US Pacific North West - State Of Oregon

The refrigerator door in my kitchen is nearly full with the souvenir magnets from the places we stepped on thus far. North America continent sure is the most successful and powerful in that treasure.

As the 2023 summer trip culminated, we had amassed life experiences and its engagement with the natural ecosystem. Every trip we make as a family, we tend to get closer to understanding what matters for us as an individual. Importantly, it makes us respectful of each others’s choices. On the other hand, it may take us one conversation over tea to decide the destination but it takes months preparing for it. If you were single, a backpack is all that you need. However, for families, it’s not as simple as we think. Right from making reservations for the lodging, day to day activities, to the entire itinerary, attention to detail is a pre-requisite for traveling with family. Nonetheless, you need to be upbeat with the latest location updates, event statuses, weather forecast, food and much much more. Are you thinking twice? Maybe yah...I think it's on top of the "To-Do" list for us everytime.

Our destination this summer was Portland, OR and Washington, WA. Having stayed in California, we have been kith to the Pacific northwest coast (PNW). This time we swiped it all in 10 days.

When journey begins on a beautiful note it surely ends well with a melodious hym. The view of the snowy mountains was welcoming us and the Portland Airport was such a welcoming runway indeed. Take a look the pre-land view from our flight below

View from the Airfield

Portland Airport

The Pacific Northwest (PNW), sometimes referred to as Cascadia, is a geographic region in western North America bounded by its coastal waters of the Pacific Ocean to the west and, loosely, by the Rocky Mountains to the east. Though no official boundary exists, the most common conception includes the U.S. states of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, and the Canadian province of British Columbia. Some broader conceptions reach north into Alaska and Yukon, south into northern California, and east into western Montana. The variety of definitions can be attributed to partially overlapping commonalities of the region's history, culture, geography, society, ecosystems, and other factors.

Portland, Oregon

We flew from Dallas to Portland, OR early morning. Being early risers definitely has the benefit of having most of the day to yourselves during the travel period. More to collect and undoubtedly more places to boot. Had made reservations for the rental car which helped us staying out of the hassle of long wait time in queue during summer in US. Geared to hit the road driving for out first destination in Portland and that being by the Highway 30. Yes you are right to guess, its the Crown Point - Vista House State Corridor.

1. Crown Point - Vista House State Corridor

Driving along the I-84 though the Columbia River Gorge we stopped by this famous building atop of the cliff near exist 22. It's about 693 feet above the Columbia River and is known as the Crown Point State Scenic Corridor. The building is Vista House. What surprised us was the cliff to appear in similarity of a huge sand dune, seemed to be an easy win if Suhana was fighting a tiger Rock challenge and if she had to knock that one down in one go!... The viewpoint along Highway 30 was the site of the 1916 dedication of the Columbia River Highway, the innovative European -style road that traced a winding path through the perilous Columbia River Gorge, linking the Portland to the Dalles( OR city). The Vista House was opened in 1918 as the glamorous rest stop and observatory for those travelling the new highway. This comfort station was a rest like stop like no other. Featuring the marble floors stained glass windows - and of course, a stunning view. In the words of The Oregonian, it was the finishing achievement for the greatest highway in America. Lovely scenic view, definitely a stop for moment grab.

2. Multnomah Falls

Multnomah Falls is in the region of the Mount Hood/ Columbia Gorge. A waterfall as magnificent and memorable as anything else in this beautiful Oregon coast. Falls are located just a 30- minute drive outside of Portland. Multnomah Falls, a 611-foot-tall roaring, awe-inspiring cascade of icy water, lets you experience the power and beauty of nature up close and with ease. From the parking area off of I-84, a 5-minute walk is all that separates you from the exhilarating spray at the base of the falls. The blissful trickle of icy water drops on your face does give you a sense of being attached to the story behind it. According to Native American lore, Multnomah Falls was created to win the heart of a young princess who wanted a hidden place to bathe. Interestingly that's how the princess have lived ever in the real to reel world for us. Now it's only the bathtub to fantasize the spray.....lol.

Our classic pose had to be taken above inspite of our hair turning grey. Who sees us, it's the backdrop that we add value to isn't it?... Nah...its reverse. We humans are too cocky to realize the enormity of the universe.

Traveling with Nishant is super fun and anxiety free because you won't get an opportunity to think whether you covered the best spots at a location or not. That's how he is! An enthusiast! Although you can see the top portion of the falls from the highway, to view both tiers you have to walk to the viewing area located in a carved-out opening in the rock face. Tilting your head up in the narrow rocky confines of the steep cliffs, you get a mind-boggling perspective on the sheer magnitude of the falls. We did the paved trail to reach the Benson Bridge which spans the falls at the first tier's misty base. Standing on the bridge you have a perfect view of the top tier's full 542-foot height and a knee-wobbling vantage point over the second tier's 69-foot drop!

