OREGON’S BIRTHDAY IS HERE AND THERE’S A LOT TO CELEBRATE

While many people are out buying chocolates, professing their love for one another or instead simply not giving a hoot about Valentine’s Day, some of us are out celebrating something else.

In the Pacific Northwest, people are surrounded by lush landscapes, amazing cities, and roads that lead to endless possibilities. What better day to spend enjoying these things than on this love-centered holiday – which in fact, doubles as Oregon’s Birthday?

Indeed, Oregon became the 33rd state in the United States on Feb. 14, 1859, making her 161 years old today. And I’ve got to say, she looks pretty good for her age.

I have been lucky enough to have been born and spent the last 23 years in Oregon (I spent the majority of my childhood in Washington). I’ve lived in several parts of this amazingly diverse state, from the Crooked River area as a teen, to Bend, in my early twenties, then in Portland and now, The Villages at Mt. Hood (an area that includes Welches, Rhododendron, Zigzag, et al.).

I consider this state my home and would find it very difficult to leave or even think that I would even want to. There is still so much I haven’t seen and want to see, too many new places here I would like to live – although where I live now is pretty sweet and somewhere I always had fantasized living in when I was growing up. Celebrating Oregon’s birthday, to me, is like partying for a best friend that’s always been there for you.

Something that is very enjoyable to do on Oregon’s Birthday and I find also to be a wonderful way to explore history, is visiting the Western Antique Aero and Auto Museum (WAAAM) in Hood River.

The museum has one of the largest collections of classic airplanes, automobiles, motorcycles and many more artifacts from the past. Not only are several hangars full of wonderful vintage vehicles, but all of them are in operating order: Anything with a motor works and is full of life, even now. Museum staff/volunteers even start them up on special days (including most “second Saturdays” each month) for visitors to enjoy these beasts in action.

WAAAM is open every day, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s.

If you aren’t sure what to do this coming Valentine’s Day, or the weekend, maybe take a drive out Interstate 84 and enjoy the afternoon in Hood River viewing a part of the past and celebrating a fun part of Oregon as well.

For details, visit: http://www.waaamuseum.org/

Whether its birthday or whatever else you are celebrating, our 160-year-old state is sure to offer something, somewhere, that anyone to enjoy.