#194: Willamette Valley (Page 697, 2nd Ed pg 858)

July 16, 2017

Naturally, most people are inclined to pronounce this lovely place as Willa-mette.  But a few weeks before venturing out to Oregon, I was talking to a friend of mine who is from Oregon, and she quickly corrected me.  "It's WillAmette.  Like Dammit."  That's an easy way to remember it!

Testing out the product straight from the vine..... I approve!

There are several thousand acres that make up Willamette Valley and every where you look, it seems there is a vineyard to go along with it.

Cheers!

Verdict:  Willamette Valley is lovely.  It's quaint, it's charming, it's classy and had a relaxing vibe to it.   If you were a wine lover and were here for a weekend without kids, staying at a bed and breakfast at/by a vineyard, I can see thinking to yourself, "This is a must do experience."  But since I don't drink (and admittedly, that was a little painful for me here since I'm such a grab-life-by-the-horns-and -experience-all-you-can type of person), and I was with my 6 yr old daughter and just passing through, that wasn't my experience.  So, while I could appreciate the beauty, I didn't leave thinking it should have made the list. 

#193: The Lewis and Clark Trail (#695; Listed as The Columbia River Gorge in the 2nd Ed, pg 855)

July 16, 2017

Multnomah Falls is the most visited natural recreation site in the Pacific Northwest....

and for good reason!  It's GORGEOUS!

It's the 2nd highest waterfall in the country.

I love this view of Benson Bridge.  You can hike to Benson Bridge and stop there (like we did since we had a 6 yr old and two people in their 70's in our group of 5) or you can continue all the way up to the top!

Love bringing my kids along on my travel adventures and seeing the world through their eyes and creating travel memories together!

 As the book says, although Lewis and Clark's journey was 3700 miles long, a lot of attention is focused on this 80-mile stretch along the Columbia River Gorge and Multnomah Falls.  And once you go there to see it in person, it is easy to see why!

 In fact, Congress decided to designate this as the nation's first national scenic area in 1986.  

 I thought it was very fitting that I was able to visit this area with my 6 yr old daughter because Lewis and Clark's famous quote:  "Ocian in view! O! the joy!" was declared on November 7, 1805 by William Clark when the reached the Pacific Ocean.  And November 7th is also the day I gave birth to this little beauty.

Columbia River

Verdict:  Definitely worth seeing.  Absolutely beautiful.  And something for everyone - if you are able, you can hike, etc.  If not, plenty of places to drive and pull over.  And better yet, it's free!