Oregon's Summer Is Simply Divine! 🌞🏔️😍

Mt. Hood & Mt. Adams offer such stunning vistas that every random snapshot looks like a scene straight out of a movie! 📸🏟 Lost Lake truly lives up to its name – it's a sight that stays with you forever (see pic 2)! 😮✨ The winding mountain road to get there is a bit of a challenge to drive and quite a distance, but as you make your way, you'll understand why it's called "Lost Lake" – it's a fitting description! Once you reach the viewpoint, it's all worth it! 👻🤡 Driving an extra half hour would still be worth it! Personally, I think it's even more breathtaking than the more famous Trillium Lake. 🌊🏞️ I visited two lavender farms: Hood River Lavender Farm and Hope Ranch Lavender. If you're looking to capture that perfect shot of lavender fields against snow-capped mountains, I highly recommend Hope Ranch. Both mountains are virtually unobstructed, and since it's less well-known than Hood River Lavender Farm, there are fewer people around. The lavender is a deeper purple, making for better photos. 🌄🤗 The farm owners are incredibly patient, and they don't charge for just taking pictures – only $10 per bunch if you want to pick some. Hood River is larger, busier, and offers more activities, including ice cream (though I must say, it wasn't that great... 🍦😒). However, I found that the views of the mountains were often obstructed, and with so many people around, it wasn't as satisfying. Plus, the lavender fields didn't look as vibrant purple because the blooming flowers were quickly picked by visitors. 💜🌾 For a taste of home, I recommend Grace Su's China Gorge Restaurant nearby.🌸 It's American-style Chinese food, but surprisingly, their Chongqing chicken and stir-fried vegetables were quite good! The owner is incredibly friendly; she grew up in Indonesia and speaks a bit of Chinese. She even gave us a "fruit loop" map for reference and recommended Lost Lake to us. If you're craving Chinese food near Mt. Hood, give it a try! 🍜🥢😄 #StudyingAbroadInUSA #NorthAmericanLife #EnjoyingNature'sBeautyTogether 🌳🌄