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PORTLAND, OREGON
February 4, 2020
SCROLL DOWN FOR TODAY'S POST!
SCROLL DOWN FOR TODAY'S POST!
Let the 2020 adventures begin!
Let the 2020 adventures begin!
I left a gray Chicago (with some interesting cloud formations) and landed in a gray Portland! It was a bit warmer on the west coast however. No delays, no issues with the flight, and we were actually early landing in Portland!
I left a gray Chicago (with some interesting cloud formations) and landed in a gray Portland! It was a bit warmer on the west coast however. No delays, no issues with the flight, and we were actually early landing in Portland!
Julia picked me up at the airport and she told me about a place she's been wanting to check out, that a mutual friend told her about. It's called The Kennedy School. I was intrigued.
Julia picked me up at the airport and she told me about a place she's been wanting to check out, that a mutual friend told her about. It's called The Kennedy School. I was intrigued.
The elementary school was opened in 1915 and served not only as a school but a emergency shelter, a polling place, a movie theater, and community meeting place. Bought by the McMenanins in 1997, it was renovated - keeping the old charm and more, while creating a space that hosts restaurants, pubs, gift shops, and a hotel. The hotel rooms are the old classrooms! Check out the website here.
The elementary school was opened in 1915 and served not only as a school but a emergency shelter, a polling place, a movie theater, and community meeting place. Bought by the McMenanins in 1997, it was renovated - keeping the old charm and more, while creating a space that hosts restaurants, pubs, gift shops, and a hotel. The hotel rooms are the old classrooms! Check out the website here.
Several restaurants, bars, a movie theater, gift shop.... the wonderment never ends! The pictures don't do it justice, but you'll get the idea. Many of the rooms/restaurants/bars are named for a room in a school - such as The Boiler Room, The Library, The Detention Room.... Of course, Julia and I ended up in the detention room first thing with this character!
Several restaurants, bars, a movie theater, gift shop.... the wonderment never ends! The pictures don't do it justice, but you'll get the idea. Many of the rooms/restaurants/bars are named for a room in a school - such as The Boiler Room, The Library, The Detention Room.... Of course, Julia and I ended up in the detention room first thing with this character!
Memories of Granger's "Detention/in school suspension" room come to mind - both Julia and I supervised this room on a daily basis some years!
Looks just like a super old school!
Some of the places to visit...
Home Economics and the Library!
The Boiler Room restaurant...
What character this place has!
Kinda creepy - the painting (right) is of the old windows (left) with a ghost-child looking out.
Julia's new home is absolutely charming! I'll take pics in the daylight. The guest room is large and she even had a basket of necessary items for me in case I forgot! The consummate hostess. Thanks for the hospitality, Julia and Ayhan!
Julia's new home is absolutely charming! I'll take pics in the daylight. The guest room is large and she even had a basket of necessary items for me in case I forgot! The consummate hostess. Thanks for the hospitality, Julia and Ayhan!
Day 2: Wednesday Feb. 5
Day 2: Wednesday Feb. 5
We are ready to embark on today's travels and sightseeing. The photo to the left is Julia & Ayhan's lovely home in Tigard, Oregon. Great gardens too, and tons of birds! We sat out back to watch the birds at breakfast time, and saw so many -- hard to photograph though! Rain, rain, rain.... and skittish birds! The ones below are the best for today.
We are ready to embark on today's travels and sightseeing. The photo to the left is Julia & Ayhan's lovely home in Tigard, Oregon. Great gardens too, and tons of birds! We sat out back to watch the birds at breakfast time, and saw so many -- hard to photograph though! Rain, rain, rain.... and skittish birds! The ones below are the best for today.
The Scrub Jays are common in Alaska, too. They feed right out of your hands sometimes! So beautiful.
The Scrub Jays are common in Alaska, too. They feed right out of your hands sometimes! So beautiful.
Scrub Jay
Scrub Jay
Scrub Jay
Scrub Jay
Steller's Jay
Steller's Jay
Breakfast was a typical Turkish breakfast consisting of hard boiled eggs, cucumber, tomato, kalamata olives, feta cheese and whole grain sprout bread and pita. And coffee of course. This is now my favorite breakfast.
Breakfast was a typical Turkish breakfast consisting of hard boiled eggs, cucumber, tomato, kalamata olives, feta cheese and whole grain sprout bread and pita. And coffee of course. This is now my favorite breakfast.
We took off in the rain for Multnomah Falls. The Falls is is on Multnomah Creek in the Columbia River Gorge. The falls span two tiers with a beautiful bridge in between - and is located on basalt rocky cliffs. It is the tallest waterfall in the state of Oregon at 620 ft in height. It is one of the most photographed places in Oregon.
