PORTLAND: HIGHS AND LOWS

John and I headed to Portland, Oregon for a really long weekend trip away.  It was what we refer to now as a vacation: a fun trip with no children along.  "Why Portland?"  Glad you and lots of other people asked.  Basically, we wanted to get away from the heat to someplace that looked beautiful and inviting where we had never been, and Portland fit the bill.  Here's a rundown in Highs and Lows.

High:  The excitement and joy of flying across the country with no children and each other.  Also, seeing Mt. Hood from the air.



Low: Arriving at the rental car company to find that they had overbooked and did not have our car and having to wait about 45 minutes to get that sorted out.

Low: Becoming a monster on the inside because I hadn't eaten and things weren't going exactly my way at that moment.  The epitome of a First World Problem.

Low:  Needing to eat immediately after leaving the airport because of the aforementioned inner monstrosity and pulling off on a random exit determining to eat at "Muchas Gracious," because screwing up Mexican food is hard to do.  Apparently, they had done that, and it was permanently closed, so we settled for Dominoes.  Yes, we did.




High:  After getting some food in my system and realizing how funny it was that we stopped at a Dominoes by the DMV for our first meal in Portland, we then overheard the sweet girl telling someone how hot it had been the day before - how she "couldn't even believe she had decided to step outside."  We got a lot of great laughter out of that line, at her expense, because REALLY - it had been like 85 degrees the day before.  Come on down to the South, sweet girl, and we will show you what "hot" really is.

High:  Arriving in Cannon Beach and realizing that it is every bit as beautiful as we could have hoped.  Also, I had to wear a sweater.  Summer bliss.




High:  Hiking in Ecola State Park.  The mossy wonderland was truly a magical place, and the hike took us by the sea as well.  Amazing.




Low:  We saw lots of giant slugs.  This is the picture that Lily keeps asking to see now that we are home.



High:  Spending two nights riverfront in Portland.



Low:  Realizing that riding a bike in Portland is wonderful fun, but driving a car in downtown Portland really isn't.  It feels like bicyclists or pedestrians may pop out at any moment and is a bit stressful.

High:  Enjoying the Saturday Market with everyone else and their dog (literally) and eating our first Ethiopian food.




High: Having fun together as tourists at the Rose Garden in the Rose City.



Low: Finding that no matter what time you go, the downtown Voodoo doughnuts always has a really long line.  We drove to one a little farther away for a much shorter line, and thankfully, the doughnuts delivered on uniqueness and taste.



High:  Driving out to Mt. Hood on the old historic highway complete with lots of waterfalls and a pick your own lavender field.





Low:  Isn't this always a low?



High: Driving the "Fruit Loop" the rest of the way to Mt. Hood, named as such because of all the fruit orchards along the way.




High: Finding another lavender field, this one nestled in the Cascades with a view of several peaks.



Low:  Getting to the cabin we had reserved for the night to find that it had been double booked.  Two couples and their five children were already having a good time there.

High:  Being resourceful and finding another place to stay, a place that was actually at timberline on Mt. Hood.  Turned out to be pretty great.

Low: Coming home to a dead car battery in the airport parking lot at 11:30 p.m.  Fortunately, a little jump from airport security got us on our way.



All in all, it was a great vacation and well-timed.  The Lord certainly knows what we need and when we need it.  Being well rested for this week was key.  I plan on doing another post with mainly pictures, because seriously, it was all so beautiful.