America's Little Known Secret: Oregon

Today was a stupendous day in Oregon. =)

We woke up to rainy weather (Surprise), but I was sure it would clear up. It eventually did clear up. After breakfast we hit the town for the Hawthorne district. Hawthorne is situated Southeast of downtown Portland. Hawthorne is the hippy hipster neighborhood full of bookstores, cafes, recycled clothing stores, and Tibetan stores. After walking around Hawthorne we crossed into downtown and went West to visit the Pittock Mansion. Henry Pittock was the publisher of the Portland Oregonian newspaper. He dabbled in various businesses and became very successful and influential in building Portland. Both he and his wife were beloved by Oregon. The Henry Pittock Historical Society now takes care of the mansion. The home sits on top of a hill that looks out to the entire city. Extremely beautiful. The mansion is surrounded by Forest Park, the largest urban wilderness in the country. We took a walk through this forest. Being from Florida it is thrilling to be surrounded by such a dense forest of trees foreign to Florida's environment. After spending the morning in Portland we set out for Oregon's coast and hour and a half west. We drove to Ecola State Park an area rich with the steps of Lewis & Clark. Our adventure has such historical baring that in a way you almost feel as though you're discovering a new land, which in a way we are. =) Ecola Point is on top of a cliff that looks out to the magnificent coast and gigantic rock formations. After spending time taking in this incredible view we chose to take a trail marked for experienced hikers into the forested hilltop that if followed would take us to secluded Crescent Beach only accessible by hiking this trail. We could not have been more unprepared, clothing wise. We were both outfitted in jeans and non-hiking shoes. The trail was entirely muddy and at times such an obstacle course to get through. My shoes are completely destroyed. Hopefully no one will judge me by my dirty stained shoes. Aside from the obstacles, the hike was quite an adventure and the end result: the most incredible, magnificent, gorgeous, and truly spiritually uplifting encounter with God's greatness. The untouched beach further contributed to its' beauty. I never wanted to depart from this heaven, but we had to hike back up the cliff to enjoy a sunset at Cannon Beach, a mile or so down the beach.

I am in love with Portland and the State of Oregon. I have concluded I am not hipster nor cool enough for this ever progressive, trendy, laid back, artsy, cultural, educated, active, green, wonderfully cyclist and pedestrian friendly city. However, since I have arrived I have been trying my hardest to be that Portlander hipster that I so want to be now. =)

Tomorrow we spend the morning and early afternoon in Portland and then we are off to Salem, Oregon's capital city, for a wedding.