World Tour Stop 1- Oregon, USA

I have visited Oregon a number of times over the last year, so I'm going to use this post to combine the visits and talk about the places I would highly recommend visiting, drinking and eating at, as well as include some of the experiences I had.

Portland - I was happy to recreate some memories here over the last few days as the last visit I had was pretty bittersweet. With that said, Portland is gorgeous and green and wonderfully quaint for a "big city".

If you want to hike major mountains, participate in water sports (a good friend that hosted me suggested kite surfing), or drink beer at a hundred different breweries and wine at tasting rooms and vineyards, this is definitely the trip for you.

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The most touristy place to stop at that is 30 min outside Portland is Multnomah Falls, it is right off the highway along the Columbia River and is gorgeous and thunderingly loud. Sadly the trail to the top of the falls is closed and has been closed since 2017 due to the fire damage that has destabilized the rocks and trees that are higher up in the gorge.

Either way, I would highly suggest the stop. The hike to the mid-level bridge is a mere 450 steps and is worth the stop and view. IT IS SO LOUD! Also, it is such a tourist highlight so it was fun to see the number of people from so many different parts of the US, Canada and around the globe that come through Oregon for the beautiful scenery.

From here we headed up the border of Oregon and crossed at the Bridge of the Gods so we could have a brief stint in Washington and enjoy the view of Oregon from the other bank. Reminder that you need cash to cross back over in to Oregon on the hood river bridge (I accidentally annoyed a toll booth guy but he did eventually let us through...good thing we are cute)

The gorge has a couple of nice hikes, definitely recommend stopping at the Beacon Rock Hike - the view is beautiful and it's an easy, family friendly hike; it is pretty steep but less than a two mile walk. You will need a park pass or plan to pay for parking :).

Thunder Island Brewing was a beautiful view on the Oregon side and then we also stopped at Double Mountain Brewing in Mt Hood River area. They serve a mean prosciutto and arugula pizza.

We also hiked the Mirror Lake Trail head to Tom, Dick and Harry mountain. It was picturesque. We went at the end of April so it was still frozen over and the terrain was a little tricky where we slipped in knee deep snow a number of times, so maybe save this one for a little later in the summer to really see the Mt Hood reflection in Mirror Lake and have a little bit easier of a hike.

If you feel like donning some snow shoes to go on a really cool hike in Oakridge (southeast of Portland), you will definitely be rewarded with the views at Salt Creek Falls.

We did this hike in mid March and due to the amount of snow that Oregon got this year we were actually standing on snow higher than the railings at the observation area to the falls. So cool, and also a little scary if you have some issues with heights.

Other must do things in Portland - visit the international rose test garden. The roses start to bloom in June and it is a sight to see. The garden is located at the top of a mountain and the views of Portland below are beautiful while you walk through rows and rows of fragrant and vibrantly colored flowers.

Where else to visit:

Powell's bookstore - the largest independent bookstore with maps to get around and an almost library type feel. Find anything you want both new and used.

Providence Park - the stadium for the Timbers and the Thorns which is conveniently located right in the middle of downtown

Portland Aerial Tram - This is a pretty cool experience with again, great unobstructed views of the city and for only $4 round trip, it is a pretty affordable way to get some good pictures. Note that it does take you from by the river up to the OHSU which is an active hospital.

Where to eat?

Portland City Grill - this is an upscale restaurant on the 30th floor a business tower with window seating that gives amazing views of downtown Portland. I suggest getting reservations and coming after 9PM to enjoy the happy hour menu which was a smaller snacks type menu along with half priced drinks.

Departure - another restaurant/rooftop bar which seems to be my go to. If you just want drinks you can order from the bar and go outside for a city view of Portland with no glass to ruin your photos. This also looks down on the square which has weekend markets and a giant Christmas tree in the winter

Doug Fir - a wonderfully rustic vibe that screamed all things Oregon and served local brews and wines.

Hunnymilk - great for bunch but again a little more expensive with a fixed menu. Delicious mimosas with different flavors

Vineyards and Tasting Rooms:

- Sarver Vineyard: just outside of Eugene and plays music on Friday and Saturday nights through the summer.

- Silvan Ridge Winery: visited here for St Patrick's Day and got a glass of chardonnay that was dyed green

- Willamatte Valley Vineyards: this place was gorgeous and little higher scale than we anticipated but located just south of Salem this is definitely worth a visit.

- J. Scott Cellars: in Eugene this is a tasting room with a lot of Oregon local blends

- Sweet Cheeks Winery: also in Eugene this is a little tasting room that served pours in a cute tasting tree.

- Oregon Wine Lab - I think the name is self explanatory

Breweries:

Cold Fire Brewing

Double Mountain

Pfriem Brewing

Thunder Island Brewing