Our home base in Oregon was the Dossier Hotel, a cozy, modern place that made us feel right at home. My friends arrived in PDX (Portland’s airport) late at night, so we kicked things off with a hearty meal at Swine Restaurant, Moonshine & Whiskey Bar, a perfect start to our adventure.

The next morning, we drove out of Portland and headed down the coast to Brookings to see the breathtaking Natural Bridges Viewpoint. We couldn’t resist stopping by Gold Beach to catch the view, and then made a quick stop at Humbug Mountain State Park, where the cliffs and ocean made us feel small, but in the most peaceful way.

From there, we made our way to Coos County, where we explored Bullard State Park. Lunch at Shark Bites Café was a highlight. The Kahuna Chicken Burger and fresh seafood hit the spot perfectly.

One of the most magical moments came when we reached Reedsport. The river there was otherworldly—so ethereal that it felt like something out of a dream. We couldn’t take enough photos. The vibe in Elkton, Oregon, was even quieter and more peaceful—exactly the kind of space I needed to unwind.

On day two, we went to see the famous Benson Bridge in Corbett. It was freezing, though, and my hands felt like they were going to fall off from the cold while I tried to take photos. Still, the bridge was stunning. We warmed up with some coffee and then continued our drive to Chapman and Cannon Beach. As I stood there, watching the waves crash against the rocks, I had a flashback to my childhood favorite movie, The Goonies. I realized that this was the same beach where the kids had gone on their adventure.

We couldn’t resist visiting the iconic The Goonies House in Astoria. The two-story Victorian home was just as amazing as I remembered. I stood there in total awe, still processing the fact that I was standing in the same place from the movie. While we were in Astoria, we also explored the downtown area, soaking in the charm of the town.

Next, we drove to Kalama and made a fun stop at the school where Bella went to in Twilight. We recreated a scene from the movie, and for a second, it honestly felt like Bella was with us—taking photos and hanging out.

To wrap up the day, we had dinner at Bullard Tavern, a fancy spot with an amazing vibe, before treating ourselves to donuts at the legendary Voodoo Donuts. The perfect sweet end to an unforgettable day.

Before heading back to the hotel, we stopped to admire the famous White Stag Sign—the iconic Portland landmark. And just like that, we were back to reality.

The trip was full of surprises, memories, and moments I’ll always cherish. Sometimes, the best adventures are the ones that start on a whim.