Can you see how long this trip really was? I mean, really! We packed about 2 weeks worth of sights and eats into 4 days!
On our final day we drove up to Mount Hood to hike around some waterfalls and canoe on a lake with our sore, sore legs.
Josh had done some research on which ones were the best and after we finally found the trails in the labyrinth of mountain roads and turn offs we began our hike along the HOT, dusty trail. People told us that we brought the heat with us because it was in the high 90's the entire time we were in the Portland area. I just can't escape the sweating this summer. Boooo!
On the drive Josh told me that we could be spontaneous and if there was anything we saw along the way that we could stop, well we just so happened to uncover a little Blueberry farm where you can pick your own berries! We made a u-turn and drove in...
We hiked up to Umbrella Falls and then thankfully hiked down to Sahale Falls which was connected to a real road that was F L A T and we walked back to the car. I was in bad shape on this hike and started taking breaks around every shady area!
1 1/2 hours later we finally made it up the mountain to see these falls!
Trilium Lake was a must see also! The water here is very warm, I would say that it was around 75 or 80 degrees and you can rent an inflatable canoe in Government Camp a few miles away. We rented the canoe for an hour and by the time we blew it up and took her for a spin it as already time to go back into town and drop it off. Josh was nice enough to look for another lake for me to swim in since I had already jumped in the water for a few minutes. We drove through about 3 lakes until we came upon another one of Oregon's best kept secrets: LITTLE Crater Lake. This is not the big and famous Crater Lake, but it's newborn sister.
Little Crater was secluded along a marshy walkway and once you see it you won't want to leave. The ground sunk into an underwater stream and turned into a small crater, 45 feet deep , full of 34 degree water. You can never know exactly what 34 degree water feels like until you try it. PAIN! I planned on risking my dear little life and jumping head into the 45 ft. deep crater just "for fun" until I stuck my feet in for 5 seconds. Those 5 seconds and a few minutes after were like walking on frozen needles. OUCH! I put my feet in several times and each time I would get out and say that I just couldn't do it. Well I asked Josh to dare me to jump in and of course he said, "no!", that was enough for me. I baptized myself for about 3 seconds in the 34 degree water and then jumped the heck out of there!
Here is a little video showing the beauty of this tiny "lake". The 2 ft. deep ledge goes out about 3-4 feet and then it just drops to 45 ft of icy water! Can you see the trees under the water?
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Portland, Oregon Day 4
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We woke up extra early on Day 3, because I knew that it was going to be my favorite day of the trip. I got to see my brother's family that I only get to see twice a year. Jocelyn is getting so big! She is 13 months now and I just can't believe how amazing she is, so beautiful and laughs so much. Her and I will be kindred spirits when she is older.
Jocelyn liked the rocks too.
This was a great day.
Jackson greeted me with 2 cards and a huge (recently devoured) bag of PB M&M's, my favorite.
And then started off the morning right with a little VooDoo doughnut...
Josh, with the loot.
Right when we arrived at Cannon Beach, our new favorite vacation spot!
Look at Jocelyn!
We made sure to get there around the time that the tide was out so we could see the tide pools, and they did not disappoint!
My brother, Chris, and Jackson.
Jenice and Jocelyn.
Photographed and edited by Josh.
The Lees!
After we played on the beach for a good 2 hours we went to Pizza A Feta, which is voted one of the top 50 Pizza places in America! It was pretty good, but I wouldn't say it was as good as Lubbock's own West Crust Pizza!
Anyway, enough about food, back to these adorable kids... We walked all over downtown and then decided to go to Ecola State Park for the rest of our time together. I think Ecola is a local secret spot, because it wasn't crowded and it was INCREDIBLE!
a mini session in Ecola State Park
A person in the park recommended a trail that led to a cliff, that led to a rope, that led to the beach below. Kinda scary.
Everyone decided to throw rocks.
Look! It's us!
Jocelyn liked the rocks too.This was a great day.
Nam:
CONGRATS on your fancy new blog, Lauren!! Everything looks great... ITDR did a fantastic job! (and I'm sure it helps to have stellar photos to go along with it) :)
(08.18.10 @ 07:37 AM)
lroah:
We did this trip last year, and I still haven't blogged it! You are so good - love these pics... looks like it was a whole lot warmer for you!!!! We froze our Southern California butts off. ;)
(08.18.10 @ 01:17 PM)
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Portland, Oregon Day 3
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The next morning we woke up and drove downtown to the Portland Saturday Market for some new sights and eats! We had crepes and a breakfast burrito from the food stands, which apparently are HUGE there! We saw parking lots full of food stands downtown and at the market. One of the first stands we saw was a photographer's travel photos and they were so beautiful that we actually bought 3 8x10s! This is the first time I have ever bought some one else's photography as art, it made me feel good to support this amazing artist.
