There is nothing quite like hanging out with your bro. It gives you everything: friendship, connection, intimacy — just wait — and so, so much more. With summer just around the corner, now is the time to start exploring the wonders of what you and your bro can achieve. Portland is the perfect place for you to share a summer to remember. Tune in to the next paragraphs for five different ideas of activities to make the next summer unforgettable. This is Jake and Francis — buckle up!
Make a Movie
Sound speeding … camera rolling … action! Making a cinematic masterpiece with your friends is an especially good idea if your life is boring — why not fake your own melodrama? The best part is, making a movie is a project that requires more than just you and bro — you can get the whole gang together! “I think art is beneficial to the soul,” says Ellis Deister, a student filmmaker based in Salem, OR. “Getting to learn, mess around with, or experiment with different art forms … makes you a more well-rounded person.”
Filmmaking is something that will almost certainly bring you and your bro closer together. “I have a few friends that are really great at pitching ideas and working with me on the writing process,” says Deister. The writing aspect can be daunting to many people, but that shouldn’t discourage you and your bro. Film is a form of visual storytelling, so you can get your message across with the camera even if you are horrible at writing dialogue. Or just own your bad writing and make it a joke — either way will be memorable and rewarding!
Go on a Hike
Ah, yes — a classic part of the perfect Pacific Northwest summer. It’s typical, we know, but we have two hikes and one path aficionado to help convince you to hit the trails like you never have before.
“Hiking can be surprisingly intimate,” describes Dashiell Hampson, a Franklin Post alumni, college student, and unemployed hiking veteran from Portland. Hampson recalls going on a hike with his bro and two others he did not know, and that the experience allowed him to get to know the other two much better. “When you’re hiking, you kind of have to talk to your friend,” he explains, noting how close you can get with somebody out on the trails.
Convinced? Here are our two best hikes for this summer. First and foremost is the six to seven hour extravaganza by Mount Rainier that goes by the name Gobbler’s Knob. Just two and a half hours north of Portland, the trail runs through beautiful forested scenery up to a historic fire lookout. Nestled in the mountains, the hike is a little difficult to get to, so make sure you or your bro has a car and scoot on up there!
The silver medal for hike of the summer goes to the somewhat less impressively named Cloud Cap to Elk Cove on Mount Hood. It’s a difficult 11 miles at high altitude, but the stunning mountain views make it so worth it! While it’s a bit longer and harder than Gobbler’s Knob, it still leaves you with enough energy for a life-changing conversation with your bro.
Have a Batman Movie Marathon
Is bro always dodging your texts at night? Does he keep his location off? Chances are, he could be Batman. So, what better way to get him out of the house than with a “Batman” movie marathon? The best part about Batman cinema is that there are numerous different versions to choose from. You could go dark and modern with the Christopher Nolan “Batman” trilogy, stylized and comical like Tim Burton’s “Batman” and “Batman Returns” or even the 2017 “LEGO Batman” movie! This movie marathon is great for sparking debates, such as which actor best portrays Batman. It’s all fun and games until someone says that George Clooney is their favorite …
Hopscotch-on-Down to Hopscotch
While playing hopscotch with your best friend can be extremely nostalgic and fun, the Hopscotch installation in Southeast Portland offers a fresh experience that is just a wee bit more unique. Hopscotch is an interactive artistic exhibition, ranging from ball pits to extravagant light fixtures, all of which were created by independent artists. The experience stimulates all of your senses, and walking into the building feels like entering another dimension. Alex Yuhasz, the shift lead at Hopscotch, says, “The experience is all about nostalgia and getting in touch with your child side.” Edita Kumar, the hospitality and events manager, describes it as, “…the first of its kind in Portland; we offer 14 immersive exhibits that feature artists locally and globally.” On top of that, there is a bar where you and bro can purchase non-alcoholic beverages to complement the unique and artistic experience.
Host a PowerPoint Night
Need something to do with more bros? The more the merrier for a PowerPoint night. Get everyone together and take turns making slideshow presentations on random topics or personal stories. This is a great way to get to know more about your friends, and can be lighthearted and fun. Making wacky visual slides also incorporates a bit of creativity. Our tip: save this one for the end of the summer and present about all the fun times you’ve had!
Now, you and your bro are ready to have a blast. Do any of these five activities to their fullest to have the summer of your life. Whether making a future Oscar winner, going on an epic hike, or getting mesmerized by the beautiful ambience of Hopscotch, we hope bros everywhere have copious amounts of fun!
