Hey guys! Shayla here. I’m the Marketing Director for WildBird, and shoot a lot of our photos. Which means my family and I got to tag along with the company founders, Tayler and Nate Gunn (and their two kiddos), on the semi-annual "inspired by” trip, to photograph content for this season.


For the last few years, each of our collections has been inspired by a certain destination. Our latest Fall/Winter ‘18 collection was inspired by the landscapes, culture, and colors of the Pacific Northwest. I had visited Seattle once before, but besides that, all of these places were new to me!


We were really hoping for all the moody, overcast vibes that the PNW has to offer. Buuut, since our season launched at the end of August, it meant we had to make our trip in July (i.e. during just about the only time the PNW is sunny and beautiful). Ha, so we didn’t get quite the mood we were hoping for...but we can’t complain, because we were still blown away by the beauty and variety this region has to offer.


I would 100% recommend taking a road trip to experience it in person, because I honestly don’t think any photo or video can do the PNW justice! But it didn't stop us from trying. :) We did our best to capture some of the magic, and this was how our trip went:

 

01. PORTLAND

 

First stop, Portland. Since 2011, when I watched Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein visit the farm their dinner had been raised on, during Portlandias pilot episode, I had wanted to visit Portland. And it was just as weird and wonderful as I wanted it to be!

 

This city is full of people marching to the beat of their own drum, and that manifests itself in the quirky shops, restaurants, and artwork scattered around the city. Probably my favorite place we visited was Powell’s bookstore. I don’t think I’ve been in a bookstore that crowded since 1995. But there we were, in 2018, and it was buzzing with people discovering and buying actual, tangible books. 

 

As a lover of books, and a (former) avid reader (because hi, two babies and one full time job later, the only books I’m familiar with these days are Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and Where the Wild Things Are), it made me so happy. Plus it was huuuge! I could have easily gotten lost in there for days.

 

02. CANNON BEACH

 

Next up, Cannon Beach. I think this was the only day where we got the gloom and clouds we were hoping for. I absolutely loved it! It made the misty, chilly beach town seem so cozy. And the rocks! The famous Haystack Rocks were so much bigger, and even more beautiful in person than I had imagined. 10/10, would recommend.

 

03. ASTORIA

 

The perfect little pit stop if you’re driving between Portland and Seattle! I’m not sure how so much whimsy can live in one town. The vegetation and homes felt like they were right out of a fairytale. We literally saw a mama and baby deer eating berries from a bush as we were driving up to Astoria Column Monument (which is where you'll find some unbelievable views of the town)!

 

04. OLYMPIC PENINSULA

 

I shouldn’t even start blabbing about how much I loved the Olympic Peninsula, because I may never stop. It was absolutely stunning, and unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. It felt like we had been transported to another world. The tall, thick, forests of trees. The beaches filled with driftwood. Just all of it. I loved all of it. Here’s our takeaway of what we would recommend doing:

 

- Kalaloch Beach (Rent a cabin on the beach) 

- Ruby Beach (Sunset must do!)

 

- Hall of Mosses (Perfect for a cloudy day)

- Forks (Yes, that Forks, from the Twilight saga)

- Lake Quinault Lodge (HWY101 pit stop)

 

04. SEATTLE 

 

Last stop, Seattle. We did all the touristy things, and loved every one of them. The hustle and bustle of Pike’s Place, taking photos at (and trying to keep our children from cleaning off) the gum wall, and indulging in the strange and delicious flavors of Salt & Straw.

 

I fell madly in love with the PNW, and I hope to spend a lot more time there in the future. Please let me know in the comments below: what must see/eat/do places did we miss?

I fell madly in love with the PNW, and I hope to spend a lot more time there in the future. Please let me know in the comments below: what must see/eat/do places did we miss?