Oregon

Paul and I got to sneak away from the kids for a few nights on a trip to Oregon to celebrate our 10th anniversary (+ 1 month). We were supposed to go to Spain... and then having a nursing and clingy baby made it hard to plan that trip. By the time we figured out how to leave her and she got over her separation anxiety we were too tired to figure out a trip abroad. This was plan B and it was just what we needed. A perfect mix of city and country, relaxing and adventurous. We loved it.

 Our first night in Oregon we spent in Cannon Beach on the Oregon coast. We explored the town, strolled on the beach and went for an awesome (and somewhat challenging) hike in nearby Ecola State Park. The Oregon coast is much different than the Southern California beaches. The forest goes right up to the beach, and the weather is much cooler. You almost feel like you are in the mountains and at the beach at the same time.

The second half of our trip we stayed in downtown Portland. The city itself was really cool, with a bit of weird mixed in. Hence the bumper sticker "keep Portland weird". Portland is really bike friendly. Lots of people commute into the city on bike and they have special bike lanes in the middle of the road for cyclists. We did a bike tour and enjoyed exploring the city that way. Some highlights were shopping at Powell's Book store (the largest book store in the US) and the bubbling drinking water fountains found around the city.

 Both Paul and I love good food and the food on our trip was amazing! Portland is known for it's food trucks and we ate several delicious meals from them! We both just finished the "Whole 30" diet and went a month without sugar, grains or dairy. The photo of me and the amazing gyro was my first bread in 5 weeks. It was so good. We had to stop at Krispy Kreme for due diligence and got a hot donut off the line--the best. We got lucky at a Tapas Bar and got to sit at the Chef's table and watch them cook. Really impressive--can't believe those chefs can keep everything straight. We did the tasting menu and loved all the new flavors we got to try. Yum.

One of the coolest things about Portland is the amazing hiking trails nearby along the Columbia River gorge. You drive just 30 minutes from the city and see waterfalls and green everywhere. We hiked underneath waterfalls, saw rainbows and changing leaves. So beautiful.

Another highlight from Portland was the International Rose Test Garden. Incredible! Right in the city are 5 acres of roses. There were over 10,000 rose plantings. We went in the evening after it had rained and it was magical. 

Our last day in Portland we visited the Smith Teamakers tasting room. Herbal tea is one of my favorite things and this was such a treat! We had a "tea flight" and tasted several different types of herbal tea. The presentation was so impressive. And I love the flowery language they use to describe the tea. The peppermint tea does really have notes of dark chocolate. Delicious! 

Now we are back to our babes with a little bit more patience than we had before we left. Thanks Mimi and Papa for making it possible!