I have made two trips to Oregon and both of them were connected to colleges in the state, although I saw much more of Oregon than two college campuses. Actually, I have made three trips to Oregon if I count the time I was flying to San Jose, California from Chicago and lo and behold the plane made a brief stop in Portland, Oregon. (I hadn’t read the fine print. I didn’t have to change planes, just a quick stop.) I would not even mention that “visit” if it were not for the great picture of Mt. Hood I took out the plane’s window as we descended into Portland. Landing in Portland that day reminded me of the view of Mt. Ranier often visible when landing at SeaTac airport in Seattle.
The college tour trip to Seattle in 1997 described in an earlier entry, eventually led us down to Reed College in Oregon. https://www.reed.edu/ Reed was a lovely campus, but it wasn’t the place for Megan so after a brief campus visit. we proceeded south along the Oregon coast before circling back to Seattle. What impressed me most about Oregon was the beach towns, each different in character but all having amazing coastlines. Cannon Beach is a prime example of an Oregon coastal town. It is known for its iconic sea stacks, intertidal rock formations that stand sentinel off the beach. Haystack is the name given to the most famous of these sea stacks. https://winwcp.com/2021/12/15/the-most-iconic-rock-formations-in-oregon-from-cannon-beach-to-thors-well Cannon Beach itself has everything you would expect from a beach town, cute little shops, interesting places to stay, and fine dining. You have to remember that even though the beach is gorgeous, swimming in the Pacific is a cold experience often requiring a wet suit. Sunbathing is a little iffy because often it is cool and foggy even on a July day. This first trip to Oregon also introduced me to Tillamook cheese and I have become a loyal customer. The TIllamook cheese factory is a farmer owned co-operative with an illustrious history and a tour is a must see stop on any tour of the Oregon coast. https://www.oregon.com/attractions/tillamook-cheese-factory Nowadays my taste runs more toward artisanal cheeses, both foreign and domestic, but I still like some Tillamook cheddar slices in my grilled sandwiches. When touring the Oregon coast, it is also worthwhile to stop in the northwest corner at Astoria, Oregon before proceeding on into Washington State or eastward toward the Columbia River Gorge. Astoria is where Lewis and Clark spent the winter of 1805-1806 at Fort Clatsop just south of the modern-day city. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astoria,_Oregon There is a lot of history in that city, and it is well worth a visit. If you want to leave the immediate coast, a detour into the Columbia River Gorge accounts for time well spent. The Columbia, a river that begins in British Columbia and winds its way through Washington, forms a magnificent 80 mile gorge east of Astoria. It is a scenic drive well worth the trip. https://www.fs.usda.gov/crgnsa
My second trip to Oregon came a dozen or so years after 1997 when I attended a weeklong environmental law seminar at Lewis and Clark University. https://www.lclark.edu/ I don’t know why this college never came to Megan’s attention when she was looking for a school in the Pacific Northwest, but we had never visited the campus. Turns out it is a gorgeous spot. The Law School’s complex where I attended the seminar overlooks a state park and the setting, especially in the library, is absolutely breathtaking. I enjoyed my week at Lewis and Clark, but I enjoyed the trip even more because at the end of the week Megan drove down from Seattle in her little Ford Focus and we took a road trip up the Oregon coast and back to Seattle. On this particular trip we found the all time best coastal town in all of Oregon, Gearhart. Back in the earlier decade of the 21st century Gearhart was a sleepy residential town. There were lovely bungalow style homes on quiet residential streets running from the charming downtown right to the edge of the bluffs overlooking the Pacific. The town itself had a hotel, a decent restaurant and bakery, and a few shops. None of the tourist trappings like found in a place like Cannon Beach were in evidence. Both Megan and I enjoyed the time we spent in Gearhart. In the time since we visited, the town has taken on mythical proportions in our dialogue and our memories. We visit someplace and we might say “well that was nice but it was no Gearhart.” We both know that means the place did not measure up. Now when I Google “Gearhart” on the internet the pictures and the places do not appear at all familiar. I am afraid if we ever travel back there we will be sorely disappointed by what find. I want to believe that all the development has taken place on the highway which was outside the town area. It was one of those places where you had to venture off the main highway to get to the heart of the village. I know that everything changes as the time goes by, but it is wonderful to hang on to the memories. With Megan having returned to live again in Seattle we may just venture down that way again. Even if we don’t visit Gearhart, the Williamette Valley is home to many of my favorite wineries, and both she and I love a good Oregon pinot gris. https://www.vivino.com/toplists/top-25-oregon-pinot-gris-wines-right-now-global Oregon here we come!
Memories - A Second Chance at Happiness 