Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Wanderlust


Summer is here. Turns out my kid is a bit older now and likes to travel and camp. This certainly opens up the doors for some exploring. And, being a fairly new resident to Oregon, the whole state is one kick-ass and vast area to explore.

One writer I’ve been enjoying is Ralph Friedman. His works include Tracking Down Oregon and Oregon for the Curious. His books – written during the 1970s – delve into small town history and lore. My hunch is that these landmarks are now surely long lost and gone. Regardless, pick these two books up - they're at most local used bookstores.

A more updated entry on the scene is a fantastic site that I recently linked to – The Real Oregon. It’s inspiring to read; get ideas on places to visit; and learn some history of the state.

Anyhow, after our long weekend trip to the Umpqua Lighthouse and the dunes a couple weekends ago, we are itching to do some more daytrips and exploring. We’re heading for the coast for the weekend in July, but I’m also looking for some low-stress, daytrips I want to hit up this summer.

The catch is to be back home before dinner, stay sort of in the Portland Metro/Willamette Valley area and not bore my toddler to tears:
  • Aurora. I’m intrigued by its history

  • Estacada. Yeah. I know. But, I’ve heard good things about a brewpub there. Brewpubs are totally kid-friendly, right? Right?

  • Portland parks. Got a taste of how vast and wonderful Forest Park is a couple weeks back. Hiking is definitely on the hot list.

  • Canby Ferry. My kid would love it.

  • The Oregon Garden in Silverton.

  • Mount Angel. Octoberfest might be an overload but want to check it out before then.

  • Berry picking.

Any other ideas?

[By the way, the above image is Lakewood Village in Lincoln City. It's long gone.]

Monday, June 18, 2007

Modern in Reedsport

Spent the weekend relaxing, drinking cold beer and eating BBQ in a yurt near Winchester Bay. It's summer and it's time to explore this great state of ours. And the stop at Tomasellis in Elkton on the way back to Portland was almost worth the entire drive, both ways. It's on our list of places to visit every year.

Anyhow, went into Reedsport to buy some food at the local Safeway and took the following photos of it and the surrounding stores. From the size of the Safeway [small aisles and cramped shelves] this hasn't been remodeled since it was built - I'd say early 60s? Anyone?