Portland Photographer | Sundays Exploring Oregon
My husband Pat is currently in an endodontics residency at OHSU in Portland which means he is busy almost all of the time working and studying and working and studying, even on Saturdays. Our time spent together is limited right now, but we reserve as many Sundays as we can for family day and we spend those precious Sundays exploring different locations around the beautiful state of Oregon. When Pat and I lived in Oregon for 7 years before kids, we would often spend the weekends exploring and now that we are back we make it our mission to take our boys out as well. When I'm the one making the decisions about where to go, it's almost always to the coast, but when Pat is the one deciding our destination we usually head for the mountains, river, lakes, and forests. These are a few of our mostly non-coast Sundays spent exploring Oregon (and sometimes Washington).Ape Cave in Mount St. Helens National Monument. This was something I can say I've done but the claustrophobia will probably prevent me from ever going back there again.
The thing I did enjoy about the visit to Ape Cave was the scenery along the way.
Multnomah Falls. We've hiked to the top of Multnomah Falls many times and it is definitely a site to see, though we prefer the numerous other waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge just because they aren't nearly as crowded.
Crater Lake. I'd been wanting to go here for several years, so on a rare weekend off we drove there from Portland and it was worth the wait.
Smith Rock State Park. It's no wonder this site is included on the 7 wonders of Oregon, along with Crater Lake.
Mt. Hood. We go here often on the weekends, either hiking or enjoying winter activities. It is a spectacular site every time. On this particular day, the same weekend as Crater Lake and Smith Rock, we happened upon the Mountain Music Festival at Timberline Lodge. Great music, great food, and great views.
This is one of my favorite Oregon photos with the vineyards and the fog and the beautiful light. It was taken on a drive back from the coast.
Fishing on the Nestucca River. This is a favorite activity of these 3 boys and while they aren't often successful as far as the fishing part goes, it's all about the memories, right?
Silver Falls State Park. This is another spot we love to explore and have been to several times. I don't think we've seen all of the waterfalls in the park, but our favorite is always walking behind the popular South Falls.
The forests are always interesting and intriguing.
Hiking and "fishing" along the Wilson River.
Exploring and fishing at the Deschutes River.
Foggy drives and pretty Mt. Hood views.
Cape Lookout State Park. This trip combined both of our favorite adventures.
Neahkahnie Mountain hike. See more about that adventure here.
Wahclella Falls. This was an easy hike in the Columbia River Gorge with a beautiful view at the end.
Hike to Umbrella Falls in Mt. Hood National Forest.
Hike to Mirror Lake. I would love to go back to this lake on a clear day for reflections of Mt. Hood.
Wind Mountain. We did this hike last weekend and the signs of fall were showing in the forest. The view of the Columbia River from above was stunning.
Our bucket lists grow almost daily and I can't wait to find out where future Sundays take our family.Heidi Heaphy Photography is a Portland, Oregon based photographer specializing in weddings, seniors, and family sessions. Portrait sessions are available in the greater Portland area, the Oregon coast, and are also frequently available in western Montana. Contact me to schedule your own customized session.