Sunday, December 5, 2010

Portland Travels...or...an ode to Annie and Brett

I've been up here Oregon for another week and will be here through Dec 10th. It finally stopped raining on Friday...I think its been raining since November 1st when I first arrived here. Yuck.

We were snowed in in Salt Lake City on our first night and didn't get to Oregon until Monday afternoon instead of Sunday night as planned. Oh well, no worries. West Valley City which is about 10-15 miles South of the airport had 24 inches of snow on the ground when we landed. This night was something out of planes, trains, and automobiles...except without the special '"pillows" :)

At least this time I was able to get out and enjoy some of sites. My business associate, Johnny, is traveling with me this time so that makes the time away from my family a little more pallatable.

We took off early on Saturday morning to go see Multnomah Falls which is about 30 miles East of Portland. The falls are the second highest year round falls in the U.S. It really was pretty spectacular. Check out he photos.

After we got our fill of the falls we traveled down the Columbia River Gorge to a fish hatchery and a lock. Pretty cool stuff. Security was very tight so I didn't take any photos. It actually had and underwater viewing area that you could see into the fish ladder...pretty cool

The Portland Saturday Market was next on our list. It was highly recommended by most Portland attractions sights. It is held every Saturday in the Old Town area. This area is pretty sketchy and is surrounded  by homeless shelters and soup kitchens. With that said the experience was pretty cool. Lots of artisans selling their wares. Some of the people were sketchy themselves, but most were pretty normal (by Portland standards). They had food, jewelry, crafts, street preachers, and of course people trying to get money form you for one cause or the other.

We had lunch in China Town. Really pretty good stuff in a typically klitschy neighborhood. After lunch we basically went a couple blocks to visit the Voodoo donut shop. If you haven't heard of it, check it out online. Hippie chic for sure and dang good donuts.

On our way back tot he hotel we stopped in Woodburn and visited this gynormous factory outlet mall. When all is said and done, which one is weirder? The question needs to answered. 

One word on Portland....WEIRD....but....FUN! We enjoyed ourselves and the opportunity to get out of the hotel and abandon our "cabin fever".  On Sunday we're off to the coast after we go to church. Look for the next post.

SLC Airport on Monday morning.






I was on this bridge when I took the next photo


Lower section of the falls


We were on this bridge for the next photo



View back down towards Washington from mid falls




Can't you just see Annie and Brett here?


Need I say more!!!! :)


Voodoo Donut Shop..How do you say Maple Bacon Donut...Yumbo!


6 comments:

Annie said...

Oh Portland is awesome. I guess its cause I love that weird stuff. Thats what keeps the world interesting :)

Ray and Sue said...

Yes it does...I had a blast there. Weird makes my "Vanilla World" very interesting every now and then!

Kari said...

Sounds like this trip has been a little more exciting than last time. We miss you back here though. Hurry home soon!

Lucas and Amber said...

I really want to visit the North West someday it looks sooo pretty. Lucas grew up in northern washington right by the Canadian border and he loves it there. He really wants to get back too. Looks like you're having a little more fun. At least you're getting to see some awesome places. I know it would be better with Mom but at least you can share the pics with her. I do totally see Annie and Brett there. Miss ya!

Ray and Sue said...

Thanks guys. this trip is much better. I miss everyone too! I'll be home soon.

Sue said...

One of my favorite things in this world is tall waterfalls. This looks so beautiful! I look forward to seeing it sometime. Weird? Maple Bacon Donuts... now that's weird! (By the way... you aren't a vanilla person at all... but I think I am...)

Sue & Ray's Zion Paradise

Sue & Ray's Zion Paradise