This past weekend Jenna and I were visited by our good friend Amber from Duluth, MN. Before she even left for Portland we all agreed that we wanted to make the most out of her short time here. That being said, as soon as the plane touched down we were ready to begin exploring! Amber wanted to share her experiences of Living Reckless! Here is what she had to say...
DAY 1 - Columbia Gorge Exploration
Leaving the dry, chill, spring of Minnesota and stepping into lush green Portland was quite an experience. Having no idea what was planned for me, I was content with just driving around looking at the beautiful Oregon landscape... Everything was incredible. Our first stop was the Crown Vista viewpoint overlooking the Columbia Gorge.
Stepping out to overlook the Gorge's entirety left me so excited to begin the journey. I think of myself of a "get off the beaten path" kind of person, so I took it as a compliment when a passerby actually referred to Jenna and I as mountain goats as we scurried up every rock and waterfall side, always having to get a closer look.
It would be easy to say that Multnomah was my favorite of the seven as it was easily the biggest waterfall I had ever seen. Not ready to head back home, we continued on to Full Sail brewery. Although the weather quickly turned into a violent rain/hail/lightening storm, it was beautiful and relaxing to enjoy a micro brew and gaze at the storm with the Columbia River and the rolling Washington hills in the background. Truly a great start to my vacation!
DAY 2 - Saddle Mountain Hiking:
Not quite having adjusted to the two hour time difference, I was up and ready to begin the next leg in the adventure by six am. Like a kid on Christmas morning I could hardly wait until Shane and Jenna woke up. The beautiful drive slowly climbing in elevation all the way to Saddle mountain was a great prelude to the hike. Hikers have earned my respect for sure. As someone who works out and runs 6 times a week, I was under the impression that I was in great shape until I did this hike.
The constant uphill/downhill was not something I was ready for but the views at the summit were worth it! For the most part skies were clear and seeing the mountains were amazing.
Exhausted after the hike, the Kia was a welcome site as it took us out of the woods and to the next stop: the ocean! Ecola National Park was a solid choice for my first view in years of the Pacific. The park placed us high enough to look over a huge part of the coast line. Wanting to get even closer to the ocean we went into Cannon Beach for a better look and also for what was quite possibly the best Clam Chowder I've ever had.
We completed the day by walking up the beach to view a gorgeous Pacific Northwest sunset; because you've never truly witnessed a sunset until you see it disappear into the water.
DAY 3 - Mount Hood Views:
Brunching seems to be one of those trendy activities that Portlanders do, which seemed like another activity I could jump on board with. The Cricket Cafe was a great introduction to the "brunch" lifestyle, with a to-die-for mimosa and pancakes to complement. Wash that down with a cup of coffee and I felt more than ready to begin another day of adventure!
The chosen hike of the day was the Tom, Dick, and Harry Mountain with promised views of Mount Hood. This hike wasn't nearly as exhausting as the previous day but reaching the summit was just as breath taking. Having a round of beers with my fellow adventurers on the summit was amazing! It was one of those moments that allowed me to reflect on how amazing life truly is and how lucky I was to be there in that moment. I will never forget that view; just the three of us and the mountain, truthfully serene!
The long drive back into town exhausted me to the point where I almost wanted to turn in for the night. A stop at the food trucks quickly gave me the second wind I needed. I don't understand the science behind how amazing food comes out of a dirty looking motorized vehicle, but it's not something I need to question. A quick shower and a Starbucks later, Shane and I were on the city bus headed to Downtown Portland for drinks. The drinking of course lead to more food trucks and eventually Jenna picking us up on a street corner to take us home for rest up for the final day.
DAY 4 - Reckless Cooking
The final day of my great Portland adventure began with (spoiler alert) another brunch. This brunch consisted of another Mimosa, a Bloody and a lobster Benedict which foreshadowed the rest of the day. Heading back into the city for some urban adventures we spent a few hours wandering around the Portland Saturday Market, jam packed with food vendors, artists, and performers all eagerly showcasing their crafts. After checking out a few river views and breweries, we made our way to the Portland City Grill for happy hour on the 30th floor. I love nature and the outdoors but there is something about the city skyline along the river with the mountains in the distance that also completely captivates me.
Still feeling like taking some risks, we purchased a live lobster and with no idea what the hell we were doing, we boiled it up and paired it with cheese fondue to make one hell of a meal.
Finishing up this trip makes me excited to come back because there are so many places I still want to hike to and to visit! Cheers till the next time Portland, but i realize now more than ever that no matter where I am; Adventure Awaits!
