Weekend to Oregon State with Grandma

Since my grandfather passed away last August, my grandmother in Milwaukee is able to travel a little more and wanted to go see my mom (her daughter) in Oregon state. So, my mom flew in to town and took my grandma back to Oregon with her for a week. Well, grandma needed an escort back from Oregon, so I somehow managed to be the lucky one for the job! (I know, it was rough, but someone had to do it!) It was the first time as an adult that the three of us got to spend that kind of time together. I was only there for 2 whole days, but it was very fun and relaxing.

My parents have a beautiful house in Salem at the top of a hill with 3 HUGE trees. You can spot their trees from quite some ways away. It is a very impressive drive up the hill to their beautiful house.



And right from their backyard, they have a beautiful view of Mt. Hood on a clear day.

The first day, we drove down to the ocean. It had been cool and cloudy until I arrived, and then apparently, I got there and the weather got warm, clear and beautiful. There was one lookout point in particular that is completely breathtaking....

We stopped for lunch at a cute little resturant. They had spectacular clam chowder, and a great view of Depot Bay, which is the smallest natural navigable harbor in the world.

Then we went to another location with cute shops, and a part where you hear barking.... when you get closer, you arrive at this dock with huge and hillarious sea lions.

On the drive home, we drove through some beautiful moss covered trees.

Oregon is also the second most fertile land in the world after Hawaii. We are always driving past another crop.... grapes, apples, hazlenuts, chrismas trees, grass seed, figs, you name it. Below is a photo of a small part of a huge field that harvests hops for beer.

The last day, we went to several wineries, all within a very small driving radius of my parents' house. This last picture doesnt really do it justice, but our favorite winery was designed so well inside, even had beautiful bathrooms. The wine was great, but best of all, it had a gorgeous view from their deck. Not like Wisconsin, that's for sure.

So overall, Oregon was amazing as always. But Grandma was thrilled to spend time with her girls and was so thankful. It was nice to be able to do something for her that she truely valued.