Spring Activities
In this article, Tessa talks about activities that you can enjoy during spring.
Spring activities
By Tessa Hager
As we finally move on from the colder weather (even though we, unfortunately, have not gotten to have any snow days), new options are available for how we spend our time. The blooming flowers, chirping birds, and the sun that is coming out from behind the clouds all give a newfound sense of life to the world around us. So break out your allergy medicine and try out some of the different activities that are finally available in springtime.
Whale watching
The Oregon coast has year-round tours, but March is especially great for whale watching. According to Travel Portland, “Every spring, as many as 20,000 gray whales pass through Oregon waters while migrating between Mexico and Alaska.” They are the most active during the morning and late afternoon since those are their feeding times. Whale watching can be a great way to destress during spring break—if you are comfortable with being out on the water in a boat for a few hours.
Visit a state park
Oregon has a few different state parks that you can visit during spring break. However, most of them are far away. Ecola State Park is in Cannon Beach, Oregon, which is all the way up north. According to Oregon is for Adventure, a tour guide website, “Ecola State Park is a mecca when it comes to hikes. Complete with stunning views and in varying lengths and levels of difficulty, there is something for everyone.” There are multiple different hiking areas along the beach, so you can hike to the top and watch the sunset over the ocean. A popular place to visit is Crater Lake, but you will have to check the weather before visiting since the snow can cause road closures. Some state parks in Oregon also offer camping.
Portland Gardens
If you and your family are up for a trip to Portland, spring is a great time to visit their different gardens. The Japanese garden is a popular place to visit. It usually takes one and a half to two hours to walk through the Japanese garden, so it can occupy visitors for a while, but not so long that your feet hurt too bad to see all of it. However, the Japanese garden costs $21.95 for adults, $18.95 for seniors (65+), and $15.95 for youth (6-17). It is free for kids five and under. Another garden in Portland is The International Rose Test Garden, which is free for anyone to visit. There are over 10,000 rose bushes and 650 different varieties. They have picnic tables and a tennis court, and they allow dogs.
Since the day that winter break ended, many students have been counting down the days until spring break, and then summer. There are many different ways to enjoy Oregon during spring break and even on weekends when you need a refreshing break from school, so take advantage of the sun and the trees that are coming back to life.
