Since the last day of this 31 Day Challenge falls on Halloween, I’m highlighting a pumpkin patch. I’m choosing Roloff Farms, which is in the Helvetia community of Hillsboro, Oregon. The Roloff’s are stars of TLC’s Little People Big World. The pumpkin patch came before the tv show, but certainly had less hype.

Along the drive to the Roloff’s are pumpkins letting you know you’re headed in the right direction.

The pumpkin patch is open Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays in October.

The Entrance

While waiting to buy your tickets, you can also pick up Amy’s Pumpkin Peach Salsa, Roloff books & souvenirs.

Halloween’s Past

Even before the craziness a tv show can bring, the Roloff’s had a nice pumpkin patch to visit.
Left: Here are Farm Kid & I in 2005.
Right: Farm Kid2 at Roloff Farms in 2005

Wagon Tour

Now days, the way to see their farm is to purchase tickets for the wagon tour. The tour takes you throughout their farm showing you the most popular places, with a short stop in their western town.

While waiting in line to board the wagon tour, we spotted Matt Roloff posing with visitors.

The Roloff home

Matt’s Men’s Crisis Center. In other words, his shop.

Noah’s Ark

Too, too cute! Straw, stick & brick homes from Three Little Pigs. Complete with 3 little pigs. The kids & I oohed and aahed over this, maybe because we recently added a couple pigs to our farm.

Left: Raised chicken coop to protect their flock from predators. Clever.

The trestle

Wedding Barn
It is rustic & lovely

Super cute little church built by Matt Roloff.

Beneath a barn is a wine cellar

Old West Town in 2005
Years ago, we didn’t pay to take a tour of the farm. It was just part of the fun coming to this pumpkin patch. We got to explore the old town as long as we wanted. However, back then it wasn’t crazy crowded like it is today.

The Old West Town Today
The wagon tour stops here for a few minutes to let you explore the town. It really is impressive.

Left: Molly’s Castle 2005
Back in the day, we could also explore the castle.

Right: Molly’s Castle today
I believe our tour guide told us that it was just recently completed.

Adventure Area

The adventure area was pretty great with tons of fun things for the kids. There were slides, tricycle racing, mini golf and even big cats from A Walk on the Wild Side.

Pumpkins

Don’t forget to pick your pumpkins.

The first year we went to Roloff Farms was in 2005. We loved it. It was a quiet evening, slightly wet out and nearly no visitors at the pumpkin patch. As far as I was concerned, it was perfect. While we were paying for the pumpkins, John struck up conversation with Matt Roloff and realized he was working for a company that Matt previously worked for. There was a camera man or two around, but we didn’t think much of it. Later they asked us to sign papers saying it would be ok if we ended up in a new documentary featuring little people. As far as I know we didn’t end up in any episodes. But, we didn’t have cable tv back then, so I didn’t watch the first few seasons.

The next year, I went back with my mom on a Saturday morning. It was so crowded and crazy. It took forever just to get parked. I didn’t go back again after that.

Eight years later, I decided to go back & check it out. I loved it. I went expecting a crowd, so I was prepared this time. Also, they are better prepared for the crowds & parking wasn’t a problem. It was $12 per person to enjoy both the wagon tour & adventure area. Not super cheap, but also not outrageous. It is the most I have spent for pumpkin patch activities, but there was a lot to see & do.

They did have a couple food options available. But, you could also drive the one minute it takes to get to the Helvetia Tavern for a burger if you’re hungry.

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Just outside of Hillsboro is the community of Helvetia. If you’re in the area, Helvetia Tavern is the place to eat.

You go there for a burger, fries & onion rings. It’s simple. It’s greasy. It’s good.

When my Aunt & her family visit Oregon, we always eat here with them.

I have never heard one bad comment about the food or service.

I can’t speak about the tavern side. But, a place doesn’t stay open more than 90 years if things are crummy. So, I’m assuming the beer, spirits & company are also good. My dad celebrated his 21st birthday here many, many years ago.

The restaurant side of the building.

Left: Caps on the ceiling

Right: The menu
The prices are reasonable. However, bring your cash. They don’t accept plastic.

