By Kimatni and Mika Rawlins, Photos by Nadia Burney
As the cool fall weather kicked in, it was time for another Fit Fathers adventure with my two daughters who were eager to visit Oregon for various adventurous reasons. The first was to hit the trails and serene waterfalls for a few days; the next was to pay homage to Nike since both are fans of Air Jordans; and most importantly, to experience the array of delicious and savory foods Portland offers.
Our cross-country travel planning initially seemed daunting, but it was alright since United Airlines offers direct service from Dulles Airport in Virginia to Portland International Airport. Moreover, since I am a Global Services member I upgraded our seats and accessed the United Club to relax and grub before takeoff. Mika and Nadia enjoyed the pampering. After the 5.5-hour flight we headed to offsite parking where Hyundai left us a Serenity White Pearl 2025 Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy to utilize for the weekend. Since the activities outside of Portland were spread out, an efficient, stylish, and amenity-laden SUV was perfect for the tasks.
The Hiking and Waterfalls
If you are still getting familiar with Oregon, note that it constitutes some of the country’s most scenic views and landscapes. Beginning with a striking coastline and more than 360 state parks, visitors have endless excursion options from the multitude of campgrounds, water activities, ghost towns, wineries, and epic waterfalls, whether it’s Multnomah Falls, Shellburg Falls, Silver Falls, Henline Falls, Drift Creek Falls, or Lower Soda Creek Falls. Moreover, the 80-mile Columbia River Gorge and majestic Mt Hood Oregon should be tops on your “things to do list.”
After settling in for the evening, we planned to visit Oregon’s tallest mountain, known as The Oregon Volcano Most Likely to Erupt. Mount Hood is 70 miles east of Portland and stands over 11,000 feet, making it the highest point in Oregon. In fact, the geographical wonder can be seen 100 miles away! The Santa Fe road trip was smooth and relaxing. It appeased all with a tech-savvy Panoramic Curved Display, eco-friendly materials, 15-watt dual wireless charge pads, ambient lighting, and Touch-Type Climate Control. The girls were taking pictures of the scenery the entire trip while I let Bob Marley chant mellow music in my ears from the premium Bose audio system.
We made a few stops along the way before reaching our final destination. The 54 acres of Lewis and Clark State Recreation Site made for a romantic escape with Mother Nature. Sightseers will instantly transform into a tranquil bliss full of engaging activity. On the Sandy River you can swim and fish, and on the grounds hike and picnic. There is also a short slipway to relish the clear blue waters aboard your boat.
Next up was an appointment at the breathtaking Multnomah Falls, which was only 20 minutes up Highway 84 while taking in the tranquility of the Columbia River Gorge. However, this picturesque landscape is a tourist trap rather than a typical trail hike. It’s paved as you wind your way slowly to the top. And the majority of visitors were there for photo ops dressed in brunch outfits. Thus, you have to exert patience while slowly meandering up the path. I suggest arriving early in the morning! We left as soon as possible to separate from the crowds.
Another hour later we approached the most exquisite piece of earth you will experience in Oregon. Expect a 90-minute drive from Portland to the base of Mt Hood. Upon arrival, we prepared our gear and headed out for a 10-mile hike by way of the Timberline Trail, which circles 40 miles around the base and connects to a circuit of other trails. We started with the predominantly forestry Umbrella Waterfall Trail. There were a few small waterfalls along the path but only a few scenic overlooks. Wondrously, Mount Hood attracts over 10,000 hikers annually. Afterward, if you don’t feel like the 90-minute drive back to Portland after partaking in the diverse ecosystem, plan a stay at the environment-friendly Mt Hood Tiny House Village. It’s a subtle reminder of what life could be like off the grid.
The Culinary Experience
Portland has no shortage of restaurants to satisfy your appetite after burning hundreds of daily calories. From Michelin Stars to vegan upstarts, everything is here for the taking. Plus, most popular restaurants offer plant-based dishes and cater to vegans and non-vegans alike. The girls wanted pizza, salmon, and pancakes while I sought the top vegan establishments. Portland also offers 500+ food carts consisting of local and international tastes such as Greek or Hawaiian. My favorite choice was Top Burmese and its Indian culinary influences from Myanmar, formally known as Burma. Selections included samosas, ginger salad, and coconut rice with Tofu. For additional succulent tastings check out Takibi, Bar Casa Vale, Fortune Bar, Lilla, Tomo Ramen, the health-conscious Maruti Indian Restaurant, and Akâdi’s West African delights. And if you end up in Beaverton make sure to dine at the upscale Bamboo Sushi.