We took off in the rain for Multnomah Falls. The Falls is is on Multnomah Creek in the Columbia River Gorge. The falls span two tiers with a beautiful bridge in between - and is located on basalt rocky cliffs. It is the tallest waterfall in the state of Oregon at 620 ft in height. It is one of the most photographed places in Oregon.
And just in case you don't believe how rainy and wet it was..... here we are all soaked! From the rain combined with the spray from the falls. Glorious!
And just in case you don't believe how rainy and wet it was..... here we are all soaked! From the rain combined with the spray from the falls. Glorious!
The Portland Japanese Gardens were also wet and rainy, but worth it! The gardens are up high on the side of a mountain. We walked the switchback paths all the way up, then wandered around on the paths for a couple hours. It was beautiful even in the winter rain; I can only imagine the other seasons here. So beautifully maintained, and everything is purposely placed. It reminded me a lot of the Rockford Japanese Gardens.
The Portland Japanese Gardens were also wet and rainy, but worth it! The gardens are up high on the side of a mountain. We walked the switchback paths all the way up, then wandered around on the paths for a couple hours. It was beautiful even in the winter rain; I can only imagine the other seasons here. So beautifully maintained, and everything is purposely placed. It reminded me a lot of the Rockford Japanese Gardens.
The way the moss drips off the trees - this is a phenomenon NOT exclusive to the Japanese Gardens. This is everywhere in the Portland area! I got a few good up close and personal shots of it. Also, as Julia pointed out, at the gardens there is such a variance of greens; and more prominent is the variance of textures present. Very pleasing to the eye!
The way the moss drips off the trees - this is a phenomenon NOT exclusive to the Japanese Gardens. This is everywhere in the Portland area! I got a few good up close and personal shots of it. Also, as Julia pointed out, at the gardens there is such a variance of greens; and more prominent is the variance of textures present. Very pleasing to the eye!
We decided to grab a bite at the Japanese Tea Room. What a beautiful place!
We decided to grab a bite at the Japanese Tea Room. What a beautiful place!
At the right is the "hot towel" arrangement to wash your hands before eating.
At the right is the "hot towel" arrangement to wash your hands before eating.
We ordered the tea service, which consisted of delicious tea and fried rice.
We ordered the tea service, which consisted of delicious tea and fried rice.
Also at the gardens there was an art exhibition called Spirits Rising. This is a photography show like I've never seen before. Stunning photographs taken with a film camera, depicting clothing and every-day items from Hiroshima, Japan after August 6, 1945. The photos were taken recently from artifacts saved from the bombings and use light, positioning, and shadow to tell a story. I didn't take any pictures of the photographs, mainly because I was too moved... I felt the reverence and mourning of the people who died... but I will put a link to the exhibit website here.
Also at the gardens there was an art exhibition called Spirits Rising. This is a photography show like I've never seen before. Stunning photographs taken with a film camera, depicting clothing and every-day items from Hiroshima, Japan after August 6, 1945. The photos were taken recently from artifacts saved from the bombings and use light, positioning, and shadow to tell a story. I didn't take any pictures of the photographs, mainly because I was too moved... I felt the reverence and mourning of the people who died... but I will put a link to the exhibit website here.
Much of the drive looked like this.
Day 3 - Thursday, February 6
Day 3 - Thursday, February 6
BEACH day! Sort-of. We drove to Cannon Beach, on the Oregon coast. It is February in Oregon. Cold and rainy! Such beauty though - amazing forests, rivers, winding roads, fog, and rain. And more fog and rain.
BEACH day! Sort-of. We drove to Cannon Beach, on the Oregon coast. It is February in Oregon. Cold and rainy! Such beauty though - amazing forests, rivers, winding roads, fog, and rain. And more fog and rain.
The hope was for a sunset of some kind over the ocean and some great views of Haystack Rock. Stay tuned to see what we saw!
The hope was for a sunset of some kind over the ocean and some great views of Haystack Rock. Stay tuned to see what we saw!
This is a restaurant and museum of logging history in the area called Camp 18. We didn't go into the restaurant, but we got some cool shots of some old equipment.
This is a restaurant and museum of logging history in the area called Camp 18. We didn't go into the restaurant, but we got some cool shots of some old equipment.
We had to stop the car, turn around, and return to get a picture of this house. The buoy house, evidently..... collects buoys.
We had to stop the car, turn around, and return to get a picture of this house. The buoy house, evidently..... collects buoys.
