In 2026, we decided to visit the Pacific Northwest. Neither of us had been to Oregon and decided an outdoors type of vacation was needed.
We spent 10 days exploring various areas of the state. 3 days in the south central part with a stop at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Gordon House, a day trip to Crater Lake National Park, and putting our feet up at the VRBO. Then a day’s drive west and north along the coast to Seaside experiencing the smaller towns. On the return drive to Portland, we slowly made our way to Garibaldi to ride the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad, and tasting the flavors of Blue Heron French Cheese Company & Tillamook Creamery. Once in Portland, we took a day trip to see the many area waterfalls & Mt Hood, we walked for miles around downtown, bought several books at Powell’s City of Books, enjoyed a peaceful stroll in the Japanese Gardens, breathed in the fragrances of the International Rose Test Garden, & walked through the Pittock mansion.
We enjoyed the different pace of this trip and the various locations we visited.
To read and see more, check out the updated Jaunts portion of our website.
Sharp reflections of the caldera rim at Crater Lake National Park
The sun shines down on the Japanese Gardens