Portland is weird, but friendly!

The journey ends where it began  - Portland.  Our last day would include a drive by of Hayward Field in Eugene, a snack at Voo Doo Doughnuts, a trek through Powell's bookstore and dinner at the food trucks.  My favorite part of going to Portland was visiting with former Berry students.  Michael and Kelly Smith moved to Portland in 2013.  Rachel Floyd Davis is originally from the Portland area and returned home after graduating from Berry.  The surprise was the new Berry grad turned Portland resident, Thomas Clark.  He had just arrived in Oregon a few weeks prior to our visit.  I had the pleasure (most of the time!) of teaching three of the four in piano class.  They were all music majors during their stint at Berry, trumpet, cello and vocal students.

The iconic track and field stadium

On our last night in Portland the Berry Oregonians met us at Voo Doo Doughnuts for the true tourist experience.  There are plenty of  weird people in Portland, and you can find many of them working at Voo Doo.  They may be different, and a little strange but they are nice folks and the doughnuts are AMAZING!!!

9 Berry grads and 1 current Viking

Rachel and Violet

So many choices: Tex Ass Challenge,  Bacon Maple Bar, Voo Doo Doll!

There is always line at Voo Doo

Berry music grads all living in Portland
Rachel, Michael and Thomas

Violet and Caroline

Caroline entertaining at the food trucks

Mount Hood

We always enjoy our trips to the Left Coast, and Portland never disappoints.  
Until next time!

Traveling to National Parks since 2002

Crossing into Cali then Oregon Coast

I am writing this 7 months removed from our trip to Oregon, but I wanted to finish chronicling our journey to Oregon.

Only you can prevent forest fires!

Our stay at Oregon Caves was too brief, but our itinerary was pushing us to the coast.  In our past trips to the West Coast we have loved exploring the beaches and tidal pools of the Pacific.  I grew up in Florida going to the Atlantic beaches.  Back in the day we drove on the wide beaches, jumped the waves and had picnics out of the trunk of car.  The coast of California, Oregon and Washington offer so much more than my childhood beach trips.  Of course, swimming is not recommended in the Pacific unless you are wearing a wet suit.

Aaron was not with us on our 2010 trip to California, so we made a detour into the Redwoods and across the state line.  We found ourselves in Jedediah Smith State Park. This is  where they filmed the Endor scenes (Ewok's) in Return of the Jedi.  I am always overwhelmed that the God who made the majestic Redwoods also made me! The beauty of these tall trees never ceases to amaze me.  

Tree down in the forest - enormous!

Did I mention they are enormous!

Oregon Beach include sea stacks

Sea Stacks invite climbing adventures

Treasures!

Face Rock  - do you see it?

Leaving California we traveled north on US 101 into Oregon.  Our next destination was Bandon Oregon. We rented a house just across the street from Face Rock.  The date is July 14  and our typical attire included jeans, sweatshirts and windbreakers.  The sun was a rarity, the wind and sand were usually blowing and we loved it.  We explored the beach, the town of Bandon,  climbed a lighthouse and went to the Oregon National Recreation Area.  

Brandon flying his kite on a windy day

At the Oregon Dunes there are 40 miles of sculptured sand.  Randy, Aaron, Alyssa, Stephen and Brandon rented Dune Buggy's and enjoyed riding the dunes.  It's easy to get lost among the dunes, but everyone made it back safely.  Beth, Carrie, Kate and I watched, waited and had ice cream!

Stephen is ready to ride!