Monday, April 30, 2012

To the falls

Saturday was filled with coffee and hiking.  Beth loves her Stumptown coffee, so we stopped by for a hot cup of joe.  I swear, everything in Portland looks like a picture from Instagram or Pinterest - really cool, vintage everything.


Our Saturday road trip took us through the Columbia River George on Oregon's Historic Route 30.  


Pammy

Beth and I

Multnomah Falls

Andiamo

Waterfalls and streams everywhere



Surrounded by moss and lichen



The pictures don't even do this place justice.  It is a must see if you're in Portland.  We hiked for about 7 miles before heading to an adult utopia called Edgefield.  I couldn't take any pictures of this place because it was HUGE, but PLEASE check it out.

Edgefield was created by the McMenamin brothers who are local Portlandians.  They  are brilliant and have given new life to an old nursing home.  This place has several bars and restaurants, golfing, a spa, a hotel, a winery, a coffee roaster, and a music venue on the grounds.  You can walk from spot to spot with a brew or glass of wine under the twinkle lights in your bath robe if you want.  It truly is adult paradise.  

Sunday, April 29, 2012

To the coast!

After a few days in Portland, I'm starting to unwind and relax a little - My type A personality and my inner hippie are at a constant battle with each other these days.  I love a good hammock, and Beth and Bert's beautiful backyard kept calling to me.

Huxley is the handsome Labradoodle posing up front.
Friday was an AMAZING day.  We loaded up the Subaru and took Huxley for a ride on the scenic Oregon Coast Highway 101.  To some this may be an obvious statement, but really, Oregon is so green!  The evergreens were huge and just surrounded us on our windy journey.  

Peeking through the trees to the coast below.
A girl needs to eat! Where was our first stop?  The one and only Tillamook factory - cheese please!  

Workers cutting up those big blocks of cheddar into baby loafs.
Moo
Heaven on earth - rows of cheese samples
One grilled cheese, tomato soup, and ice cream cone later, we continued onward.  We stopped to see Haystack Rock which is part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge.  Haystack Rock's tide pool area is recognized as a protected marine garden.


Final destination -Cannon Beach - a charming coastal town.  It was a rainy day, but we made the most of it and took a long walk along the water. 




Huxley couldn't have been happier!
Me and B
Pretty sure this is the rock from the Goonies.
Down town Cannon Beach
Quick stop at the wine shack for a sample of Oregon's finest.
Seaman

I can't go too long without another food pic.  Bert picked Ken's Artisan Bakery for our "just like Rome" pizza dinner.  I'll let the picture speak for itself.  These pizzas exploded with flavor.  Soppressata and leek and green olive pizza - www.kensartisan.com.


                DC may have had the grilled cheese truck, but Portlandia's got the grilled cheese BUS! Hop on it....


We finished the night at the coolest place ... Another Roadside Attraction.  There was a huge outdoor area with a fire pit, porch swing, and tons of picnic tables and little nooks where you could sit to catch up with friends.  Pam described the decor as "shanty" chic - she's such a hipster.
Cheers!







Friday, April 27, 2012

Food

Portland's food has been impressive!  Here's a little taste of the delicious eats and treats in Stumptown....

Tasty tacos at Los Gorditos!
A stop in the Produce District for Pam-O
Beer Flight at Hair of the Dog
 http://www.hairofthedog.com/
My favorite was "Greg" which is an organic ale brewed without hops and that uses green pumpkin squash.
Delicious and unique libations
The girls at Pok Pok! http://www.pokpokpdx.com/
BEST wings I've ever had... Fish Sauce Wings at Pok Pok






Adventures in Stumptown


Well, Pam-O and I reunited and made it safely to Portland!  What an awesome, quirky, unique place.   We headed out for a morning tour of Southeast, which is where our great friends from college, Beth and Chris, live.  

First stop, Flying Cat Coffee Company for an outdoor breakfast!
They love their bikes!
Owner, Susan Klage, gave us complimentary fresh baked chocolate chip cookies .... yum!


Next stop was Powell's bookstore on Hawthorne.  This place is the largest independent used and new bookstore in the world!  Check them out at www.powells.com .  I picked up some awesome vintage postcards there.



Portland's mini Truckeroo!


Do we want Waffle Cones filled with food!? Yes, yes we do!

Yes that is a foot and a doll's head you see... anyone in the market for a Lumina???







Wednesday, April 25, 2012

One year, One suitcase

I think I did it!  Everything in only 1 big old suitcase, with the help of some travel vacuum bags! What exactly fits??? 

One suitcase 
 4 bathing suits (hoping for lots of beach time)
cover ups
 3 pairs of sandals
2 pairs of flats
1 pair of boots
underwear
socks
2 pairs of pajamas
 2 work out-hiking outfits
 2 pairs of jeans
At least 15  shirts (tanks, sweaters)
sundresses
3 sweaters
 2 coats
 makeup
medicine
jewelry
back pack


Monday, April 23, 2012

We are family....

If there is anything this family knows how to do, it is how to throw an amazing theme party!   I am lucky to have each and every one of them in my life.  I love you all!  The details of my Bon Voyage were so perfect and thoughtful. Kangaroos, koalas, and wombats... oh my!


Alissa and Sammy - Thanks for the special cookies!
The cutest croc hunter... Seth chomped off his head!

Pinata time!
Jennie and Nadia
Jennie and Aunt Cindy
Josh, Jon, Jake
On the way to Oz.... Love my Bethel Bakery Cake!  
Steven and Dad
Desi and Nicole with Xavier
All the men 
I'm gonna miss these 2!
Found my first koala!
Thank you thank you for a fun filled day!

And it is time to go....
Dad and I before the airport 
Everyone's favorite feline finally in her new home
Viv and I before the airport

Love you all soooo much.  Thanks for your support always.