HOOD TO COAST, OR

January 11, 2023

I know Larry David says you can’t say Happy New Year after January 7th but I make my own rules.
2023 started on the right foot this year with amazing humans in beautiful places.

My main squeeze of friends has started a NYD tradition of hiking in Mount Hood. At this time of year the trail is completely snowed in and unbelievably gorgeous. The hike is bit over 5 miles round trip. We take a break at the frozen lake, snack, and sip whiskey, or in the case this year, Fireball. Upon returning to the trail head we always set and have a fun bbq. It’s really just the best even though it’s cold.

The following day we headed to the coast to visit our close friends from LA that just bought a home out there! Still can’t believe they will here now and in such an awesome location. The trip was short but sweet and just perfect.

I think we can all agree that years keep passing and each one keeps getting a bit weirder than the last. Maybe it’s age but also the new norm is just not normal. Everyone is still adjusting and changing. I am not one to set resolutions but rather intentions. I would like to spend more time this year looking inward, focus on myself and self-care, resetting priorities and to work on pushing myself back into being uncomfortable. The last three years def put me in a routine that wasn’t ncessarily bad, but just too repetitive. It’s time to get weird.

Cheers to everyone in 2023. You do you!

DANNY'S 40TH // WASHINGTON & MORE

July 25, 2022

Sweet Birthday Baby turned 40. We had originally planned going up to Vancouver BC & Seattle but decided to pivot so Danny could be with our dog on his birthday - one of his wishes.

We are planning a trip to Crater Lake later this summer and just bought a new tent so we thought it would a good idea and fun for us to try out/trial run in case we needed anything for the trip. Danny found us a cute campsite located only about 40 min from home. It was the first time we have tent camped together and it was great. Steve loved it, too.

Since we are now McMenamin’s people, we also booked a night at their Kalama Harbor Lodge which sits on the side of the Columbia River. We booked a king river view room that Steve could stay in and it was literally the best. The room was so nice and having the balcony was perfect. They even gave Steve a McMenamin’s bandana! Working on our passports, we bounced around to different to their bars, restaurants and found their secret rooms. Having gone on a weeknight was a good choice as it was quiet and calm. Just what we wanted.

After getting back to Portland we had a friend’s dinner at over Danny’s favorite pizza at Assembly Brewing and then topped it all off with a shared birthday dinner with our friend Jessica at King Tide Fish & Shell.

It was a perfect week and the best way to enter into a new decade.

We love you, Danny.

5TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY // BEND, OR

July 13, 2022

FIVE YEARS MARRIED!!!

Original plans were to revisit Denmark & Holland but with Covid and flights being over-the-top expensive, we decided to spend some time exploring Oregon - something we also haven’t really been able to do with all the restrictions. We always heard how cute and cool Bend was and some of our favorite PNW Breweries live here.

Our first stop was a highly rated gastropub, Bangers & Brews. We were greeted by the owner who walked us through his menu and helped us order a Duck & Bacon and Wild Boar Sausage over their mac&cheese. I cannot express enough how good this was. This place is 10/10 and the best part is that the owner’s Father hangs out there and chats with everyone. It was so cute and personal.

After dinner we made out way 10 Barrel and Duschetes Breweries and walked along the Drake River before calling it night which was very quaint and peaceful sans the massive amounts of goose poop. No one warned us about that.

The first two nights we spent at an Airbnb in Tomolo, a quiet town 15 min outside of Bend. It was definitely rural but very beautiful and quiet. We napped, read & drank wine outside, and hung out the owners cat, Grey, who I liked to call Alphabet.

The next day we planned to hike Smith Rock: a very picturesque State Park with great hiking trails, rock climbing, and more. We chose to Misery Ridge for it’s views but it 100% lived up to it’s name. It was one the hardest hikes I have ever been on. And going down isn’t a blast either since it’s so steep but it had incredible views. Would probably do it again.

BUT the best part of the day was when we were driving to the park we passed Crescent Moon Alpaca Farm and we had to stop. This farm homes over 200 Alpacas of all ages, even 1 day old babies. We spent hours here feeding and petting them. I even talked to owner about buying some but now is not the time. This is another 10/10 most visit.

We ended the day dinner at Dogwood Cocktail Cabin, which was highly recommended by our friends and it was great. A nice spot of top notch cocktails and bites - get the Firecracker Shrimp!

Bend is also home to Sparrow Bakery, famous for their croissants, especially their Ocean Rolls. We enjoyed one of these as the best Chicken Waldorf sandwich I have ever had. There will be a line and worth the wait. Also, they do sell out so get there early!

After our stay at the airbnb we checked into McMenamin’s Old St. Francis School which we were really excited about. We got a lovely corner room in Art House that was just perfect. After grabbing a cocktail we immediately went into robe life and went for dip in their Roman inspired soaking pool. The roof is open in it which would be so cool to be in if it was raining hard or snowing. After, we roamed around the grounds visiting all their bars and getting stamps and locating all their secret rooms, including the Broom Closet Bar which is so fun.

Having visited and stayed at a few McMenamins, this is definitely my favorite for food. Though they all kind of serve the same food, their chef at this location does an exceptional job. You can’t go to Bend without popping in here and at least getting some tots.

All and all Bend was cool and we are glad we went but I would like to come back during off season. The one thing I didn’t mention was how crowded it was - EVERYWHERE. And lot’s of BROS. Water Sports + Beer = Bros. Also tons of Bachelor/Bachelorette parties but it come with the time of year. It also drizzled the majority of time which we coined Bendrizzle. It’s definitely clean, pretty, and has tons to do for everyone.

Thanks, Bend. We’ll see you in the winter.