A weekend adventure...
Wow, what a weekend... well, since Thursday actually.
We picked up Celia in Portland on Thursday, had lunch at Pambiche (Cuban restaurant in Portland) and then drove over to Astoria for the night. On Friday we explored Astoria (and Goonies film locations), visited Cannon Beach, toured the Tillamook Cheese Factory and drove home. Saturday we visited Crater Lake and Sunday we went to Skinner's Butte, and Hop Valley. What a busy weekend we had!
Astoria is beautiful, and filled with so much to do, I had no idea. I want to go back and spend a weekend there to really be able to do everything that there is do to. I also want to drive down the coast with more time, maybe overnight somewhere about halfway down. It's such a beautiful place, and there's so much to see and do, I want to give it the attention it deserves. Maybe in the summer when the sky is blue and clear.
Here's a rundown (with just a few pics) of the past few days. I had a great time and I can't wait to see my sister again (or the rest of my family).
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Astoria, Oregon
We picked up Celia in Portland, and headed for lunch. There's just one Cuban restaurant that we're aware of in all of Oregon, so we have to take advantage and eat there when we can, since we're not in Portland often. After lunch (which was AWESOME by the way), we headed out for Astoria. Strangely enough, most of the trip we were driving through Washington state. The drive wasn't bad, but it was long, and soon enough we arrived in Astoria. Our hotel was just about UNDER a huge bridge that connects Astoria to Washington. Good thing though, we didn't have to drive on it. Jessy was pleased.
After checking in we visited the welcome/visitor center and got some information for the next day. I'd never visited a welcome/visitor center before, and I can tell you that I will definitely be doing it again. The ladies who worked there were a wealth of knowledge and had lots of material to help us out, along with maps and information.
After the visitor center we drove around for a little bit, and went to a pier on the river where we took some pics, and almost busted our butts. We were all tired, so we had dinner and called it a night.
Friday, March 1, 2013
Astoria, Oregon
Friday morning we woke up, had some breakfast, checked out of the hotel and went for coffee. Celia was introduced to Dutch Brothers and is now a part of the Dutch Mafia. Gotta love that stuff.
Then we visited the Astoria Column, and while I wanted to climb the stairs (165 I believe) to the top, I was talked out of it... my knees aren't exactly up to such a crazy climb with so much left to do in the day. I conceded and stayed on the ground while Celia went up alone.
We picked up Celia in Portland on Thursday, had lunch at Pambiche (Cuban restaurant in Portland) and then drove over to Astoria for the night. On Friday we explored Astoria (and Goonies film locations), visited Cannon Beach, toured the Tillamook Cheese Factory and drove home. Saturday we visited Crater Lake and Sunday we went to Skinner's Butte, and Hop Valley. What a busy weekend we had!
Astoria is beautiful, and filled with so much to do, I had no idea. I want to go back and spend a weekend there to really be able to do everything that there is do to. I also want to drive down the coast with more time, maybe overnight somewhere about halfway down. It's such a beautiful place, and there's so much to see and do, I want to give it the attention it deserves. Maybe in the summer when the sky is blue and clear.
Here's a rundown (with just a few pics) of the past few days. I had a great time and I can't wait to see my sister again (or the rest of my family).
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Astoria, Oregon
We picked up Celia in Portland, and headed for lunch. There's just one Cuban restaurant that we're aware of in all of Oregon, so we have to take advantage and eat there when we can, since we're not in Portland often. After lunch (which was AWESOME by the way), we headed out for Astoria. Strangely enough, most of the trip we were driving through Washington state. The drive wasn't bad, but it was long, and soon enough we arrived in Astoria. Our hotel was just about UNDER a huge bridge that connects Astoria to Washington. Good thing though, we didn't have to drive on it. Jessy was pleased.
After checking in we visited the welcome/visitor center and got some information for the next day. I'd never visited a welcome/visitor center before, and I can tell you that I will definitely be doing it again. The ladies who worked there were a wealth of knowledge and had lots of material to help us out, along with maps and information.
After the visitor center we drove around for a little bit, and went to a pier on the river where we took some pics, and almost busted our butts. We were all tired, so we had dinner and called it a night.
Jessy and I, at a pier on the river.
