In Which We Run Away to Central Oregon

Two months of illness in our house, a midwest funeral following the Cubs win, work projects piling high and time together running low…

Our family needed to run away, and we did.

(Heads up: get that scrolling finger ready. This post is 99% pictures, pictures, pictures.)

When you make it over the Santiam Pass in record time and the @bigwigdonuts pop-up in Salem is practically on the route home… A pretty fitting end to a Rydmark family vacation, right? And the Pumpkin Cardamom beauties *just about* made up for a pumpkin pie-free Thanksgiving. . Bonus: all these little minis are wheat and dairy free so my little peach Lucie could eat them, too! 🙌🏼✨🍩 #traveloregon #oregoneats #familytravel #bigwigdonuts #adoughnutdiary #bethanylovesdoughnuts

A post shared by bethany rydmark (@bethanyrydmark) on Nov 26, 2016 at 7:45pm PST

Eagle Crest Resort – a Central Oregon timeshare I grew up visiting as a kid. So trippy to return in the role of the mom! (Thanks so much, K., for offering us your week this year.)

Newport Avenue Market – you know when you’re on vacation and don’t want to eat out all the time, but definitely want to cook tasty meals in your vacation rental kitchen? You know when you’re not in Portland and don’t have access to a New Seasons, but you need a Thanksgiving ham and veggies? Yep. This is where you go when you know.

Lone Pine Coffee Roasters – a little pick me up just down the alleyway.

McMenamins Old St. Francis School – believe me, entry for the Soaking Pool is the best $5.00 spent in Bend.

Smith Rock – prior to this trip’s parking lot drive-by, we visited most recently for our friends Jodi and Andrew’s gorgeous autumn wedding. Rightly listed as one of Oregon’s Seven Wonders. (You can read more about why I love all seven here.)

Spork – thanks to Jodi and Andrew for introducing us to Spork: truly exceptional catering, and dine in (even with kiddos) is delicious. I’ve had the Lomo Saltado (Peruvian stir fry) three times already…

Sisters Coffee Company – we’ve been stopping for Sisters Coffee ever since they were a tiny little cabin on the side road in a tiny town. Of course, now you can visit them in downtown Portland anytime, but why not hang out in the giant cabin at the base of the Cascades?

Bigwig Donuts – couldn’t resist a stop at this Salem based doughnut pop-up shop on the way back between Bend and Portland. (Gluten free/vegan so even little Lucie on her wheat and dairy free diet could partake.)

For more from this part of the world: Three Stories Up: A Lookout Tower Weekend in Central Oregon.

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