The Minigans are Adventuring Again - Day 2

We wake up early (because it it two hours later CST) and wanted to get up and going.  Lots to do!
First stop was breakfast at Zell's!
















We walked to this amazing diner that opened as we arrived. What a great way to start a morning.  They are immediately packed.  It reminded us both of Crown Candy in St. Louis.  The food was amazing and the atmosphere was very fun and "Portlandish".  We took our time eating and just really enjoyed the entire experience.

Next, we headed back to get the car.  We had decided that our first stop of the day would be Mount Saint Helens.  We took off and headed down the highway.  We quickly discovered how pretty the highways in Oregon are.  And Washington.  We didn't realize how far into Washington we would be but what the heck.   The highways are beautiful.  And people are quite polite about their driving. 

It was a couple hour drive but the time really went quickly.    As we got closer and closer, Mount Saint Helens got bigger and bigger.  We drove to the closest lookout to the actual site, Johnston Ridge Observatory.  We got out and were in awe.  The mountain was so big.  You could see exactly where the landslide and the volcanic eruption had occurred.  Nature is an amazing thing!

We went into the visitors center and watched a movie about the 1980 eruption and also the  2004 eruption.  It was so interesting.

We walked around for a while and headed back out.  On the way, we stopped at various overlooks that had amazing views.  Everything was so beautiful!

This bridge was one of the many new bridges that we crossed.  This one just happened to have the most fabulous photo op!

We had to wait a bit to get a shot with no cars but we finally did it!

This entire area is so beautiful!

Next we are off to see Multnomah Falls.  On the way we found a couple other spots to check out.

We drove across a damn on the Columbia River.  We went to an island - Thunder Island and explored a bit.  Then finally we headed to the Falls.  It's a brief hike up but I definitely felt it in my legs!

The falls were stunning.  So many people though.

After we hiked up to the falls. we headed down to the lodge at the bottom of the falls to have our anniversary dinner.  Spectacular!  We could see the falls and the food was amazing.  As was the service.  And the company. :-)   We both had salmon and it was truly delicious.

Our final stop for the evening was a place David (my son) told us about, Tasty and Alder in downtown, not far from where we are staying.  The place in packed.  Luckily, two people from the bar got up and we were able to sit quickly.  We had the smoked trout board and loved it.  Smoked trout, bread, cucumber salad and beets.  It was such a vibrant place and everyone was so friendly.

It has been a great anniversary and I cannot wait for many, many more anniversaries with Jim!