Day Trip To Oregon City + Vancouver Waterfront

Over the summer we took a mini roadtrip down to Oregon so I could attend my sister in law's bridal shower. We made the most of the long drive and Brent and all the kids tagged along. We planned a few stops along the way making for an especially fun and memorable day trip. 

There are still so many places for us to explore here in the pacific northwest. It has been so fun to check off a few more locations off my to visit list.

First off I was very excited that all my road trip essentials fit into my Magic Playbook pouch. It was the perfect size for my Powersheets, Kindle, notebook, and a pen. I don't always get to all these things in the car, but I am always hopeful I might! 

After an hour or so on the road we stopped for breakfast at McDonald's and a Starbucks for me. It ended up being a really long stop that put us back quite a bit but I suppose that is roadtrip life with kids and random towns we end up in. 

Our food took forever at McDonald's and I put in the wrong Starbucks location for my mobile order! What a headache. But we did enjoy this outdoor seating area. Back in the car we go. 

The bridal shower was near downtown Oregon City so we made a quick stop to see the Oregon City Municipal Elevator. It was a fun ride up to the top where we could take in views of the city and enjoy a scenic walk.

From the top we took a walk down the path that lead to views of Willamette Falls. It was really hot that day so we only went as far as we could handle before heading back to get to the bridal shower in time.

It was fun to see that a scene from the movie Twilight was filmed here!

If we had more time it would have been fun to get closer to the water.

  

On our way home from the bridal shower we stopped at the Vancouver Waterfront in Washington. Vancouver is located right at the border of Oregon and Washtington and very close to Portland. We have been to Portland a handful of times and I always wanted to stop in Vancouver. 

 

The waterfront did not dissapoint. It was bustling with summer weekend energy. We loved the unique splash pad, there were plenty of restaurants to choose from, and delicious treats to finish off our night. I would have loved to have a whole day here. It reminded me a lot of The Wharf in Washtington DC and will go down as one of my favorite family outings this summer. 

 

The water started at this wall up top and gradually flowed down to the bottom with waterfalls along the side. It was entertaining and large enough for my big kids but mellow enough that the youngest could sit and splash. It was pretty incredible.

We took a break from splashing to have a pizza picnic at the nearby grass. 

Before we headed home we had to get a treat from The Yard Milkshake Bar!

One for the boys...

A mermaid for the girls...

And a photoworthy masterpiece for Brent and I!

And then we had a three hour drive home! It was late for us early birds but it was a worthwhile summer night to remember with my sweet family.

There were a few other places I wanted to stop at but we didn't have the time. But I am learning, with kids, to not push things too much. If we have time, it is great to have a plan. But I am learning to enjoy what we are able to do and let go of the rest. I think for so long I have had a fit in as much as we can mentality to make the most of every trip, big or small. But with kids, they all have a melting down point and I am trying to be more sensitive to their needs. Plus I know how important it is to end on a high note and make sure Brent and I are getting the rest and downtime we need. It is all a learning curve with each experience, allowing us to enjoy more adventurous outings with our kids.