Portland, OR
Day One: Dry deodorant is lame...but it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make. This city is absolutely gorgeous.
Day one started at about 5 a.m., getting on Green Line to Government Center at 5:30, getting on the Blue Line to Logan and being ready to go by 7:30. Being that our flight wasn't until 8:30, Jess and I walked around a bit both grabbing a bagel/ice tea and a muffin/iced coffee, respectively.
First plane was the big flight. Boston to San Francisco. Leave at 8:45 a.m., arrive at 12:30 p.m. but you're on the plane for over seven hours. Woooooo. (Note: Of course any flight immediately reminds me of George Carlin's bit on flying...still holds true to this day)
It went alright being that Jess and I both had trouble staying asleep for more than fifteen minutes at a time (she is still passed out at the moment...quarter past noon our time, quarter past nine their time...madness) and we both were quite hungry.
San Francisco's airport is still under construction so you need to physically leave the building, thus needing to go through security again, to get to different terminals. No big deal as now I can say I've actually walked in California more so than I could had I just went from one gate to the other.
We grabbed a quick, delicious, and goddamn expensive lunch at a small deli in the airport before making our way to our flight. Most of the flight had been boarded so we got right in and sat down. One hour and twenty-two minutes later, we're in Portland.
The light rail system is super quiet, and everywhere seems so...clean.
After checking in at Hotel Deluxe, we walked down to the famous Powell's Bookstore (famous for a reason, the place is overwhelming even for the greatest book lover) then throughout the rest of the Peal District and Nob Hill.
Essentially it all looks like a, again, clean version of Thayer St. in Providence. Awesome. We had some fantastic mexican food and made our way back to the hotel.
It's now about 9:30 a (12:30p) on Day 2...been up since seven (10a) something...just kind of waiting to see what we're going to do. The only actual "to do" item is picking up a cheap GPS system for our zip car tomorrow when we head into Seattle.
Vacation. Oh snap.
Day Two: The workings of this city.
Picked up a TomTom. Enjoyed the freedom of MAX Light Rail. Enjoyed the wonders of Stumptown Coffee. Went to the Portland Museum of Art.
Day Three: Seattle, WA
Went to see Mt. St Helens but was denied do to snow. Seattle? Essentially a different version of Boston - not so cool, kind of hoping I don't go back BUT I did pick up an amazing Cookies 'n Creme candied apple as well as a Cheesecake candied apple (both delicious, especially the former). Oh, and saw the original Starbucks. I didn't bother going in and that's just fine.
Red Robin's for dinner.
Day Four: More 'sploring
The Macaroni Grill because it's awesome. OMSI = amazing. The Macaroni Grill again for dessert...because it's still awesome.
Day Five: The coast.
Pittock Mansion has an incredible view of the city.
In a little over an hour we arrived at the west coast: Cannon Beach. Gorgeous. Simply gorgeous.
Typhoon! Thai for dinner. So tasty.
Day six: Home.
Woke up at 5, left around 7:30. Listened to Chaining the Katechon twice followed by lots of new Thursday, Cattle Decapitation, Cannibal Corpse, The Number 12 Looks Like You, and Bloodbath. Got to Logan about 3:20. Hour long ride home. Parking violation I will fight. Drive to Starbucks to drop off CD for Chris. Drive to Mansfield so Jess could get her car. Drive to Medfield to pick up my computer. Drive back to Brighton.
I miss Portland.
