I have family and good friends who live in Portland, Ore. I was going out there about once a year for the past few years and it generally worked out that I would be there in early December. Weather is a big deal in the Pacific Northwest. They get a lot of rain, and it rains a lot outside of the summer. Thus, while I enjoyed visiting the people I knew there, I do hate rain! So, the past year or two I’ve made it a point to go in the summer and the change the sunshine brings is easily recognizable. Therefore, today’s lesson is: go to Portland in the summer!
The Columbia River Gorge is less than an hour east of Portland and is simply stunning. I remember hiking up mountains and to hidden waterfalls when I was a kid. The scenery is picturesque, especially on a clear summer’s day.
The Oregon coast is also equally amazing. About two hours west of the city, the rugged coastline and large rocks of the coast make for a stunning backdrop.
I went on a day trip to the gorge and a two-day trip to the beaches around Lincoln City. A few choice pictures are below, with more at my Flickr page and the entire set on Shutteryfly.
