Never travel for business during Spring Break! That’s the first moral of this story as I always have to learn things the hard way… I booked a flight at the crack o’ dawn through Southwest so I could hit the ground running on a Monday morning to make the week last extra long. In theory, it’s a good idea during any other time of the year and you will fly through security at Phoenix Airport with time to spare. But this time was a Spring Break shit show at 5 a.m. with lines crawling down the hallway with the progression of a snail. Even telling them I had a flight to catch asap, they had that West Coast lackadaisical attitude that I have come to both love and hate of “relax, it’ll be fine”. After I finally got through and someone grabbed my luggage by mistake (why does that keep happening to me, I guess I must add a huge cat head sticker of my Carmella soon), I ran – and I’m not supposed to run with a scoliosis fusion “unless someone is chasing me” – with snow boots on and arrived 2 minutes too late to the gate a sweaty, wheezy and coughing mess from contracting the Arizona plague weeks prior. Fortunately, the amazing agent at Southwest took pity on me and got me on a flight through multiple California airports that would be a long haul but better than nothing at all. So I buckled up for it, glad I had packed some snacks but already exhausted.
But the time I finally arrived after my California airport tour, what a juxtaposition the Oregon airport was with its perfectly organized, pristine and clean aesthetic. It was even whisper quiet as I began the long, epic journey to pick up my rental car. Down the longest hallway that felt like a football field, I finally rolled out to Dollar Car Rental breathing like a linebacker. The woman went through her speel of get this insurance, do an upgrade, pre-buy this gas at a low price… then proceeded to gaslight me about a brand new Toyota Corrolla having 20 mpg and I’d have to fill up multiple times (I did just once and not even a full tank). I looked at her sideways and decided it was not worth it and just repeated, “No, thanks” for the fifth time. Ladies, if there’s anything I can tell you to get through this patriarchal life easier is know basic car knowledge… and shame on her for feeding into it. Any new car will usually get a minimum of 32 mpg on the highway – and this was a hybrid I was renting so even more. Well rested Cassie would have schooled her. But Cassie on no sleep and stressed AF was ready to GTFO.
It was during the drive out of Portland (which looks much like Philadelphia with its green signs and graffiti everywhere) that I decided to check into the hotel later that night and head straight to the first stop on the itinerary – a winery on a rolling hillside. And after my cell phone would not connect to the car’s newfangled port and Naggy (my dad’s word for the GPS lady) wasn’t vocally telling me where to go, I was ready to relax and in need of some wine down time immediately. The fluster of travel is real but the payoff is always worth it!
Lady Hill Winery is situated on 1500 acres that the Zorn-Owen family has farmed since the 1850’s. This is the home where the Hill family lives today.You can see Spring coming soon at Lady Hill Winery.Also a working farm, you will see many sheep grazing as you drive in at Lady Hill Winery.Daffodils indicate the arrival of Spring at Lady Hill Winery.And this is the barn converted into a tasting room and event space at Lady Hill Winery on a rainy day.
Welcome to the matriarchy of Lady Hill Winery! Located on the rolling countryside of the Willamette Valley, about 30 minutes west of Portland, Oregon, Lady Hill is a working farm and vineyard with a huge barn converted into a wine tasting room. This woman-focused 1,500 acre space has many generations of ladies steering the delicious ship into the land of tasty wines. Situated on the same land where co-owner Jerry Hill’s family has farmed since the 1850s, he brought his wife Elaine on board and have quite the crew of daughters since. And for the beer guys, don’t worry, they have beer on tap and wine pairing snacks available too. Who doesn’t love meat and cheese? Lodging is available with multiple campgrounds across the street or ask about the Auntie’s Airbnb!
Attentive employees notice when someone is stressed out and immediately I had a glass in hand at Lady Hill Winery.A small history lesson of the land at Lady Hill Winery.My favorite artsy label at Lady Hill Winery.Always look up and you might see some celestial stars at Lady Hill Winery. And yes, that is a windmill the original made into lights.Upstairs is available to lounge as well at Lady Hill Winery.The lovely Cindy who started as a fan soon became an employee at Lady Hill Winery and made me feel right at home.One of my favorites at Lady Hill Winery.Shortly thereafter, Jerry Hill and I connected and took me on a tour of the property at Lady Hill Winery with a very generous pour – my favorite kind.The small touches of quilts to keep warm are so cozy at Lady Hill Winery.The view from the second floor at Lady Hill Winery.One of the lounges upstairs at Lady Hill Winery full of antiques and vintage items.Another lounge area upstairs at Lady Hill Winery.The second lounge also offers a kitchen for events at Lady Hill Winery.Lots of literature abounds such as this Shakespeare book I used to own in college! Also a vintage record player with plenty of vinyl to choose from at Lady Hill Winery.After the tour, we sat down with some prosciutto, goat cheese, crackers and their limited edition champagne and talked for over an hour at Lady Hill Winery. Jerry is quite an intellectual and we were having a merry time talking about everything under the sun!
