Portland

7-17

The morning's cup and breakfast came from Uptown Espresso. We left early to get to Budget Rental Car right when they opened the doors. We got us a sweet Kia Rio for the next few days and headed from downtown to Mt. Rainer! It was really nice getting out of the city smog and entering the fresh pinny woods. We drove up to the visitor station mainly to get some snacks (Tom was getting a little hangry). The drive was pretty, but our favorite part was headed back to a hike up to Carter Falls. We crossed a flowing creek and then headed into the woods uphill to the top of the falls. We are amazed by how green and fresh everything is and once again feel small in the big world God created. 

Post Hike Reflection

#selfieStickprobs

Ahhh...That's what we were going for :)

After hiking, we got s quick selfie by the sign (of course) and Britt drove us to lunch. We realized that we were in Podunk nowhere and our choices were limited by the people who took credit cards. Reluctant to buy expensive pizza, we kept on for the next town. 1 hour later...Britt is hangry. We finally saw a little hole in the wall called "Betty's Place" and you can bet I pulled right in. The chicken burger and fries HIT THE SPOT. It was a cute little HS town. We also went into a gas station for cokes, a tootsie pop, and a random $1 scratch off...we broke even ha. 

We're on our way to the cute town of Astoria! 

We drove down the Main Street of Astoria and ended up finding Buoy Beer Co for dinner (thanks Google Maps Explore feature for the find). The atmosphere was cute and modern and the building backed up to the Columbia River where we watched huge commercial boats come in. We enjoyed drinks and split the fish and chips with clam chowder. It was filling and delicious. Highly Recommend! 

Next, we drove about 25 minutes up the road to Seaside, OR where we booked a room at the Coastal River Inn. We walked down to the beach (Britt in her jacket and Tom in his shorts). The sand was cold, white, and pretty. People were huddled around small camp fires in the sand. If we could have found firewood, we would have been all about the beachside fire! Instead, we walked the beach hand in hand just talking about life and how far the Pacific stretched. We went back to our inn with sand in our shoes feeling like we got in our little beach fix. It's so funny being at a cold beach...#texasgirl. 

7-18

This morning was our travel jog! We went down the promenade along the beach admiring the cute white picked fences, flowers, well-manicured lawns, and tourist resorts along the water. Then, you guessed it...a shower and COFFEE! Tom also got in his big bfast at Firehouse grill where we enjoyed free wifi, eggs, chicken fry, and a big ole biscuit. We're excited about our drive to Portland and checking into our last city of the trip!

7-19

Rising early today to hit the road! We will spend the day on Historic Route 30 around Mt Hood. We snagged some snacks from the free continental breakfast and got coffee from "Stomping Grounds" in Fairview on the way. This coffee shop was our favorite thus far. Cute decor, great coffee, nice staff...

Stop #1: Vista House Outlook Point

Stop #2: Multnomah Falls 

Stop #3: Hood River

Tom convinced me to try wind surfing with him and I'm so glad that he did! Big Winds surf was the company that we used. We took our wetsuit and water shoes to an outdoor fitting room and geared up! Looking intense: 

I wish you could see Tom's new Oregon Crookies that are keeping his glasses on :) 

Then, we had a two hour lesson. Our guide was a bit impatient and scarcastic, but he did something right because by the end of the course we knew the neutral stance, how to turn (two ways), how to steer, and how to catch wind. We were with another Texas couple and enjoyed learning with them. After the lessons, we had an hour of free surf. We were so focused on the steps of windsurfing that I almost forgot to look up and see the scenery around us! Tom was a champ and continued surfing until the end, while Britt had to warm up her feet a bit. 

We worked up an appetite windsurfing and headed to 6th St. Bistro and Loft for lunch. I had the most amazing Turkey, Bacon, Avocado sandwich with chips/salsa and Tom had a yummy salmon wrap with fries. We enjoyed the cool top floor patio and talked about our windsurf adventure. 

We loved Hood River and enjoyed the shops, fro yo (of course), and just browsing. 

We continued the on the Historic Scenic Route all the way around Mt. Hood taking in the views. We wanted to get in a small hike, but never found the trailhead. Instead we went to McMenimins Edgefield and enjoyed walking around the old farm converted into a restuarant, hotel, and bar. 

We returned our rental car and found a small mall for dinner. We caught the last few open minutes of Sports Authority hoping to catch a going out of business bargain, but had no luck. We ate a light dinner and Wendy's and called it good for the day. 

7-20

Today we slept in until 8 and it was much needed! We went straight to Stumptown Roasters on 3rd for coffee and then to VooDoo Doughnuts for breakfast. People love their VooDoo doughnuts because the line was out the door at 9:00 on a Wednesday. It was worth the wait as we got doughnuts topped with Oreos, Peanut Butter, Frosting, and basically only the best of sugars. #bfastofchampions

After Donuts, we were ready to walk the town! We started at Powell City of Books and browsed every section we could possibly be interested in. Christina, Education, Cooking, Young Adult, Sci Fi, Gardening, etc. We saw a few books that we weren't too keen of and realized that you could find a book about ANYTHING in Powells. 

We walked up to the Rose Garden and well...stopped to smell the roses (literally). 

Next was back down in the action of Pioneer Square for lunch, shopping, and just hanging out. Perhaps the best part was the hour of relaxing at Waterfront park that gave us our 2nd wind.

We ended the night at Deschutes Brewery for drinks and dinner. It was about the coolest building ever. It had an outdoorsy feel, but right downtown. The food was delicious and Tom enjoyed some of his favorite brews. 

We walked the Pearl district on our way home and decided that vacation is great, but you can only vacation so long before you're ready to be back home. Tonight we're especially thankful for great friends, a great church family, our jobs, and our home. 

7-21

We fly out today at 6:10 pm, so for our last day in Portland, Tom and I had to get Pine State Biscuits! Tom had picked out this place online before we even started the trip. Tom enjoyed a biscuit piled with fried chicken, bacon, gravy, and I don't know what else they fit on that biscuit. Britt went for a plain biscuit with marion berry jam and 2 eggs over-easy. Our breakfast did not disappoint.

We spend a lot of the day on our feet. We found the metro and went up to Portland State University. The college itself was very hidden within the concrete walls of the city, but we had fun walking from PSU back down to the Pioneer District. We popped into a Toy shop on the way, which was actually the 4th or 5th toy shop of the trip. We need more toy and game shops in our area. 

We ended the day at Tom McCall Waterfront park. We rented Biketown bright orange bikes and went to get a bite from the food carts. Tom a waffle sandwich and Britt a yummy salad from "The Garden Monsters." We biked back and realized that our legs were feeling the 10 day trip. We relaxed in the park before finding the metro to get our bags and head to the airport. 

Reflections from the Sky: 

Travel creates memories, but also helps us realize how thankful we are for home. Travel bonds us closer and I realize that just being with Tom is the best part of travel and getting to bring him home with me is the next best thing :). God is good and the world is big. People are lost and in need of His Salvation. My purpose in this big world is nothing outside of Christ.