Step Into My Week: Portland, Oregon

As I'm writing this, it's been exactly a year since I last posted a Step Into My Week post. I love reading my old posts so I'm hoping to get back into writing them. Can't say they'll be a weekly post. I'm thinking a small goal of a monthly Step Into My Week post would be good for me. We shall see.

I recently took a trip to Oregon to tour the University of Oregon and to explore the Oregon coast. Somehow I'm more obsessed with the Pacific Northwest than before. It's so magical. The trees. The vibe. The vegan food. You name it, I love it.

When I went to Portland last summer, I went to the vegan mall. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to go again. I got the same delicious vegan ice cream I got as last time. The most exciting part for me was the cone. Most cones have some sort of dairy in them, so I was very excited to eat the cone.

We went to the Portland Japanese Garden. This place is absolutely beautiful. I was so amazed by the small tree plants they'd been growing for decades. They all had such intricate detailing. Doesn't the garden look so peaceful?

The International Rose Garden is right to the Portland Japanese Garden. It's definitely worth battling the traffic to go to these two spots. The Rose Garden has an excellent view of the city. Plus, the roses are just magnificent. I went in late May when only a few of the flowers were blooming. All the flowers had bloomed when I went in mid-June last year. No matter what, you'll see some flowers if you visit in the summertime. I captured this picture of the tennis court because it amazes me that you can be surrounded by roses while playing tennis. Maybe, I'd play tennis if I lived there?

We went to Powells Book Emporium. This place is absolute magic! Rooms and rooms with rows and rows of books. What's not to love? I ended up choosing a book that was a diary of a bookseller. Seemed very fitting.

We took the Columbia River Highway toward Mt. Hood. The fog against the mountains made for stunning pictures.

Here's a goofy picture of me in a park ranger hat. I actually really like it. It would've been perfect for hiking.