Bacon Cheeseburger & Onion Rings

On a side note, Helvetia Tavern is located near the Rice Rock Museum. It is also right next to Roloff Farms from TLC’s Little People Big World. So, if you’re checking out rocks or picking the perfect pumpkin, this would be a good place to grab a bite to eat.

It has also been in an episode of Grimm, which is filmed in and around Portland.

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About an hour outside of Portland is the small town of Vernonia. It is located in the upper Nehalem valley. In 2007 flooding caused many millions of dollars in damages to the schools, hundreds of homes & community buildings. FEMA stepped in to help, but it still took a couple years to get the city back and better than ever.

Logging is a big part of the community. Mike Pihl from the reality show Ax Men is from this area.

Vernonia’s other claim to fame is that many Twilight scenes were filmed throughout the city.

Entering Vernonia

Left: Vernonia is a small town with a small town feel

Right: Rock Creek Bridge
At the beginning of the movie, Twilight, there is a shot of Bella’s dad, Charlie, driving over this bridge. The police station that Charlie worked at was filmed at a credit union building in town. The Cullen’s house was filmed at a home in Portland. And, Bella & Charlie’s house is in St. Helens

Mill Pond Turned Fishing Hole

What once held logs is now a fishing hole with Bass, Perch, Bluegill & Rainbow Trout.

Remnants of the mill pond are still evident.

Banks-Vernonia Trail

The Banks-Vernonia State Trail begins/ends at Vernonia Lake. 21 miles of what used to be railroad tracks are now hiking & biking trails through a beautiful forested area.

Pebble Creek

Along the south side of the lake is Pebble Creek. In the fall many salmon spawn here. It is hard to tell, but that pointy thing in the water is a salmon’s tail and in front of that is its dorsal fin.

Oregon American Mill Fuel House

My favorite place to visit at the lake is this old cement building. It is a hidden gem. It was once the fuel house forthe Oregon American Lumber Company.

All that is left from the building are items made from cement. The floor is dirt & littered with leaves. Trees & ferns grow in the dirt. Graffiti covers the walls. Overall, I’m not a fan of graffiti. But, it certainly adds to the cool factor of this long forgotten building.

One time we visited, a group of people were setting up for a wedding. Ironically enough, one of the ladies setting up was my lactation nurse with Farm Kid1.

Looking up

You do have to watch out for the occasional 4 letter word or naughty drawing, but for the most part the graffiti is not offensive

It is a fun & different place to take pics.

One year, we did beginning of the school year photos here.

Just a couple weeks ago, I took senior pictures of my friend’s daughter in and outside of the building. I remember when she was born. Wowzers, how time flies!

She is very involved in FFA.  Click here if you are interested in seeing a couple pics I took of her in her FFA clothes & with her 4 legged friends.

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Keep Portland Weird has become the city’s slogan. Why we need to be weird, I don’t know. I appreciate weirdness when people step outside of the box to better themselves or community. But, weird, just to be weird, I don’t really get.

And wouldn’t ya know, near the Keep Portland Weird sign is Voodoo Doughnut. They are definitely a “weird”, but extremely popular doughnut shop.

Whoever thought of advertising underneath the slogan is a marketing genius.

Across SW 3rd from the Weird sign is Voodoo Doughnut.

The doughnut shop is located in the Skidmore/Old Town District of Portland. I think there is always a line to get your doughnuts.

The shop is small and there is always a wait. But, once you make it in the door there are many interesting decor items to hold your attention.

The menu includes many original doughnut flavors with names like Captain my Captain, Dirty Snowballs & Portland Cream.

The shop is cash only, so make sure to bring your paper money.

There is seating outside.
Notice the pink box on the first table. That’s the very recognizable pretty pink Voodoo Doughnut box.

Left: The Loop & The Dubble Bubble Doughnuts. Oh man, that bubble gum one is delicious. Way too sweet, but so good

Right: The front doughnut is what Voodoo is known for, the Bacon Maple Bar. I’ll be honest, I didn’t love it. The cold bacon just didn’t do anything for me and my taste buds. Although, I thought it would be good if I brought it home and heated it up just a tad. One day I will try that.

Well, there it is, a peek at our wildly popular doughnut shop.

