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.

OUR HONEYMOON // COPENHAGEN

October 27, 2017

So I've really been dropping the ball on keeping up on this blogging game lately. But some exciting things have been taking place in our lives so it's excusable.

Now where did I leave off... COPENHAGEN!

After our magical time in Norway had come to a close, we jet-setted off to Denmark! Copenhagen had been another place on my radar for as long as I could remember because Danish furniture, duh. We landed in the evening and our headed over to our overly cute airbnb in Fredricksberg and called it a day. Seriously, I loved this apartment!

After some much needed rest, we set out for our first packed day starting with breakfast at Cafe Dyrehaven in the adorable Vesterbro area. Once again, we were greeted with magnificent open face smoked salmon sandwiches covered in fresh avocado. They also had a wonderful campari ice coffee. It was a dream come true.

Like most European cities, we purchased their city card, the Copenhagen Card, that gives you free access to museums and other attractions, public transportation, and discounts at restaurants. I recommend speaking with someone at CPH's Central Station to figure out which card type would be suite your stay. It is definitely worth it. But, don't buy stamps at the central station, just dont.

Copenhagen Pass in hand we walked over to the Danish Design Museum to drool over all the sexy furniture designs that have come out of this country. It was such a cool musseum with so many fun things to look at without being overwhelming. I wanted to smuggle everything out and take it home with us!

From this point we headed down the street to Kastellet, the best preserved star-snapped fortresses in Europe from 1624. It was pretty eerie and interesting to walk around this old military base that housed a fairytale-like church and old Danish Windmill.

If I haven't mentioned it, it was HOT in Copenhagen. The weather report lied so I was not dressed appropriately for this 80-something degree heat-wave they were having. So we thought we would head over to Nyygen Harbor to catch a break and a drink. WRONG. It was a zoo. (pictured at the top of this post) At this point I wanted to just leave and go back to Norway OR buy some shorts. I bought some shorts and it changed my life. But we still felt traumatized by the crowds so we decided to rent some bikes and cruise into Christiania, aka Free Christiania, a completely self-sustained anarchist district in the center of Copenhagen where art, music, love and weed are available. This place was effin awesome and nothing like we had seen before. Unfortunately, photos are highly frowned upon inside so I only have this photo of Danny before we went in and delicious popsicle I had inside while listening to some Danish jams.

After Cristiania, we took a quick breather and the headed to Tivoli, the 2nd oldest operating amusement park and "pleasure garden" in the world. This place puts Disneyland to shame and there really isn't anything quite like it. Filled with your usual rides but since this isn't America, they are actually terrifying. Once the sun sets, the parks lights up into a vibrant, magical wonderland. As the night went on, we grabbed a drink and watched one of the best firework shows I have ever seen. They do not mess around here.

The next morning we woke up early in search of one of the Forgotten Giants. These large sculptures made of of recycled wood created by Thomas Danmbo, have been scattered around Copenhagen's suburbs. The project was intended to connect yourself with nature and to give a treasure hunt experience. Yes, there is a "treasure map" of sorts and it was by no means easy to decipher. Danny and I pieced together information and hopped onto a bus not really knowing where to look once we got there. And it was my lucky day to be colored coordinated with our bus.

After about two hours of walking around, getting on more buses, feeling lost and defeated, we found one! Tucked away in a space I would have never imagined to be, laid Sleeping Louis! Thomas Dambo succeed in his mission because it did feel like the discovery he intended and the reward was worth the search. The craftmanship alone on this sculpture was so impressive. I wish we had more time to search for the others.

We headed back into the city, rented some bikes again (they have gps and everything), we headed to grab lunch at this cute bakery Bageriet Brød. Now, like Norway, their bread is different. I literally got a roll with some butter and a slice of cheese and it blew my mind. It really must be the water (which is 100% safe to drink the tap here).

Impressed by Tivoli, we headed back to hop on some more rides that we missed the night before.
Danny and I are both huge Swing Ride fans so we had to go on their colalosal Star Flyer, the world's tallest carousel. This thing was insane and so much fun! The park is very strict about no phone or cameras while on the ride so I only got views from the ground.

