Portland to a foreigner

Ahoy,

RRS and I totally agree that we're really not sure at all what to make of Portlanders. They are unlike any breed of human we have ever encountered. We don't know at all where to begin to describe them. So questions about our trip come up with more puzzled looks than trips to other places. The best I could come up with is that they embody some sort of hipster/nerdster winter grunge. There's a certain quality of chic that Seattleite hipsters give off that is not present in these Portlanders. They also look more intimidating that Seattleites, which I'm sure they're not, but still - less friendly, more aggressively too cool.

Nonetheless! We had a delightful time! Us and our group of 6, sometimes more. RRS and I were glad to be able to spend some time with our friend in Seattle. We ate at Black Bottle the first night and that broccoli is the stuff my dreams are made of. The fried chicken left me wanting more and I've been lusting for fried chicken ever since. In our dizzying spell of weather shock, we made our way to Chocolati for hot cocoa and truffles. I'll remember this place for their super friendly staff right before closing and the divine chocolate.

The next day we picked up sandwiches and pastries for the road and zipped down to Portland (2.5 hour drive). We checked into The Benson and crammed 6 of us to a room. Don't forget to peruse Powell's Bookstore, and get a slice at Sizzle Pie. We spent the rest of the day chasing doughnuts and coffee until it was time for a nap. We ended with dinner at Mother's Bistro. Most of the food was heavy Northern European food, and we all got so full. We called it quits for the night and retired to our room to watch the Australian Open.

Sunday was designated for the outdoors, parks, and rock climbing. We spent, some would say, too much on admission into the Chinese Garden, but, though small, I loved it.


We walked across a bridge, and then left the downtown area to look for the Japanese Gardens and Rose Gardens.


Our activities ended with The Circuit Bouldering Gym, which was AMAZING! And dinner was a hearty meal and beer at The Rogue. And then the night really began. I won't go into the details because they will forever be ingrained in my brain. But I will mention Voodoo Doughnuts, which many will say is worth the trip alone, and I will attest to that.

dashedly combuzzled,
jt

Disney during holidays

Ahoy,

The resident rocket scientist (RRS) brought me to Disneyland as a birthday gift in December. I have been so tardy in writing up this experience. The first time I went, I believe I was going into the 6th grade. We came on a family vacation. My mom had booked us with this Chinese tour group thing that brought us all over California. We stopped in Yosemite, Hearst Castle, Golden Gate Bridge, Pier 39, Universal Studios, Seaworld, Disneyland, and probably other places I do not remember at all. I remember we'd have to get up so early to ride on a tour bus that my brother and I would just sleep through. And arriving at the hotels so late that we had no time to utilize the hotel pool. I think much of the trip must have been like herding around cows. We'd get deposited, have x minutes to take a tourist photo, and back on the bus. This is definitely not how I like to travel, and my family agreed. Although I'm sure my parents enjoyed the Chinese announcements and all the other Chinese tourists to talk to.  

Disneyland was not very memorable my first time. I'm not sure if it's because I was so tired of the vacation, or if I was too young, or if it just really wasn't fun. But the RRS and I had a great time this time. And I remember most of it, except the parts where my brain got frazzled from the rides. The whole place was bedecked in holiday attire, which I loved! It was so holiday festive. The weather was rainy all week, and it forecasted a chance of rain the day we went, but it didn't. It was gorgeous and perfect and magical, it wasn't too hot, not too cold (the next day, it was raining pitchforks). We arrived early and left late. Being a seasoned veteran of Disneyland, the RRS knew the lay of the park by heart. He practically grew up at Disneyland. He knew where to go and which rides were the best and in what order. We were incredibly efficient on time; we never really needed to wait for very long for any of the rides. The longest line was probably for gumbo.

In no particular order: Captain Eo, Finding Nemo, Matterhorn, Big Thunder, Space Mountain, Astro Blaster, Roger Rabbit, It's a Small World, Indiana Jones, Jungle Cruise, Tiki Room, Splash Mountain, Snow White, Tarzan, Haunted Mansion, Swiss Family Robinson, Pirates of the Caribbean, Winnie the Pooh, Star Tours. I think my favorite was Astro Blaster. It's like a moving arcade game. You get a gun and shoot at things along the ride that are worth different points and you also can turn your seat. We pretty much went on all the rides in one day, which I'm told is quite a feat.