The bridge is named for Simon Benson, a prominent Portland businessman who owned the falls in the early part of the 1900s. Before his death, Benson gave Multnomah Falls to the City of Portland, which later transferred ownership to the USDA Forest Service

Today visiting these falls require Timed Use Permits daily from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. The rule started from May 26, 2023 - Sept. 4, 2023. Parking areas are mostly full and as we expected too, so would certainly advise for a timed permit that eases your mind and strengthens your step away from your car. There are daily bus services available Columbia Gorge Express, and Hop on Hop off Waterfall trolleys too, in case you want totally avoid the car park scenario.

3. Cannon Beach & Downtown

As a part of our planning for this trip, I was constantly prepping Nishant to not take any stoned human pose while clicking that button on his phone. What are you talking man, it was back in 18-19th century when people would give their mug shots with a scenic backdrop or stone themselves until Simon says truce...STOP! I made every possible comment on his old pictures on how he could bring his live moments to life. An engaged subject with the scene speaks a thousand words than anything else. You viewing this blog are going to be my judge if I succeeded in convincing him with that strategy.

Haystack Rock view with reflection.

We were all looking forward to the next day as it had cold beach planned on our schedule. Cold? Yes for those who haven't being to the pacific coast, the water temperature is way colder than the Atlantic due to stronger winds and cold currents stream down from the North Pacific drift. We had winter jackets on and not to sound like a grinch, wore athletic shoes as well. Frankly, I had no idea that I married a thalassophile. Who cares about the temperature, you can't come out dry when you are close to the ocean. Can you? Nishant and myself walked hand in hand at the Cannon beach. My feet were frozen and I was too zoned out to think of love at that point in time. However, their smiles drooled away a few on mine too and that's all I needed then.

Although the photoshoot begins with our classic pose, I do want to mention that here we were absorbed and awed at the wonders HE has created in this world. Simply breathe...

Familia before any backdrop...My motto!

Cannon Beach, crowned by Haystack Rock, an Oregon icon adds color to the coast line and is also marked as one of the 100 most beautiful places by National Geographical. Walking on the sand with cold waves dancing and touching your feet rejuvenates you and from your present, makes it one memorable time of your life. We have been to countless beaches by now out of which most of them have been that of the west coast in California. Never experienced this cold dark colored sand rekindle your soul this way before. Haystack Rock is protected as part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge, providing habitat and viewing of a wide range of seabirds, including the most accessible colony of Tufted Puffins in the Northwest. Its tide pools are home to many intertidal animals, including sea stars, anemones, crabs, chitons, limpets, and nudibranchs. Seeing the birds, my heart was humming " Do Panchi...Do tine..."

Sea stars, anemones, crabs, chitons, limpets, and nudibranchs. Never seen such a thing before.

Sea mussel rock! Isn't that something...

As mentioned many times before in my blogs, no place is a complete visit without experiencing the life style and hustle bustle of the downtown. That's where food comes in play, drinks trickle down the taste of the place. And a person like me who had craved for the clam chowder in a breaded bowl(since I boarded the flight ;) had to nurture my taste buds to its liking....lol

Here you go, our typical food clicks...

Umbrella series continues in every downtown.

The flowers all along the route to Cannon beach and downtown did make me realize that I was outside Texas for sure.

Lovely flowers all around

Dude is so gelled into clicking great poses....I am blessed! Voila!

One very important share is the spot of this crucial store that I have been chasing all this time...Food for thought for you :)

Coffee Anxiety stop for us.

4. Ecola State Park

Exiting the Cannon beach downtown area, we headed to a drive down of old-growth rainforest, a soulful beauty absorbed!

Here is the conceptualizer...

The glow of our lives is the foreground, here her gelling with background is seamless....

The Click we often enlarge for our walls.

The sun and moon of my family

On the 9th cloud....

They say that no visit to Cannon Beach would be complete ­without visiting Ecola State Park. Ecola Park Road runs through the old-growth rainforest before coming to one of the Oregon Coast’s most popular and famous views, overlooking numerous rock formations and the capes and headlands miles. Paved ­walking trails provide vantage points for panoramic views, including the historic Tillamook Rock Lighthouse. A short drive to the other side of the park leads to picturesque Indian Beach, a popular location for surfers. Ecola State Park is a hiking and sightseeing place with historical past. The park’s two main attractions are Ecola Point and Indian Beach.

The fox tail flower was sure a delight to my eyes all around in Oregon

I never miss this...he gets it on every trip

Wish I could stay here forever. I do have creativity to build a tiny home by the ocean side :)

The drama continues...

Tired but tied to one another...

Exiting Oregon drew us to the state where we felt we can never leave it for ever, its a ocean coast and possibly a magnet for our Thalassophile family. Throughout the visit to this gorgeous state of US, Nishant and myself were in constant tussle of thoughts, thoughts that dragged us to move here in the pacific north west. Typical? No not really. Maybe, but for us it was time to build on the footing where we had given a good number of years already to the Charming California. Here is the exiting view of Astoria Bridge to ace the list of vistas and Oregon Experience.

5. Astoria Bridge

Stay tuned....Coming up is the continuation of our Pacific North West trip covering Lavender State WA, Mt Rainier National Park, Olympic National Park and San Juan Islands...so don't go anywhere... Happy Reading!