night with Mike and Joel, while I put my feet up and finished reading my book.

Day 4: Medford
On Sunday, we met Madison and baby Cal for breakfast. We considered stopping at Crater Lake or the Roseburg Abacela winery, but decided to push through the 4.5 hour journey home to Louie Cat!

Wildwood Trail

Unlike this time last year, summer is in full swing.

 

 

 

The annual PDX Triathlon at Blue Lake was a success. I shaved five minutes off the previous year!

  

Soon after, I dipped my toes into the ultra world. I had previously hiked sections of Forest Park's Wildwood Trail, but never considered completing it in one go until my friend Kyle did it last weekend. Naturally, my curiosity was piqued, and the wheels started turning.

The Wildwood Trail is the longest urban hiking trail in the nation. It stretches for 30 miles in the Tualatin Hills, mainly in Forest Park, with its southern segment in Washington Park. The Wildwood is an easy trail for its length, with rolling hills that add up to 3,000' of total elevation gain. The trail junctions are generally well-signed, and quarter mile markers are posted on trees. The trail is open year-round; muddy in the winter and dusty in the summer. 

On Sunday morning, I parked my car at the Newberry Trailhead (northern terminus), then Tom dropped me off at the southern terminus in Washington Park. I set off at 8am.

 

The first ten miles are the toughest. Washington Park and Pittock Mansion are very hilly and busy. I ultimately decided to go northbound to knock out this part first. In the next section, the trail gradually flattens and the crowds thins. I followed the twists and turns of the thick forest, surprised to still be in the heart of Portland. The final ten miles are mostly downhill, but I was dragging by then. My car was a welcomed sight!

 

I finished in 8 hours (16 minute/miles) after a combination of speed hiking and jogging some downhill sections. Budget 12 hours for a leisure pace. Luckily, headlamps are not needed during the long days of June. I fueled up with a big bowl of oatmeal pre-hike, and managed with snacks and three liters of water en route. This was one of my toughest achievements to date, and will likely not be a repeater for me. Still, it is a real treat to have this treasure so close to home.

Pittsburgh

Tom and I recently became engaged and decided to move to Australia--in the same weekend. With such big news, I made time to fly home and celebrate with my parents.

Pittsburgh is a city rich in history and culture

I usually come home around the winter holidays, so it was a nice change to visit in May. The weather was perfect, and I enjoyed relaxing on my parent's deck. The trees were full and green, and the birds were very vocal.

A quick visit from Rita!

My parents spoiled me in the kitchen with old and new recipes. They also hosted dinner for my girlfriends.

 

 

On Wednesday, my dad left work early to go for a bike ride. The Montour Trail is the country’s longest suburban rail-trail. The relatively flat main line stretches from Coraopolis (along the Ohio River) to Clairton (on the Monongahela River). It connects to other trails like the Great Allegheny Passage and the C&O Canal Towpath--a completed trail system that stretches 300+ miles from Pittsburgh to Washington, DC. We biked 34 miles from Cliff Mine to Cecil Park.

I also spent time with Louie's cousins, Lucy and Phoebe. Lucy made an unexpected visit to the animal hospital for low blood sugar. She pulled through, and is on the mend under Grammy's care.

 

Living far from home is hard, but as I told my mom, it's two flights from Pittsburgh to Portland and two flights from Pittsburgh to Melbourne! 

Family is everything