Oregon.
When first planning my road trip to Oregon, I knew I would find lush forests and see the west coast for the first time, but I had no idea I would find so much more.
Pacific City is a beautiful stop along the coast. It offered a gorgeous sunset and virtually no crowds. Chief Kiawanda Rock stands in the waves in the distance.
Drift Creek Falls. Not far from Lincoln City. An easy hike with a chance to walk across a beautiful 240-foot suspension bridge.
500 ft above the sea. Where the history of Oregon began.
Yaquina Head Lighthouse. This was an unplanned stop on my way down the coast, but it was a lucky one. There were tide pools full of sea life that you could explore as the sun set. Seals played in the water and hundreds of seabirds dotted the sky in silhouette.
Bandon beach was a dream. The night I arrived it was foggy after a rain storm had just passed through, but it created an other-worldly atmosphere that was wonderful to walk through. I ran into town and grabbed a pizza and watched sunset from my hotel balcony. Early the next morning I was met with a beautiful pallet of pinks and blues in the sky and the beach entirely to myself until I was ready to leave.
Travel lesson. Don’t be in such a rush to get to the next place and listen to your gut. I had a packed day when I woke at Bandon beach. I knew I had wanted to see sunrise there, but I was hoping to get in two more stops before the days end. If you’ve never been to Bandon beach, it’s completely surrounded by cliff walls. You must climb stairs out of the beach. Well, I had my fill of the beach that morning and turned for the stairs. When I reached the bottom and looked up I saw a couple about half way up making there way down. I decided to wait at the bottom to allow them down before I began my way up. THE STRANGEST THING happened in that moment. My mind started shouting a familiar name and I can remember thinking to myself it was so odd to have such a strong thought right then and why that name? I quickly dismissed it and watched the waves coming in across the beach as a few more moments passed before the couple reached the bottom steps. I glanced up and we exchanged smiles with good mornings as we passed and I was off to my next stop. I happily made it to each stop I had planned that day and was in bed early that night as I was about to pick up a travel bud at the airport the next day. As I lay there scrolling the instagram feed of places I had visited earlier that day I SAW THE NAME. It was Joel Grimes. He had JUST posted a photo of Bandon beach. The air left my lungs. Had I really been so focused on getting to my next destination and so unwilling to genuinely engage with another person that I walked right past my idol even as my mind shouted at me to pay attention? (seriously, he’s like the Michael Jordan of the photog world in my eyes). Yes, I had. I missed a HUGE opportunity and I sent about 50 crying gifs to my friends when I explained to them what happened that morning. Funny enough, one of them is far more outgoing than I am and totally has my back so he had reached out to Mr. Joel Grimes in an email without me knowing and explained what had happened that day and how bummed I was. The next morning, to my surprise, I had my very own phone call from JOEL GRIMES. While I really didn’t want to meet my idol as “the weird one who was upset she didn’t notice it was actually him on the beach” I am glad that he reached out and we were able to briefly connect - he is my idol after all so any connection is great. I now have his number stored “Joel FREAKIN Grimes” in my phone even though it will just collect dust, but it’s there and it makes me happy.
Crater Lake. I heard it was blue, but boy was it blue! Such a stunning lake. Unfortunately when I arrived the road around Crater Lake had still not been completely opened (I had hoped to make the circle by bike, but I caught it just a little too early in the season). I was still able to enjoy an afternoon hiking the rim, admiring the blue water below.
Smith Rock was probably the biggest surprise on my Oregon trip. I was not expecting to see landscape like this in the Northwest. The park was wonderfully maintained and easy to wander around with breathtaking scenery in every direction. I arrived at sunrise to a quiet park, but it became busy quickly.
The Painted Hills. Another great surprise from Oregon. An easy drive over from Smith Rock and worth the stop. A few options for hiking here. You can park your car for some quick photo ops or go up into the hills for some better views. There’s a variety or unique colored landscape here.
into the forest.
pacific northwest
Bagby Hot Springs. This place was magical. The hike out was awesome and there were many options for soaking. It takes a little effort to fill the bath of your choice, but it’s well worth it in the end.
Multanomah Falls. The last official stop on my trip and it’s popular for a reason. You couldn’t ask for easier access to such a stunning and remarkably untouched view. Just hop off the interstate ramp dedicated to this beauty. There’s lots of parking and you can see the falls immediately as you approach from your vehicle.
