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Travel Diary | Northwest is Best

I wish I could fit all the things I love so dearly about the Pacific Northwest in my suitcase. The rugged, the rainy, the Portland vibes that only Portland has. The food. OMG, the food (links at the end to awesome food places we went). And my dear friends Andrew and Bria who brought us up there in the first place, to celebrate, photograph(me), officiate(Milan) their wedding.

I’m not sure how TSA would feel about said suitcase, but I’d be preeeetttyyyy happy if I could make that happen. But since this is planet Earth and not Shannon’s Dreamland-Marshmallow World, we will just have to return again sooner rather than later.

St. Honore Portland, Or

Our airbnb we stayed in on Division Street in Portland was perfect and dangerous all at the same time. Dangerous? Because it was above Salt & Straw, some of the best ice cream I’ve ever tasted, and the smell of freshly made waffle cones wafted up through the balcony. We miiiiiiight have eaten ice cream more than once. My fave is the sea salt caramel. You should go get you some asap.Portland, Oregon airbnbSalt & Straw, PortlandPortland, Or

Before the wedding festivities began Andrew and Bria (pictured below) took us to some epic dinners. Like this one at The Woodsman. The atmosphere was nothing short of hip whisky bar meets fancy restaurant. Oh, and STUPID good food.The Woodsman, Portland, OrPine State biscuits - Shannon Rosan Photography

After we ate all the things (although in my opinion not enough of the things) in Portland we set out for our 2.5hr drive Northwest. Winding through thick pines and birch groves until we found ourselves at the wedding venue, The Sou’Wester Lodge. The lodge was built in the 1800’s, and on the surrounding grounds are renovated retro trailers from the 50’s. It’s charming and I highly recommend a stay there. Sou'Wester

The day after the wedding we explored the area, went to the beach briefly in Long Beach, Washington, picked up some records at an antique store that I’m still not sure how we made it out alive because of the sea of tchotchkes, and then headed out to see Cannon Beach’s famous haystacks.
Polaroid Travel Photos, Shannon Rosan PhotographyPolaroid Travel Photos, Shannon Rosan PhotographyPolaroid Travel Photos, Shannon Rosan Photography

What no one tells you, ESPECIALLY, Google Maps is where exactly those famous haystacks are. I assumed since you know ‘famous’ they would be easy to find. After driving around the small town of Cannon Beach, with the super long beach of namesake, we thought we found the correct entrance. It was RAINING SIDEWAYS when we arrived.

With Polaroid in hand, huge grin on my face I trekked out to get a shot. Milan, asking me, ‘What are we doing?’ cuz ya know, sideways rain, to which I squealed, ‘WANDERLUSTING,’ not a word but hey. He then replied, ‘I don’t think this is wanderlusting, this is just wandering.’

I might have died of laughter right then.Cannon Beach, Oregon, Shannon Rosan PhotographyPolaroid Travel Photos, Shannon Rosan Photography

And, although we were no where near the best place to view the haystacks, it was a blast, drenched in rain, polaroids, and memories in tow. We drove back to spend one night in Portland before catching a plane back to sunny California. And one more meal. Because food.

Ps and Qs Market, Shannon Rosan PhotographyPs and Qs Market, Shannon Rosan PhotographyPs and Qs Market, Shannon Rosan Photography

Food Adventures in Portland, Or:

St. Honore

The Woodsman

Salt & Straw

Pine State Biscuits

P’s and Q’s Market

2 comments
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  • KimMarch 12, 2016 - 1:33 am

    It was so nice officially meeting you and Milan this weekend! It sounds like you guys did Portland right, and I can’t wait to see all the photos from Bria and Andrew’s beautiful wedding.

    Oddly enough my first visit to see the Haystacks was also met with bonkers sideways rain, followed by a table for four drowned rats at a nearby seafood dive. So, maybe that’s just like, Portland’s way of hazing us Californians? 🙂

    Come back soon! Would love to mow through Portland’s food scene with you guys next time.ReplyCancel

    • Shannon RosanMarch 14, 2016 - 10:20 pm

      Hi Kim!

      FEEL THE SAME WAY! Love to spend more time getting to know you! And yes, mow through food 🙂

      I’m glad it wasn’t just us in regards to the Haystacks, lol!ReplyCancel

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