As someone who feels the average weekend flies by far too quickly, I love three-day weekends with all of my heart. This Memorial Day weekend was full of hiking, biking, and eating almost every meal outside. It’s what we call summertime perfection.
On Saturday, we took some of our small group pals on a hike to Dry Creek Falls in the Columbia River Gorge. Don’t be fooled by the name; the waterfall has plenty of water. Plus, it’s a super easy hike with minimal crowds, even on a holiday weekend. (You can check out our last visit to Dry Creek Falls here.)
On Sunday, we took a delightful loop around Mount Hood, picking up lunch at River Daze Cafe in Hood River and taking it down to the waterfront to watch the windsurfers and kite boarders. I’m certain I lack the upper body strength to hold onto a kite on the water, but watching these folks fly through the air was amazing.
From there, we took on the crowds and hiked the short trail to Tamawanas Falls. It was SO crowded, but definitely beautiful.
Sometimes the mist blew around so hard that we couldn’t even see the waterfall!
We drove a little further around Mount Hood to hike to Mirror Lake and Tom, Dick, and Harry Mountain. It was pretty windy, so the water in Mirror Lake was far too disturbed to get that classic reflection of Mount Hood. We carried on to the top of Tom, Dick, and Harry Mountain, and made it to the top just before the clouds took over Mount Hood. The view was pretty great while it lasted. You can even see tiny Mirror Lake down below. (But if you’re picking a reflective lake hike near Mount Hood, I’d 100% recommend Trillium Lake over Mirror Lake.)
To finish our three-day weekend, we biked across the river to breakfast at Lauretta Jean’s on Monday morning (I fully support biking over bridges for biscuits). And then we spent the gloriously sunny afternoon playing frisbee and reading on a blanket at Cathedral Park under the St. John’s Bridge. Seriously, Portland perfection.
Every time the wind blew, this cotton stuff flew off the trees and looked like a beautiful snowfall. Love it.
We ended our weekend with a grilled dinner on the patio, followed by our favorite summertime dessert.
Here’s to the weekend!
-Ally
Lucas Wilkerson says
I’m far from an expert, but based on the one kiteboarding lesson I took, you really don’t need much upper body strength. You wear a harness around your waist, and that connects to the tension lines of the kite. The handle is only connected to the control lines, which have comparatively little load. Believe it or not, finesse is much more important than strength. So get out there and give it a shot! (Full disclosure: my lesson did not include any actual kiteboarding. Apparently it’s the sort of thing you can’t — or shouldn’t? — attempt after only 1 hour of instruction. You have to practice kite control on terra firma first, and then you practice in the water sans board. Only after being comfortable with those skills should any real kiteboarding be attempted.)
Hannah @ WellLovely says
That sounds like a great weekend!! I love your pictures looking up at the St John’s Bridge, they look magical with the floating “snow”!
Aunt KayKay says
Ally,
Love the pictures. I miss the times Vernon, the boys, and I use to hike at some of our favorite parks. I love water falls and I envy you getting to see & “feel” the water that is a part such a beautiful place.. Enjoy all the good times of being young and together. Things change when your mate dies and your children have homes of their own!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have been busy taking Wes to the doctor and I have had a few appointments myself. I got a shot in each of my hip joints today a will get one in my right shoulder on Monday. Am still seeing doctors about Wes’ left knee. It hurts him all the time. He is facing a total knee replacement. We would appreciate your prayers for all of us here in Kentucky. Love, Aunt KayKay PS: Did you notice that Kayla & Andy have posted more of their wedding pictures.