Family 50 Quest

Oregon, Day One: When Plans Change, Adventure Begins

Our Oregon adventure began on January 2, 2026, with a lunchtime flight out of New Orleans and a full day of travel ahead of us. After connections in Los Angeles and Sacramento, we finally touched down in Portland just before 10 p.m., tired but excited. From the airport, we picked up our rental car and made the scenic drive to our home base for the trip—the Mt. Hood Oregon Resort—nestled quietly among towering trees and crisp mountain air.

Somewhere between flights, our original plans took an unexpected turn. An email arrived informing us that our scheduled ski lessons and lift passes had been canceled due to a lack of snow on the slopes. While disappointing at first, it turned out to be the beginning of a completely different kind of adventure.

A New Plan Over Breakfast

The next morning, as we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast at Altitude, the resort’s restaurant, we regrouped and reimagined our day. Instead of skis, we opted for curiosity, road trips, and waterfalls—and Oregon delivered.

Wind, Water, and Wonder

From Boring, we drove on to Vista House at Crown Point, where the Columbia River Gorge stretched endlessly below us. The wind at the point was no joke—simply opening the car doors felt like an adventure—but once inside, we were rewarded with stunning architecture and a rich history that made braving the cold worthwhile.

Next came the waterfalls.

We started with Latourell Falls, visible right from the parking area. Still, seeing it from afar wasn’t enough. Despite muddy trails, we made our way closer, crossing a bridge directly in front of the cascading water. The mist, the roar, and the sheer power of the falls made the extra effort more than worth it.

Our next stop, Bridal Veil Falls, required a short hike through the woods. The trail was wide, easy, and thoughtfully lined with benches, making it an enjoyable walk for everyone. When we reached the viewing platform, the waterfall took our breath away—a perfect place to pause, rest, and soak it all in.

Then came our most adventurous stop: Horsetail Falls and its hidden companion above it, Upper Horsetail (Ponytail) Falls. Horsetail Falls was easily visible from the parking lot, but Ponytail Falls required a steep 0.4-mile hike straight up a narrow trail. For a few in our group, the height and exposure were challenging, but the reward was unforgettable. At the top, we were able to walk behind the waterfall, relaxing and playing in a cave-like space as water thundered just feet away.

Ending the Day on a High Note

After drying off and catching our breath, we drove past Multnomah Falls, initially unable to stop due to full parking lots, and continued on to Cascade Locks. There, we admired the iconic Bridge of the Gods and enjoyed a late lunch at Thunder Island Brewing Company, where good food and warm drinks lifted our spirits—and where we were able to rebook our ski day for Monday.

On the way back, luck was finally on our side. The Multnomah Falls parking lot had space, so we stopped to enjoy one more iconic Oregon sight. The paved walk to the lower falls was easy and scenic, but as rain began to fall and temperatures dropped, we decided not to push on to the upper bridge. Instead, we ended the visit perfectly—with steaming cups of hot cocoa from the stand near the falls.

With day one in Oregon complete, we returned to our hotel for a quiet, relaxing night, grateful for unexpected detours and the adventures they bring.

Oregon, Day Two: Faith, Food, and Flying Down the Mountain

Day two in Oregon began quietly and meaningfully with Sunday Mass at St. John in the Woods Catholic Church, just a short drive from our hotel. Tucked among tall trees and surrounded by stillness, the church felt like exactly where we were meant to be. The service was beautiful, peaceful, and a grounding way to start another day of adventure.

After Mass, we headed down the road to ZigZag Mountain Café for breakfast. Between the cozy atmosphere, the delicious food, and the stunning scenery outside the windows, it was the perfect place to linger. As we ate, we mapped out the rest of our day—and one word quickly became the theme: snow tubing.

Trading Hiking Boots for Snow Tubes

Originally, we had planned to save Cosmic Snow Tubing for the evening and spend most of the day hiking. But after all the miles we covered on Day One, we happily changed course. Instead, we decided to embrace the snow early and headed to Mt. Hood Skibowl for daytime tubing.

From the first run, we were hooked. Flying down the massive hill in single and double tubes, laughing the entire way, we went again and again until our 1.5-hour time slot was over. It was fast, thrilling, and pure fun—the kind of activity that makes you forget the cold completely.