It was at that point, I realized I had been happily floating around this zen space for almost 3 hours and needed to get settled into the hotel. Since I missed the lunch portion of things due to travel chaos, I was hoping they could offer dinner instead because I could feel the sleepiness coming on and did not want to drive anymore. Fortunately it all worked out and the Holiday Inn Portland I-5 South was super accommodating!
Don’t sleep on Holiday Inn! Or better yet, do sleep there as those super comfy beds lulled me to sleep for hours without waking for two nights in a row. And they have a great breakfast buffet each morning with fresh fruit and bacon as well as a pretty impressive restaurant attached Boonetown Bistro with strong cocktails, tasty steak and huge pizza pies. Individually owned and larger than the usual Holiday Inn, this space has almost 5 star ratings across the board and it shows! And Rack up those IHG travel points so you can use them all over the world.
It was still raining when I arrived at Holiday Inn Portland South.
Newly remodeled and the only full-service hotel in Wilsonville, Oregon, the location is key. Between downtown Portland (14 miles) and Woodburn Premium Outlets (15 miles), it is perfect to explore Lake Oswego, Tigard, Sherwood, Tualatin, Aurora, and Canby.
Each room has new beds and this was so comfy at Holiday Inn Portland South! Accommodations also offer free fiber optic Wi-Fi, 24 and complimentary parking which can accommodate many trucks with trailers. Each room is equipped with a new mattress, mini-refrigerator, Keurig coffee maker, and adjustable 43 inch TV.The bathroom had a shower which is standard for hotel upgrades nowadays at Holiday Inn Portland South. There was also a workout area and indoor heated pool if you have the time!
I was starving for dinner by this point and tossed my luggage inside and ran downstairs to stay in, relax, and enjoy a meal from BooneTown Bistro and Bar. On my walk down, I noticed this place was huge – with a convention space over 14,000 sq. ft. with seven break-out rooms perfect for conferences, company meetings, trade shows, parties and other social events.
Welcome to BooneTown Bistro, a full service restaurant attached to the Holiday Inn.Lots of seating inside BooneTown Bistro with a bar if that’s more your speed too.At this point in the night, I had become a drink goblin with one for hydration, one tasty old fashioned for the booze and a Coke for the flavor and caffeine at BooneTown Bistro.A huge chicken pesto pizza pie that I didn’t really need to be that large at BooneTown Bistro.A medium well steak with healthy sides at BooneTown Bistro hit the spot before bed.The view from my window predicted more rain at Holiday Inn Portland South the next morning. I slept like a baby!Some swag from the Wilsonville, Oregon tourism board is always a nice gesture especially metal water bottles!After a pretty healthy breakfast buffet at the hotel (minus the bacon), I was ready to sugar up at local donut house Mr. Maple Donuts in Wilsonville, Oregon.The cutest little donut shop in Wilsonville, Oregon, and it’s a mom and pop shop.The hardest part, what to choose especially with such great pricing. I was not getting a whole box like this fella!I love white cream filled donuts so kept it simple with a big coffee to gear up for a walkabout in Wilsonville, Oregon.A crow taunted me as I got in my car in Wilsonville, Oregon.The city fought to keep this wooded gem Graham Oaks Nature Park in Wilsonville, Oregon.Vivid green moss springs from the pavers in Wilsonville, Oregon with many paths to take. I just chose the one toward the woods.A giant hazelnut in Wilsonville, Oregon which makes more sense later on in the visit.I went down the less beaten trail and it was drizzling a bit in Wilsonville, Oregon.Immediately it was all sorts of shades of vivid green in Wilsonville, Oregon.Photos do not do this Tolkien-esque place justice in Wilsonville, Oregon.Forest bathing is said to increase your lifespan and with these views, we can see why in Wilsonville, Oregon.Completely moss covered and no edits needed in Wilsonville, Oregon.Nature’s archways in Wilsonville, Oregon beckon you to follow the trail.The sun started peeking out at this point and it was etherial in Wilsonville, Oregon.So much depth and color in Wilsonville, Oregon.A view from the other side with sunlight in Wilsonville, Oregon.You can’t get lost here in Wilsonville, Oregon as all paths lead to the entrance again.Dew covers the grass in Wilsonville, Oregon.And then I looped back around to the Legacy Creek Trail in Wilsonville, Oregon.And back to more open trails in Wilsonville, Oregon.
