i'm doing my best to give moss a second chance.
i still can't get over what a change this visit to portland has been. i've always kind of hated portland, i don't know what it is with me and hating things that are universally un-hateable, though i'm sure it has something to do with moving here my junior year of high school (i think by law you aren't allowed to like things when you're 16), but over the weekend we went for a scenic drive down highway 30 and i think i finally fell in love with portland a little bit. it didn't hurt that it was so dang twilighty out. (i also don't know what it is with me and loving things that are so obviously horrible. i'm complicated i guess.)
we stopped for a hike around multnomah falls, for a windy view of the gorge from the vista house, and for some lamb stew at mcmenamin's in troutdale, and then we ended the day with caramel apples at rocky mountain chocolate factory at the outlets in troutdale. no kidding, i think i might have willed that rocky mountain into existence. i must have mentioned at least million times that day how hard i was jonesing for a caramel apple. you know how that happens? i brought the big girl camera along, it'd been a while since i stretched my shutter finger. get ready for some moss! i tell you, you stand still out here for longer than five minutes and you'll start sprouting some lichen of your own. "portland: it grows on you!" (go ahead oregon and put that on a tee shirt if you want.)
You know you have to move there, don't you! You seem so comfortable there :)
ReplyDeleteI feel like you were in Rivendell! Those glorious trees, waterfalls and moss. Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteYou sure seem to fit in nicely there! But I have to admit, though I've never been to Portland, I kind of always assumed I might not like it half the time since it's such dreary weather. But it does look so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHoly smack. That view is freaking gorgeous. Tell me you're at least eating a Voodoo Doughnut every day, multiple times a day, because that biz is straight up majestic.
ReplyDeleteI've always been fascinated by the Pacific coast! These photos are just too cute!
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I both have family in Portland, so I go there often. The winters seriously chill me to the bone, but I am certainly a mossy type person. Glad it's growing on you. You look good in moss.
ReplyDeleteportland looks beautiful! i love the "twilighty" feel. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is making me heart yearn to go back! Pacific Northwest is best!
ReplyDeleteOk I love your day. Those pictures are all really gorgeous. The caramel apples at the rocky mtn chocolate factory are so dang good. I've definitely detoured to the one in Troutdale on my way from Seattle to Hood River before. Also, Edgefield is really fun, especially during the summer when they have their concerts.
ReplyDeleteAnd, dare I say it, this post makes me think that you actually love the Gorge more than you love Portland. Which makes sense because the Gorge is the most magical place ever and I've always felt good about Portland but I don't love Portland, the Gorge on the other hand... be still my heart!
Let me know when you need another RM Chocolate Factory fix...I'm here in Durango and have friends in all the right places! Glad you're enjoy your visit/temporarily relocated office!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! We lived right at the mouth of the Gorge for 25 mossy years and your posts are making me so homesick! Our eight children were born and raised there and we have so many fond memories of trips up the Scenic Highway to show off the splendor of the Northwest to our out of town visitors. And who can beat the shopping at the outlets--no sales tax--thank you Oregon!!
ReplyDeletegreat photo's
ReplyDeleteSo sad about that rock that fell on the bridge though. Standing on that bridge makes you at least 3% more Oregonian automatically.
ReplyDeleteI moved to Portland with my little family in 2011, and we lasted exactly 373 there. Coming from Southern California, it was a hard transition to make and I just couldn't hack it, so we moved back south, and even though I wouldn't trade living in San Diego for anything (except for maybe New York; I'm an NYU alum, and that city will forever have my heart), I often think fondly of our times in the foresty embrace of the Pacific Northwest and of what it would be like to have that quiet life again -- there's something very loud about the sun, you know? -- and it shocks me every time. Portland does grow on you, even in hindsight.
ReplyDeleteBeing an Oregon-dweller myself, I LOVE this so much. I can relate 100% to letting it "grow on you". For one, I originated in the Mid west and love the distinctive seasons that we get out there, as frigid/scorching as they may be. I struggle tremendously with the monotony that is fall/winter/spring out here and almost battle a bit of seasonal depression through it all. Fog, rain, fog, rain, you know. But I completely agree, some things just need a little time to win you over and I am slowly becoming a fan. And that Multnomah falls…….well, ain't nobody that can't just love that.
ReplyDeleteGotta love the PNW and all that lush greenery and moss! Such beautiful photographs!! Soak it all in while being at home :)
ReplyDeletexo TJ
http://www.hislittlelady.com
oh my goodness, I love multnomah falls!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos!! And that penguin hat! Love <3 <3
ReplyDeletethat picture of the waterfall under the bridge= a freaking fairy tale!
ReplyDeleteI used to fly airplanes through the gorge and my husband and I had our first kiss at Crown Point. :)
ReplyDeletei was up at vista house on Saturday as well and I still can't get over how windy it was! the view is always fabulous though.
ReplyDeleteIt's so green and lush looking there! And I love your beanie! It's super cute! Looks like a great time!!
ReplyDeleteHeather
the scenery was breath-taking!! everything looked so fresh and amazing and cute too..you know who i mean.cuteness overload!
ReplyDeletexo josephine
www.joselovincolors.com
I served my mission in Portland in 2003-2005. Love it and miss it!
ReplyDeletewow, these are seriously beautiful photographs! I also really love your hat! Ailish Goes
ReplyDeleteRarrr. These photos are A-MA-ZIIIIIING this looks like my dreamland. Now all I want to do is somehow move to the US and find like an adorable log cabin in the middle of a forest with the above surroundings. The weather looks glorious too. Cold but the nice kind of cold. And that View? Gah.
ReplyDeletePortland is sooooo beautiful :') As usual,connecting the Earth is always in my alley.I find myself wandering and just feeling the vibe as if I'm the only person in such beautiful world whenever I'm surrounded with nature.Looking at these beautiful pictures makes me sooo jelly,I've never been to hikes like this where I could see such huge waterfalls.I hope I'll be able to explore myself in the future!
ReplyDeleteI love Multnomah Falls!!! You have captured it beautifully!
ReplyDeleteNat, your photos are reaaaaaaally making me want to move to Portland! It's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteSeriously though…your dad? so cute. The buffalo check hat, sweater, and plaid? No wonder where you get it from.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm over here in Illinois all...shut up, Natalie. I want to frame those pics.
ReplyDeleteI love the Oregon you, and those boots of yours are the absolute best ever.
ReplyDeleteOh, Oregon. That place will always have a soft spot in my heart (a soft, mossy, damp spot).
ReplyDeletethis is the WEIRDEST coincidence, but i was at homegoods on monday and saw a painting of a waterfall and thought, hey that looks familiar. when i got home, i realized it was multnomah falls (i was just there in july) so i went back to buy it and it was already gone. broke my heart a little! and then i checked your blog and saw this post, and i feel better. so thanks for that. :)
ReplyDeleteUm can I have this place pleeeease??!
ReplyDeletewhat!!??? i LOVE portland! we want to move there when residency is over with.
ReplyDeleteso glad to know you're coming around to liking portland! hope you find more excuses to visit. there's plenty of dreary days here for you.
ReplyDeleterebecca-combs.squarespace.com
I'm glad you shared these photos Natalie - if I ever get the chance to visit America I think i'll probably start here...this looks like my idea of outdoorsy heaven!
ReplyDeleteFlora
www.floraemay.blogspot.com