As we get closer to Portland we make a side trip to the Wildwood recreation center. There are some trails here along the Salmon River and the reviews sound like it will make for a good picnic area, as well as a nice afternoon walk for us.
The facilities don’t disappoint. Although we figure out (on our last day) that we don’t need to pay the day use fee because we have a National Parks membership. Oh well – the Oregon State Recreational coffers got a $10 donation from us then, they can probably use it. There are two trails at Wildwood – the Cascade Streamwatch which is nicely maintained and paved with a 3/4 mile winding loop around the forest and the river. There is even a little underpass where they have a river viewing area for the Salmon. We didn’t see any, but we did enjoy walking along the river and scouting for them.
They’ve got these great carved wooden benches all around that Sunny enjoys. And if it weren't’ so damp and wet, we’d probably picnic outdoors. But we’re not quite that hardy yet!
The second trail is the Wetlands trail which is a combination of gravel path and boardwalk through the, yes, you guessed it, wetlands. There have been some huge storms here in the last couple of weeks, so a portion of the looping part of the boardwalk is closed, which means we have to walk in and out on the same trail. It’s not the picturesque and its buggy – so we only walk to the first boardwalk entrance before retreating back to the car for sustenance without the bugs.
Nature portion of the trip complete – we head off to Portland for our last days in Oregon.
Along the way to Portland the traffic starts to really back up. We’re on a route 1 type strip of road, and the traffic lights just bungle everything. We end up taking a detour, which seems like the wrong turn, but ends up taking us through these incredible neat little neighborhoods, and right past a scenic marker and look out over the Sandy River. I had seen it on the map but didn’t think we’d make it there.
Bonus! Now onto the hotel, where we hang out in the lobby waiting for our room, then, once settled, do a little exploring in the neighborhood.
Afterward, we head to the Breakside Brewery for dinner. It’s in this funky little neighborhood in NE Portland, which is the happening place there (sort of like our West Asheville!). It is jam packed, but we luck into 2 seats at the bar and dig into a great meal…..of what, I can’t remember!
I remember taking the picture of the really cool living sculpture on the outside of the building across the street, and that’s about it!
Back to the hotel we go to plan for a full day in downtown Portland coming up next.
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