My Home State

I realized recently that I have never really shared much about my home state, Oregon. There is just so much beauty for me to share from Iceland that I have left my gorgeous home state to the side!

Well its time for Oregon to have the spotlight. I am one lucky girl to have grown up in the Evergreen state, here is a list of 10 of of my favorite things about Oregon.

1. Crater Lake

Crater Lake is beautiful in all seasons but my favorite is in the winter. The clear blue water really pops but its a blast hiking around this area in the summer time as well. Whatever time of year Crater Lake is a gem in Oregon!

2. The Oregon Coast

Growing up just an hour away from the Oregon coast I have many great memories of family trips to the beach, even if the water was never warm enough to put more than just your toe in. The Oregon coast is beautiful and I love driving along the coastline and taking in all the views. You can find lighthouses along the way and they are my favorite to see for they remind me of my great-grandma Marge, which always makes me smile.

3. Portland, Oregon

Portland is my favorite city in Oregon, there is always something fun happening in here. I love the funky vibe of the city and the fact that you can walk around downtown and still see lots of greenery, Oregon at its finest. Views of Mt.Hood overlooking the city are just a bonus. Portland is a beautiful city and somewhere I would love to live one day.

Source

4. Oregon Country Fair

By far my favorite event in the summer is the Oregon Country Fair. It is one of those unique experiences in life you will never forget. For a week thousands come out to the Oregon countryside to celebrate life at its fullest.

You will see topless women, crazy costumes, hear some beautiful music, and eat some delicious food. It will feel like your walking around a crazy colorful wonderland and you may leave in a bit of shock as to what just happened, but its amazing and I love it!

5. Summer days on the river
The Willamette River runs through Eugene(my hometown) and has dozens of streams all over the area that flow into it. I love going for runs along the river, spending the day floating the river in inter tubes, or just taking Azora down to the river for a swim.

6. The Oregon Caves

This past summer H and I visited the Oregon caves in the Siskiyou Mountains in the south of Oregon. For an hour you walk in the near dark through the amazing caves while a tour guide tells stories of the caves history. There is about 15,000 feet of passages inside the cave but my favorite area we visited is known as the marble room.

I highly recommend taking this tour if your ever in the Oregon area, not everyday you get to explore a cave!

7. The Oregon Ducks

I am a University of Oregon alumni and duck fan for life so the Oregon Ducks had to be on the list! I grew up attending games at the university and I am now streaming games in Iceland, H has become quite the duck fan as well:) Go Ducks!

8. Hiking Trails

In the Eugene area there are dozens of different hiking trails and you can find me most weekends off on a morning hike with Azora. The hikes offer some awesome views of Eugene and I can never get enough of the outdoors, Oregon summers are just the best.

9. The Running Community

Don’t mind my fabulous running pose but Eugene is known as “Track Town, USA” for good reason. Home to the running legend Steve Prefontaine and where Nike started their company Eugene is filled with miles of beautiful running trails, running events all year, and has been the host of the Olympic track and field trials multiple times.

I love running in Eugene and have ran several half marathons and marathons in my hometown. It was an awesome feeling finishing my first marathon on the same track that Olympian athletes have ran on.

10. The Seasons in Oregon

Oregon is known for its rainy weather but all the rain makes for some beautiful seasons. The fall in Oregon brings some rich red and orange colors, and there is nothing better than seeing the first blooms and signs of spring!

Now I miss Oregon and want to go home for a visit! I think its always important to look back on where you have come from and appreciate the beauty of that area. It is easy to get caught up in the new and exciting places you have traveled to and push aside where you come from. No matter how many beautiful places I visit though I am an Oregonian at heart!

Question of the Day?
What do you love about your home state or home country?
Linking up with Glossy Blonde & Karly Kim