What a wonderful walkabout at Graham Oaks Nature Park in Wilsonsonville, Oregon! With ample parking, restrooms and three miles of trails on the preserved 250 acres, it’s choose your own adventure time. As usual, I had no clue where I was walking to but just kind of followed my intuition, which led me to magical Hobbit-like paths of glistening in the rain wonder. Native wildlife abounds like white-breasted nuthatches, Western bluebirds, orange-crowned warblers and Western gray squirrels. Five plazas make great spots to learn about Graham Oaks’ history, from Kalapuyan tribes who gathered food to the family that farmed the land. Explore beyond the park on the regional Ice Age Tonquin Trail too! More park preservations like this need to happen around the world, it’s good for your lungs and your soul! After working up a walking appetite, it was time for lunch already.
McMenamins is a huge family affair featuring a chain of brewpubs, breweries, music venues, historic hotels, and theater pubs in Oregon and Washington.Shuffleboard is tons of fun to play! The key is to push the weighted discs to score at the end of the board at McMenamins.The view from the second floor at McMenamins featuring all sorts of randomness knick knacks.Celebrating 40 years of huge success at McMenamins, bravo to building a legacy!There’s also on brand liquor for sale at McMenamins with stories behind each bottle.A rueben seemed fitting in this Irish pub and did not disappoint at McMenamins.Since it was still rainy and cold, I tried the Thai inspired soup too at McMenamins.And I could have eaten the whole basket of truffle fries at McMenamins.Brewed on site at the original church where the whole brand began, I tried a beer flight at McMenamins which then payed it forward to some new friends. The nitro stout was my fave!The large, new building where I had lunch at McMenamins from the back patio.Plenty of covered patio seating if that is more your speed at McMenamins.Poking around the patio, I saw this beautiful blue bird at McMenamins. As soon as I got closer, he flew away.The church where it all began at McMenamins!Located in the bottom of the church is a speakeasy style bar called UnderCroft at McMenamins.And a peak into the brewing door at McMenamins.I can only imagine how amazing this space is during St. Patrick’s Day at McMenamins!
Try saying McMenamins three times fast! It’s a tongue twister and McMenamins is a family-owned chain of brewpubs, breweries, music venues, historic hotels, and theater pubs in Oregon and Washington. Many of their locations are in rehabilitated historical properties; at least nine are on the National Register of Historic Places such as this one in Wilsonville, Oregon that all began in a church. Now the location has spread to another building with venue space in between and the best scavenger hunt around! With 56 locations total and 46 in Oregon alone including 12 historic hotels, 2 full-service spas, 6 soaking pools, 9 theater-pubs and more. 24 breweries, 2 distilleries, a winery, a creamery, coffee roaster, bakeries, produce and flower gardens, it’s safe to say this family has built an empire of sustainability.
The reason I had to gift away my beer flight was SoakBox, a boutique spa that offers salt water floats, infrared sauna, and cold plunge for body and mind wellness in Wilsonville, Oregon. I wasn’t about to be in the bathroom every 5 minutes!The lounge at SoakBox, a female owned company based out of Oregon.Climb into the portal that is SoakBox after a cleansing shower.Ear plugs to keep the saltwater out of your ears and other items to get you ready to float at SoakBox.The fitting ceiling at SoakBox looks like the cosmos with music that slowly fades away while you get into your zen space.The best view I could get of the floating space at SoakBox.
Float through outer space at SoakBox! Always one to try anything once and twice if I like it, I agreed to float in salt water with Soak Box Spa, a concept born in Oregon with locations all over the place now. First you get a shower complete with body wash, shampoo and wear some ear plugs. Then climb into the tank with a wet washcloth for your face if needed and get lulled to darkness with relaxing music and twinkling sky-like lights. Once it was pitch-black (which is optional you can always open your pod door), I just closed my eyes and apparently fell asleep or into some sort of zen space. The next thing I know, the lights and music were back on and it was time to shower! They also offer an infrared sauna, cold plunge and more to rest, recover and recharge with a great deal for first timers.
Afterwards it self cleans, much like a whirlpool at SoakBox.If hot and cold plunges are more your speed, they have that too at SoakBox.And a place to dry your hair at SoakBox. Perhaps swimmers caps in the future for those crazy curly girls like me!This is so true and a good mantra to live by at SoakBox.The gals that made an amazing brand at SoakBox!Right next door is another well-known Oregon brand, Oswego Grill which is fine dining and has a killer happy hour twice a day, every day. If you get a chance, check it out! I was on my way to eat again shortly thereafter but would certainly return next time.
