Things To Do
The Zurita U-Pick Farm
Lily will make anyone willing and unwilling (usually Billy. And one time Hannah in a leg cast) come pick blueberries with her. Rise early to beat the heat and bask in the therapy and reward that is blueberry season ($1.99/lb!!)
Helvetia Farm Market
Right up the road from our backyard reception--a quaint stop for local goods, has a coffee bar and wine on tap inside and picnic seating outside!
Sidereus Vineyard & Winery
Our favorite vineyard, though there are many! Spend an afternoon winery hopping and making Billy finish the rest of your flights when you're 5 vineyards deep.
Cannon Beach
Nothing beats a coast day. Cannon Beach is a favorite--start your morning at The Sleepy Monk (musts: homemade chocolate whipped cream, salmon mousse on a sea salt rosemary bagel, and a maple bar donut). Explore the tiny shops and galleries. Test the frigid waters. And most importantly.. bring a sweatshirt.
Angel's Rest Trailhead
Lily's all-time favorite hike. Lily will pick a vast view over a waterfall any day but the Columbia River Gorge is full of trails! Feel free to pick my brain, I will match maker your perfect hike.
Hood River
Billy stayed in Oregon into the summer after their first year of school so as not to miss Lily's birthday. Lily thought it was a happy coincidence he was flying out the day after. They spent the day in Hood River hiking, shopping, and eating with friends thinking they were sly (sneaky, first photo of the two of us ever taken, attached)
FOODS
The list is ever growing. But any visit back to Oregon likely involves the following: -Family Cafe: Iraqi tea and beef mix -Cafe du Berry: french toast -Gino's: mussel pasta -Fire on the Mountain: wings (spicy peanut, raspbery habanero, jamaican jerk) and fries. fries. fries -Nong's Khao Man Gai: khao man gai -Fried Egg I'm In Love: Yolko Ono -Always Spring Restaurant (inside G Mart): seafood pancake, soontofu jigae -The Meating Place Cafe & Butcher Shop: BLTA -Helvetia Tavern: burgers and fries
Somethin' Sweet
Lily has a second dessert stomach. Billy does not. -Tea Chai Te: a tea lover's dream!! -Salt & Straw: Lily samples the monthly menu and then gets honey lavender. Billy doesn't have a sweet tooth and yet orders a double scoop -Kulfi: it's a falooda or nothing -The Pie Guy: drive to this sweet man's house and leave cash at the front door in exchange for pie -Junbi: guava matcha, affogato -Insomnia Coffee: chai latte with oat milk, aztec mocha -McBee's Shakes, Crepes & Cones: crepe, soft serve