Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Road Trip, Day -1: Portland, OR

The two days before L and I embarked on our road trip adventure, I spent a little time in Portland.

A high school classmate and friend of mine, D has lived there and while we've kept up a bit on Facebook, we hadn't spent any amount of time together in a long while. I spent a majority of the day with her - getting to know her again, playing with her two adorable children. D is the mom I'd like to be when I grow up. I've always been a fan of D, but I renewed my membership this trip! But we had a great time just hanging out and playing with the kids but broke away for an AMAZING dinner at Pok Pok for fish sauce wings which are out-of-this-world amazing. I didn't break out my camera at all because I was having such a good time that it didn't occur to me.

The next day, I spent with W & G. W, G & I met in Houston and we've maintained the friendship ever since. I definitely count W as one of my best friends. We started out the day at the Beaverton Farmers market where I tried beer flavored from matzo (no kidding) as well as admiring all the wonderful goodies. I didn't get to try it until later, but I had my first taste of Rainier (yellow) cherries and I'm hopelessly addicted. They are honey sweet in comparison to the tartness of the more familiar bing cherry.

But look at all the beauty found here:

Beaverton Farmers Market

Beaverton Farmers Market

Beaverton Farmers Market

Beaverton Farmers Market

Beaverton Farmers Market

Beaverton Farmers Market

Beaverton Farmers Market

Beaverton Farmers Market

These must be from another planet:

Beaverton Farmers Market

Did you know that artichokes flowered?

Beaverton Farmers Market

I wanted to buy everything in sight!

Beaverton Farmers Market

I clearly need to hit up farmer's markets more often... I'm so glad they're popular again!

From there, we headed to Seaside Beach where I learned that Pacific Northwest Oceans can turn you into an ice block within seconds! Brrrrr! 

Jellyfish were scattered on the beach - puzzling:

Seaside Beach

Seaside Beach

As well as sand dollars:

Seaside Beach

And crab bits:

Seaside Beach

Later, we explored Cathedral Park where we happened upon, but didn't stay for,  a free orchestra concert:

Cathedral Park

W&G have turned their patio into a beautiful hanging garden and they have a hummingbird feeder. One came to visit:

Hummingbird!

Hummingbird!

Hummingbird!

I wish my time there had been longer - so I'll have to return when I can really stay and play! 

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