Celia and I, at a pier on the river.
Astoria, Oregon
Friday morning we woke up, had some breakfast, checked out of the hotel and went for coffee. Celia was introduced to Dutch Brothers and is now a part of the Dutch Mafia. Gotta love that stuff.
Then we visited the Astoria Column, and while I wanted to climb the stairs (165 I believe) to the top, I was talked out of it... my knees aren't exactly up to such a crazy climb with so much left to do in the day. I conceded and stayed on the ground while Celia went up alone.
The Astoria Column
Celia at the top of the column
After visiting the Column we started our tour of Goonies (and other movies) locations. First stop, The Goondocks.
THE GOONIES!!!!!
The Goondocks
On the way we also saw the school from Kindergarten Cop and the house from Free Willy. After that, we had some time to kill before the Country Jail (Oregon Film Museum) opened, so we visited the Columbia River Maritime Museum. There was a lot of interesting exhibits, and I think that Dad would love it. Maybe I can take him some day.
In front of the Columbia River Maritime Museum... Look closely, that's Celia in there...
Steering the ship
Steering the ship
Steering the ship
Finally, the County Jail was open...
The County Jail
We all had our mugshots taken (Celia tried her best not to laugh).
Celia's mugshot
Jessy's mugshot
My mugshot
Finally we were done with what we were going to do in Astoria, and we headed out to drive down the coast. We stopped in Seaside for lunch (very cute town, want to visit again) and then stopped at Cannon Beach for some pics of the coast and Haystack Rock.
Celia at Cannon Beach, I LOVE this pic.
Jessy and I at Cannon Beach
Haystack Rock, at Cannon Beach
After Cannon Beach we had one more stop before coming home. We stopped in Tillamook for a self guided tour of the Tillamook Cheese Factory, some samples, and some ice cream.
Tillamook Cheese Factory
After a LONG day, we finally arrived home. We had some dinner, and went to bed. After all, we had another busy day coming up.
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Crater Lake, Oregon
Saturday we woke up and went out for Cal's Donuts and Dutch Brothers for breakfast. We stopped by Weight Watchers so that I could weigh in before heading out to Crater Lake. I was stoked to found that I'd lost an additional 3.4 lbs, bringing my total to 14 lbs down so far.
As we started driving into the mountains we were following the Umpqua River - it was beautiful. Eventually there started to be snow on the ground, first a little, then much more. In some places the snow on the sides of the road was higher then the Jeep.
The snow kept getting higher and higher the closer to got to Crater Lake.
Eventually we got there... took about 4 hours (about 1.5 more than I thought it would) and we were greeted with more snow than I ever remember seeing in one place before - and an interesting sign.
Yes, there was a snow tunnel to get into the Visitor's Center, and yes, that's a ton of snow burying a building.
After a quick visit in the Visitor's Center we headed up to Rim Village. While the Visitor Center there was closed, the book store (gift shop) and Cafe were open. We had a warm lunch and did some shopping, before heading out to climb the snow bank. It was higher than our heads. We took pics, had some fun, and decided that we needed to visit again, both in the winter (to go on a snowshoe hike, and to ski) and in the summer (to be able to drive around the rim). Crater Lake was beautiful and I can't wait to go back.
Celia at Crater Lake
Jessy at Crater Lake
Jessy and I at Crater Lake
Jessy took an amazing panorama pic of the lake.
Panorama of Crater Lake
We had some last minute pics to take before heading home.
Me, goofing off in the snow.
Jessy, holding up a wall of snow.
Celia, trapped in the snow.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Skinner's Butte
Sunday morning I made Biscuits & Gravy for breakfast and we hung out a home for the morning. We took Celia to Skinner's Butte, then to lunch at Hop Valley. It was a quite day, but still lots of fun. It was great NOT spending half the day in the car.
A view from Skinner's Butte
Celia, climbing in her heeled boots... lol
Monday we took Celia back to Portland to catch her flight back to Miami. She's just arrived there a few minutes ago, she texted me to let me know she arrived safe. The apartment feels quiet without her here. I miss her, and the rest of my family dearly, but I am so grateful that she was able to come spend a few days with me. I had a great time and can't wait for the next time I can see her.
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