After the market we ate at Veritable Quandary downtown and it was hands down the BEST hamburger I have ever had. Yum.
We went back to the hotel and packed up for the wedding in Salem that afternoon. The wedding was absolutely beautiful, check the blog for the post on it Thursday night. My brother and his family drove into Portland that night and we met up with him for a good hour or so and then went to bed, utterly exhausted,
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Portland, Oregon Day 2
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Josh and I drove to Tulsa International Airport last Friday morning for a long day of travel to Portland. We arrived around 4, grabbed our bags, picked up the rental car and headed out to Multnomah Falls. We have been to Multnomah before with our best friends on our first Oregon trip two years ago, but it was so beautiful that we just had to go again. Josh decided to hike to the top and drag... push... me along with him up the 11 switchbacks along the mile trail, it was not a pretty sight and yes, I will spare you the awful pictures of me sweating. We burned a TON of calories on this trip, Lauren Zaffos (my old trainer) would be proud... and then we ate double the amount at dinner each night.
He really did push me up the whole mile hike. Really. He does this all the time to prevent me from stopping as much. I love it, all I have to do is lift a leg and his force pushes me upward and onward. Does your husband do this?
Josh was spontaneous, I love it!After we hiked back down that huge, steep, huge, steeeeep mountain side we went into Portland and I got to pick where we were going to eat. I picked well. "Mother's" downtown was incredible. You have got to try their fried ravioli, the rolls and the proscuitto mac and cheese. YUM!
haley kruse:
I love how you got shots of you two...the one of your shadows and him pushing you.....SO sweet I could just cry.
(08.17.10 @ 11:00 PM)
Amanda:
Actually, Chris dragged me up Pike's Peak two summers ago (that's sort of the same thing right?). Looks like you guys had a blast and it is SO beautiful there!!!! I'm a little jealous.
(08.18.10 @ 08:21 AM)
Chelsea:
Pushing me up is so something John would do, I love it when husbands are sweet. And this is weird, but the last photo of Josh jumping looks like Joey Fatone from *N Sync. Seriously. Love your photos! I would love to visit Oregon sometime, it looks so amazing.
(08.18.10 @ 09:40 AM)
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Portland, Oregon Day 1
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Josh and I have one more day of vacation in this beautiful state! We have agreed that out of all of the vacations and travel we have done that Oregon is the most beautiful place we have ever been. This is my third year to come here and the sights just keep getting better and better.
My favorite day had to be yesterday when my brother and his family drove down from Seattle to meet us and we all went to Cannon Beach and Ecola State Park, I have never been anywhere so incredible. YOU MUST GO!
This morning we are headed to Mount Hood for a stunning waterfall and then off to LOST lake for some canoeing! We will be totally wiped out tonight... again. When we vacation somewhere other than warm, sandy beaches we put as many miles and hours on these eyes and feet as possible to see everything we can see. I am also taking photos of every place we eat and will tell you what was good there! We have been eating it up here... might need to start that diet I've been thinking about for over a year now:).
Here is a phone snapshot of a view of the ocean from Ecola State Park...
I have taken over 700 pictures with the cameras here and will plan for a HUGE blog post Thursday!
My favorite day had to be yesterday when my brother and his family drove down from Seattle to meet us and we all went to Cannon Beach and Ecola State Park, I have never been anywhere so incredible. YOU MUST GO!
This morning we are headed to Mount Hood for a stunning waterfall and then off to LOST lake for some canoeing! We will be totally wiped out tonight... again. When we vacation somewhere other than warm, sandy beaches we put as many miles and hours on these eyes and feet as possible to see everything we can see. I am also taking photos of every place we eat and will tell you what was good there! We have been eating it up here... might need to start that diet I've been thinking about for over a year now:).
Here is a phone snapshot of a view of the ocean from Ecola State Park...
I have taken over 700 pictures with the cameras here and will plan for a HUGE blog post Thursday!
Danielle Weathers:
We LOVE the Oregon Coast! We go every year! Our favorite beach is in Oceanside. It's a beach that mostly only locals know about called Short Beach. It is never crowded and there are tons of agates on the beach to find. So beautiful! Have fun and enjoy!
(08.16.10 @ 12:12 PM)
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Still on vacation!!
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incredible photos! i love oregon! if it wasn't for all of my family here, i'm pretty sure we would have moved there already! josh is really looking like a country boy with that full beard! glad you guys had a great time.
(08.18.10 @ 10:13 AM)aaaaahhhhhh-mazing! Thank you for sharing!
(08.18.10 @ 10:15 AM)