“Alis volat propriis”; “she flies with her own wings”. The latin phrase is also the motto of Oregon, and it is meant to keep the ideology in which countries and territories are considered feminine. In modern translations, the Latin phrase means “one flies with their own wings”.
This marks the beginning of another tale—join me on my adventures through Oregon!
I flew from Newark, NJ to Portland, OR, and the flight took about 6 hours. As soon as I stepped off, I noticed the difference in landscape. It was bright and open, and there was a slight wind. In spite of it being a warm temperature, the air felt cool due to the fresh, refreshing breeze. Though Oregon’s landscapes can be compared to its neighboring states of California and Washington, it holds its own natural beauty, and I was excited to spend the next several days in the Beaver State.
To start off my first day in Oregon, I went into Portland and spent some time in the Saturday Market. Portland has a wonderful art market on Saturdays where you can buy handmade goodies that make for the perfect gifts. There are many shops selling drinks and food as well, and the Market is an easy way to quickly spend your time and money all while having fun! Portland also has a similar Sunday Market, which is another tourist attraction with various shops where you can buy one-of-a-kind items.
Taking a stroll around the Willamette River is the best way to get an easy walk in with wonderful views overlooking the river and Portland. There are multiple paths along the river which make for easy access to amazing photo spots and scenery.
Stumptown Coffee Roasters is a place I would highly recommend heading to for anyone who wants coffee or light snacks when in Portland. The coffee shop has a comforting, kind atmosphere, and -of course- great food and coffee. It’s a very popular place in the city and definitely worth going to at least once!
Across from Stumptown Coffee, there is an amazing sandwich shop called Kevin & Frankys, and when in Portland, this is a must-go. Friendly people, tasty sandwiches, and mouth-watering fries are some things you’ll find at Kevin & Frankys.
Now for the White Stag Sign: it’s the place to be in Portland to get an awesome picture of the lighted neon sign. It also looks wonderful in the daytime, and you have to go for a picture when you visit the city.
If you haven’t heard of Voodoo doughnuts, I encourage you to look up where the closest one is. Just a heads up: it may be a couple thousand miles! Anyways, Voodoo doughnuts are insanely good to say the least. When in Portland, get some doughnuts! You might have to wait in a long line, but it is well worth it!
Multnomah falls is about an hour away from Portland, and the views are simply breathtaking. You can take hikes up to the tip of the falls, or take some pictures at the base. Regardless of what you do while you’re there, it is a great place to be.
After a well-spent day in Portland, I headed over to The Dalles, Oregon. The next adventure awaited me: Mount Hood.
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