the road less traveled from Hillsboro...

I took a drive today, had to get my coffee fix, and felt the need to get a few miles under my belt on such a beautiful day. I headed west on Canyon Road/Hwy 8/Tualatin-Valley Hwy (yes, same road, 3 names – gotta love Washington County!) headed out to Hillsboro and stopped at Dutch Bros for my regular (no London Fog, sorry DHB). Followed 8 through Hillsboro and toward Forest Grove, and decided to stray from the usual course, when I saw a sign for Hagg Lake. Had never been there so I wanted to see what it was like. I didn't have my camera, just my phone, but here's a quick shot from near the damn (it's an earth dam) the lake isn't that big, the road goes all the way around it (about 12 miles) and it's clear with no weeds and looks like it will be a lot of fun to play in!

After circling the lake and deciding to make a return trip soon, I continued through Gaston, Yamhill and Carlton before coming back through Newberg. It's beautiful out there. The Willamette Valley is definitely one of the best places in Oregon and I'm glad to live here!!

Yesterday, I took a drive out to Oregon's newest State Park: Stub Stewart State Park, near Vernonia. It's very cool! Miles of trails for peds, bikes and horses! I walked for about an hour and a half, and ran into two different horse groups. Made me think of when I was young and took trail rides with my sister and dad. Those were definitely the days... Totally had me thinking about a horse again, but I sure can't deal with all that responsibility just yet. Maybe after I win the lottery and sail the Mediterranean & South Pacific for a few years... :) Then I can settle down on a nice little ranch in Montana and ride the fence line on my nag. haha.

Didn't grab any pictures of SSSP either, but it's definitely a place I intend to visit often, as there are lots of trails and good terrain, not just flat, great hills and beautiful views of the surrounding hills. Too bad they clear clut a lot of it, but it was good to see they'd replanted a few years ago, as the regrowing little Doug Firs are about 3ft tall now.

Next time I go out, I'll drag my camera so I can post pics here for you all to see! :)