University of Oregon, Eugene

 Home of the Ducks!   U of O campus is huge so we spent an hour or so driving around it before checking into our hotel last night.  The rain was quickly approaching so we wanted to see as much in the light as possible.  

The famous track and field facility

 

 Autzen Stadium

 On campus buildings

We drove to the 5th Street Public Market on Pearl Street and got Calzones at The Dough Co. for dinner.

After dinner we checked into our hotel and went on a walk nearby.  We stayed right across the river from campus.  Bike paths and bridges are everywhere!

This morning, we were at the Eugene location of Voodoo donuts (no line!) for another round of deliciousness.  This time I just got a glazed and a chocolate peanut (boring I know) but equally yummy.  Taylor got the Captain My Captain and the Toasted Coconut.  Allison loved the Bacon Maple Bar and the Dubble Bubble.  You can't go wrong here!

We spent a few hours touring a very soggy campus and then chose to do some sales-tax-free spring clothes shopping to get out of the rain for the rest of the day.  We loved Eugene and hope to go back in sunnier weather!

Woodburn and Corvalis

It was time to check out of our hotel in Portland and make our way to Eugene for a few nights.  Our first stop was to the town of Woodburn for the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival.

 I wish I had Smell-O-Vision for this post!  The sights and smells were wonderful!

 Acres and acres of tulips for families to walk through

There were also food booths, wooden shoe kiddie rides and lots of tractors to climb on.  Such a pretty detour!

About an hour south along the 5 freeway is the town of Corvalis…Home of the Beavers at Oregon State University.  We were here on a perfect weather day and the students had just returned from Spring Break.

 All 3 of us loved the architecture on campus and all of the greenery.  The girls also loved that everyone was wearing workout clothes and Nike shoes to class and the atmosphere was very upbeat and fun!  Taylor was also happy to see that they have her major offered so this school may be in the running!

 Tons of open space areas to sit and relax

 Some of the dorms

 The track/soccer field

 The football field is right on campus too.  There isn't much to the town of Corvalis, but it is only an hour to the coast and an hour and a half to Portland.  Hiking is close by and the Williamette River offers a lot of recreation too.  Overall, a really great place for college!

Sunday Drive

There was nothing planned for today so we made a last minute decision to drive out to the Oregon Coast.  It took about an hour and 20 minutes to reach the closest town of Seaside.

It was very chilly!  It is a cute little town with shops, an indoor carousel and all of the typical beach town attractions.

 I'm sure its a great summer vacation spot, but us "SoCal girls" were freezing!

Just a few miles south on the 101 is Cannon Beach…called the Carmel of Oregon. 

 The girls skipped a few rocks and we watched a few families fly kites before heading back inland.

 I loved all of these cute vacation homes on the walk back to our car.

 The girls and I love watching Little People, Big World on TLC.  They live on a farm and open it up each fall for Pumpkin season and now also hold weddings on site.  We saw that we would be passing through Hillsboro on our way back so had to stop by.

 The farm is currently closed to the public and the driveway to the house said "Private Property"

 but we were able to get a few pictures from a  distance.  We spotted the house (far right) and the wedding barn (far left).  

 We followed the main road a little further out to look at some really cool farms and beautiful churches.

This herd of cows lined the fence line so I stopped to get some pictures.

 A few came really close to get a closer look at us!

Saturday Market and DONUTS

Portland's Saturday Market is voted one of the best Farmer's Markets in the country.  It is blocks and blocks of vendors from food to flowers to crafts and clothing.

We sampled fruit bowls and jerk chicken and took several business cards for good gift ideas.  

 We were fascinated by some eccentric street performers and loved the people watching.

 Just down the road is the VERY famous Voodoo Donuts.  We had worked up quite an appetite and were willing to wait in line for 45 minutes for this special treat.

 Voodoo has all of the standard donuts but prides themselves on the crazy ones.  

 They have a very organized system to get people through quickly.

 We each picked two to sample and LOVED them all…The Loop (white cake and frosting with Fruit Loops), Memphis Mafia (fried dough with banana and cinnamon sugar, chocolate frosting with peanut butter and chocolate chips), The Dirt (covered in Oreos), Marshall Matters (white cake with vanilla frosting and mini M&M's), Toasted Coconut and Miami Vice Berry (plain donut with vanilla frosting, blue raspberry powder and pink sprinkles).

 HEAVEN!

These were truly the best donuts we have ever had and I'm sure we will be visiting some of the other locations before leaving Oregon!