Mansions and Road Trips

I got some great weather and sun the last couple of days here in Portland, allowing me to really make the most of the weekend. I hiked and explored Washington Park on Saturday, and rented a car on Sunday to explore outside of Portland. Here are some highlights and pictures from my weekend:

  • Pittock Mansion - The mansion was originally built in 1914 by Henry Pittock and his family.  Its a 46 room estate with panoramic views of Downtown Portland and the Willamette River.  I highly recommend walking up to it, its such a good workout and there are trails from Forest Park that lead right to the mansion. I first visited during the day and was able to tour the mansion.  Since I had a car the following day, I decided to drive up and catch the beautiful night view of Portland.
  • Mount Hood - Such an awesome site. I wasn't able to go up too high because of all the snow (chains on your tires are required if you are driving up). I did get close for some pictures and to pass some of the ski slopes.  I would love to drive up in the summer though.
  • Driving to Tillamook - After visiting Mount Hood, I drove the completely other side of the state towards the oceanfront to Tillamook.  From Portland, you have to drive through Tillamook State Park Forest which was pretty amazing. It is literally just your car and trees all around you. You definitely need to download podcasts or music, because there is a good hour in the forest where you don't get cell service. I made a stop at Tillamook Creamery for a cheese tour and some lunch.  The final stop of my drive was Rockaway Beach for some pictures of the oceanfront. After that I made my way back to Portland and stopped at Pittock Mansion to take in the twilight view of the city. Overall I highly recommend exploring outside of Portland. Oregon has some beautiful nature and lunch a Tillamook Creamery was so good (I love me some cheese).  
 
Pittock Mansion

Downtown Portland view from Pittock Mansion

The snow on the way to the mountain

Mount Hood

Jonsrud Viewpoint Park - one of my stops after visiting Mt Hood

Tillamook Creamery

Rockaway Beach

Rockaway Beach

Twilight views of Downtown Portland

Comments

San said…
The Creamery sounds so good! My favorite pic is of Jonsrud Viewpoint Park. Everything else looks beautiful as well! Nice tip about downloading a podcast for the drive. I hate driving someplace and losing service now that we stream
Everything from books to music to podcasts.
Jia said…
The drive up to Mount hood looks gorgeous!
@San - the creamery was great and awesome to visit. On the weekends, they don't have people working, but if you go on weekdays you can see the assembly line at work. The funny thing about Jonsrud Viewpoint is that it was just a random stop - I noticed it on Google Maps and decided to stop there - so happy I did.

@Jia - It really was great, the snow was so clean and pretty.
Julie Kane said…
Jonsrud Viewpoint Park view is a postcard!

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