We enjoyed our travels through Oregon. We visited for vacation + later for friends + on our way to present research + attend a conference in other places.
Highlights included Bandon, home of the cranberry festival, a beautiful serene drive through fall-tinted trees along the river to Willamette Valley, Ventis at Salem with fabulous food + beer on tap (both locations), + the astoundingly gorgeous Crater Lake National Park.
Earlier travels near waterways included Cannon Beach, Seaside, Newport, Tillamook Cheese Factory, Tillamook Air Museum, Lincoln City, clam chowder at Mo's, + Yaquina Bay Head Lighthouse + Interpretive Center. We enjoy combining museums + outdoors to learn, see the sights, + exercise in fresh air with ample space to play + explore.
Northeastern + Central Oregon travels included Painted Hills, John Day Fossil Beds, Thomas Condon Paleontology Center, a bed + breakfast at Joseph in Wallawa County, National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center at Baker, Sumpter Valley Gold Dredge, Kam Wah Chung State Heritage Site, Bend, High Desert Museum, Newberry National Volcanic Monument, hiking in a lava tube at Lava River Cave, Paulina Lake, Newberry Volcano, + Hells Canyon.
Southcentral + western travels included eating at the Baldwin Saloon (est. 1876) at The Dalles, Portland, OMSI, Saturday Market at Old Town, Lan Su Chinese Botanical Garden also at Old Town, Mt. Hood + Timberline Lodge, Multnomah Falls, Stonehenge Veterans' Memorial at Maryshill, Cascade Locks, Columbia Gorge Discovery Center + Museum, + the beloved by both WA + OR Columbia River Gorge.
A trusty old-school atlas, plus deciding our next-day adventure based on what was boundaried in blue or green, made for a relaxing + exciting exploration. Our strategy also involved visitor centers + talking to locals for sights to see. We traveled in loops to make the most of the area.
At the time Oregon had repaved scenic byways. I respect + greatly appreciate how Oregon cares for its parks + recreation with more scenic byways + tour routes than any other state. I am grateful to God for making Oregon a place with beauty at every corner with much more to explore with The 7 Wonders of Oregon.
If it's not clear by now: I adore Central Oregon + the coast. Oregon enjoys a dreamy combination of interpretative centers + outdoors. Take a read of Somewhere in Oregon by Patrick Wilkins.
Oregon, We Heart You!
Thank you + keep being beautiful!