The trip started out with the MAX Light Rail stalling for about 30 min getting into downtown from the airport. After an already long day of traveling, with maps in hand, Shawn and I decided to hop out and walk to our hotel. Very easy downtown to navigate...just like a grid! Reminded us of Minneapolis, so we didn't feel too out of place.
Staying downtown over the weekend, much less the weekend of the 4th of July, didn't portray a very accurate picture of what a typical day downtown would look like...I presume. However, from walking along the Willamette River dodging bicyclists, to wandering through the Portland Saturday Market checking out local artists' goods, to diving into the wide world of breweries and food carts, we had enough on our plate! We couldn't figure out if the Portland Saturday Market was a good way to get a feel for what the locals do on a Saturday in the summer, or if we fell into a typical tourist trap. Regardless....get there when it starts if you want to leave with a sane mind! Grabbing some grub at the Rogue Brewery is a must, if you're looking for a laid-back, chill atmosphere with decent bar food and a bible of Rogue beers. If you're not on a schedule, and are feeling patient, swing by the Voodoo Doughnut as early as possible and be prepared to wait! Even if you don't dig doughnuts...it's worth the experience to try some crazy creations!
The Pearl District was definitely the area we felt the vibe in...full of breweries, restaurants, and shops, this was the only part of downtown that didn't feel like a ghost town at night. Finally, if you're looking for an adorable family-owned Italian restaurant with large portions of homemade Italian dishes, go to Bella Gioia in the Pearl District. On the otherhand, if you're closing down the bar and looking for some decent, cheap food to get you home...hit up one of the many food carts! Minneapolis is definitely behind on that one!
The last few days were filled with a couple of amazing hikes, exploring several coastal towns, and taking in some beautiful scenery and the freshest air you can imagine! For those who aren't as motivated for the hike, as they are for the scenery, do yourself a favor and at least commit to the 1.2 mile hike to the top of Multnomah Falls -- an absolutely breathtaking 620 ft waterfall about 25 minutes east of Portland.
After pausing to take in the unbelievable natural beauty of this waterfall, the more seasoned hiker would feel warmed up and ready to take on the next challenge: Saddle Mountain! Seasoned hikers, we were not, but of course that didn't stop us from conquering the 2.5 mile hike, reaching an elevation of 3,283 ft, to the summit.
Heavy panting was the norm for at least the last mile of it, but the views along the way left me speechless! Unfortunately, we didn't pick a clear day to dominate this mountain, leaving us high in the clouds with no evidence of just how high we were!
As my future posts will show, my favorite trips are filled with lot's of activity, inevitably followed by amazing meals....play hard...eat hard. Isn't that how it goes?! Well after our hikes and exploring the coastal towns of Cannon Beach, Seaside, and Astoria, we owed it to ourselves to eat well. From lunch on the coast at Maggies on the Prom in adorable Seaside, to delicious homemade breakfasts and bottomless coffee mugs at our B&B Clementines in Astoria, to Shawn's massive 2x4 burger at The Lumberjack Grill in Cannon Beach, we most definitely were not deprived of incredible food along the way!
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