It was sparkle beer for the win at Vanguard Brewing! This independent, veteran family-owned and operated craft brewery, tasting room, and beer garden in Wilsonville, Oregon was such a vibe, I stayed for way longer than planned which is always a great sign. In the back of the brewery, they were hosting Dungeons and Dragons night which I was kindly invited to but hadn’t played since college. The food was on point with local small business nods to flavors including the hazelnut flavor added to the beer! The ciders were perfectly on point and the weather was finally starting to warm up to enjoy the large outdoor beer garden. Keep slaying beer nerds!
The universe in a glass at Vanguard Brewing, there was certainly a theme to the day!The sun started coming out finally, nodding to warming up that week at Vanguard Brewing but still damp on the wooden patio.The entrance to Vanguard Brewing much like other businesses tucked into business centers.Right when you first walk into Vanguard Brewing.Merch available at Vanguard Brewing.The beer drinking hand models pose for a photo at Vanguard Brewing.I was digging all the heavy metal at Vanguard Brewing.The current beer list as of March 2024 at Vanguard Brewing. The paying it forward beer is chefs kiss!They serve their own seltzer here and each flavor was outstanding at Vanguard Brewing. I liked them all equally which never happens!I’m a sucker for fresh baked pretzels and beer cheese and stuffed my face full of these at Vanguard Brewing.They also have CBD beverages available by Mad Tasty for the non-drinkers at Vanguard Brewing.Once I read about sparkle beer, it was on like Donkey Kong with all the colors of the rainbow at Vanguard Brewing. It’s just cupcake glitter, so relax!My wheat beer in the natural sunlight, a mix between green and blue at Vanguard Brewing.Then as the night went on, a delicious stout at Vanguard Brewing.Soon I was poking around in the brewery and watching Brewmaster William Koutoulas himself hard at work at Vanguard Brewing.Back out front for a snack of loaded nachos with pulled pork at Vanguard Brewing… if you just eat mostly toppings it’s a salad I reasoned!And had to try Ebner’s Sausages the local German food fare at Vanguard Brewing. Some were spicy! And yes, more beer cheese…Then back to the back of the house to watch the brewer add magic potions at Vanguard Brewing.Hazelnut straight from the nearby fields gets added to the vat at Vanguard Brewing and makes the beer even better!I lingered around until it was close to closing at Vanguard Brewing because any place with a Christopher Walken on the walk-in is my kind of place – and people. Also a homage to the original brewer seen here, RIP and what a delicious legacy to leave behind! Don Anderson, who co-founded Vanguard Brewing with wife Lin, passed in 2023.
I fell asleep without any doom scrolling or TV after the brewery, drifting off into my marshmallow bed at Holiday Inn Portland South until the alarm woke me up…
My usual buffet breakfast lacking the carbs I was soon to indulge in soon and my drink goblin status in tact at Holiday Inn Portland South. I soon checked out and loaded up the car for another adventure… without me driving this time!But first took a quick cold weather walk to Pearl Bakery down the street! Don’t judge a book by its cover… this place will knock your socks off.A real French style bakery ready to devour!I had been obsessing over a chocolate croissant for weeks and there was one left at Pearl Bakery!The Marion berry danish was everything and then some at Pearl Bakery.Almond croissants perfectly flaky at Pearl Bakery.More delicious jam-filled cookies at Pearl Bakery.Fresh out of the oven blueberry muffins at Pearl Bakery.And the most beautiful bread at Pearl Bakery.
When you meet new friends, always have snacks! They gave me many goodies from Pearl Bakery so I was happy to share with my newfound Wilsonville, Oregon tourism friends when they picked me up out front of the hotel. It made them so happy and food really does unite everyone.
The Willamette River Water Treatment Plant in Wilsonville, Oregon is actually a community space that many don’t know about.We made a pit stop to the water plant in Wilsonville, Oregon first which offers a not well known community space to enjoy.Ducks enjoy the water feature in Wilsonville, Oregon.A view from the waterfall in Wilsonville, Oregon. Pack a picnic and spend an afternoon here before word gets out!Next on the Wilsonville, Oregon stop was this amazing statue in homage to the original settlers.A beautiful tribute to Sacajawea in Wilsonville, Oregon. The six-foot tall bronze sculpture of Jean Baptiste Charbonneau in the arms of his mother, Sacajawea, is located in the commercial center of Charbonneau.The rec center in Wilsonville, Oregon is open to the public.The center includes a lounge area with fire place in Wilsonville, Oregon.And a place to dine and watch golfers on the green in Wilsonville, Oregon.Soon it was time to go on a golf cart ride to explore the course at Charbonneau Golf Club with our trusty guide Jim Meierotto, the General Manager of Charbonneau.Charbonneau Golf Club is a fully-maintained 27-hole golf course with fairways and housing right next door.Lots of space available at Charbonneau Golf Club to roam and play all day!
