Mt. Hood Scenic Railroad

One of my goals this month was to explore at least three different things in Portland/ Oregon. I didn't waste any time by jumping on the good ole fashion railroad to take in the scenic Hood River area located in the Columbia Gorge.  Dave and I drove an hour in the rain to get to Hood River and board the train. The whole drive there, I was nervous it was going to rain all day long and put a damper on our adventure. However, in good old Oregon fashion the sun came out and shined during the excursion and started to rain again when we got back to our car!

.i love the colors of the train cars. 

The cars we traveled in were mostly from the 1920s - 1940s. You could turn the seats to face others or have some privacy, which was nice (and reminded me of train we would take from Newcastle to Sydney, Australia). You could also walk between cars and get yourself a snack or beverage, if you didn't bring one with you. 

We rode the train for 1.5 hours to the small town of Parkdale, OR. Parkdale is located only 40 miles from the base of Mt. Hood and I'm sure its a sight to see on a clear day. On the way to Parkdale we saw orchard after orchard, making my mouth water thinking of all the delicious fruit this summer. I can't wait to do the Fruit Loop!! The conductor of the train taught us how farmers kept their orchards from frosting over as well as knowing the difference between cherry trees and pear trees (pair trees have rough bark, cherry trees have smooth). AND around 80% of the orchards in the Columbia Gorge are pear!

When we arrived in Parkdale we explored the orchard before grabbing some lunch. After the rain we truly enjoyed walking around the small town in the chilly spring air. We took our time taking pictures everywhere in town before grabbing lunch from the local grocery store. We found the perfect spot to relax and eat before the train blew it's whistle for us to board again. 

All in all we had a fabulous day on the railroad, taking pictures, and having a quick little adventure. Plus the drive from Portland to Hood River is beautiful in itself. We went in early April before spring had officially sprung, I recommend for others to wait until middle of April or later so you have more color outside your train window. 

Dave and I got our tickets through Groupon, but you can also find more information on the Mt. Hood Railroad website. 

.Munson Falls.

We discovered this beautiful spot on our trip to the Oregon coast, but it was so beautiful that it needed it's own post. Dave and I were driving down the highway heading into Tillamook for some Christmas Day chinese food when I saw a sign for the falls pointed towards a small dirt road, of course I didn't hesitate to turn off the main road. We drove up a one lane, dirt road, laying beside a  corn field as we made our way down the road slowly turned into more pot holes than road. We almost turned around but thankfully we pushed forth because this is what was waiting for us at the end of the pot holed road...

It was a moss covered fairy tale wonderland.  We pulled into a small circle parking lot, parked and then jump out of the car to explore. We didn't have to walk to far before we were blown away, becoming speechless by the beauty that surrounded us. If you follow the path you come to a beautiful waterfall that makes you stand in awe. This was one of the most beautiful places I have been. It seriously is in my top five...and closer to the top than the bottom!!

If you ever are in Portland. Jump in a car, head to the coast, and view this beautiful natural treasure when you are there! It's just right outside Tillamook,  you can take a tour of the Tillamook Cheese Factory and then walk off all that cheese at the Munson Falls!!

.Oregon Coast - Part 2.

Please enjoy some more photos of our quick trip to the Oregon Coast in December! I honestly can't wait to go and take all my friends who visit me to the coast. Coming from a land lock state that is filled with over 10,000 lakes, it still has nothing like the ocean (even though Lake Superior comes pretty close). I will always hear the ocean call my name and am happy to answer the call from time to time. 

(PSSSTTTTTTT....you can view Part 1, first..if you want..or after..whichever)

.when you see a turn off with a great view, you HAVE to pull over and 

place your bulldog in front of the view for a picture!! It's a MUST!!!.

.Pacific City, Oregon. 

This little gem was hidden off the main road. When driving down the highway we saw a scenic highway sign and took a sudden turn without thinking. The road lead us to a very small town, we turned down some really small roads and landed in this beautiful spot. We climbed a sandy hill, ran through the tall grass, and enjoyed the view that we had all to ourselves. 

.Rockaway Beach, Oregon. 

.Hug Point. 

(yes, we did hug...of course)

.Cannon Beach, Oregon. 

Have you seen The Goonies ( Hey you guuyyyyysssssss!!!!)? Well, if you have then you have seen Cannon Beach and you would love it as much as you love the movie!!! I truly wish we would have arrived earlier and spent more time at Cannon Beach, but I guess making it in time for the sunset is just as wonderful! Dave and I first pulled into a viewing spot, got out, pulled the end scene of The Goonies up on our iphones....and then realized we were on the wrong side of the rock! So into the car we went to try and get on the correct side because I HAD to see it just like in the movie. I don't know why I had to but I just did! 

Most of our stops along the coast, Dave and I had to ourselves. It was so peaceful, beautiful, and relaxing to take little breaks staring out into the ocean. The only spots we encountered a lot of other tourists were Hug Point and Cannon Beach.  Even though they had lots of tourists, I would go back to both places to explore more. The coast is only 1 hour 30 min. away from Portland, so if you are in the area make sure you take a day to explore! I know we will be making many trips this summer, answering those calls of the ocean whenever them ring us come!

