Once Upon A Time

A trip to Oregon and more - Part 1

By KAVU

December 20^th, 2016

.... remember when stories started like that? This is one of those stories. Two friends looking for a little adventure and a break from the day to day routine of what we call life. Nothing fancy, just an idea and optimistic intentions. Both of us calling the high desert of Salt Lake City home, we felt drawn to the coast.

Plane tickets were purchased to the oasis of Portland, OR! Just the right combination of green trees, blue skies, rugged coast, and good people that seemed just the right recipe for success.

Stargazer Farm in Sandy, OR. An amazing fully functional organic farm that provides produce to many of the restaurants in the city. I spent Thanksgiving here last year and it was my first time collecting vegetables from the ground that were then made for dinner that night. Super cool!

You know the trip is going to go well when you are greeted by local resident Laila who promptly challenges you to a bicycle race.

After dealing with taxi cabs, TSA agents, and long airport lines, walking around barefoot at the farm was just what the doctor ordered.

The first round of blackberries of the season; so big, plump, and sweet, were going off! We promptly went to work collecting as many as we could fit in our buckets and then returned to the kitchen where I learned that my travel companion can make some of the best pie I’ve ever had in my life. Definitely earned some street cred with the farm family and staff when you show up and rock out a bomb pie. 10 points for Lindsay.

....is also a destination for Portlandia residents looking to get out of the hustle and bustle of the city of a little while. There are AirBnB rentals on the property, but also something called Hipcamp (like AirBnb, but for campers). Many people ride their bikes out there and spend the weekend. It’s magical.

..meet Reggie, one of the greyhounds that lives on the property. He likes long walks on the farm, getting his head scratched, and chasing the fog around. Oh yea, and naps in the sun on the couch. He loves those too.

Every good adventure needs some exotic food mixed in. When staying at the farm I often clean up whatever left overs I can find in the fridge. For breakfast today I scored a unique dish of blue and green food coloring pancakes with raisins. A little maple syrup and almond butter and they were good to go!

After breakfast it was time to run to the store for some farm supplies. Somewhere along the way we picked up the worlds smallest shopping cart which it was then decided I had to push around with all the toilet paper in it. Laila found it very amusing.

Fun is everywhere

Ever built a fort at the grocery store? We highly recommend it. Sometimes adventure is right down isle 3. Never be to old to try new things. Ha ha!

We hurried back to the farm with enough time to wander down to the local swimming hole. A super rad spot that only the locals know about. The water is ice cold from the snow melt running off of Mt. Hood making it real refreshing and a nice compliment from the warm day sun.

We timed our trip to the farm to cross paths with the Dixie Mattress Music Festival. A solid line up of music and die hard fans was a recipe for success and bunch of happy campers. Literally.

FB: NEIL AMONSON

FB: JUMP FOR JOY

IG: @NEILAMONSON

Footnotes

Neil Amonson is a KAVU Athlete that lives his life seeking happiness. We're also proud to say that he also brings a lot of happiness to others wherever he goes. This is Part 1. Stay tuned

Button Label

FootNotes

Neil Amonson is a KAVU Athlete that lives his life seeking happiness. We're also proud to say that he also brings a lot of happiness to others wherever he goes. This is Part 1. Stay tuned