Vacationing in the beautiful Pacific Northwest...

Hello everyone!  I'm back!  As you can see or read or whatever...

I decided that before I got back to 'normal' around here, I'd share a few pictures of our recent vacation to Oregon.  I really think that summer is the perfect time to visit this lovely part of the country - for me, anyway.  I think I've said here that we lived in Portland, OR, for 3 years in the mid-90's.  It was quite the adventure for us native Texans.  And we love to vacation there these days.  So, I'm going to share some pictures and, hopefully, not so much narrative that you fall asleep.  Ha! 

One of my favorite views - Mt. Hood.  You can often get a great glimpse of it as you fly into the Portland airport.  Provided the clouds cooperate.

We spent the first part of our time at Bandon Dunes on the southern coast of OR.  This is a golf resort for 'serious' golfers.  Which my husband is.  He played and loved it.  I took advantage of the hiking and walking trails all over the property.  This trail took me to the bluff above one of the courses.  The ocean is just beyond on the left, but you can't see it in the picture.

This was a glimpse of the 'Forest Trail'.  It was beautiful and peaceful and quiet.  Felt like I was in a fairy tale.

Just off the Forest Trail was a labyrinth, which I walked twice.  As I said, very peaceful and tranquil early in the morning. 

Here was another 'creature' that was travelling on the Forest Trail.  It's a banana slug, I believe.  Interesting coloring, right?  And if you think I sized it up - well, it was about 5 or 6 inches long.  No, I was not tempted to touch it.  Ha!

On July 4th, we drove up the Oregon coast to our second destination.  We stopped here at the Heceta Head Lighthouse and walked the trail up to the lighthouse itself and the lighthouse keeper's residence.  This shot shows how high and what a great view. 

Little 'Peter Rabbit' here was also travelling up to the lighthouse or rather up the trail.

The view from our balcony at the Salishan Resort just south of Lincoln City, Oregon.  This is another beautiful place to play golf and do all kinds of active things.  I walked their trail to the beach and also all around the resort.  Plus, as you can see, I sat in a comfy rocking chair and enjoyed the view.  I meant to read a bunch, but that view....gorgeous...got distracted.

This guy or gal was taking a bath and catching some breakfast as I walked by on the Beach Trail.  Was still there when I came back and I got to see him grab a fish.  Yum!  Ha!

Isn't this fabulous?  Can you imagine seeing a site like this every day?  Well, come back tomorrow and I'll tell you about my friend, Les.  She lives right there close.  Yes, I got to meet up with friends.  As I said, come back tomorrow to meet Les and Robin.  You may know them already.

On Saturday, we drove back to Portland in order to catch a plane home on Sunday.  We also visited the Oregon Zoo.  It had been 20 years since we had been there and, yes, it was crowded.  Fun though.

Lastly, we stopped by the International Rose Test Garden that is also located in Washington Park, Portland, Oregon.  I love that garden.  So many beautiful roses and other flowers.  Again, crowded, but so, so worth it. 

And we are back in our circle to saying goodbye to Mt. Hood as we flew out of Portland and home to Texas.  We had a marvelous trip!  Thanks for sharing it with me!