Oregon Trail

Back from the Pacific Northwest after a fabulous four days in Oregon!! I feel rejuvenated and ready for real life again. Spending too much time writing all about my trip and worse yet, proofreading, would just take away this relaxed feeling so please settle for the highlights...
 


Friday: Great flight in to Portland, Ford Taurus with ambient pink lighting, gut bomb at Pine State Biscuits, discover exactly what it is Andy does for his job and apparently it's showing Todd where to stick it, create new water ballet routine in hotel pool, dinner at A Cena with friends.

Saturday: Breakfast at Helser's on Alberta (my Great Grandma Dorothy's maiden name was Albert and her married name was Helzer, weird huh?), shopping in Alberta and Pearl neighborhoods, Sandi &  Justin's wedding at Vista Hills Winery, pajamas, Cherry Garcia with Missy on bed.

Cheers to Mr. and Mrs. Long!

not sweatpants, for once

cute shoes

Mr. and Mrs. Cherry Garcia

"Suck it, Todd"

the ceremony

Luther dudes in ties

Sunday: Jake & I begin our solo adventure by taking the Oregon Scenic Highway along the Columbia River Gorge, lack of preparation does not stop us when we go hiking at Multanoma Falls with no rain gear or proper footwear, almost "ski" to our deaths on the muddy slopes, obtain unexpected moisturizing mud mask on bare feet while hiking, hot bath at awesome modern B&B, pizza at Double Mountain Brewery, read Room, fantastic book by Emma Donahue.

The Gorge

basalt cliff formed by volcanic lava

It was all very Twilight ( Team Jacob)

beware the spray

Like Hwy 61 on crack

Monday: Devoured breakfast of egg burritos with homemade salsa and guacamole, plus pumpkin, blueberry, and huckleberry scone, attempt to drive to the top of Mt. Hood, turn back when we hit a snowstorm, hike at Tamawanas Fall in gorgeous fresh snow, continuously yell "scoot bears" to keep predators away, shopping downtown, nap, core yoga class, spicy meal at Thai House, sleep.

Mother of two in bridge collapse over icy river

No bears here

stumped

just an ordinary hike in Gorgeousville

Hood River

I think we were pretty hardcore. Time away with Jake reminded me of Way Back When (1995-2008) when all we did was hang out with each other for twelve.years.straight. This is in sharp contrast to current day, lovingly entitled, Girls Just Want To Have Fun (2008-present), when time alone is scarce. A major THANK YOU to Grandpa Steve and Grandpa Liz for babysitting Friday-Tuesday for us so we could get away. Please give them a round of applause. And a beer.

bad ass