Alternative title: Highlights from my summer vacation in Portland, Oregon.

1. Hike through several waterfalls. In the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, you’ll find the iconic Multnomah Falls–a 620-foot waterfall and Oregon’s tallest. A fun way to see Multnomah, several other waterfalls and a beautiful forest is to hike the five-ish mile Multnomah-Wahkeena Falls Loop trail. I went on a drizzly day and saw only a handful of people, but I hear it gets crowded, so go early. Keep an eye out for gigantic slugs on the path…being from Texas, I’d never seen anything like them!

2. Visit the International Rose Test Garden. The garden is home to more than 10,000 rose bushes and 600 rose varieties. I visited at peak time with all the flowers in bloom. It’s a gorgeous garden–and it’s free (though, you’ll pay a few dollars for parking)! It’s located within Washington Park, which offers several attractions, such as the Portland Japanese Garden and Oregon Zoo. My photos don’t do this place justice:

3. Explore Sauvie Island. Just 10 miles north of Portland is Sauvie Island. Part wildlife refuge, there are nature trails, “u-pick” farms, scenic views, great birdwatching and more! I visited at the peak of strawberry season, so, of course, I went strawberry picking! I have NEVER tasted strawberries from the grocery store like the ones I picked at Sauvie Island Farms. I also walked along the 2.3 mile Wapato State Greenway loop trail. It’s not for the weak–dozens of (harmless) snakes slithered across the path, which kept me on my toes. Important: you need a parking permit if you plan to park on Sauvie Island.

4. Eat and drink! Portland has an excellent food scene, with something for everyone. Same goes for coffee, wine and cocktails! There are often clusters of businesses together, so, after you eat, you can wander the neighborhood and pop into other shops. Some of my favorite spots were:

• Tusk: A stunning Mediterranean restaurant that serves seasonal and locally sourced food.
• Jacqueline: A cozy seafood restaurant whose creative menu changes daily based on what’s available.
• Bible Club: “Praise the lord and pass the booze!” is the motto at this speakeasy.
• Upper Left Coffee Roasters: There’s going to be a line, but it’s worth it. My pour over was phenomenal.
• Cathedral Coffee: I wanted a pick-me-up after Sauvie Island. Cathedral is just about 15 minutes north. The coffee and pastries were excellent.

There’s so much to see, do and eat in Portland–this doesn’t even scratch the surface. It’s a city I intend to visit again!