ROADS LESS TRAVELLED
Hidden gems on Oregon coast
The small plane banks sharply, and I feel it in my gut. When it evens out, the guy in front of me opens the door, and jumps. My instructor, who is harnessed on my back, motions that it’s our turn.
After I catch my breath and process that I’m in free fall, 13,000 feet above the ground, I look to my right and see Mount Hood less than a hundred kilometres away. As we rotate in free fall, I see Mount St. Helens and Mount Rainier much further in the distance.
It’s a pretty dramatic way to take in the Pacific Northwest, and I was glad we took the road less travelled to get there.
A road trip through Washington and down the Oregon coast is not an unusual way to enjoy the Pacific Northwest, and many people make the trip every year. But what many don’t know is that there are lesser-known spots along I-5 where travellers can enjoy outdoor adventures, breweries, dining and hotels that will make the journey just as fun as the destination.
Our first stop is Kirkland, just east of the Emerald City. At Chainline Brewing Company, we find head brewer Aaron Blonden on the relaxing side of the bar, sampling one of his Pilsners, which he makes in a copper brewhouse imported from the Czech Republic.
The brewery’s tasting room has a very laid back atmosphere. Inside, the artwork pays homage to the Pacific Northwest’s penchant for cycling, and the back deck steps right down on to the Cross Kirkland Corridor Trail, making it a perfect stop for walkers, joggers, and cyclists.
Expect cross paths or hoist a pint with mountain bikers chilling out after riding on Tiger Mountain or skiers heading south to Crystal Mountain if it’s ski season.
You have your pick of outdoor adventure is these parts, and we choose to rent kayaks to explore the Mercer Slough, off Lake Washington. The slough is the largest freshwater wetlands and the nature park, located in the heart of urban Bellevue, encompasses more than 120 hectares.
We paddled through the choppy waters of Lake Washington, and directly underneath I-90, finding ourselves in a serene wetland. We paddled for an hour along a calm, watery pathway, lined with trees. The flora is home to many different species of wild birds, and the only reminder that we were still in the middle of a city were the occasional glimpses of buildings above the foliage.
For lunch we made our way into the City of Bellevue, to Lot No. 3, an upscale restaurant with a southern flare. The decor mixes modern chic with old-west saloon. Low tables in the front window feature comfortable wing chairs. For a more intimate experience, upstairs has closer seating and dim lighting.
Whisky is the bartender’s specialty and we started with a delicious Old Fashioned. For lunch we ordered, chicken and waffles, macaroni and cheese, fried chicken, and a skillet brownie with ice cream. Comfort food done right.
Fortunately our hotel, the new W Bellevue, was just a block away. The facility’s summer cottage decor is cheeky and modern, with patterns lifted from a grandparent’s living room. Hotels in the W chain famously reflect each individual location, and this facility’s lakehouse decor is no different,
from the lobby to the rooms. A large bench swing that looks like it was taken straight from the back yard of a cottage greets patrons. Plaids, leathers, and quirky photographs are all used to add to the ambience.
We had one more stop to make before we reached the coast — Oregon City.
The folks at Skydive Oregon in Molalla, located a half-hour drive south of Oregon City, will put even the most skittish jumper at ease — it worked for me. With the instructor in tandem we jumped from higher than the peak of Mount Hood the free fall at 120 m.p.h. was for nearly a minute before I opened my chute. The rush to the ground slowed allowing me to enjoy the spectacular view.
The adrenalin high doesn’t leave too soon so an after-jump drink to celebrate was next on the agenda. We headed for Oregon City Brewing, a wonderful modern brewing establishment with a diverse array of beverage options. Even better, the brewery teamed up with local frankfurter company OP Wurst, which operates a kitchen right inside the brewery. Once we made up our minds on which beer we’d like to try, the wide open front patio offered a relaxing spot to enjoy my Reuben dog — complete with sauerkraut — with an ice cold lager. There’s even an entire shelf of board games for anyone with extra time on their hands.
The next day we reached our destination — Cannon Beach. We checked in at Hallmark Resort, and were delighted with the beautiful view of the beach and iconic Haystack Rock. It was tempting to stare out at the beach all day or maybe take advantage of the spa, the heated pool and the sauna.
But this was an outdoor adventure road trip after all, so we headed straight over to Cannon Beach Surf for some boards and wetsuits. The staff were friendly and helpful in advising us as to the best spots along the coast. We settled on Short Sands Beach, just south of town. A short 20-minute hike down from the highway and we were standing on a pristine beach, ready for a day of surf and sun.