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Happy 154th Birthday, Oregon!

February 14, 2013

*Ending Radio Silence*

Hot on the heels of a year of globetrotting, this past month of life in Oregon shaped up to be one of near-complete digital retreat. Aside from Instagram snapshots, our online travel stories died down and we ditched most writing and photography in favor of spending time on in-person reunions with family and friends and our dear home state…and today, a resurfacing to say hello and show you what we’ve been up to!

Figure 1: Reunion with Heather & Micah, our pre-travel moving-a-mile-to-live-abroad counterparts!

Figure 2: Even during those 356 days overseas, these two green hearts never really left Oregon.

What can I say? We’re enjoying the love affair with home.

And speaking of love…and Oregon…

It’s Valentine’s Day, which means…

Happy Birthday, Oregon!

Though Oregon Territory history goes way, way back, and indigenous tribes’ heritage extends even further, official statehood for this patch of paradise came on February 14th, 1859 when we joined the U.S. as #33 of the bunch.

In honor of the festive occasion, and in honor of our safe and happy return home, enjoy the snapshot series from our tour around this beautiful state.

She’s not looking too shabby for 154 years old…

Not too quick to give up the nomadic life, we headed from home in the Willamette Valley (a green slice on the west side of the state) to a family getaway in Central Oregon, then pushed a bit farther to Burns and the surrounding high desert in Eastern Oregon. After that, an (un-pictured) jump north to neighboring Washington and the Idaho panhandle, then a return to the Willamette Valley for a breather before a grand finale weekend at the Oregon Coast.

Heading over the Cascade Mountain Range toward Central Oregon…



Off to the cold and snow (and hot springs!) of the east…

Up to the north: Shaniko (of ghost town fame).

And to the Pacific Ocean in time for birthday festivities and an Oregon sunset…


Figure 3: Sara, Jenna, me, and Beka; Evan, Ryan, Darian, and Ted. Couldn’t ask for better people in our lives!

Happy birthday, lovely Oregon.

Happy Valentine’s Day, dear friends.

It’s so peachy to be home!

xx B&T

~More travel stories soon.~

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20 Comments

  • Reply Tamara February 14, 2013 at 6:22 pm

    Great photos! Oregon is so photogenic. We always wish we had more time to explore. The only times we’ve been there is for work. One day we’ll make a visit just to wander!

    • Reply Bethany ~ twoOregonians February 18, 2013 at 12:48 pm

      Thanks so much, Tamara. : ) It’s been so fun to see Oregon’s beauty again and to know that it stacks up so high when compared to other gorgeous places in the world. I hope you do get a chance to come back and take some extra time. There are so many great corners of the state to get to know!

  • Reply Colleen February 14, 2013 at 6:23 pm

    I miss Oregon! Nothing beats it. Glad you’re home safe and happy.

    • Reply Bethany ~ twoOregonians February 18, 2013 at 12:52 pm

      Thanks, Colleen – and I’m glad you’re safe and happy out there on the open road! Great to be able to read about your adventures, too. Remember, Oregon will always be waiting…soak up everything the other side of the world has to offer in the meantime : )

  • Reply Kim February 14, 2013 at 6:38 pm

    Beautiful shots of Oregon. Makes me miss home.

    • Reply Bethany ~ twoOregonians February 18, 2013 at 12:54 pm

      She’s a beauty, isn’t she? : ) But, like I just said to Colleen, Oregon will always be here, lovely as ever. In the meantime, keep enjoying the great, wide world and all the joys of being on foreign soil! Hope you’re having a fantastic day out there : )

  • Reply Charlotte Smith February 15, 2013 at 8:36 am

    Welcome back, neighbors!! These photos are lovely! No matter where I go in the world (which hasn’t been recent enough) I still think we live in the most beautiful place on earth.

    • Reply Bethany ~ twoOregonians February 18, 2013 at 12:55 pm

      It’s great to be home (and SO great to be drinking your lovely Champoeg Creamery raw milk once again!). I know I’m biased, but I agree with you 110% : ) It’s just gorgeous here.

  • Reply Heather February 15, 2013 at 7:32 pm

    That pic of us is so cute- you should email it to me…except I don’t know if I really want any photographic proof of Micah’s terrible mustache. So glad you are home!!

    • Reply Bethany ~ twoOregonians February 18, 2013 at 12:55 pm

      I’ll send it to you for sure, and I’ll send the matching turtleneck awkward family photo shot as well – maybe I’ll even put it in a gilt frame ; )

  • Reply Stephanie - The Travel Chica February 16, 2013 at 12:08 pm

    Keep enjoying those wonderful first few months of being home.

    • Reply Bethany ~ twoOregonians February 18, 2013 at 12:56 pm

      …and those wonderful reunions with Portland food! ; ) Come back and visit so we can hit up Pine State and wander the parks!

  • Reply Pernilla February 16, 2013 at 5:11 pm

    Beautiful photos! Can’t wait to explore Oregon in the future. Enjoy your time at home.

    • Reply Bethany ~ twoOregonians February 18, 2013 at 12:59 pm

      Thanks very much, Pernilla. I hope you get the chance to visit Oregon someday soon. It really is beautiful – it reminds me in many ways of New Zealand, actually. Fun to read your bio – my husband has Swedish roots, and we’d love to visit Sweden someday…

  • Reply Becky L February 19, 2013 at 11:25 am

    The photos of Oregon are great. The old house in snow with wheels and the barns , just what I love to shoot with my camera as well. Old buildings besides nature are something I enjoy photographing.

    • Reply Bethany ~ twoOregonians February 20, 2013 at 10:00 am

      Isn’t that old cabin picturesque? It sits just down the road from my grandpa’s house in eastern Oregon, and it dates back to the late 1800s, I believe. I love imagining the people who used to live there…

  • Reply Rand (@Well Traveled Mile) February 19, 2013 at 8:36 pm

    Wow those are some great photos! Oregon is a wonderful places and I love seeing other peoples perspectives through photos.

    • Reply Bethany ~ twoOregonians February 20, 2013 at 10:05 am

      Hey Rand, glad you appreciated the snapshots of Oregon – I definitely share your love of seeing other people’s perspectives through photos and art, and it’s fun to be able to share mine here. Thanks for stopping by!

  • Reply Natalie February 20, 2013 at 11:25 am

    Love these photos, Oregon looks so stunning! Even more excited to be visiting soon, might have to hit you up with some questions sometime :)

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