Another month down another 10 lessons learned

When a month of living in Australia passes us by I think it is important to reflect and see what little lessons the world has provided us with. You can find month one and two, here and here! Now onto the next 10 lessons learned since arriving in this wonderful country and city!

1. People from your past can come back and make a great difference in your life.  When I posted about Getting Healthy and needing help with being accountable one of my best friends contacted me to help out. She and a few friends from high school email weekly and help each other with struggles and being accountable and they welcomed me into their group with open arms. I haven't talked to these friends for y.e.a.r.s. and I realize how much I missed having contact with them and how they are helping make a difference in one of the hardest areas I struggle with. Without their constant support I don't know if I could be as successful in getting healthy. So thank you ladies, I can't wait until we can have a mini reunion when I get back to the states!

2. How not to be obsessed with "cool".  During my first month here I found that I was OBSESSED with trying to be cool and what did that even mean, etc. Now that I have made a true effort the last months to not be unconcerned with what others concept of cool is and how I fit into it, being cool doesn't really cross my mind. I don't look at others with envy wishing I was that cool. I now just put my best foot forward and stay tuned to what I like, want, and don't really worry about anyone else. I don't even say the word "cool" anymore, which is shocking because it was in almost every other sentence when I first arrived here. 

3. I want to have my own little bookshop/music shop in the future.  Dave and I have always talked about having a secondhand bookstore when we retire, but after working at the bookshop I want this more than ever. When I work I feel so content and happy, I could be there for hours doing little things with the books and talking with customers. It will be years before I have my own store, but during that time I will be doing LOTS of research and saving my moola! I think I want to call our little shop, SHOAVE'S. hee heeeee

4. Dave & I have come a long way during the last year.  A year ago both Dave and I were going through our own personal hells. I can't speak for Dave (because that would just be rude and wrong of me) but for me, I was deeply depressed. I was having a hard time after my father-in-laws passing, it brought up a lot of things from my mothers passing 4 years earlier, I was emotionally drained due to going through my own things, helping Dave with his path of healing, and putting a brave face on at work day in and day out. This depression lasted for at least half a year, and when things were bad Dave and I would say to each other, "Don't You Wish You Could Go Surfing?", always thinking about how the escape to Australia would be. A year later, we have dealt with our little hells, we have grown as partners, and now we are loving life and all the little challenges and adventures it brings us. I'm SOOO proud of us for coming this far in our lives, together I know that we can take on the world. 

5. Not to walk out the door not feeling good about how I look.  I have made a vow to myself to never walk outside the front door not feeling good about how I look in.  When I do this I find that I am more self conscious about everything and how people look at me. When I wear an outfit that I feel good in, I find that I have more self confidence, I don't worry about how I look all day, I smile to people more, and I feel like the world is mine. Why would I want to leave the house and not feel this way?

6. Mexicans - Not Just People born in Mexico.  Dave told me this little bit of information that I thought was very interesting. People of the state New South Wales refer to residents of the state of Victoria as Mexicans. Why do they do this? Because Victoria is south of New South Wales and they relate the term Mexican to mean below the border/state line. Interesting, no?

7. If you could bottle up the joy of child has while playing on the beach, you may never be joyless again.  Nothing beats watching kids running around playing in the waves, building sandcastle,hearing their little giggles, and seeing their huge smiles. NOTHING.  

8. Some Aussies pronounce the letter 'H' differently.  Dave and I learned this by watching, Beauty & The Geek, as known as "research" for Australian culture! So after hearing how some people pronounced the 'H' on tv, I did some of my own research (a.k.a. asking my co-workers). Some people pronounce 'H' as "hech", I was told it was because they went to a Catholic school...I'm not sure if it is true, but it's what my findings are!

9. Books hold keys of wisdom.  A lot of the books I have been reading the last two months have me thinking about life, the future, and have inspired me. I believe that almost every book has a piece of wisdom in in, all we need to do is take the time to read it and see what it unlocks in our hearts, soul, and mind. 

10. I am ready for change.  I have been wanting to be ready for change, but change can't happen until you are truly ready for it. I am happy to share that I am FINALLY ready for change, I have my arms open to it and can't wait to grasp it.  Everything has been working together for this moment and oooooohhhh am I ready for it!

That is 30 lessons so far since landing in Australia!

What lessons have you learned lately from living this crazy thing called life?

Step 1: Figuring Out Who I Want To Be

You may know that I am using this Aussie Adventure to take time out and figure out who the heck I am, who the heck I want to be, and the who I will be that person, if you need a reminder check out this post.

So September was going to be MY month to truly challenge myself, make myself take the time and ask myself the tough questions. I thought knowing what I wanted and who I wanted to be would be easy, but in reality it was emotionally tolling. One night I couldn't sleep, so I got up and started making lists of what I want  in my personal life, career, and relationships. I stared at the page forever, slowly writing a few things, I went to bed with a start but not a finish. As soon as I laid my head down on the pillow, I started panicking and quietly crying. I was afraid that what I wrote down didn't reflect how I feel now, I wrote that I want to be filled with joy, but did that mean I wasn't currently filled with joy, did it mean that maybe I was depressed again, ALL these questions hitting me right square in the heart.