Shopping & Food
Shopping & Food
While it rained, we shopped and ate....and drank! The downtown area of Cannon Beach is full of quirky, unusual, fun and amazing shops of all kinds. Not terribly tourist-y, and no chain stores of any kind. Julia and I both love this kind of shopping! We had lunch at a cute restaurant, tried an IPA beer, bought a poetry book at a darling book store, and later after our beach walk stopped at Mo's for a bloody Mary.
While it rained, we shopped and ate....and drank! The downtown area of Cannon Beach is full of quirky, unusual, fun and amazing shops of all kinds. Not terribly tourist-y, and no chain stores of any kind. Julia and I both love this kind of shopping! We had lunch at a cute restaurant, tried an IPA beer, bought a poetry book at a darling book store, and later after our beach walk stopped at Mo's for a bloody Mary.
A rainy walk on Cannon Beach at low tide....
A rainy walk on Cannon Beach at low tide....
The focal point was Haystack Rock, but there were many other rock formations that reminded me of Iceland. It rained, misted, fogged, cleared, and rained some more. A typical day on the Oregon coast! Below are some views which may or may not be ruined by rain spots!
The focal point was Haystack Rock, but there were many other rock formations that reminded me of Iceland. It rained, misted, fogged, cleared, and rained some more. A typical day on the Oregon coast! Below are some views which may or may not be ruined by rain spots!
In addition to the rock formations, we were fascinated by the sea life and birds in this area. From strange blue globs to beautiful shells to bald eagles. It's teeming with life!
In addition to the rock formations, we were fascinated by the sea life and birds in this area. From strange blue globs to beautiful shells to bald eagles. It's teeming with life!
Even the sand and water made beautiful formations.
Even the sand and water made beautiful formations.
Low tide makes a walk out to Haystack Rock possible
Julia touching Haystack Rock
Black and tan bunnies running wild! A few years ago, someone released their pet bunnies at Cannon Beach. They have multiplied (as bunnies do!) and have become a problem in this tiny seaside town. Bunnies everywhere! Kinda reminds me of "The Trouble With Tribbles" - you trekkies out there will know what I'm talking about. Anyway, we found them! They were in the green grass by the parking lot to Mo's, right next to the beach. Black, gray, and tan bunnies just looking as healthy as can be! They're tame because people love to feed them. That's been outlawed now so we can look but don't feed!
Black and tan bunnies running wild! A few years ago, someone released their pet bunnies at Cannon Beach. They have multiplied (as bunnies do!) and have become a problem in this tiny seaside town. Bunnies everywhere! Kinda reminds me of "The Trouble With Tribbles" - you trekkies out there will know what I'm talking about. Anyway, we found them! They were in the green grass by the parking lot to Mo's, right next to the beach. Black, gray, and tan bunnies just looking as healthy as can be! They're tame because people love to feed them. That's been outlawed now so we can look but don't feed!
Sunset. It's what we'd been waiting to photograph! It was a bit of a concern because of the rain all day. But we got a break in the clouds at exactly the right time and....voila!
Sunset. It's what we'd been waiting to photograph! It was a bit of a concern because of the rain all day. But we got a break in the clouds at exactly the right time and....voila!
Just a couple photographers checking out the sunset.
Notice how the sun and clouds are mimicked by the water flowing out the riverbed? I love that!
In the photo below, notice how the fog and moisture to the right is lit up orange by the sunset that is out of the frame to the left? I love that, too!
These are my favorite sunset pics from tonight. Tomorrow we're off to Astoria, which is right on the Columbia River, near the mouth where it empties out into the Pacific Ocean.
These are my favorite sunset pics from tonight. Tomorrow we're off to Astoria, which is right on the Columbia River, near the mouth where it empties out into the Pacific Ocean.
Day 4 - Friday, February 7
Day 4 - Friday, February 7
Got going early and took a few pics from our hotel balcony at The Waves Resort in Cannon Beach. Great hotel, I highly recommend it! Spacious, great views, comfy living room with a fireplace - and a dining room and full kitchen - two bedrooms and two full bathrooms.
Got going early and took a few pics from our hotel balcony at The Waves Resort in Cannon Beach. Great hotel, I highly recommend it! Spacious, great views, comfy living room with a fireplace - and a dining room and full kitchen - two bedrooms and two full bathrooms.
Breakfast at The Osprey in Seaside.... First time I've had arepas outside of Puerto Rico! Yummmm
Breakfast at The Osprey in Seaside.... First time I've had arepas outside of Puerto Rico! Yummmm
Astoria! Rain and fog, rain and fog. We took a few photos but then gave up to try again later.
