My trip was brief, but long enough to know that I want to return to discover more of this Oregon, port city. I started by taking the Portland Aerial Tram to get a bird's eye of this beautiful city. For less than $6, I got picturesque views of Mt. Hood, the Willamette River and downtown Portland.
Just 30ish minutes east of Portland, I discovered Multnomah Falls. Multnomah Falls is the tallest waterfall in Oregon, dropping from 620 feet, in two sections.
Legend states that the chief of the Multnomah people had one surviving child, a beautiful daughter that he loved with all his heart. He found a husband for her to marry and the two fell in love. During a celebration for the upcoming wedding, guests began to fall sick and die. The chief called his councilmen for guidance, and the oldest medicine man revealed that the Great Spirit had said, that in order to save the people, a young maiden's life would have to be sacrificed. The chief refused to sacrifice his beloved daughter, or any of the other maidens and instructed his people to meet their fateful death with bravery.
The daughter of the chief however, wondered if it was indeed her fate to sacrifice her life to the Great Spirit but, she was in love and wanted to be married and share her life with her soon to be husband. Within days, her lover too became ill. She snuck away and jumped from the cliff, saving his life and many others. When her father learned of what she had done, he asked the Great Spirit to send a sign that his daughter's spirit had been welcomed into the Land of Spirits. It is said, that at that moment, water began flowing over the cliff and has flowed continuously since.
Just back from Multnomah Falls, where else was there to go but The Multnomah Whiskey Library? This place is a must for any whiskey enthusiast. The space is set up like a library, but instead of books, you will find over 1700 bottles of spirits. The only book you will need here is the menu.
My last destination before heading home, and the one I was most excited about, was the Willamette Valley. I enjoy all wine varietals but, Pinot Noir is my favorite. The Willamette Valley is Oregon's leading wine region and known for its Pinot Noir. Located just 50 miles from the Pacific Ocean, the region remains cool, which pinot noir grapes love. Aside from great wines, the region is aesthetically stunning.
