PORTLAND:

Day four. Day three did not involve any outdoor or foodie adventures. However, we did find a place to live which is always helpful.

The sun was shining this morning, as we headed out to Powell Butte (I like to think it's pronounced boo-tay) Nature Park to explore the area. This is a sprawling 600 acre area that includes a variety of trails and an awesome display of blooming wild flowers. I even saw some varieties that I use to love as a kid. It made me realize how little I came across wild flowers in Florida. At least not those growing with such vibrancy.

We wandered along three or more miles of trail, taking in the sights and sounds of nature. At one point the trailed dropped down into a cooler moss-covered forest. Everything was green. The air was fresh. And the world was quiet.

We ended up at an overlook which pointed to each mountain within range. Most were difficult to see due to cloud cover. You could just barely make out the snowy slopes of Mt. Hood in the distance. Mt. Hood is the tallest peak in Oregon at 11,294 feet. And just like it's once 9,677 ft neighbor, Mt. St. Helens, it is an active volcano. Mt. St. Helens's explosive eruption in 1980 resulted in a height collapse of 1,314 ft making it now only 8,366 ft tall. Mt. Hood has had multiple eruptive periods involving non-explosive lava flows. The last of these occurring in 1907. However, the Mt. Hood region continues to experience clusters of seismic activity every year. Try enjoying a ski trip with that fun fact in the back of your mind.

Upon leaving the park area, I noted a quote stamped in cement that read: Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul. These words were written by John Muir, an extremely influential environmental activist, who led Congress to preserve multiple wilderness areas including the slightly popular Yosemite National Park.

After the nature walk, we headed out to Ecliptic Brewing  for their annual Outdoor Project's Solstice Block Party. This is a gathering of local and national outdoor-focused vendors such as North Face, Bullfrog sunscreen, Patagonia, Deviation Ski & Snowboard Works and many more. My friends and I grabbed a stamp card which required visiting certain vendors and receiving a free prize if completed. Some vendors provided chances to win outdoor gear and clothing. Others gave out discount cards for their products.

I got to sip on some locally brewed kombucha and taste tested oatmeal by Roam Oatmeal. My husband hit 3 out 4 corn hole shots to take home a free packet of oatmeal. Score! At the Patagonia tent, I was able to purchase a slightly worn, insulated women's jacket for $20. This same jacket could easily cost over $200 brand new. Even bigger score! Shout out to The Renewable Workshop, who is a company that repairs and renews name brand outdoor clothing making it more sustainable and affordable for everyone. They were also at the Patagonia tent, ready and willing to repair any wear and tear in the clothing.

After completing the stamp card, I also received a 1% for the planet T-shirt. This is a an organization that has created a global network of companies committed to donating 1% of their profits to saving the environment. So despite 45, there is global effort out there trying to save the world one step at a time.

We then headed down the street from the block party to Mississippi Pizza for a bite. The side of the road seating was a little nerve racking, especially as large buses and trucks went by on the narrow street. We lived. But barely.

My husband and I ordered a Margarita pizza, which unfortunately took over an hour to get out to us. Jokes were made that they were waiting for the tomatoes to finish growing. Possibly. Despite the wait, the pizza was delicious and the manager gave us gift certificates for the delay.