Astoria! Rain and fog, rain and fog. We took a few photos but then gave up to try again later.
the entrance to Pier 39 which contains a restaurant/coffee shop, a B&B, a marine museum, and offices.
Coffee Girl - famous coffee shop on Pier 39
Shopping... and dessert!
Shopping... and dessert!
SEA LIONS!
SEA LIONS!
The bridge to Washington State is almost as long as the Mackinac Bridge.
The bridge to Washington State is almost as long as the Mackinac Bridge.
Dinner at Pier 11, Inferno Lounge. New York style pizza. So many buildings here are on stilts... including Inferno.
Dinner at Pier 11, Inferno Lounge. New York style pizza. So many buildings here are on stilts... including Inferno.
Day 5 - Saturday, Feb. 8
Day 5 - Saturday, Feb. 8
Gale force winds, rain, fog, and cold gave way today to partly sunny and a much more pleasant day, weather-wise. We started with a quick breakfast at our motel, and took some pictures with better (not rain/fog) of the bridge.
Gale force winds, rain, fog, and cold gave way today to partly sunny and a much more pleasant day, weather-wise. We started with a quick breakfast at our motel, and took some pictures with better (not rain/fog) of the bridge.
Then first thing we drove up...and up...and up... to the top of a hill where the Astoria Column is perched. The column was built almost 100 years ago on top of Coxcomb Hill (600 ft tall) in Astoria, and overlooks the Columbia River. The column is 125 ft tall and has 164 steps in a spiral up the windowless column. Julia is brave....not me. But the view from the hill is breathtaking. Check it out! On the column are eighteen scenes showing the history of the region, including Captain Gray's discovery of the Columbia River in 1792 and the Lewis & Clark Expedition.
Then first thing we drove up...and up...and up... to the top of a hill where the Astoria Column is perched. The column was built almost 100 years ago on top of Coxcomb Hill (600 ft tall) in Astoria, and overlooks the Columbia River. The column is 125 ft tall and has 164 steps in a spiral up the windowless column. Julia is brave....not me. But the view from the hill is breathtaking. Check it out! On the column are eighteen scenes showing the history of the region, including Captain Gray's discovery of the Columbia River in 1792 and the Lewis & Clark Expedition.
Next, we drove to Fort Stevens State Park where we heard there was a shipwreck! Sure enough....
Next, we drove to Fort Stevens State Park where we heard there was a shipwreck! Sure enough....
The Peter Iredale ran aground here in 1906 trying to get into the Columbia River. It got stuck in the sand during a storm of high winds, rain, and fog. Hmmmmmm sounds familiar. :) Everybody in the crew, including 2 stowaways, safely got to shore. These pics are what's left of the ship.
The Peter Iredale ran aground here in 1906 trying to get into the Columbia River. It got stuck in the sand during a storm of high winds, rain, and fog. Hmmmmmm sounds familiar. :) Everybody in the crew, including 2 stowaways, safely got to shore. These pics are what's left of the ship.
More beauty at Fort Stevens State Park. This is located in Warrenton OR, just where the Pacific Ocean meets the Columbia River. On the other side of the river is Washington State. The lake below is called Coffenbury Lake.
More beauty at Fort Stevens State Park. This is located in Warrenton OR, just where the Pacific Ocean meets the Columbia River. On the other side of the river is Washington State. The lake below is called Coffenbury Lake.
We headed back to Portland, a trip that should take about 1 hour and 50 minutes. We made some stops along the way naturally!
We headed back to Portland, a trip that should take about 1 hour and 50 minutes. We made some stops along the way naturally!
Quilt barns are a "thing" here. There's even a quilt barn tour, scavenger hunt, and websites dedicated to the numerous barns with "quilt" patterns on them. We picked out three that were close to the highway on our way home. One was awesome.
Quilt barns are a "thing" here. There's even a quilt barn tour, scavenger hunt, and websites dedicated to the numerous barns with "quilt" patterns on them. We picked out three that were close to the highway on our way home. One was awesome.
Back in Portland, Julia showed me some amazing shops. Two book stores, (I could have gotten lost!) and a donut shop called NOLA donuts.
Back in Portland, Julia showed me some amazing shops. Two book stores, (I could have gotten lost!) and a donut shop called NOLA donuts.
LEFT: The New Renaissance Bookshop
LEFT: The New Renaissance Bookshop
BELOW: Powells City of Books
BELOW: Powells City of Books
One last stop - NOLA Doughnuts. Yup a taste of New Orleans in the middle of downtown Portland!
One last stop - NOLA Doughnuts. Yup a taste of New Orleans in the middle of downtown Portland!
What a wonderful day! I love Oregon.
What a wonderful day! I love Oregon.
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