get outside

Adventures and escaping.
My kinda thing.
This past weekend Taylor and I headed into the forest with no set plan. Just in need of some seclusion, playtime and nature and we happen to stumble upon some prime secluded Oregon spots.
On Friday we rolled to Little Santiam River Trailhead in the early afternoon and hiked until we found the ideal camping spot. Flat ground, with our own personal river beach and a prepared fire pit. Quite perfect this river, offering swimming hole, after cliff jumping spot, after chill floating area. We set up camp, ran around in the forest (literally), ate dinner riverside and played "find the bird". Taylor being his perfectionist self said it was time for me to learn how to start a fire without paper and I succeeded!

*Camping rule number one: ALWAYS bring more than enough water and/or water purifier. We were forced to drink river water. Luckily we didn't get sick and it was the best tasting water I have ever had! But no seriously, always make sure your water purifier has batteries and is working. Say no to headaches and Giardia!

Day two:

We hiked the 3-4 miles back to the car. The day was already really hot so we knew we needed to find a pump for our newly purchased raft. In the small town of Stayton we found a pump, food and coffee and set out on a mission to find a lake or river that were up to our standards, which is kinda high. It has to be secluded, include a good camping spot (for free) and have some sort of view. We headed East following the river, passing crowded Detroit lake and trying back road after back road. We drove almost 11 miles down a gravel road toward something called Elk Lake but as we climbed elevation we were eventually stopped with a ton of snow. Bummer. We spent a majority of the day doing a few more trail and error's but were finally rewarded ten fold! Thanks to my favorite piece of technology, the old Iphone revealed a medley of lakes that resided at the base of Mt. Hoodoo (not to be confused with Mt.Hood).

Island Lake officially renamed Foxchip Lake

I know right?

 No people for the next 24 hours except the occasional local fisherman. Immediately after finding this spot Taylor and I both had one of our favorite quote's come to mind.. Not to mention this is one of Julian's Bialowas Photo's! Obviously.

So. We immediately pumped up the raft and floated on our own personal lake with our own personal island none the less. Rounding the other side of the lake we discovered hundred's (no exaggeration) of frogs just floating in the water, so the most logical thing to do with the afternoon was playing with the frogs.

Around dinner time we decided we should set up camp and catch a sunset float. Being that a forest fire had come through here within the past 5 years firewood was abundant and high quality. After we set up our tent appropriately with the door opening up to Three Fingered Jack, we grabbed beer and went off to watch the sun fall behind the Cascades.

Somehow Taylor and I partied with just each other, a case of beer and the incredible, seriously incredible stars until 2am. Hah. There was even some dancing involved thanks to Frank Sinatra. Serious perfection. 

#thisisoregon

Oregon

I know all of you have read over and over on how obsessed I am with the place I call home: Oregon. But why the hell not be in love with where you live. I hope everyone else is just as fortunate as myself. The clouds and rain that come with the winter are too much for most people keeping Oregon's population down (thankfully). The newbies that manage to make it through the winter by complaining via Facebook and threatening their new coffee shop friends they're going to move back to LA, Phoenix or New York (or some other not as cool city). Those who make it get rewarded with-- the beautiful Oregon Indian summer. A preview of that perfection made an appearance this past weekend with 85 degree weather, which lined up perfectly with Shwood's new project that was released today, even more perfectly named..

This is Oregon

Shwood teamed up with Julian Bialowas, a Canadian photographer who happens to be one of my favorites. His photos not only scream with talent, but finish with inspiring travel, self and adventure quotes. So naturally, I was obsessed. Then when I was told that not only were they going to do a photo adventure with Julian, but focused around inspiring people to go outside? I was swooning. If the video wasn't enough for you, check out more..

Julian's stuff here

 or 

more of Shwood's rad projects here.

This weekend Taylor and I took advantage of the weather and headed for the coast. He even took me to a few spots where they filmed their project. 

I seriously love this place, I love this world and I love people who share the same love for being in it with me. Simple things, like lady bugs, sun tan lines or hiking an hour just for a view.