It started with a good beer.
Isn't that how all good stories begin?
But really, it did. The Dr. (and now myself) has a taste for craft beers. Those from microbreweries and little local joints. Being the great wife that I am, I will periodically take the time to pick up a different 6-pack at the grocery store. One particular time I picked up some from Full-Sail brewery. We hadn't tried it yet and figured "why not?".
(Pre BabyT2) When we sat down to enjoy the brew, The Dr. really liked it! I remember reading the label and asking him if he knew where Hood River, Oregon was. We googled it and found it was actually a small town on the Columbia River about an hour west of Portland. Somehow our HEB found that small microbrewery there and our adventure began.
The Dr. tucked away that information until our anniversary trip. I had forgotten about it altogether.
With Little Man settled in with my parents we were ready to go!
At the crack of dawn, no, before that {3am} we made the trip to the airport to began our trek. I only knew we were flying to Phoenix. Once in Phoenix The Dr. made me wait until we were practically boarding the plane to found out our destination - Portland, OR!
Another 3 hour flight and our day began in Portland. Fall was still very much present in the bustling city. Beautiful foliage and cool weather greeted us. The city is known for brunch so The Dr. had already scouted out a location to stuff our faces. And boy did we. Pretty sure we could have gone the entire day on that one meal. It was delicious! Given my state of 32 weeks preggo, our adventures were more limited but we still enjoyed exploring. We ventured around downtown, made a stop at Powell's Bookstore and some other recommended sites then decided the hotel and a nap sounded wonderful!
The next morning we started bright eyed and bushy tailed (Central Time in Pacific Coast Time will do that to ya) and after a filling breakfast (not like that brunch!!) we headed east. The short trip to Hood River was filled with stunning scenic stops and our morning was quickly filled up. The Columbia River gorge makes for amazing sites. Not only was it beautiful just seeing the season of fall but so were the waterfalls that fell from the mountainsides as the springs made their way to the riverbed.
Hood River is quaint. Tucked between the Columbia River and mountains. We parked and walked the blocks, shopped, ate, and The Dr. found even more local brews (there is a thriving microbrewery culture there).
A neat fact of Hood River is the climate is not wet and lush like that of Portland. It's actually much drier. Almost like Fredericksburg, Tx. And like that hill country town, Hood River does very well growing fruit particularly grapes and grapes make wine! Along with the microbreweries were wineries and tasting rooms. Let's say Hood River had adult beverages covered!
We finished out our adventures by driving up to Mount Hood and visiting a popular ski resort - Timberline Lodge. The mountain peak still had snow but the lodge had not opened for the ski season yet. Just a few weeks after we left, they received their first significant snowfall! The lodge has one of the longest ski season in the US - November to almost August of the following year.
It was a fantastic trip and, as usual, The Dr. did an amazing job planning it. I love when October 24th rolls around every year because I know that means just The Dr. and I. Not only do we reflect on the year of marriage we've been through but mostly we soak up just "us" time. It's refreshing.
-The Wifey
Isn't that how all good stories begin?
But really, it did. The Dr. (and now myself) has a taste for craft beers. Those from microbreweries and little local joints. Being the great wife that I am, I will periodically take the time to pick up a different 6-pack at the grocery store. One particular time I picked up some from Full-Sail brewery. We hadn't tried it yet and figured "why not?".
(Pre BabyT2) When we sat down to enjoy the brew, The Dr. really liked it! I remember reading the label and asking him if he knew where Hood River, Oregon was. We googled it and found it was actually a small town on the Columbia River about an hour west of Portland. Somehow our HEB found that small microbrewery there and our adventure began.
The Dr. tucked away that information until our anniversary trip. I had forgotten about it altogether.
With Little Man settled in with my parents we were ready to go!
At the crack of dawn, no, before that {3am} we made the trip to the airport to began our trek. I only knew we were flying to Phoenix. Once in Phoenix The Dr. made me wait until we were practically boarding the plane to found out our destination - Portland, OR!
Another 3 hour flight and our day began in Portland. Fall was still very much present in the bustling city. Beautiful foliage and cool weather greeted us. The city is known for brunch so The Dr. had already scouted out a location to stuff our faces. And boy did we. Pretty sure we could have gone the entire day on that one meal. It was delicious! Given my state of 32 weeks preggo, our adventures were more limited but we still enjoyed exploring. We ventured around downtown, made a stop at Powell's Bookstore and some other recommended sites then decided the hotel and a nap sounded wonderful!
The next morning we started bright eyed and bushy tailed (Central Time in Pacific Coast Time will do that to ya) and after a filling breakfast (not like that brunch!!) we headed east. The short trip to Hood River was filled with stunning scenic stops and our morning was quickly filled up. The Columbia River gorge makes for amazing sites. Not only was it beautiful just seeing the season of fall but so were the waterfalls that fell from the mountainsides as the springs made their way to the riverbed.
Columbia River Gorge. Looking out towards Washington state.
Crown Point.
It was pretty cold!
Multnomah Falls. Many of the falls were named from the Native American tribes in the area.
Bonneville Dam and Hatchery. Got to see salmon swimming up stream!
Hood River is quaint. Tucked between the Columbia River and mountains. We parked and walked the blocks, shopped, ate, and The Dr. found even more local brews (there is a thriving microbrewery culture there).
Hood River
Because of the wind coming down the river in the gorge, Hood River has a popular hobby of wind surfing. They use beaches like this for spectators to watch competitions.
Did you know? The Hood River has a tide because of its close proximity to the Pacific.
Visiting Washington just over the toll bridge....
A neat fact of Hood River is the climate is not wet and lush like that of Portland. It's actually much drier. Almost like Fredericksburg, Tx. And like that hill country town, Hood River does very well growing fruit particularly grapes and grapes make wine! Along with the microbreweries were wineries and tasting rooms. Let's say Hood River had adult beverages covered!
Trillium Lake - perfect reflection of Mt Hood.
Timberline Lodge
We finished out our adventures by driving up to Mount Hood and visiting a popular ski resort - Timberline Lodge. The mountain peak still had snow but the lodge had not opened for the ski season yet. Just a few weeks after we left, they received their first significant snowfall! The lodge has one of the longest ski season in the US - November to almost August of the following year.
Bye bye Oregon.
My excitement about flying.
It was a fantastic trip and, as usual, The Dr. did an amazing job planning it. I love when October 24th rolls around every year because I know that means just The Dr. and I. Not only do we reflect on the year of marriage we've been through but mostly we soak up just "us" time. It's refreshing.
-The Wifey
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