I tried my hardest (probably not) to get this post up sooner, closer to our return, but woe is life, my list of things to do got in the way, per usual. Good news is, I am once again making some changes to my daily routine and I am so looking forward to how they will help me improve this blog.

Now on to the goods – OREGON (cue magical blitz of sparkly entry music – like in the Disney princess movies). Oh Oregon, how I love you so. I know it's all the rage to have your heart set on this wonderful state, but seriously, mine is. I'm not sure that I will ever end up there, but I plan on visiting at least once (maybe twice) a year for the rest of my days.

The funny thing is, northern California and southern Oregon don't look much different (which makes sense because they are joined at the hip) but I swear I can tell the difference when we cross into the beaver state. There's just something special about that territory that makes my eyes dazzle and my heart flutter. Who knows if I actually can tell the difference, but either way, this land of green has captured every part of me, and I'm paying close attention to each unique detail.

This trip up through Oregon was inspired by some lovely friends of ours who live on a little farm just outside of Portland. They're rad family of 5, mom, dad, and three daughters (woot! woot!) and they also have a buttload of animals, including dogs, goats, bunnies, cats, cows, chickens, roosters, and a turkey (the majority of who are named after Lord of the Rings characters!). Clearly, this family is the coolest and anybody would be lucky to spend a week adventuring with them through Oregon.

(I'm just now realizing I didn't get any pictures of their homestead, or of the family. I guess I'll just have to visit again soon!)

I can't forget to mention that there was a litter of cavapoo puppies there when we arrived, whom we instantly fell in love with – one in particular, the little runt, Dean. All five puppies were named after Gilmore Girls characters, one girl, Rori, and four boys, Michel, Luke, Kirk, and Dean (who later would be renamed several times – Bean, Bob, etc.– until finally he became Gus).

Much of our time was spent playing with puppies, hanging out, and chatting in their wood stove-heated living room, but don't you worry, we did our fair share of exploring.

The first day, we ventured out for a drive. I had been dying to see Multnomah Falls, so we made our way out to the Gorge, starting at the Crown Point Vista House (to get the best view) and continuing down the road, stopping at each and every waterfall we could find till we got to Multnomah. For a California girl this drive was extra impressive. Any mass amount of water, apart from the ocean, baffles me. Here in drought country (aka California) rushing waterfalls are sparse. Even Oregon is having one of their driest years, but still, the waters were a'flowin and it was just absolutely spectacular.

View of the Columbia River Gorge from Crown Point

Another day was spent driving the "fruit loop" – a scenic drive up through Mt. Hood State Park. To Oregonians, the snow up there was unimpressive, but to this central coast Californian, it was just perfect. The sun was shining, the snow was sparkling, and the new gloves I got for my birthday came in handy once again. We trekked up the mountain until (I won't say who) started complaining that they were "too hot" to keep going – when's the last time you heard that phrase come out of someone's mouth in the dead of winter on Mt. Hood – probably never. The scenes from up on the mountain were amazing and the hot dog at the Timberline lodge was pretty tasty afterwards.

We also spent Portland one day to wander the city streets and meet up with my best friend who recently moved to Seattle and who I hadn't seen for months (only 2, but whatever). Of course we drank lots of coffee, ate donuts, read books, sampled beer, crossed bridges, and went shopping. Oh yes, and we ate some delicious Lebanese food for dinner. I would highly recommend you eat at Nicholas' Restaurant if you are ever in the area. It was a grand ol' time. I didn't want to lug my big camera all over the city – or look too much like a tourist – so, unfortunately I didn't get many pictures. Here was our day in a nutshell compliments of the ever fun and useful Instagram.

Last but not least, we hiked. Of course we hiked. Oregon is known for its copious amounts of scenic drives and hiking trails – they are ALL over the place. It's an adventurer's dream!

Oh yes, and we stopped in Bend, of course. <3

And that's a wrap to our month of fun. Now where will we end up next!?

Happy Traveling!

Hi, my name is

Natalie

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