Laura-Jane Adventures

The third instalment of my fall break trip;

Portland, Oregon, was our final stop on our Pacific Northwest adventure. Admittedly, I wish I had spent more time in this unique city. It is free spirited and has a lot more to offer than we got the chance to see but – as with every place I have visited so far – I am hopeful that I will return.

When arriving in Portland we first visited Pittock Mansion which was the home of Henry Pittock – a man originally from London who became the owner of ‘The Oregonian’ a newspaper which continues to be printed today. The mansion is set upon a hill which boasts views of the city of Portland, which are magnificent. The architecture and structure of the house now tells the story of the Pittock family and holds a vast amount of character and personality.

The International Rose Test Garden is also a great place to visit in Portland, it has endless beauty in the form of vibrant roses. I would recommend taking a couple of hours to spend in the sunshine and reflect as it is a very peaceful place. I think that places such as the rose garden are very important to spend time in as they offer clarity and time to oneself whilst being in nature. This, for me, puts things into perspective and allows me to think clearly and rationally. Therefore, I enjoyed exploring the garden on my own and walking around freely.

When in Portland you must also visit the famous food trucks that are dotted around the city. The culture and cuisine that they offer highlights the diversity of the city. I happily indulged in a Greek gyro wrap which was filled with flavour and a spicy kick. Then it was onto the world famous Powell’s City of Books. This is one of the world’s largest new and used book stores and houses over one million books. I could of spent hours nestled in the store browsing through every book in sight.

The city of Portland had a lot more to offer but myself and my host family also wanted to experience what the surrounding area had to offer so we continued our fall break trip by exploring Multnomah Falls. Multnomah Falls is about 30 minutes from Portland and is a picturesque 611-foot-tall cascade of chilling beauty.

Eagle Creek Overlook and Mitchell Point further offer wonderous views of the Pacific Northwest. These views left me with a great deal of gratitude.

For our final full day in Oregon we visited Mount Rainier National Park. In October there are parts of the park which are closed due to weather, however, you can still drive to the main peak and see it in all its glory. Which is what we were lucky enough to do.

Overall, my fall break trip was like nothing I had experienced before. It was a complete mix of everything and I had no idea how delightful the Pacific Northwest really was. It is yet another adventure that I have had the privilege to be involved in thanks to my decision to take a gap year and my host family who have so graciously welcomed me in. My advice to anyone who is considering something similar is to jump in with both feet. Forget about the worries of missing friends, family and all those home comforts, and give your entire self to an opportunity where you will grow and prosper.

Lots of love,

Laura Jane x