Great Oregon Steam-up 2025

This was a last minute decision Sunday morning. After eating a disappointing breakfast burrito and finding a lake too cold to swim in at 10:30am, for some. A decision to switch gears was made. 

We ended up in Brooks, OR just in time to hear the noon whistles of many vehicles, which was impressive to hear even at 200 feet from the entrance gate. What we found was a fun and informative festival of thousands of machines, vehicles, equipment, and people.

Entrance fee is $17 per adult plus a $5 parking fee per car. Outside food and nonalcoholic beverages is allowed. Since I had planned on staying at the waterside most of the day I had packed a picnic of lunch and snack foods. We found a covered gazebo to eat under, thank goodness. It was 83° F this day. We each had a full 32oz hydro flask of iced water, this was not enough for the 3.5 hours we spent there. We ended purchasing another 500 ml water bottle per person and a delicious fresh lemonade. 

Shade was limited, most machines, heavy equipment, and trains were outside, wear a hat and sunscreen. I came across a TriMet Max train that was running as a cooling station. It was nice to get out of the heat and was probably the cleanest Max train I’ve ever seen. 

There were also so many buildings full of vehicles and all sorts that we didn’t make it to all of them. I did find a semi-truck from a company my grandfather drove for when my mother was a child. 

We caught part of a tractor and equipment parade, probably ran for at least 45 minutes. 

Some of the vehicles we found were unexpected; for example the hearse. A Chevy body sent to Spain in the early 1900’s where the hearse body was added, made of hand-carved olive wood. 

A fun project for kids to keep them busy is the youth passport. Kids collected stamps, or a burning if it is from the blacksmith, and wooden pins to attach to a lanyard. After collecting enough they receive a medallion for the lanyard, a rubber duck, and a temporary tattoo (the last two may vary). 

All in all a good time had by all. I wish we could have made it to the double-decker train ride, the trains run periodically from the train station. Tickets can be purchased from the train station for other trains as well. We also missed the logging demonstrations and a miniature train ride (hubby was not interested, le sigh). There is one more weekend this summer, August 2-3rd. 

Borrowed a screen shot from antiquepowerland.com

Here are a few more pictures I took from our day. 

Summer foodie Saturday, maybe

 I have been thinking up a day where I could do some activities I wanted but also fit in some food destinations I want to try and or try again. I came up with this summer Saturday by combining some of my favorite things. Let’s start this day. 

Before leaving the house fill your reusable water bottle with ice water or beverage of choice, pack a cooler bag (the kind you find at the grocery store registers) with a reusable freezer ice pack, grab an umbrella, and a board game (one without cards, like Q-Less or Azul), you never can tell what may happen. Then I do the usual pocket pat; keys, wallet, phone. Let’s go. I like a leisurely drive, especially on a Saturday, so we’re heading to Portland via 99E. Jump on wherever you like or are closest to. 

First stop is breakfast around 9am; Sincerely, Bagel at 525 NE 24th Ave. Portland, OR. Delicious, chewy bagels. Great flavors and schmears. Parking in the area is hard to come by and streets are lined with cars on both sides so that only one car can get through at a time, have someone without anxiety do this. 

I got the Nolita on a chili crisp bagel, spicy and oh so good. To-go I got the honey and butter Bleeker on a plain bagel with a side of Marionberry schmear (probably just seasonal because it was written on a piece of paper by the register), an everything bagel, a Za’atar bagel, and a side of spicy scallion schmear. This is where a cooler bag comes in handy, keep the schmears cold. 

Next…Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. Hear me out. I love science and I am a big geek, possibly nerdy. You do not need children to go, it’s fun without them. OMSI at 1945 SE Water Ave. Portland, OR. Right now their extra, paid separately, exhibit is Jurassic World by Brickman(R). Those exhibits change a few-ish times a year. In past years we’ve seen a Marvel comics and Lego exhibits, always interesting and fun. The rest of museum is mostly hands-on or interactive. Play with chemicals (safely) or see a movie at the IMAX theater or walk through the submarine that sits stationary in the Willamette river. 

I’ve decided, with all that walking around and wonder, it’s  lunch time. Stop three is Roake’s at 18109 SE McLoughlin Blvd. Milwaukie, OR. My dad took me to this restaurant occasionally when I was a kid. It’s not changed and never should. I get the Super Roaker and fries. Whatever you get make sure you have the special coney sauce, delicious. Not a lot of seating inside but they also have an outdoor area.

Heading south on McLoughlin/99E the next stop is Canby. If it’s August-September stop by Swan Island Dahlias for a beautiful walk through hundreds of rows of dahlias of all colors and shapes. This is where you may want an umbrella, not a lot of shade out in the fields.

I made the trip last September and loved all of the different varieties.

Since it’s before that time of year, I made a few stops in Canby to walk off some of the burger. First stop is Bricks and Minifigs (remember geek/nerd) at 250 SW 1st Ave Canby, OR to pick up some things for a photo shoot, of sorts, I am planning.

On to The Book Nook at 200 NW First Ave for some perusing of  literature I don’t need but always want. What if I never see this title again, better get it now to add to the ever growing stack of books-to-read, just in case. I was also invited to a book club meeting. 

There is Saturday market going on the same street. I grabbed some local strawberries, pita chips, and hummus.

I am starting to get a hankering for a sweet treat, thank goodness Cones is just across the street at 150 N Holly St Canby, OR. It’s an ice cream shop that makes “blizzards” from freshly scooped ice cream. They also do just scoops in dishes and fresh made waffle cones, milkshakes, ice cream sandwiches, and ice cream cakes. 

Back to the drive, we’re headed for a drink. I am going for a brew at the Benedictine Brewery at 400 Humpert Ln. NE Mt Angel, OR. Is it out of the way, yes. Do I plan on becoming a regular so far from home, not likely so let’s go somewhere obscure. This place was hopping (wink, wink). Great amount of beers on tap to try. Sit and stay a while, play a game, and enjoy the views of the Willamette Valley. There is only snack-type food sold inside. There is a food-cart on site but it was closed when we got there. 

Last stop: dinner. Mt Angel Sausage Company at 105 S Garfield St, Mt Angel, OR. German food choices and a market attached to get some foods and drinks to take home. We sat under the canopy outside and enjoyed listening to some German tunes that make me want to don a dirndl and polka my heart out. Perhaps during Oktoberfest. Mt Angel is said to have the second best celebration on the west coast, coming up September 11-14th 2025 (plotting future fun good times ensues).

Fondue and pretzel bites with a Dunkel, superb.

Starting top left, clockwise: pork schnitzel burger, Bratwurst with sauerkraut, Currywurst with grilled onions, and a spicy German style. 

German chocolate brownie skillet and an apple strudel.

Apparently Food Network was here once. 

What a great day. Until next time, eat delicious foods and do the fun things you enjoy.