Pacific Northwest Scouting Trip: From Portland to the Olympic Peninsula
After arriving at the Portland Airport, I picked up my rental car and set my sights on Hillsboro as my first stop. Navigating the city during rush hour was jarring--I'm just not used to that kind of traffic anymore. Still, I managed to make my way west through the city, passing through Hillsboro and up to Forest Grove, where I checked into a Best Western. Knowing the three-hour time difference would catch up with me, I was grateful to get a decent night's sleep.
The next morning, I fueled up at the hotel breakfast (probably a little too much) and headed south to explore a few properties near Gaston, in Yamhill County. I was genuinely surprised by how beautiful the area is--rolling hills, a mix of vineyards and forest, and a peaceful rural vibe. It was more diverse in terrain and vegetation than I expected.
From there, I pointed the car north to preview a house near Banks. The drive took me off Highway 26, first along a paved road and then onto gravel, winding into the forest just east of LL Stub Stewart State Park. I took the long way around on the gravel roads to explore, and I was struck by how perfect they'd be for gravel biking. I imagined morning rides looping through the woods, connecting back to the park for some proper mountain biking. It's a rugged but scenic part of Oregon, with plenty of forest and active logging.
I continued on through Vernonia and, due to a detour, took the scenic route to Astoria. That stretch between Vernonia and Astoria is especially lush and green--full of small farms, dense forest, and quiet country roads. Driving into Astoria brought back memories of doing medical work there in the past. The co-op has moved into a new building since I was last there, and the town still has that charming feel.
Crossing the two-and-a-half-mile bridge into Washington, I followed Highway 101 north to Aberdeen and then east toward McCleary. I made a stop at Capitol State Forest--a sprawling network of forest roads and trails that would be great for biking and exploring. From there, I continued along the western edge of the Hood Canal, weaving through small towns and eventually venturing into the Olympic National Forest. That area feels like one massive outdoor playground, with endless terrain to explore.
By evening, I made it up to Sequim and checked into a hotel. With a couple of hours to spare, I drove around and looked at a few properties nestled in the foothills between Highway 101 and Olympic National Park. Honestly, it wouldn't be a bad place to live--quiet, scenic, and close to nature.
Sequim also has a surprisingly well-stocked local market called Sunny Farms Grocery, featuring plenty of organic and local produce. And for more practical needs, there's even a Costco in town--definitely a plus.