Oregon: From the Trees to the Breeze

I'm sure (almost) all of you have heard of the Oregon Trail. The trail from Missouri all the way to the Willamette Valley in Oregon. It was a long and dangerous journey. In fact, there is estimated to have been 10,400 to 20,000 deaths with varying causes such as disease, Native American attacks, freezing, and more. Meriwether Lewis and William Clark are credited for paving the way for west expansion along the Oregon Trail.

Oregon is filled with trees. I'm by a window while I'm writing this, and I can see A LOT of trees out that window. The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) manages about 821,000 acres of forestland throughout the state. Oregon has the second highest percent of land covered by national forest (24%) in the US behind only Idaho (38.2%). Oregon also has the second most national parks (12) behind only California (20). With the amount of forest land there is in Oregon, you'd expect there to be a lot of wildlife, right? Yeah, you'd be correct... There are countless amounts of animals in the state. Some native animals to Oregon are beavers, black bears, gray foxes, pronghorns, mountain goats and so many more. There is also a zoo in Portland where people can see animals without any danger.

Sports are big in Oregon. The Portland Trail Blazers have one of the most loyal fanbases in the NBA. Even though they haven't won a championship in a long time, the fans have endured the disappointment and still remain loyal to the team. Along with the Blazers, there are some other professional teams in Portland like the Timbers (MLS) and the Thorns (NWSL). In terms of college sports, many Oregonians are fans of the Oregon Ducks or the Oregon State Beavers. This makes a huge rivalry between the two schools and causes more people to watch when they go against each other especially in football (American). The Ducks have had the better sports program lately in a lot of sports. The one sport where OSU is definitely better in though is baseball. The Beavers have won a total of 3 college world series with the latest victory being in 2018.

Bend is a city in central Oregon. It is situated along the Deschutes River and is one of the most beautiful cities in the state. Ask any Oregonian what they're favorite Oregon city is and I'd bet they'd probably say Bend. With spectacular views and great hiking trails, it is easy to see why it is so popular among Oregonians. The city is beautiful year-round. In the winter, you can probably see some snow, and the mountain views will be even more amazing. Go in the spring when everything is blooming. If it's summer, you can go on a nice hike and then cool down by the river. Even in the fall, the city is stunning with the brilliant colors and nature. There are also many great places to eat. A lot of restaurants in Bend have outdoor dining along the river. On top of all of this, Bend is a pretty safe place. The only downside to Bend is getting there. It's about a 3 and a half hour drive from Portland. However, there is an airport in Redmond which is not far from Bend if you can find a flight.

Located in Terrebonne, Smith Rock is a great place for hiking and rock climbing. It's about a 40 minute drive from Bend and about a 20 minute drive from the Redmond Airport. Smith Rock is one of the 256 state parks in Oregon. It has some beautiful views at the top. However, you might want to stay away from Smith Rock if you have a fear of heights.

Multnomah Falls is the highest waterfall in the state. It's about a 30 minute drive from the Portland airport. The waterfall is 620 feet high and features two drops. You can get a good picture without much hiking. However, you can hike along a trail and get a better view of the magnificent waterfall. Just try to find a place to stay that's probably not in Multnomah County because well... it's not the greatest...

The one national park that Oregon has. Crater Lake is located in southern Oregon in Klamath County. The nearest major city is Klamath Falls which is about 60 miles away. Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States with a depth of 1,943 feet. The lake is famous for its blue water and its visual beauty. It is also rich in history and there's more to do than just look at the lake. There are stations set up along the perimeter of the lake that teach you about the lake and its history. The only problem with Crater Lake is that it's in the middle of nowhere.