Oregon?

21Mar09

For my first week off in eternities I schlepped across the country to scope out wonderful Oregon as a future living place. Why Oregon? The outdoors their are mega awesome. So many things to do compared to Charlotte and what I experienced was merely a modicum of what the state had to offer. Also, several engineering groups out there to work for, including Intel, of whom my uncle works for (where I may end up working).

I took a tour of Portland, mostly of the downtown area. Lots of great microbreweries and pubs with fresh beer made from hops grown only miles away. Also, many interesting shops and eateries, and a mega awesome bookstore (Powell’s). Lots of interesting people, culture, and events as well. The drivers there actually seem to want to yield to pedestrians, blew my mind. Public transportation is years beyond Charlotte’s infrastructure.

My sister and I took an outing to hike in the Columbia Gorge and then drove to Mount Hood, Oregon’s highest mountain (only a one hour drive from Portland). The Gorge was gorgeous (hehe). The scenery even from the interstate was breathtaking. We stayed in a lodge located at 6,000 feet on Mount Hood, with a great view of the 11,000 foot summit. I got to sit in a bar and read a book / drink a beer and while viewing the alpen glow of the sunset on the side of the mountain. Snowboarding down the mountain was also incredibly incredible. I also took an outing to see a friend in Washington and got to take a hike through a rain forest in the Olympics. Quite amazing even in sub 40 degree rain. Can’t wait to see it all in the summer.

I’m pretty set on moving there, the only deciding factor left is… a job. Will probably start flooding the place with resumes next week once I polish it up.

More Pics:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/erby/collections/72157615490589848/

Filed under: Uncategorized   |  1 Comment