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Powell’s Books is the largest new & used bookstore in the world. The Burnside location in downtown Portland is one entire city block. It’s huge with more & more rooms filled with books. It’s also slightly quirky, which fits in perfectly with Portland.

The entrance at Burnside & 10th

View of the 2nd story from the street.

Inside the Store

Rows & rows of books

The building is divided into rooms.

It seems as if staircases are everywhere leading to the various rooms.

Peeking out a 2nd story window. Of course there would be a Starbucks in view. Powell’s has their own coffee shop inside the store. There’s also a Peet’s Coffee right across the street on 11th. People around here are crazy about their coffee. Not me. Blech. Coffee. But, probably 99.9% of the rest of the population love coffee.

Throughout the bookshelves are mini categories and signage to appeal to your interests. I love Downton Abbey. I’m sure I would enjoy many of these books.

Another mini category: Whiskey. Interesting. I thought the only alcohol Portlanders cared about were micro brews & wine. Apparently I was wrong since Powell’s has this display. I’m not a fan of beer or wine, so I would take the whiskey option any day.

Sometimes a book’s cover draws you in.

I enjoy the signage on the end caps.
Am I the only one who thinks about how you get a job making these signs? I certainly can’t write the books, but I’d love to find cool ways to display them.
I also wonder this when I’m at museums. Coming up with creative ways to show off the history of an area, or an artist’s work seems like a job I would enjoy. I guess I missed my calling.

Souvenirs of all things Portland.
Bridges. We do have lots of bridges.
Biking. Oh boy, do we have lots of bikers.
Bigfoot. I haven’t seen him in our forest… yet…

Don’t forget to purchase your books on the way out.

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The kids & I love going to the Audubon Society. We enjoy seeing their education birds & exploring the trails.

Depending on the direction you’re coming from, you may drive through a cool tunnel like this one on Cornell Road. The sign says it was built in 1940.

Interpretive Center & Nature Store

One of our favorite things is watching the birds outside the windows at the bird feeders.

Farm Kid2 & I attended a book signing by author & illustrator Lisa C. Manning. The book is titled Falcons in the City and based on Peregrine Falcons, like this education bird Finnegan.

Interesting Trees

In between the Care Center and the Nature Store are two particular trees of interest.

Left: The Giant Sequoia is the largest tree in the world. I don’t know how this one compares to others, but it is huge.

Right: The Dawn Redwood is said to be a living fossil. Prior to the 1940’s the tree was only found in fossil form. In 2005 it became Oregon’s official state fossil.

Wildlife Care Center

One room of the Care Center is open to visitors and has birds & turtles to see.

Education Birds

Some of the education birds are inside, others are in outdoor homes.

Left: Aristophanes, the Raven

Bottom Right: Ruby, a turkey vulture

Trails

The Audubon Society is a 150 acre nature sanctuary with miles of trails to hike.

Left: Notice the English Ivy climbing the tree…
The setting for the book Wildwood takes place here in the urban forest that is part of the Audubon Society. In the story, Ivy is a villain. In truth, English Ivy is a huge problem. It climbs everywhere and threatens native trees and plant.

Right: Balch Creek, which is also mentioned in the Wildwood Chronicles.

More Trails

Across Cornell Road from the Care Center & Interpretive Center are more trails part of Audubon’s Sanctuaries.

Also, if you head east up Cornell just a short way you will reach the popular Wildwood Trail. Pittock Mansion is a 25 minute hike up the trail. Continuing on you will reach Washington Park, home to Hoyt Arboretum and the Oregon Zoo.

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One of the best scenic drives in Oregon is the Three Capes Scenic Route. It starts near Cape Meares, ends near Cape Kiwanda, and includes Cape Lookout. It’s a beautiful drive along the Oregon Coast.

Along the Way

Cape Meares

Gorgeous view near the Cape Meares Lighthouse.

Oceanside

One of my favorite beaches is a hidden gem in Oceanside.

Netarts

Netarts is popular for fishing and crabbing, both with humans and harbor seals.

Whiskey Creek Fish Hatchery

Cape Lookout

Cape Lookout State Park has a day use area and also a campground. I remember camping here as a kid, but haven’t been here in a long time.