After our last afternoon at Tivoli, we headed back to our apartment and sadly packed up. Our time in Copenhangen was not long enough as we under estimated how big the city was. It is at the top of our list of places we want to go back to soon. We love you Copenhagen!

Next stop.. AMSTERDAM!

To be continued...

Where we stayed...

Our Airbnb

Where we ate & drank...

Dexters
Café Dyrehaven
John's Hot Dog Deli
Bageriet Brød

Where we went...

Copenhagen Card
Danish Museum of Design
Kastellet
Cristiania
Tivoli
Forgotten Giants

M I N I M O O N // FALL CITY, WA

July 10, 2017

Minimoon?
Yes, it's the vacation before the big enchilada, aka The Honeymoon, aka in our terms: HANIMOON.

Danny & I must have had a brain lapse and decided on having two weddings. So, to make up for our insanity: we took two honeymoons. The day after our official nuptials, we jet-setted up north to a small area of Washington known as Fall City.

Why here, you ask?
For my birthday a few years back, we took a PNW tour starting in Vancouver, BC down to Portland, Oregon. While driving through Washington taking our Twin Peaks fanatics tour, we stayed in Fall City near Snoqualmie. This area is lush, filled with hiking trails, and is somewhat mysterious (we see the appeal, David Lynch). I recommend everyone visit, if not stay, here at least once. You'll want to go back (as we did)!

Our first night we stayed at The Fall City Roadhouse. Yes, it's the actual Roadhouse from Twin Peaks, but it's not a bar or music venue. The Roadhouse is a small, sweet, cozy and very comfortable home-like-hotel with a fantastic restaurant, and it has the nostalgic road sounds that you hear as the flatbed trucks filled with tree trunks drive by (it really happens there). Did I mention the food is really good? Their Goat Cheese & Garden scramble is my favorite breakfast to-date and they make a killer Bloody Mary (it's as big as your head!). Stay here. Eat here. You won't be disappointed - and take some "Ugly Biscuits" back home for the family.

The next day, we did a little exploring and site-seeing over at Snoqualmie Falls. You might recognize this place. Hint: Insert Twin Peaks theme song. This is a must see in the area! The impressive falls are so loud and beautiful at all times of the year with various view points and trails to check out. Caution: you might get a little wet in the winter months if you stand too close! Sitting to the left of the falls is the Salish Hotel (aka The Great Northern). Although the interior is nothing like the interior from the show, you'll want to stop inside for a drink and/or a bite at The Attic. Danny and I love this place - so much so that we ate here three times during our short trip. Pro Tip: Put your name in and wait for one of the tables against the windows looking over the falls. And, you MUST order the ribs and a cherry pie! You can thank me later.

On the roads between the Fall City and Snoqualmie, we stopped at some cute road-side vendors, where we picked up some fresh local cherries, and (since I had to leave my beautiful wedding bouquet behind) Danny bought me some new flowers for our room.

That evening, we checked into the highly-anticipated TreeHouse Point bed & breakfast. This place is amazing, and even better IRL. Tucked away off the main road sits six individual, unique and private tree houses. Luck would have it they had two nights available in their Bonbibi tree house right when we wanted to go. Bird, their chef, takes the time to know your food preferences and makes a killer breakfast while Damon, the manager, meets and greets all the guests. We made friends with one of our neighbors and bonded over beers while wading in their private river. Later, we grabbed drinks and bites at Fall City's kitschy, overly-decorated, knick-knack-heavy dive bar, The Last Frontier (they make pretty decent salads and jalapeño poppers). We ended up spending a lot of our time with them. It was awesome.

When outside the TreeHouse (and not eating at the Attic), we got in some good hiking. This area has so many great trails for all levels. We, of course, rose to the challenge and hiked Rattlesnake Ridge, which was totally worth it for the view. I mean, come on, look at that. The hike took a few hours but there were plenty of cute dogs and chipmunks to gawk at. On our last day, right before we took off back to Los Angeles, we hiked Twin Falls early in the morning before the crowds showed up. An adventure pass is required for this hike, but can be bought on-site at a kiosk. Highly recommend.