Activities in Portland
My girls have Japanese in their blood and visit The Land of the Rising Sun once a year. Therefore, we paid homage to the Portland Japanese Gardens rooted inside the iconic Washington Park. It’s a microcosm of the Far East’s intimate representations and is acknowledged as the most genuine and renowned Japanese garden outside Japan. Conceived by garden architect Takuma Tono, the Japanese philosophy of balance is witnessed throughout by green spaces, water, rock, and wood. The Umami Tea Café is onsite for mindfulness breaks and trails are adjacently located for harmonious peace walks.
Tax-free shopping is omnipresent in Portland where we jumped right in, starting with the Hawthorne District, which hosts trendy record shops, vintage thrift, coffee shops, and vibrant tapestries. Firstly, we found an assortment of classic vinyl records, such as the Best of Sade and Lee Scratch Perry originals at Jackpot Records. Then, we were in and out of Oro, Presents of Mind Cards and Gifts, and Potala Imports for Tibetan textiles, yogi clothes, and Buddha sculptures. The cultural and spiritual gift items will satisfy your soul and appease your wholistic lifestyle. And the owner is uber-kind! Breakfast, lunch, coffee, and snack choices on Hawthorne Ave include Bread and Ink Café, Strait From New York Pizza, Fried Egg I’m In Love, Mochinut, and Next Level Burger (all vegan).
Thankfully I have friends in high places. The Nike Worldwide Headquarters is located 15 minutes outside of Portland in an unincorporated area of Washington County near Beaverton. Amazingly, the Nike campus consist of more than 75 buildings sitting on 286 acres. Security is heavy so you must know an employee to visit. My guy also put us on the list to shop at the Nike Employee Store which discounts everything by 40%! Mika and Nadia were in sneaker heaven!
Portland is known for being a city of neighborhoods. Correspondingly we attempted to visit as many as possible in search of activities from literature to gaming:
- Powel’s City of Books is the world’s largest independent bookstore.
- Next Level Pinball Shop & Museum is one of the biggest arcades in the world, with more than 615 games and 300 pinball machines. Beyond epic, it’s akin to walking into an 80s film set.
- Pioneer Place downtown is where you will find luxury and international brands.
- Head to Lloyd Center for traditional retailers and boutiques like Macy’s. A Regal Lloyd Center theatre complex is attached to this mall.
- Mississippi District in North Portland for hip bars, live music venues, spirited restaurants, and a Bohemian atmosphere.
- Portland Saturday Market is the country’s largest open-air arts and crafts market.
- Alberta Arts District consists of murals, eclectic shops, art galleries, hipster bars, and good eating.
Our Hyundai Hybrid Ride
While rebuilding the all-new Hyundai Santa Fe, designers and engineers considered everything with active families in mind. As a result, the new Santa Fe is refreshing, stylish, and tougher than expected. Specifically, the Santa Fe Calligraphy features 2nd-row captain’s chairs, premium Nappa leather, a 12” heads-up display, a driver’s side relaxation seat, and 21″ alloy rims with Pirelli Scorpion tires. Overall, the SUV is on point and made for an enjoyable few days of test-driving in Oregon, especially since I had a Santa Fe HEV (hybrid electric) variant with the super efficient 1.6-liter GDI engine. Right off the bat the physique of the 5th generation Santa Fe presents more angles and defined lines than curves and bubbles. Lastly, its expansive cargo area is perfect for transporting larger objects such as mountain bikes.
Where to Lay Your Head
Portland is a fascinating city known for its art, lively entertainment, healthy restaurants, vintage shopping, and diverse lodging choices. As I always tell travelers, sign up with one airline partner and one hotel network to reap the benefits and comforts on the road. I have been a loyal Marriott Bonvoy member for over twenty years, thus the level of hospitality is untouchable. With an extensive portfolio of 30 hotel brands you will find every type of property to suit your needs.
I chose the 4-star Hotel Vance Portland, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel in downtown Portland’s Cultural District. Interestingly, it’s perfectly set up for recreational enthusiasts and not so fancy that you feel uncomfortable walking through the lobby after returning from a hike. Actually, the décor is playful and the sleek boutique rooms are large, airy, and finished with laminated floors and chalkboard imitating ceilings. Ex-NFL player Marshawn Lynch designed the backdrops for the Beastro restaurant that serves island and Korean fusion dishes while reggae music fills your soul with positive vibes. Additional amenities include the 2nd-floor loft for reading and meetings, a connected Starbucks, and a fitness center.
I aim to spend as much one-on-one time with my kids as possible. They need life lessons and travel adventures to shape their world experiences, knowledge, and opinions. Oregon’s magical moments will now be added to their memory banks and live on indefinitely. Breathe deep and continue to travel extraordinarily.
