Tell me where you are... and be Pacific!

We left Seattle and took the roundabout scenic route that took us around Mount Rainier and into the Columbia River Gorge Scenic area.  There were very scenic views all day on that trip (although our first part of the trip was much rainier at Mt. Rainier).  One thing that happened was I totally disregarded the lyrics that TLC sang and I went chasing waterfalls.  All along the Columbia River Gorge, there were short hikes to all sorts of different waterfalls. We ended up just outside of Portland, Oregon and I got to sample beers from a local brewery called Amnesia Brewing... I can't remember anything else about that night... jk!  Funny thing about that was that I was talking to our server and found out he has a brother that lives in Charlottesville and the brother is getting ready to open a coffee shop in Crozet.

The next day was a LONG driving day on our way south.  We headed out to US route 101 also known as the Pacific Coast Scenic By-way in Oregon and made our way down the coast.  The Pacific ocean (at least in Oregon and northern California) is much different than what I am used to when I think of oceans.  The waves were huge, the beaches were rocky, the mountains go right up to the waters edge in most cases, and there is a sea mist that kind of hangs out over the beaches.  Also on US 101, you drive through the National and State Redwoods Parks.  The Redwood trees are massive and beautiful and the road goes right beside some of the biggest trees I've ever seen.

Snow-capped peak of Mt. Rainier through the clouds

Cedar Creek Falls

Beginning of the Columbia River Gorge.

Horsetail Falls... looks like a horsetail right?

Multnomah Falls

Wahkeena Falls

The Pacific rocks!