pacific northwest road trip - day - 5 - the oregon coast

 

the oregon coast is breathtaking, misty, with haystack rocks jutting out of the sea... 

you'll already know it if you have seen the goonies, and if you haven't seen the goonies what are you doing with your life? all the beach and ocean scenes were filmed along it's shores. 

we spent the day driving from portland to yaquina bay coastline. 

we visited the lighthouses at yaquina and just missed seeing some migrating humpback whales (isn't that always the case, "you just missed them" lol.) 

then we headed north up the coast stopping at the devil's punch bowl state area to check out the sea cavern and hit mo's for their famous chowder.

 then we made a stop at the spectacular cannon beach, with it's giant haystack rock and spent the end of the day looking at tide pools and enjoying the misty and mystical setting. 

the town of astoria was the last stop of pacific northwest road trip day five - just dinner and bed in the goondocks. 

 

always a beautiful drive along the coast - trees for days. 

 

the dunes and the sea, so many jellyfish  

the yaquina lighthouse - watching for those whales

at cannon beach - digital above and instant camera film below  

from cannon beach to the colorful houses of astoria, only the sun could have made his day any more perfect. 

wearing - wildfox sweatshirt, aritzia leggings, pendleton backpack, spy alcatraz glasses and birkenstock arizonas.

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pacific northwest road trip 2014- day 3-4 - Portland City Guide

PORTLAND - 2 days in the Rose City

highlights: the classic white deer sign, 

NW 23rd st. Nob Hill - the boutiques and the amazing ice cream at

Salt & Straw (can you say Stumptown coffee and Burnside bourbon ice cream?) 

NW 23rd is also home to Bamboo Sushi, the best sushi of my life, you must sit at the bar.

The best coffee every morning from Stumptown beside the Ace hotel.

Everyday Music on Burnside - so much vinyl <3

Jake's - the experience was old school and the seafood so good. 

Voodoo doughnuts - the crullers and the raised doughnuts worth the hype.

Going to Powell's books everyday/twice a day and getting lost in the racks, then

falling asleep every night under the Pendleton deer blankets at the ACE Hotel.

Not pictured: dinner at Deschutes Brewery, Vintage Shopping on SE Hawthorne in East Portland 

(Red Light/ House of Vintage/ The nicest Goodwill ever), Shopping in general - no tax! 

Madewell/Pendleton/Tanner Goods/Buffalo Exchange.......

Literally the best food/shopping/city trip experience.

Take Me Back.

What I'm wearing - Brandy Melville dress, Vintage Roots mini backpack, vintage crochet cardi, Topshop canvas boots.
(I know these posts are a year old now, but I wore almost this same outfit today ;) so I figured
it was still relevant and you could still get some travel tips!)

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the ace hotel - portland

when i was planning my pacific northwest road trip i knew that i had to stay at the ace hotel while in portland. ever since it opened in the old clyde hotel i have been dying to stay there and own one of their signature pendleton throws. unfortunately they no longer sell the throws, only the queen and king blankets they use on all their beds, which were a little too pricey, boo. the hotel on the other hand did not disappoint. the rooms were perfectly designed, cozy and yet minimal. all the little details down to the art, malin and goetz products, and very friendly staff, especially the door man!, were wonderful. this hotel is a bit pricier than it's seattle location, which i also stayed in, but i would stay there again and again and the location is incredible.

the gorgeous lobby complete with vintage photo booth, record player and comfy couches to enjoy your stumpton coffee, brewed just next door.

the hallways had a very utilitarian, military vibe,
but the main staircase was more whimsical with it's numbered flights and owl mural on the top floor.

the antique elevator wasn't exactly fast, this embroidered piece reminded you that unless you had luggage it was probably faster to take the stairs.
the numbered flights kept you motivated! (seriously the hotel is only 4 storeys so it's not so bad).

stumpton coffee roasters. oh my i miss you.
you can get stumpton coffee at any ace, but this location has a full shop attached to the lobby.
all day - everyday.

the lower priced rooms at the ace portland have shared bathroom facilities on every floor, some had showers and some were just toilets. there was always at least one available and the space was always clean and filled with lovely malin and goetz hand soap, shampoo and body wash.
you also got a gorgeous robe to use in each room so you looked stylish when headed to and from the shower room.

our room #417.
 i adored the wooden door/window covering, the pendleton blanket and
the magazines/ace stationary/earplugs!/and other little details that made the room feel like home.

each room had a sink/tv/iron/desk area/full length mirror and the cutest locally sourced mini bar.

the ace hotel portland -1022 sw stark st.

rooms starting at around 125$ a night. 

go there!

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pacfic northwest roadtrip 2014 - day 2 - spokane, washington to portland, oregon

this was a jam packed day.
we left spokane after breakfast at hotel ruby and headed southwest on a side trip
to visit the famous pendleton mill/outlet, where some of my favorite blankets are made.

on the way, we passed through the tri-cities and all i could think was, where's mercy? (a note to all you patricia briggs fans!)
 the scenery was gorgeous and very dry, reminding me a bit of southern utah.
once we got our shop on at the mill ( i bought a gorgeous patterned backpack seen in this video at the 4min mark)...
...we headed west for mt.hood.
our plan was to make it to lost lake, near hood river, to see one of the best views of the volcano.
it was a very long drive on a deserted logging road, but when we arrived the view was worth it!
so tranquil, beautiful and there were salamanders swimming all along the shore.
i even saw a sasquatch! he selfied with me, lol.
i wish we could have stayed longer, but we had a lot more to see...
 
on the road we went.
the stretch of highway between hood river and portland is one of the most beautiful in the usa, it runs all along the columbia river gorge.
so many photo opportunities!
our main destination was multnomah falls.
it was packed with tourists, but the beauty of the 620ft waterfall made it worth it!
after a bit of hiking and an obligatory trip to the gift shop (multnomah falls socks anyone?) we drove on to portland.
after settling into our room at the ace hotel, which is incredible and will be featured in my next post, we went for dinner at jakes famous crawfish.
this seafood restaurant was suggested by the doorman at the ace and it was delicious and so old school. i felt like a senator having a secret rendezvous, dining in their darkened booths, lol.
 a crazy, amazing, beautiful day.

i'm wearing a topshop plaid shirt, brandy melville alien embroidered tee, aritzia leggings, birkenstock arizonas, spy alcatraz sunglasses and a vintage roots mini backpack.

travel time 8+hrs/467mls/751km

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