Western Oregon

Before heading out to Oregon for summer vacation, I made a list of the things I wanted to be sure to do:

1. Spend time with family and catch up with old friends
2. Eat at Burgerville
3. Fly a kite, eat pizza, and buy fudge at Cannon Beach
4. Hike the Gorge's Eagle Creek trail up to Tunnel Falls
5. Drink a huckleberry milkshake at Government Camp
6. Visit Grandma and Grandpa in their new home
7. Walk/Run/Bike/Kayak/Hike in the sunshine around Bend

These are some of my favorite things to do in Oregon, and I'm happy to say we've hit them all during our visit!

The first four things on the list occurred in Western Oregon (Portland, the coast, the Gorge, and Mt. Hood). Here are some photos taken along the way...

Old friend, New baby

Parents, waiting for pizza!

Haystack Rock

Lest you think this photo was spontaneous and easy (well, it was spontaneous, but it took a few tries), here is the sequence of photos that led to this one great shot.

First attempt:

Crooked horizon, bad timing

Second attempt:

We hit it this time, then I almost face-planted in the ocean. Thankfully my brother did not assume I was trying to tackle
him, and he actually saved me from a cold, wet fate.

Brother and I waiting in line at the fudge shop... we find ways to amuse ourselves.

Eagle Creek Trail, Punchbowl Falls

I'm fairly confident I don't have to explain to you why I wanted to do this hike! The pictures speak for themselves, and while we didn't actually make it all the way to Tunnel Falls (6 miles in), it was a beautiful day to walk in the woods!

I did not get a photo of the huckleberry milkshake, so instead I'll share this
photo of the most delicious strawberry milkshake in the world. 

That covers a lot of the Western Oregon portion of our trip.  Later, Central Oregon!