Adventuring through the Pacific Northwest :: Cannon Beach & Seattle

Travel

June 26, 2017

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 I'm a wedding photographer living outskirts of St. Louis with my sweet husband! When I'm not hanging with my amazing couples, you can catch me whipping up some delicious food or perusing the local thrift store for some finds. 
I'm Jessica Lauren

Cannon Beach Photorgapher, Ecola State Park, Pacific Northwest Photographer

Okay friends, I have to be completely honest. I know that it’s not necessarily fair to pick favorites, but Missouri doesn’t have anything on the Pacific Northwest – it’s just the truth.

There is nothing that stirs my heart up quite like the west coast. This place is big, but small to me. I’ve spent seasons of deep joy, and deep struggles on this side of the country. And flying over the mountains – about to land at the ever familiar Seattle airport – my heart was flooded with the faithfulness of my God.

The Pacific Northwest, for whatever reason, never fails to remind me of how good, faithful, and redemptive my Savior is. My heart is especially grateful that His ways are above mine and greater than mine. There’s something about being present in the midst of His incredible handiwork that is awe-inspiring. I wholeheartedly believe it does a soul a whole lot of good to stand in awe of King Jesus. When you look at the vastness of His creation, you can’t help but be blown away by the majesty.

Cannon Beach Photorgapher, Ecola State Park, Pacific Northwest PhotographerPeople ask me alllll the time, “Are you going to move out there?” As much as I would love (love) love to move out west someday, I think maybe – at least for now – it’s my place – away from home. You know how when you only have cheesecake – I don’t know – once a year, it’s something you savor? (Just me?) Filet mignon and crab legs wouldn’t be so good if you had them every night for dinner, you know what I’m saying? And maybe, just maybe, the Lord says no to moving because He wants me to savor the gift and delicacy that this place is. The Pacific Northwest is a treat for me. It’s just as thrilling and awe-inspiring to me every single time – and I hope that never changes, even if I do move there someday!

Cannon Beach Photorgapher, Ecola State Park, Pacific Northwest Photographer….but that doesn’t mean I’m already planning my next trip out west. ;) I think Bend, Oregon might have to be next… I’ve heard too many good things! That being said, I wanted to share a few images (iPhone and camera!) from our trip – purely for documentation sake. Because the whole reason I started a blog back in middle school (gosh, throwback) was because I wanted to preserve & document the little moments of my life. I want to be able to pull up a blog post from 2017 and show my kiddos images of when their Mom went on random adventures across the country at twenty.

So enjoy a peek into our random whirlwind of a trip in the Pacific Northwest! (PS – a few of my favorite eats and stops are listed down below!)

Also, a huge shout out to my fave Anna Filly for being the greatest adventure buddy and my sweet friends Matt and Betty for hosting us in Seattle!

Cannon Beach Photorgapher, Ecola State Park, Pacific Northwest Photographer
Cannon Beach Photorgapher, Ecola State Park, Pacific Northwest Photographer

Cannon Beach Photorgapher, Ecola State Park, Pacific Northwest Photographer
Cannon Beach Photorgapher, Ecola State Park, Pacific Northwest Photographer
Cannon Beach Photorgapher, Ecola State Park, Pacific Northwest Photographer
Cannon Beach Photorgapher, Ecola State Park, Pacific Northwest Photographer
Cannon Beach Photorgapher, Ecola State Park, Pacific Northwest Photographer
Cannon Beach Photorgapher, Ecola State Park, Pacific Northwest Photographer
Cannon Beach Photorgapher, Ecola State Park, Pacific Northwest Photographer
Cannon Beach Photorgapher, Ecola State Park, Pacific Northwest Photographer
Cannon Beach Photorgapher, Ecola State Park, Pacific Northwest Photographer
Cannon Beach Photorgapher, Ecola State Park, Pacific Northwest Photographer
Cannon Beach Photorgapher, Ecola State Park, Pacific Northwest Photographer
Cannon Beach Photorgapher, Ecola State Park, Pacific Northwest Photographer

Cannon Beach Photorgapher, Ecola State Park, Pacific Northwest Photographer
Cannon Beach Photorgapher, Ecola State Park, Pacific Northwest Photographer
Cannon Beach Photorgapher, Ecola State Park, Pacific Northwest Photographer
Cannon Beach Photorgapher, Ecola State Park, Pacific Northwest Photographer

Cannon Beach Photorgapher, Ecola State Park, Pacific Northwest Photographer
Cannon Beach Photorgapher, Ecola State Park, Pacific Northwest Photographer
Cannon Beach Photorgapher, Ecola State Park, Pacific Northwest Photographer
Cannon Beach Photorgapher, Ecola State Park, Pacific Northwest Photographer
Cannon Beach Photorgapher, Ecola State Park, Pacific Northwest Photographer

Cannon Beach //

Sleepy Monk Coffee – this place is SO GOOD. I’m bummed we only went to it on our way out of town. If you go, get the Druit’s Delight. It’s not too sweet, not too milky, and is topped with their signature chocolate whipped cream. Yeah, I know… you have to go.

The Wayfarer Restaurant and Lounge – this place is absolutely darling, has an incredible view of Haystack Rock, and amazing food (and service!). We went for breakfast and it was delicious! (Bonus points if your waiter writes his number on the bottom of your cup… lolz) Anna and I got a good laugh out of that one!

If you are visiting Cannon Beach even for just a day, you definitely need to hike a bit through Ecola State Park. It’s absolutely incredible and so worth the $5 a day fee! I personally loved Indian Beach so much more than Haystack rock and the actual “Cannon Beach” area. Far less people – we literally had the beach to ourselves!

Seattle //

Obviously, you should always hit up Pike’s Place if you haven’t before. The flowers alone are worth it!! We stopped at a darling tea and spice store and picked up some goods and also hit up Storyville Coffee. It’s hidden away but so worth finding!!

Also, one of my favorite things about the west coast is that they know how to make good asian food. It’s weird – I know – but the Midwest just doesn’t do it right. We had some amazing Thai food on our way through Portland and also had our first ever poke bowls in Seattle (basically a sushi bowl so… <3) and it was SO good. I love sushi and anything asian so I was in heaven!

Comments +

  1. Bianca Jago says:

    Wow those photos are gorgeous! Thanks for sharing

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