I didn't let the fear take over though, and pushed forward. The next day on the train, I finished my list and was filled with pride that I over took the demons. Slowing I will work on the things that I want out of life and become the person I see in the future. I don't want to change everything all at once, because lets be honest if you change everything at once nothing sticks. And I want this to stick, so I'm taking it slow making sure that I make changes that will last and help make me better in the future.  

WHAT I WANT....PERSONAL:

• To be filled with joy.
• Have undeniable self-confidence
• Not be afraid of others thoughts and perceptions
• To live comfortably: not extravagantly but not pinching pennies
• Dress they way I WANT to and the way I admire others (think 1950s)!
• Feel comfortable with my body. To feel and believe I am sexy.
• Get healthy - important for future and family.
• Be admired by others
• To be happy and have this happiness shine through me and be an example
• To be spiritual

At the end of September and for October I will be working on a few things that are in my "Personal" list. I will share with you the journey I have as each month working on something from each of my lists.  

Lessons Learned (thus far)...

The move to Australia is not only an adventure but a time for Shoave to do some independent self discovery. I plan to use this time not just hanging out with the cutest boy on the beach but to take time to reflect and learn new things about myself.

10 Things I have learned thus far....

1) Sometimes by leaving the country you become closer to your family.  I feel closer to my family than I have the past three years when I lived across the country. I am in contact with them more than I have ever been before with weekly emails, phone calls home, and chatting on facebook or facetime. It feels great to have them in my life, it hasn't been this way for many years. 

2) I don't love roaches...but if needed I can live with them (kind of).  I am not a fan of insects at all, they make me scream like a little girl ( which is funny because when I was a little girl I actually liked insects). This was the first ever experience I have had with roaches and truth be told after awhile you do kind of get used to them, you see them and then you just kill it. Maybe this shows that I can live with other insects or do some extreme living and not hate it so much. 

3) I'm a Negative Nancy and Dave has to be my cheerleader.  Man, I have been miss negative pants more than a few times already since our move here. I get down on really small details and stay in a funk for awhile. I have stated more than once that I am ready to leave and just want to explore and go home. When things are tough I sometimes fold much to fast and easy.  Dave has always been there to be my cheerleader and put things back into perspective for me. I wish I was braver and more adventurous, without getting all in a huff over the little things. 

4) I feel at home in a new place as soon as I have a library card.  This is soooo true! As soon as we got our apartment and finally had an address I asked Dave if we could got to the library and try to get a library card. Once I have a library card, I feel like I am part of the community, cause you know they don't just let any passerby get one! Plus the library is one of my favorite places in any town I live in. (Thanks grandma for instilling this in me!)

5) Australia is uber expensive.  I didn't realize just how expensive Australia was until we moved here. I thought it was comparable to living in the DC area, but nope it's worse. I sometimes worry about how we are going to do all the things we want to do and still have enough money to get back home at the end of it. Just an FYI..a bottle of pop costs $3.45 AUS!

6) I really like watching rugby and believe that more Americans should as well.  Dave played rugby at college when we met, that was really as much as I knew about rugby. They love rugby here in Australia and I finally get why! It's fast paced, aggressive, and the players endure a lot of pain. I watch and am amazed at how the players do it! Since Americans seem to love their NFL, I think they would love rugby. Imagine NFL without pads and constant play, they would eat it up in the States! I can't wait until we got to the Rugby World Cup and watch USA vs. Australia!

7) Unplanned adventures are GRRRREEAAATTT.  The best adventures you have within the day are the ones that are unplanned and unexpected. It's about having no expectations or presumptions and letting the mystery unfold while you are in the moment. Some of the best days we have had here are the ones where we figure things out the last minute and just go with the flow. 

8) I say "cool"/"I want to be cool" wwaaaaaayyyy to much.  I'm not proud of this one, but it's something that I have discovered while here. I have this notion that I am just not "cool" and all that I want to be is "cool". I say it all the time to Dave when describing different things are talking about who I want to become. But really what is even the definition of cool? There isn't one...so why they heck do I care so much of becoming something I'm not even sure what it is?

9) MN is where the heart is.  I think a lot about when Dave and I will move back to MN after Australia. I can't wait to be in Minneapolis and finally start putting some roots down. I think about getting a home, how we will decorate it, get our Winston, be with friends and family, and maybe start our own family. Minnesota holds so many things that I love, I have missed it the past three years we have been gone. 

10) If you have barista skills or know your coffee you probably can get a job anywhere in the world.  This is a skill I wish I had, I don't like coffee or really the smell of coffee, but I do like a good hot chocolate (does that count?).  There are tons of cafes here in Newcastle, some even looking for employees..but due to my lack of skill in this area I am not qualified, hence I am still unemployed. I believe if you had barista skills you could easily get a job in any country because hey people LOVE their coffee. So kids out there go to your local coffee shop or Starbucks, get a job and learn all you can then go travel the world, working as a barista for money to supply the adventures. 

I can't believe we left for our adventure a month ago!

I wonder what things I will learn in this upcoming month.