Tillamook State Forest and Tillamook Bay

We went on a nice Sunday drive from Portland to Tillamook State Forest on Sunday and took a nice little hike in the forest and then we went down to the beach and took a nice (stormy) walk.

We also passed a farm on the way to Tillamook and I had to stop the car and visit with the cute farm animals. They loved posing for the camera!

Last Trip. Really this time.

Pictures from our last weekend at Deschutes River because now it is way too cold to go..at least for us! Fall is here. I am going to suck it up and enjoy Fall with Pumpkin flavored everything.

Fall Colors in Mt. Hood National Park

We went for a lovely drive in 70F degree weather to Mt. Hood National Park. We stopped at the Clackamas River to take in the view.

Bridges in Downtown Portland

I love our bridges that connect the different sides of Portland over the Willamette River. There are 10 total bridges in Portland.  I rode my bike along the waterfront one Saturday and shot some photos of the bridges and of downtown.

The Morrison Bridge down and boats waiting to cross under the next bridge

Gifford Pinchot National Forest

I decided to make a solo hike (originally meant to be a backpacking trip) to Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Washington which is about a 3 hour 20 minute drive from Portland.

I was hoping to see mountain goats, marmots, and pikas. The weather was pretty foggy when I started out and looking like it might rain. The weather forecast said a 20% chance of rain. But since my boyfriend was out of town fishing I went anyway because it would be a good growing experience for myself to go alone, plus I really wanted to see some new scenery in the Northwest.

When I headed up another 1,000 feet in elevation to 5,500 feet it was suddenly warm and sunny with green meadows and flowers everywhere. I loved that it was Summer at this elevation and I left Fall 1,000 feet below. I had a great hike until the fog and cold came in and I suddenly wasn't so sure of myself spending the night up there. I know I could do it and I had all my backpacking gear with me but it was only 1pm and I didn't want to spend the whole night up there cold (without a tent) and possibly wet. So I made the call to come back promising myself I would be back in August next year when the weather is more promising!

Friends and Camping

During our long holiday weekend another couple we know joined us for one night to our weekly sojourn to the river to camp. They prmoised a really nice cooked meal and they delivered.

Shrimp!

Pork chops, watermelon and feta, pesto pasta, shrimp.

There was lots of talking while staying up late, drinking beer, and taking in the stars, moon, and bats that show up at night.

Believe it or not we will be headed out for two more weekends of camping. Some co-workers asked me, "don't you get tired of camping all the time"? The answer is "no". Sometimes we don't get the best spot and I get tired of being around random people on every side of me. But when we get an isolated spot by the river I love it. Plus, if I was at home I would not do much as opposed to reading by the river, mountain biking, taking pictures, and hiking. I am glad my boyfriend loves the outdoors so much because it rubs off on me too.

Snake

Field

Mr. Lizard

Warm Springs, Oregon

My friend and I decided to take a girls only weekend to the high desert Kah-nee-ta resort which is on a Native American Reservation called Warm Springs about two hours from Portland. The resort was not what we expected (she mentioned it would be a beautiful, hot relaxing resort with a natural hot mineral springs pool). It was actually super crowded with kids and no place to even lay or sit down near the pool.

So since that was all we planned for we didn't know what to do. We had a drink within a few hundred feet of the pool and then went for a hike around the many trails near the resort.

That was fun, serene, and pretty. And the sun came out.

Then we went for dinner at their restaurant and we were so tired all we wanted was a Coke and a salad.

I was hoping we could go for a swim since it was still light outside but ended up going to sleep. In the morning I went for a peaceful stroll and came back to the room.

NOT the trip I imagined. I guess that's what happens when you don't plan much and you hype things up in your head about what something will be like....sometimes it works, sometimes it does not.

But the reservation is beautiful with wild horses roaming around and majestic views.