Cannon Beach, OR: June 2013

As a California girl, summer means going to the beach, so I had to scoop out where the local beaches are. Lucky for me, within 1.5 hour driving distance from Portland on the 101 are a few beaches that can satisfy my beach craving.

My husband, fur babies, and I made the quick drive to Cannon Beach, OR.  The Pacific Ocean is cold, and the water temperature is not too far off what I experience in Southern California. However, the air temperature is much cooler here, making the water seem relatively colder. Yet, I love how this beach is less busy, quieter, and more secluded. Dogs are welcome on-leash, and you can put them off leash in areas with few/no people. My dogs loved running around in the sand, but were a bit timid when it came to the water.

Our Kirin enjoying the tide pools

Our Gidget wades in the water

 I love nature and both the mountains and beaches, so it was amazing to see the juxtaposition of mountain & beach all in one view. I love the mountain background. A friend told me that there is forest-type hiking and camping at neighboring Ecola State Park. When I go back, it is on my must-do list.

Below are pictures of Haystack rock, the landmark that Cannon Beach is known for, with its surrounding tide pools. Many birds call the rock home.

Below are pictures from Tolovana State Park, southern end of Cannon Beach.

Mo's Restaurant: What a view!

What is equally amazing about my trip is the friendliness of the people we meet. As my husband and I ate dinner, we enjoyed chatting up with two separate parties at our shared table. When another guest was unable to finish her steak, our doggies were offered the remaining pieces. And, as we finished drinks at the firepit table, we were joined by two servers who told us about there gypsy-type lifestyle, bouncing from various vacation spots, working and enjoying life.

Cannon Beach "Graffiti"

Bonus points if you can identify this compound, and no I did not do this.

-Until the Next Adventure, cutiee23


Links:
Cannon Beach
Ecola State Park
Tolovana State Park


Land's End Inn : Amazing place to stay~affordable, dog-friendly, ocean front
Puppy by the Sea: Friendly owners~ dog-friendly, great place to stock up on treats while on vacay


Yummy places for chowder:
Mo's Restaurant 
Driftwood Restaurant 
Ecola Seafoods: great place to buy fresh fish & prepared food to bring for a seaside picnic


 

Portland Dining Month-June 2013

My blog is kinda disjointed right now, as I concurrently post Portland stuff along with past trips around the West Coast. Anyways, I found a flier for this Portland Dining Month in one of the restaurants. Many restaurants to chose from (over 80) and you pay $29 for a 3 course meal with proceeds going to the Oregon Food Bank. What a great way to have fun and help people at the same time. Wonder where I should go? Any suggestions?

Portland Dining Month

After Fresno comes Reno. 12.2012

I'm glad my interview trail for residency is leading me to places I've never been. Like Fresno, Reno is a small city, in fact its the "littlest biggest city in the world" However, Reno is only 30 minutes away from one of the best skiing in CA/NV. OMG** drool. I can perfect my skills on amazing powder.

Reno's downtown seems to be undergoing a revitalization. Blocks down from Reno's casinos is the Truckee river surrounded by new restaurants and shops. I love seeing independent businesses, and not chains, opening and thriving. I also love how the river runs through downtown. It allows you an opportunity to ponder as you walk down the river. I heard you can even raft down the river. Awesome!

Until my next adventure, cutiee23

Views of Truckee River

Ice Skating in Downtown

Businesses Along the River

 

What to Do in Fresno?

Yes Fresno is the middle of CA farm country, but if I did move to Fresno, here are some things I could do:


1. RiverPark
Source of picture-http://www.panoramio.com/photo/9467241
North side of Fresno is the happening place with an outdoor mall and multiple chain restaurants. Reminds me of Victoria Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga. Wish they had more small businesses. Paul, my hubby, wants to open a restaurant/bar and I don't know if he'll have much luck. Seems like chain restaurants rule here.

2. China Peak


I could always go skiing.I love the thrill of going down a mountain, even though what I consider fast is what many consider "slow" as I go down the intermediate blue runs. The trail map seems to have a good number of intermediate and advanced runs. I wonder what the conditions are like?

3. Yosemite

Since my hubby has turned me more into an outdoors person, camping and hiking in one of CA's natural treasures seems up my alley. I would love to hike to the magnificent waterfalls with my doggies. Hopefully I don't catch Hantavirus.


Until the next adventure, cutiee23




Links:
Riverpark
China Peak
Yosemite

Oh No...It's Fresno

That's what I first thought when I was driving up the 99. From the highway all you see are fields of bushes and miles of dirt. Arriving in Fresno on a Sunday after sunset didn't help either. City was dead. I hoped the morning brought better news...and it did.

Heading North

Another road trip for another interview. Next stop: Fresno

Cool names on the way off the 99:
Smoky Bear Rd.
The City of Pumpkin Center
Ming Ave.
Elmo Hwy.

Until the next adventure, Cutiee23

Air BnB: cheaper alternative to hotels

AirBnB <---click here to check it out

With all my recent travel, costs are adding up fast. I never realized how a simple weekend trip can get pricy...once you add the cost of flight, rental car, hotel, gas, food...etc. For my last trip to Oregon, I was lucky to spend one day @ a friend's house. For the other night, I used a new website from one of my fave blogs( Rent Food Broke). Air BnB consists of people who rent out spare rooms or even their whole house/apt. Depending on the area, you can get cheaper lodging and a local guide. They can point you to the best restaurants or give hints about living there. The second point is more important to me since I'm interviewing for residency.

As a woman traveler, I was concerned about safety, but after my first pleasant experience this past weekend, the website is now added to my arsenal of travel websites.

Here's important tips to maximize safety:

1. I prefer choosing hosts that have positive comments. The website is set up so only guests who booked via the website can leave comments after their stay. I doubt they can inflate their profile by adding fake comments.

2. Hosts (as well as guests) can have their phone numbers and facebook profile verified.

3. Profiles are key. You can at least get a basic idea of who you are staying with. The more info the better.

4. Don't hesitate to ask questions before booking.

5. I made sure my hubby and friend knew where I was staying and made sure to check in with them.

 Hope that helps save costs when you have to travel.

Until my next adventure,
cutiee23