Okay, this post will be a bit all over the place. But I’ll try to tie it all together for you. Because I discovered some fun things to do around here, just in time for Oregon’s birthday/Valentine’s Day!
With the sunshine last weekend, I finally got to try out the new trails on the west end of the Thurston Hills Recreation Area. They kicked my butt! But were worth it. I’d been missing all the trails in the Ridgeline Trails system that I used to live close to in my little South Eugene apartment. So I was glad to discover awesome new trails here in Springfield! The trek I did is not for the faint of heart or feet, and I don’t recommend taking young kids on it. Chris and I have taken kids up the trails on the NE end of the park, reached from Main Street before, but we didn’t go far enough to reach any summits or views that time. So I was excited for the new trails with views.
This end of the Thurston trail system starts near Quartz Park off Bob Straub Parkway. For a while, the Lower Camas Crest Trail (or the “Cervus Road” path, which I took for the way up) winds up through wild fields that glowed golden in the winter sun. Then you have to walk on the Cervus Road through mossy deciduous trees staggered with sunshine for a while, which is very rocky and fairly steep. I highly recommend very comfortable thick-soled hiking boots. Eventually you reach the Basalt Rim Trail, which starts out near a huge outcrop of basalt columns and cliffs. Here you get into dense evergreens and have the option of taking a bonus loop, the Cascadian Thumb Trail. This offers great views between the trees, and leads to a great (but scary) viewpoint on top of a cliff. Continuing on the Basalt Rim Trail offers shade and views from the bottom of the cliffs. I completed the loop at the top by taking the Upper Camas Crest Trail, and then returned on the Cervus Road and Lower Camas Crest Trail. All in all, I think it was about 4 miles. A great workout on a sunny winter day!
For Valentine’s Day, Chris and I decided to eat out a day early on Monday, and try somewhere new. Old Nick’s is epic! It’s a fantasy-themed pub in the Whiteaker neighborhood. The decor is fantastic (chandeliers with owls hanging from them among other things), but the best part is the menu. With dishes inspired by and named after things from fantasy novels and great artwork to decorate it, it’s a feast for both the eyes and the mouth. I had the Tavern Stew, which was amazing. They were out of many items because of recent events held there, so I did not get to drink Butterbeer. But my tea came in a cauldron-shaped mug. So fun!
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, it snowed this morning! Our kids had fun playing outside during the 2-hour delay before school. For the upcoming holiday weekend, we plan to take the kids up to the mountains to play in the snow with friends. We feel so blessed to live in such a great state! What are your favorite places in Oregon, or places you’d like to see? If you don’t know, today (Valentine’s Day) is the anniversary of Oregon’s statehood. Not only is it beautiful, but also relatively safe. As I watch the news of devastating storms and cold, earthquakes, wars, and famines, I feel very privileged to live where I do. And as I write this, I’m reflecting on what I can do to help those in need. Valentine’s Day is a special day to show love to others. What ways do you do this? And speaking of showing love, I have to give a shout out to my little 6-year-old stepson. Last weekend at Dairy Queen, he sneaked up to the counter to turn in his kids meal’s free ice cream ticket to score me an ice cream. So sweet! I love my kind husband and his 5 adorable drama llamas.
Please leave a comment below if you’re willing, with your favorite places in Oregon or things you’re doing to show love to people around you (or far away). Or your favorite winter activity, since this will probably be my last post in this spontaneous series. Happy Valentine’s Day, and Happy Birthday Oregon!
The Compass Rose Queen 