Lazy Bend Camping- July 3, 2011

 Part of the reason I wanted to come to Oregon was all of the outdoors opportunities here with readily accessible camping, hiking, biking, etc.  So of course, I wanted to go camping my first weekend in town and the ENT girls were so nice to let me join in.  Lorien found a beautiful spot just next to the Klackamas River and it was so wonderful to wake up to the rhythmic rush of river water.

10 States, 2 National Parks, 5 days, 1 New City: A Cross-Country Road Trip- June 24-29, 2011

Mt Hood?

As we got closer to Portland, my excitement built.  It was a beautiful day, the gorge and mountains were in full effect.  I managed to pass the dreaded Oregon drivers license examination and spent the rest of the evening doing one of the things Portland does best...eat.  It's the last couple of days of Portland Dining Month, so Kristi and Leslie picked Lisa and I up to head to Otto's near our place and we had a delectable meal complete with a Portland microbrew.  A taste of things to come I hope.

Spokane, WA- June 28, 2011

Spokane was a reintroduction to city life and we commemorated it by staying in the beautiful, swank Davenport Hotel.  After almost being ran over by a crazy guy with a dog while walking downtown, we decided it was best to stay in our cushy room with walk-in shower and drink champagne to celebrate Monica's 30th b-day.  Classy.

Glacier National Park- June 27, 2011

Glacier was one of the most beautiful places I've ever been.  Breathtaking views everywhere with snow-capped mountains overlooking emerald lakes.  Clean crisp air highlighted with bright, glorious sun.  I'm so glad we pushed ourselves so that we could spend a half day here hiking some of the East Glacier trails and staying in a cabin within the park overnight.  So cool.

Medora, Nor'dakota- June 26, 2011

North Dakota Flooding

Pitchfork Fondue (Meat on pitchforks cooked in vats of oil)

Medora Musical

The 10 hour stretch through the state of North Dakota was probably the hardest of the trip.  The state is in a state of emergency with flooding and the rain was unrelenting till we got to the western portion.  Lucky for us because it was beautiful in Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the badlands.  We ate at a pitchfork fondue, were entertained at an outdoor amphitheater country musical, and got to see the prairie dogs and elk in the park.

Minnesota and the Mall of America- June 25, 2011

For some reason, I've always wanted to go to the Mall of America and I'd never been to Minnesota, so it was a huge reason for going north on the road trip.  It was well worth it.  There was an amusement park complete with roller coasters in the middle of the mall which is ingenious.  A temperature controlled land of fun.  While it seems more geared towards those who have to stretch on their toes to get to the 48" minimum height, we still had a lot of fun.  Emily had recommended a store called "The Afternoon" and it was awesome!  We literally spent an hour in their perusing all their fun gadgets and knick knacks-- all of which I needed.  Luckily the car was already brimming.  :)

Land of Cheese- June 25, 2011

I've never been to Wisconsin so my visions were solely of snow covered fields and blustery days (basically Lambeau field at superbowl time).  So Madison was definitely a pleasant surprise and a must because Sheila is now living there.  Of course it is summer, but it had a beautiful lake with 90% of the population biking it seems.  There was a cute farmer's market in front of the capitol, people out and about in the glorious weather, and amazing, amazing cheeses.  I had the fried cheese curds at lunch and am so lucky that I don't live there for the sheer fact that I would be eating the cheese curds all the time.