Right down the street in almost the same complex began our foodie trail in Wilsonville, Oregon! My trusty golf cart guide dropped me off for a decadent lunch and the most buttery lavender cupcake at Lux Sucre Desserts.
Lux Sucre Bakery + Cafe is a casually chic open concept cafe featuring fresh baked goods, coffee, as well as beer and wine alongside elevated sandwiches.Lux Sucre Bakery + Cafe also offers a pretty in pink patio for less rainy days.The interior was buzzing with people and so cute at Lux Sucre Bakery + Cafe.Lux Sucre Bakery + Cafe also offers an open kitchen to watch your sweet treats being handmade.I had a half turkey sandwich, soup and salad for lunch at Lux Sucre Bakery + Cafe as we were going to eat some more right after!But of course I ate the top off of this lavender buttercream cupcake that was sooo good at Lux Sucre Bakery + Cafe.And in the bathroom at Lux Sucre Bakery + Cafe… why thank you!I have a similar portrait of my cat at home like at Lux Sucre Bakery + Cafe… great minds think alike!Daffodils for days at Lux Sucre Bakery + Cafe!
White Rabbit Bakery is a fun and playful counter-serve boutique space with bunny-themed decor offering pastries, sandwiches and desserts in Aurora, Oregon.Rabbits of all kinds adorn the mantle at White Rabbit Bakery.The eating space at White Rabbit Bakery.The quiche looks amazing at White Rabbit Bakery.On any adventure, caffeine keeps you going and Granny Fi’s Shortbread offers the whole high tea experience.Granny Fi’s Shortbread makes traditional Scottish Shortbread with a family recipe – and lots of butter.The interior of Granny Fi’s Shortbread high tea area.Or maybe lounging is more your style at Granny Fi’s Shortbread.Have a spot of tea with some friends at Granny Fi’s Shortbread.Or just pop in for a snack at Granny Fi’s Shortbread.Tiny hats are available if you forgot yours at Granny Fi’s Shortbread. So cute!When asked what the secret is, she said lots of butter at Granny Fi’s Shortbread. And yes, they were that good!We swung by Filbert’s Farmhouse Kitchen which was not quite open for dinner yet but one of the upscale options in the area.With very pretty views in every direction, we could see why Filbert’s Farmhouse Kitchen is a fan favorite.Flowers bloom out front of Filbert’s Farmhouse Kitchen, signaling Spring is coming soon.Now for some chocolate at Pacific Hazelnut Candy Factory!Currently, 99% of the U.S. hazelnut crop is produced in the Willamette Valley of Oregon! These squirrels made us laugh.Inside the store, there were so many options at Pacific Hazelnut Candy Factory.If only I had room in my already overflowing luggage at Pacific Hazelnut Candy Factory.I did get to sample some twice coated chocolate hazelnuts… so tasty at Pacific Hazelnut Candy Factory.I could also eat a bag of these as car snacks at Pacific Hazelnut Candy Factory. Marionberry back for the win!Soon we were driving next to the fields of green to the French Prairie Gardens.A new space, the French Prairie Gardens offers a wide variety of plants and landscape help, plus a market, bakery, family events and more.Don’t judge a book by its cover at French Prairie Gardens!Once you enter, the space keeps going back far at French Prairie Gardens.And then pops out to all the plants at French Prairie Gardens.Beyond that, a beer garden awaits at French Prairie Gardens.All these plant babies await their new home at French Prairie Gardens.Right out back at French Prairie Gardens it’s so pretty!And let’s not forget all the bounty French Prairie Gardens offers!They sent me on my way with an apple donut and marionberry pastry which was perfect for breakfast the next morning at French Prairie Gardens. A cross between the ‘Chehalem’ and ‘Olallie’ variety of berries, it is the most widely planted cultivated blackberry in the world and Oregon accounts for over 90% of them… you learn something new every day traveling which is why I love it so much!
After this, I hightailed it out of town and to the next spot on my Oregon exploration with little time to spare. Press trips are usually tight on time but worth it in retrospect! I made a bunch of new friends, tasted new flavors and certainly want to return in the summer when the weather is just dreamy. My first visit to Oregon certainly won’t be my last and I’m glad it all started in Wilsonville, the perfect reprieve from the city of Portland.
