MY VISIT

From Boise I drove to the third state in my northwest trip – Oregon, specifically to Mount Hood, which is a huge (active) volcano located in Oregon’s Cascade Range. I also stayed in the Timberline Lodge, which can be found right at the base of the volcano. Since it took me a few hours to just get there, I didn’t get much time to hike, so I only spent about an hour. But, the view was absolutely beautiful. There were also a lot of chipmunks everywhere, which was pretty amusing. At the lodge, I ate dinner at Blue Ox Bar, and while the food was basic the ambiance was above average. Afterwards I walked up the stairs to my room, which was really cozy, with wood walls and an old-fashioned feeling. 

The next day, I left the lodge to visit the Liberty Bell and Capitol Building, which are both in Salem. On the way to the capital, I stopped to get brunch at the Screen Door. I got the lemon blueberry pancakes and they were probably one of the best pancakes I’ve ever had. I highly recommend. Once I arrived in Salem, I checked into the hotel and then walked over to the Liberty Bell. It was in a park next to the capitol building, and had a plaque and crack but no ringer. I then walked over to the building, which looked very different from the other ones. It was under construction, so I couldn’t go inside, but on the outside there was no dome, but a domed rotunda instead. There was also a gold statue of a man, who is an Oregon pioneer. I decided to explore the city a little more, and went to Riverfront City Park. Once I was there, I stepped out onto a platform sitting on the Willamette River and noticed another family that just caught a fish. They called me over and told us that the fish that they pulled out of the water was called a Northern Pikeminnow, and was actually an invasive species that ate salmon eggs. They threw the dead fish back into the river and a bald eagle swooped down to pick it up! It was a really amazing experience, and I’m really thankful that they wanted to share that with me. Back at the hotel, I ate at the restaurant there and ordered the mushroom risotto, which was pretty good. After dinner I went back up into my room and slept. 

On my final day in Oregon, I did a lot. I started out the day by eating breakfast, then driving to Sunset Beach. While walking, I found both a dead sunfish and seal. It was interesting, sad, and a little gross. Afterwards, I visited Fort Stevens State Park, which is where the Peter Iredale shipwreck is located. There wasn’t much of the ship, but what did exist of it was cool! I also touched the Pacific Ocean, but it was very cold. Then I drove to the Lewis and Clark National Historic Park, and walked around the area, visiting both Fort Clatsop and Netul Landing. Later I went to another beach. Haystack Rock! It was pretty cool, since it was where The Goonies was filmed. Finally I drove to the hotel, where I checked in and quickly left right after to eat dinner. I walked over to Pier 39 and ate at Rouge. I got a burger, and it tasted average, but still exceeded my expectations. I left and went back to the hotel to sleep. 

In the morning I woke up and ate breakfast, ready to leave for my fourth and final state of the trip – Washington.