Oregon is weird.

Here's a couple strange Oregon facts to go with your trip.

 

St. Patrick's Day isn't just for pounding back green beer. Back in 1948, Mill Ends Park in Portland was created for the leprechauns and as a place to race snails. The critters don't have far to go—the park measures only two feet across, and is considered the world's smallest official park.

 

 

The Simpsons takes place in Oregon. In 2012, creator Matt Groening finally put the debate to rest by confirming that it’s Springfield, Ore.

 

 

Portland is home to the annual World Naked Bike Ride, in which over 10,000 naked cyclists take part. That makes it the largest of its kind in the world.

 

 

Speaking of “sister” cities… Oregon also has a town named Boring—which is the sister city of the Scotland town of Dull. They even have their own state holiday “Boring and Dull Day.” Whether either city has lived up its name we’ll leave up to you.

 

It's illegal to box with a kangaroo in Oregon.  

 

 

Silver Falls Park is the largest park in Oregon, and features all sorts of forested hiking trails and 10 amazing waterfalls. 

 In 1949 Portland elected their first-ever female mayor, Dorothy McCullough Lee—who promptly killed all the fun by banning pinball machines.

 

 

The caves in the Oregon Caves National Monument were discovered in 1874 and are carved completely out of solid marble.

 

 

The nation's most photographed lighthouse is the Heceta Head Lighthouse located in Lane County.