Summer was always hard to let go of in our family but it helps when you have something to look forward to. So how about making up a Fall Bucket List to enjoy what Lake Oswego and the Portland metro region has to offer during this beautiful time of year?! Sunbathing gives way to leaf kicking and beach reads trade places with books to snuggle up with by a fire.

Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

1. Set out in search of everything pumpkin-spiced. The flavor of pumpkin in all our favorite treats from cookies to coffee soften the blow of missing fresh marionberries and peaches. I devoted an entire blog post to the subject a few years ago and included finds like pumpkin chocolate chip cookies at Zupan’s, pumpkin croissants at La Provence, and pumpkin macaroons at St. Honore. I’m sure Salt and Straw will be featuring our favorite squash in at least one of its seasonal flavors.
2. Take a hike. Warm summer breezes segue into crisp autumn air and what better way to take it all in than on a hike organized by Lake Oswego hikers. You can combine your step-calculating with fall color watching by signing up for the October 8 hike along the Clackamas River Train #723. This 7.8 mile trek will give you the opportunity to see dazzling fall colors and a possible steelhead migration. Check out the full schedule here.
3. Explore the Hood River Fruit Loop. The official Fruit Loop map lists 29 stops along the 35 miles of orchards, wineries, breweries, farmlands and small communities. From picking apples at Draper Girls Country Farm to pumpkin milkshakes at Apple Valley Country Store to cider tasting at Fox Tail Cider and Distillery, there are lots of reasons to pull over and savor the season.
4. Catch an Oktoberfest. Put some oom-pah in your step by attending one of the many Oktoberfests hosted in and around Portland:

September 12-15: Mount Angel

September 20-21: Occidental Brewing Company

September 20-21: Oaks Park

September 21: Eastmoreland-Woodstock and McMenamins Kennedy School

September 28: Widmer

5. Seek out fall colors. I covered where to catch fall colors in and around Lake Oswego in a previous blog but some of the highlights include:

Portland Japanese Garden, 611 SE Kingston Avenue. While beautiful year-round, autumn is really this garden’s moment to shine resplendent with Japanese maples in blazing fall colors.

Lone Fir Cemetery, 2115 SE Morrison Street. You’ll find plenty of sugar maples, big-leaf maples, beech, chestnut and paths for wondering.

Hoyt Arboretum, 4000 SW Fairview Boulevard. Twelve miles of trails will take you by maples, beeches, oaks and magnolias all showing off their autumn display.

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Photo Credit: Image by lumix2004 from Pixabay