Restaurants we enjoyed along the way

Tidal Raves - Depoe Bay 

Amazing views from the panoramic windows!! I really enjoyed the food there. Great seafood. Very busy restaurant - I'm glad I made a reservation as soon as it was open online (2 weeks in advance).

Sabai cafe - Eugene

Thai comfort food with bold flavors and not timid with spice. Patio dining only. We got medium which was still pretty spicy. I enjoyed the meal - got chicken wings avocado green curry and crispy Thai basil with pork.

Izakaya Meiji - Eugene

Unique and authentic Japanese flavors. This restaurant was great - great food and great drinks. I had both the savory watermelon sho-hi and the lemon ginger Sho-hi. Neither were overwhelmingly sweet or alcoholic. Just right touch of flavor!

We ate most of it too quickly for photos but got: miso egg, spicy tuna cocktail, hot garlic shrimp, red snapper kara-age (so good we got it twice), katsu curry, buta kimchi, and salmon onigri. 

More wine tasting in Willamette Valley

I love Pinot Noir but haven't really explored the Willamette valley ones in the past. Having tasted at 7 places this week, I'm not sure this is my region of choice. I didn't find anything I loved. Although I surprisingly loved this Pinot Blanc from Willakenzie estates. It reminded me of a Chateauneuf de Pape white from Le Crau de la mere that I loved when we visited Provence (2017). 

I really liked the Pinot Noir from the Anderson Valley by Mendocino. I'm looking forward to tasting more in that region when I visit the Mendocino region again.

Lemolo waterfall

Our last hike of the trip.

Sunset at Thielsen View Campground

Last night camping

Crater Lake

We did the Watchman Tower, Discovery point, and Cleetwood Cove hikes - this one is tough because it's up all the way back but fantastic after a dip in the water.

The water was amazingly blue!

phantom ship island

Dinner and sunset

Amazing view from Tidal Raves restaurant in Depoe Bay

Sunset at Beverley state park

God's thumb

Amazing short hike near Lincoln City

Morning in Cape Lookout

Waking up in cape lookout

Morning hike

Cape Perpetua park

Devil's throat

high tide

spouting hole

Gorgeous overlook

Cape Mears Lighthouse

Camping at Cape Lookout State Park

We have a small campsite surrounded by foliage where we can hear the ocean. We watched the sun set, the moon rise and fell asleep listening to the waves.

We had a fire to keep warm and cook apple crisp and roast marshmallows.

Wine tasting in Willamette Valley

Home of the Willamette valley Pinot noir. I've liked the Willamette valley Pinots in the past but haven't found something to love yet at the 5 tastings yesterday and the day before. The vineyards and tastings rooms have been beautiful though. I did find a very refreshing rose of Pinot noir and a complex Pinot blanc (odd I know).

Camping in Mount Hood, OR

I rented a van with a Rooftop Nest - tent mounted on top of the roof rack. We stayed at Hoodview Campground by Timothy lake on our first night. We had a beautiful view of mount hood and a comfortable night sleep on 3 inches of memory foam. We had a nice hike around the lake forward by a yummy dinner of Trader Joe's gourmet options.  

The sun shining though the morning clouds.

The location was beautiful and peaceful.