noplasticshowers

This wanderlust trip was set up just to visit friends. We flew United. We still believe that United domestic and United International are two completely different airlines. We also believe that the “plus points” nonsense is just that…nonsense. Sure would be nice to have a domestic airline that was not a bus.

We landed just after sunset. Mt Hood was visible on landing. Our friends T&G live up on the hill overlooking the city. Portland remains as lush and green and slightly soggy as ever.

We spent Friday visiting the Silver Falls State Park. Absolutely stunning. (Click here for many more fabulous pictures.)

On the drive back, we followed our nose through the back roads. We could almost see 17 peaks from there.

Lunch at Whiskey Hill Store was just what the doctor ordered.

We visited the nearby winery for a taste. They made it very hard to actually buy some wine. This is kind of a Portland anti-capitalist thing, we suppose. It was raining.

There was pool…out of politeness we decline to say who prevailed.

Everyone wishes to remain anonymous.

There was some kind of strategy game with random rules, enhanced by a delicious negroni or two.

Cornell Farms is a fantastic place for breakfast (if you don’t mind waiting for a while).

After breakfast, we changed locations across the river and down the hill to a sweet little bungalow—the house of e.

We did some thrifting and some ice cream eating. Salt and Straw is special. We changed into fancy pants. We visited bible club for a cocktail with even more friends. Very nice vibe (including the waiting in the rain listening to 80s covers part). Romey was psyched to meet Cate.

We had dinner at Kann (which took some setting up way in advance). Kann seems to be out slightly over its skis. The food is fantastic, but the ambiance is industrial and slightly over-aware of its own presence.

The next day was devoted to propping up the American economy by buying things: books (at powell’s of course…the best bookstore on earth), clothing, and cocktails. You could say it was a perfect day. We started at Cheryl’s for brunch.

Day drinking in the rain at the Teardrop is a thing to experience.

The dog did not participate.

We picked up possibly the hottest Thai food in the United States and crashed early.

The next day it was off to town for coffee and sushi (at the tiny mizu). Then the Kennedy School.

We sure do love visiting our friends!