A Quiet Pause Back at the Resort

After tubing, we returned to Mt. Hood Oregon Resort to explore the grounds. Even on a rainy day, it was easy to imagine how lively the property could be. There was a playground, a golf course, and a spa—though the rain limited our time outside, and both the golf course and spa were closed for other reasons. We managed a quick stop at the playground before retreating indoors to rest and recharge for the evening.

Snow, Lights, and Cosmic Tubing

That rest paid off, because the night held something special.

We headed back to Mt. Hood Skibowl for Cosmic Snow Tubing, and this time the experience felt completely different. Snow was falling, the hill was glowing with colorful lights, and music filled the air. The atmosphere was energetic and magical, turning something we already loved into something even better.

Once again, we raced down the hill in single and double tubes, laughing nonstop until our time was up. Cold, happy, and exhausted in the best way, we made our way back to the hotel for a relaxing night in.

Day two was a perfect balance—quiet moments, good food, spontaneous changes, and unforgettable fun in the snow.

Oregon, Day Three: Finding Our Legs on the Slopes

Day three in Oregon was the day we had been waiting for—ski day. With a mix of excitement and nerves, we packed up and headed to Mt. Hood Meadows, where we had reserved ski lessons for the kids, along with gear rentals and lift passes for the day.

From the moment we arrived, the staff at Mt. Hood Meadows made everything feel manageable. They helped get the kids fitted with the right gear, adjusted boots and skis, and made sure everyone was set up for success. When the kids’ ski lessons began at 9 a.m., they listened intently to their instructors, ready to learn something completely new.

While they headed off to ski school, Mark and I clipped into our skis for the first time in nearly 20 years.

Like Riding a Bike… Mostly

Surprisingly, it came back quickly. On our first chairlift ride, however, we realized we had completely forgotten to lower the safety bar. As the lift reached the top, I barely made it off in time—but we laughed it off and pointed our skis downhill.

Our first run down the smallest hill was exhilarating, and before long, we were riding the lift again and again. From above, we could spot the kids in their lessons, practicing and improving with every pass. After a few runs of our own, we skied down to check on them—and they were doing amazing.

Feeling confident, we headed back up and took a second lift higher up the mountain, braving the green Mitchell Creek slope. After a few runs there, it was time to reunite with the kids as their ski lessons wrapped up.

Falling in Love with Skiing

To our surprise, the kids weren’t tired, cold, or frustrated—in fact, they were loving every minute. We spent the next part of the day on the bunny slopes together, riding the magic carpet up and skiing down over and over again. Eventually, our stomachs reminded us it was time for lunch.

We grabbed pizza and drinks with a beautiful mountain view before heading right back out. Again and again, the kids rode the magic carpet and flew down the bunny slope, growing more confident with each run.

One Last Ride

As the day came to an end, Makayla and Adam decided they were ready for something bigger—the same slopes Mark and I had skied earlier. Mark brought Cole inside while I headed to the lift with Makayla and Adam.

Halfway up the chairlift, Makayla remembered that heights weren’t exactly her favorite and decided this would be a one-time adventure. Adam, on the other hand, was thrilled. Both kids skied down beautifully, controlled and confident. At the bottom, Makayla headed in to join Mark and Cole, while Adam and I rode the lift one last time.

As we made our way up, the sun began to set, casting warm light across the mountain. The peak of Mt. Hood stood proudly in the distance, and it felt like the perfect ending to an unforgettable day. Our final run was epic—Adam flew down the hill, completely in control, grinning the whole way.

We wrapped up our ski adventure and drove back toward the hotel, kids drifting off to sleep in the backseat or replaying their favorite moments from the day. It was the kind of tired that only comes from a full day of joy, challenge, and shared accomplishment.

Our Oregon adventure turned out to be so much more than we originally planned. From unexpected changes and spontaneous detours to snowy slopes, roaring waterfalls, quiet moments of faith, and nonstop laughter, every day brought something memorable. Oregon reminded us that the best trips aren’t always about sticking to the plan, but about embracing what comes next—together. We returned home tired, grateful, and full of stories we’ll be telling for years to come, already dreaming about the day we get to come back.