We got to watch the Mickey Mouse magic show thing on the water at the end of the day. There were people setting up for it hours before it even started, taking up space on the paths. Immediately after, we hightailed our butts over to the castle to watch the fireworks, complete with fake snow and holiday music. It was such a good day of playing.

magically whipped,

jt

deaf ears

Ahoy,

This is the most funniest thing ever!!!



The RRS was last night noting how cold the apartment is. We have never turned the heat on. The thermostat reading was 69 degrees. His arthritic knee has also been extra achy with this "cold snap" biting on his joints. I just, I can't even, I don't know what this means. I just don't understand. Not happening. I don't even know why he says these things out loud.

blisteringly toasty,
jt

Malibu, but no Barbies

Ahoy,

Among the abundance of outdoorsy, nature things to do around here. We spent some time this past Sunday at Malibu Creek State Park. It's a short drive from where we live, right along the coastline. It was super-duper scenic. If you look up "scenic" in any dictionary, there is a picture of the CA coastline from PCH next to it.

 We spent some time looking for our friends. I did not fall in the river this time, though with my track record, I really wouldn't be surprised if I did. We were part of the way around the traverse over the water below before we saw them coming from the other side. It was already pretty late for a serious climbing day, but we really came outside today just to mess around and hang around some dirt and rocks. Scintillating conversations with the moss and babbling brook.

 So everybody got on at least one rope, which accounts for a successful day outdoors. Per usual we got distracted on the boulder problems - not what we came for, but good times nonetheless. The last time the resident rocket scientist brought me here, we just came for exploring and lunch. I gawked at the rope walls, so I'm glad to have gotten on a rope this time.

There are so many faces on this wall. Count 'em all!

clingily mischievous,

jt

by the sea, by the smell

Ahoy,

I love a good California coast. Not many things are more breathtaking than the cliffs, the rocks, the waves on this here west coast. It'll sure be a shame when it all falls into the ocean, seeing as how we sit on many massive fault lines that is due to pop like an aneurysm any day now. But hey, I'll take it while I can. 

 I found it puzzling that the rocket scientist was so eager to go to the beach when he had been complaining of the cold for the past month. And then! We walked onto the sand! And then! We took our shoes and socks off! And then! We continued walking on the cold, wet sand! So strange, these folks of the west. And he told me that this was the warmest day he had been to the beach in Carmel! Shortly after walking on the beach, I could no longer feel my toes, sure enough, by the end we had no feeling in both our sets of feet. I'm not sure if Californians have a different idea of the beach than midwesterners, but I'm pretty sure your feet shouldn't be numb by the end of a beach visit. Beaches are for sun, and sand, and surf. I think of walks on the beach when it's warm and hot enough to want to splash in the water. Visitors beware, California beaches are not warm.

 We wandered the small tourist town of Carmel by the Sea, whose mayor was once Clint Eastwood (I kid you not, Google it). It's a cute place, reminded me of Europe. There's small alleys and courtyards to explore, and many restaurants were Euro-inspired. We stayed a night in Pacific Grove, it was right next to a SCUBA site I dove at more than 4 years ago. I never thought I'd return to Lover's Point.  

settingly spread,
jt

among the trees

Ahoy,

Although it was raining pitchforks just about everyday we were in the Bay this past winter break, the one day we selected to conquer the great outdoors the thunder gods must have parted the clouds for us. It seemed like everyone and their mom, whom they could never convince to do anything outdoorsy, was amidst the dewy woods of John Muir. After hiking along a sketchy roadside path (translation: in car traffic), we finally arrived to the not so cheery demeanor of the admission stand person. All too eager was I to break the rules and toted beneath my arm our trusty baguette to feed us on our arduous hike along paved woodland trails. This is indeed glamping at it's finest.  

 But, I jest. More than willing to peel away from the hordes of screaming children and slow as banana slug walkers, we sought a road less traveled. It proved to be worthy of Indiana Jones. There were steep slopes into sunlit clearings, mammoth redwoods over moss covered trunks.

It didn't rain the whole day, and there were only small patches of mud. I didn't even fall in a puddle. Maybe a little bit. We saw lots of mushrooms, but no forest squirrels or banana slugs. I was on lookout the whole time, but no such luck. 

woodsily trunked,

jt