Oregon is a land of contrasts. From the beautiful beaches along the west coast to the painted hills of the John Day Fossil Beds to the vast stretches of desert in the west, Oregon never failed to surprise me. Portland remains weird (and wonderful) and the cowboy towns in the east couldn’t be more different. The Beaver State has quirky towns, gorgeous waterfalls and great old buildings wherever you go. You can follow the Oregon Trail, the travels of Lewis and Clark and the sad trail of the Wallowa Band of the Nez Perce as Chief Joseph led them from their home, never to return. Of course every town has great beer and coffee, but don’t forget about Tillamook cheese and Umpqua ice cream. I spent days near the coast where the crowds swelled and days in the east when I didn’t see a soul. Overall, I had a blast. Enjoy these photos from beautiful Oregon.