December 3: A Trio of Treats
Oregon is just so darn beautiful! What an incredible day biking along the winding Willamette River and cruising along a crestline in the Chehalem Mountains with stunning valley views framed by a trio of mountains including Mount Jefferson in the south, Mount Hood directly to the East, and Mount Adams in the north. The cherry on top was the mouth-watering lunch at my favorite Mexican eatery. Read more of the details here.
Leo Guzman Fernandez and I left Volcano Harley this morning and headed west through Oregon City and across the Willamette River on the Oregon City Arch Bridge. I am always inspired by the view there of the voluminous Willamette Falls cascading over the rocks and into the water, sending up sprays of sparkling mist across the full width of the waterway. We followed the river west and turned onto Stafford Road and then Wilsonville Road, winding through beautiful orchards, vineyards, and Christmas Tree Farms.
It was so refreshing to feel the crisp Fall air in my face, to feel the sun on my back, and to see the orange, red, and yellow leaves dancing in the street as we followed the river west. I was grateful that there was no ice on the road as nearby areas have had a dusting of snow this week. It was clear that winter was on its way as the daylight hours were short and the canopy of trees above us were almost devoid of leaves, giving us a view of the blue skies above.
In Newburg we headed north on highway 219, following one beautiful tight turn after another through the forest and up to a ridgeline in the Chehalem Mountains with stunning valley views to the east of light green fields, grapevine-filled vineyards, and evergreen-covered rolling hills. As we headed through the Laurelwood district just 15 minutes north of Newburg, my heart leapt with joy as I gazed across the valley at three snow-capped mountain peaks in a row – Mount Jefferson to the south, Mount Hood directly east, and Mount Adams to the north. What an amazing treat!
Lunch at La Pachanga Mexican Food Truck in Aloha was superb. I feasted on the Barbaqueso Plate – four grilled corn tortillas stuffed with marinated barbacoa meat and creamy mozzarella cheese topped with grilled onions and accompanied by a savory consume. The dish is spectacular because of the tenderness and flavor of the meat as well as the trio of textures – the crispy tacos, creamy cheese, and tender meat is hard to beat. What a great day!
