Portland has been a destination dream of mine since 2016. When deciding on where I wanted to live before moving out of Georgia, it was between Portland and Denver. Once Denver was decided, I swore I’d be visiting Portland shortly after moving. Did it happen? No. Was I kicking myself with each passing year? Yeah, maybe. I really wanted to go so in summer of 2019 - I made it happen. These two were awesome enough to book with me in between two other trips I was taking. The last wedding I blogged about the Alaska wedding was one of the trips. I figure, hit two dream states at once why not! Spending this one singular day in Portland wasn’t enough so coming back more than once will have to happen after COVID life! However I am gracious that this day was full of sun, exploration, and equal amounts of city and nature.

Audrey and Rhys have been dating for over three years now. I’ve known Audrey since our high school days. They found love in a small town and moved out to Portland on their own. Finding stories of people who have left rural Georgia for states like Oregon just make me fist the air like John Bender at the end of Breakfast Club.

Give me all the redwoods.

This location is so special because it’s located right inside Portland. You’d never know if we found a fairyland in a dream or walked right into a forest from a bus.

I saw this tree at the bottom of a hill. I knew I had to get a shot of them with these insane roots.

Those that truly love have roots that grow towards each other underground

I’m finally writing this post at the end of 2020 which we all know has been a crazy year. I’m hoping when I come back to Oregon I can still enjoy it’s diversity after the fires that have sadly taken much life out of the state. Luckily I was able to take some of it in with laughs too.

Audrey + Rhys | Portland, Oregon Hoyt Arboretum Engagement