Just outside of Portland, Oregon, are two amazing sights that display the awesome beauty of water and earth: Multnomah Falls in the Columbia River Gorge and Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach. I had the opportunity to visit both of these natural wonders with my husband and mother-in-law...

MULTNOMAH FALLS:

At 611 feet high, Multnomah Falls is the tallest waterfall in Oregon. There are two tiers of falling water and a footbridge that takes you across the lower cascade. It is only about half an hour outside of the city and getting there is just as breathtaking along the Historic Columbia River Highway. At this time of the year (the last week of October), seeing the changing colors of the leaves was an added treat.

HAYSTACK ROCK:

If you ever saw the movie "The Goonies," then you've seen this AMAZING place! Well the movie does not do it justice as seeing it in person. It has been on my 'bucket list' since the movie came out in 1985 to come see this beautiful beach -- Cannon Beach. It is only about a one hour drive from Portland to the Pacific coast and it is worth the effort. At first, our drive out here did not look good as it was very rainy; but by the time we got here, the skies opened up and it was like heaven on earth. It is honestly one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen and experienced and I am soooooo happy I finally got to see it after all these years. I could not get over the beauty of the light, the haze, the glass-like reflections, and of course the big rock known as Haystack Rock!