New Scenery

New scenery is always wonderful! We just got back from a very relaxing trip to Portland, OR. The trip included time with Janell and Ben, a trip to the coast, a sweet wedding of a beautiful couple, delicious food, hours in a bookstore we love and lots of down time.

 Just what we needed. We took our share of photos.

Voo Doo Donuts...an icon in Portland. The lines goes out the door. We won't say they are our favorite bakery treat ever, but they are tasty and it's fun to be apart of the crowd.  Some haul them off by the box full.  Some choose one larger than their own head.  (See that cute little boy?  His mom was going to give him his dollar back if he could eat the entire thing.  I don't think he could) And some choose several and enjoy sampling them all outside as they people watch early in the morning.




The Real Mother Goose.  
Full of beautiful artisan crafted goodness and eye candy galore

 

We met Ben for lunch at Kenny and Zukes for the MOST amazing Reuben Sandwich in the Universe. We kid you not.

 The little pickle plate was mighty tasty. We will be back for sure.

After poking around Powell's for awhile and riding the Max around town, we headed back to the hotel to wait for our ride to dinner.

What a vacation! Our Portland hosts took us to Nicholas' Restaurant for scrumptious Lebanese food.  Such a treat!!




Then it was time to watch the sun set over the pretty city of Portland.  We are having a wonderful time

 Mount Rainier is there - over there...where?

Far away in the clouds.

 

 The sun went down...

 

and the moon came up.

(Aren't they cute?)

Weddings are such happy occasions.
Congrats to Samantha & Brandon!

And the trip continues...Lincoln City here we come.

  Wonder, beauty and tranquility.  Such a gift.

and F U N ... we love the ocean!

So on to dinner, which was amazing and worth every penny spent. Truly. Black Fish in Lincoln City. 

On to the cheese factory - home some of our favorite ice cream and cheddar cheese: Tillamook

The whole factory is fascinating.  Do you think Jiggy Stick will ever get to this point? :)  The old vintage advertising was a blast to see the ice cream was delicious! Of course we had to poke our heads in the holes...the things you do to get your grandbabies to smile (Hi kiddos!)

Is this post long enough yet, Em?

Back to the coast and enjoying some scenery like this on the way:

 Cape Meares Lighthouse and The Octopus Tree.

 The Rose Gardens It's much more fun to dance among the roses than just stand there for the camera.  Roses of every shade imaginable. You just had to smoosh your face in some of them to soak in the scent. We had the perfect weather, everyday.

 Japanese Gardens Very tranquil and zen like. Fun to hear dad talk about his mission memories. We'd love to take a trip there someday.

And how do you end a stay as beautiful as this?  Eat sushi and LOTS of it!

 Oh yea, our crazy little room in the Crystal Hotel. We stayed here our last night. Crazy history.  The McMenamin Brothers are doing very cool things with old buildings.  There was a sweet salt water soaking pool in the basement.

 ***

It's nice to have one more trip documented. Check.

Now to begin sorting through thousands of recovered photos and try to make some order of them all.  
Wish me luck.