Portland Diary: A Summer with a Bunch of Lavender 🌿

Portland Diary: A Summer with a Bunch of Lavender 🌿 Drive east from Portland along the Columbia River Gorge for just over an hour—wind through roads lined with canyon waterfalls and winding paths, and you’ll finally reach Hood River Valley. There, lavender fields sway gently in the breeze, like a soft purple ocean straight out of a fairy tale 🟣. 📍 Hood River Lavender Farms This spot isn’t just part of the famous Hood River Fruit Loop—it’s also home to more than a dozen U-pick farms, where you can pluck fresh blueberries, cherries, and peaches right from the branches. It’s a perfect blend of nature’s sweetness and hands-on fun 🍒🍑. 💜 Lavender Picking | $15 for a Bunch (Pick as Much as You Want!) The farm’s biggest highlight is getting to harvest your own lavender. For just $15, you’ll get a bunch holder, and you can fill it to the brim—seriously, you can pack in way more than you might expect! ⚠️ A quick heads-up: There are lots of bees (they love the lavender too!), so take it easy around them 🐝. 🍦 A Sweet Surprise | Lavender Honey Ice Cream At the small hut near the farm entrance, you’ll find the lavender-themed ice cream I’d been craving. This isn’t the artificial, “perfumey” kind—instead, it has a light, natural floral flavor that’s absolutely delightful: Lavender Honey: The classic choice—mellow and not too sweet, with a hint of honey’s warmth. Lavender Lemon: Tangy and sweet, perfect for cooling down on a sunny day. Sit in the lavender field while you eat: the wind blows your skirt, and in the distance, you can see the snow-capped peak of Mt. Hood. It’s the kind of experience you’ll want to relive over and over again ❄️. 🛍️ A Cozy Shop | Lavender Aromatherapy & Handmade Goods Head back to the on-site shop, and you’ll find shelves filled with goodies: pure distilled lavender essential oils, lotions, soaps, and oil sprays, plus unique treats like lavender lemon cookies. Every product feels like an extension of the field—gentle, high-quality, and full of that calming lavender vibe 🧴🍪. 🍷 Neighborly Views | A Conversation Between Mountains & Wine The farm shares space with the nearby Stave & Stone Vineyard, offering wide-open views where you can see two mountains—Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams—rise gently behind the purple lavender sea. Hold a glass of local wine in the sun, and every breath feels like a slow, peaceful summer rhythm 🍷. 📅 Opening Hours & Practical Info ⏰ Open annually from mid-June to mid-August | 10:00 am - 6:00 pm. 🅿️ Free parking available, plus restrooms and simple sun shelters. 💡 Combine your visit with a trip to other Hood River Fruit Loop farms and wineries—make it a full day of fun! 📖 About the Itinerary & Along-the-Way Spots This time, I planned a one-day trip focused on U-pick farms and attractions along the Fruit Loop: starting from waterfalls, then moving to farms, orchards, and wineries. I’ll share the full route from Portland, plus recommendations for other fun farms along the way, in my next post—stay tuned! #Oregon #MeetPurpleFlowerSeasHere #PortlandExplores #Lavender #SeattleSurroundings #Portland #WeekendExplores #FarmUPick #WeekendGetaway #PortlandTravel