Anderson Viewpoint

Anderson Viewpoint gives a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean, Three Arch Rocks and Netarts Bay. It is a popular spot for hang gliders.
It’s still pretty, but not quite as impressive on a rainy day.

Sand Lake Recreation Area

Sand Lake is a highly popular place to ride atv’s on sand dunes.

Whalen Island

Whalen Island used to just be a small county campground. But now includes Clay Meyers State Natural Area. We haven’t camped here in years. We would dive at Whalen Island usually for special events such as taking a Rescue Class. We also did our annual pumpkin carving dive at Whalen Island. It’s harder than one would think. Pumpkins like to float, so you quickly had to pull out the guts. Also, using a dive knife to carve with is not easy.

Cape Kiwanda

And last, but not least, along the route is Cape Kiwanda.

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About 15 minutes outside Tillamook via Hwy 131 are the small coastal towns of Netarts & Oceanside. One is popular with fisherman, the other with beachcombers.

Netarts

Where do we eat in Netarts? The Schooner.

Driving around Netarts & Oceanside

Netarts Bay and the spit

Driving into Oceanside

Oceanside

Oceanside has a great beach that is usually not crowded.

My favorite part of Oceanside is hidden in a rocky cliff. A tunnel takes you through the rock to the other side.

Entering the tunnel is easy. It’s a short tunnel, so daylight is enough to be able to see the whole way. Coming out the other side and climbing down the rocks to the sand can be a bit tricky, though. It’s doable, just something to be aware of.

The view from the hidden beach is amazing. It’s one of my favorite places.

Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge located a half mile offshore.

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Cape Kiwanda is the southern most cape along the Three Capes Scenic Route. It is home to Haystack Rock. However, it is not the well known Haystack Rock that is in Cannon Beach.

When I think about Cape Kiwanda in Pacific City, this is the view that automatically comes to mind.

Across the street are stores, a hotel and an rv park.

Cape Kiwanda

The tip of the cape.

It can get pretty beat up by the waves.

The Dory Fleet

This is a popular place for dory boats to brave the waves and launch right from the beach to head out for a day of fishing.

I have a whale of a tale about this rock.
In my previous adult life prior to children, I was a scuba diver. The plan one day was to dive at Haystack Rock. As divers, we used zodiacs, not dory’s to cross the surf. I’m not going to lie, it’s scary flying through those waves in a tiny, inflatable boat. We reached the rock and my hubby & I hopped in the water descending into murky, rough water. We couldn’t see much past our hands. We were hoping to see a sunfish, but we did not. I don’t remember seeing much of anything except krill. We cut our dive short due to the conditions, got back in the zodiac, & headed back to shore. Once on the beach, we looked back at the rock to see a whale spouting right where we had been diving. We had to have been near that whale, but since we couldn’t see more than a couple feet neither one of us saw it. I wonder if the whale saw us?

Vehicles can only drive a little way up the beach before getting to a sign prohibiting them from going further.

The Beach

There is a lot to see while walking in the sand.

Birds at Haystack Rock

Fun in the Waves

Oregon beaches are often not sunny & warm. We jump in the waves anyway.

Pelican Pub & Brewery

There are other options for food in Pacific City, but I’ve only eaten at the Pelican Pub & Brewery. Apparently, I am a creature of habit. The food is good & the view is nice. I’m not a beer drinker, so I can’t comment on the brewery.

One Last Glimpse of Haystack Rock

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The coastal town of Tillamook sits just inland from the Tillamook Bay. It’s not a large city, but it’s big enough to have everything you will need for a trip to the beach.

In and around Tillamook there are many outdoor activities available: boating, golfing, riding atv’s, & hang gliding just to name a few. It seems the middle of all the action is in Tillamook.

Driving around Tillamook County you see many dairy farms.

Tillamook Cheese Factory

Tillamook Quilt Trail

Blue Heron French Cheese Company

Oregon Coast Scenic Railway

Tilamook Country Smoker Outlet

Garibaldi

This is only a short list of things to do around Tillamook. There is so much more. Hopefully, I’ll be sharing more with you in the future.

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