Blue Pool in Eugene, Oregon 🔵

The drive to Blue Pool along Highway 126 is a scenic treat on its own: you’ll be surrounded by towering redwood forests the whole way, with the McKenzie River glinting in and out of view beside the road 🌲. At one point, we passed an area that had been hit by wildfires before—when faint blue mist started rising from the distant mountains, I almost panicked, thinking there was a new wildfire breaking out! Turns out it was just the light playing tricks, but it definitely gave me a little scare 😅 The trail name is in the last photo—don’t worry, it’s not long at all, and the elevation gain is pretty gentle, so it’s easy for most people. The first half of the trail was my favorite: sunlight filtered through the redwood canopy, casting dappled light and shadows all around—it’s so photogenic! I took advantage of a quiet moment (no one else around!) to strike a few beginner yoga poses 🧘♀️—even if I’m just starting out, I felt pretty proud of my little photo shoot. By the second half of the trail, the sun got much brighter and hotter—pro tip: slather on sunscreen before you start, even if it feels cool at first! There’s also a small stream bubbling along the trail the whole time, its cheerful gurgling making the walk even more relaxing 🚰 The path down to the pool itself is a bit tricky, though: it’s covered in jumbled rocks, and the final stretch is a steep slope with slippery sand and gravel. You really have to take your time and watch your step—no rushing here! ⚠️ Once we got there, we were amazed by how clear and clean the water was. Lots of people were jumping into the pool, but every single one screamed as they hit the water and scrambled back out—turns out it’s freezing cold! ❄️ Funny enough, taking photos by the pool edge wasn’t as great as I hoped—thanks to the light reflection, the water didn’t look as vibrant as it did from further up. Still, it was fun to snap a few “I was here” shots to mark the visit 📸 Tomorrow, we’re heading to the County Fair Festival—I have no idea what to expect, but I’m already excited to see what fun surprises it’ll bring! 🎡 #VirtualTravel #RoadTrip #HikingPhotos #OutdoorAdventures #HikingRouteRecommendations #BayAreaLife