If you noticed that I have been MIA for a bit . . .
I flew to Portland, Oregon for a few days to go to my niece's wedding and to visit with the part of my family that lives out there. And I thought it was as good a time as any to unplug and get a taste of life without all the constant online "noise".
Like it was back in the olden days.
And I learned that I can live a few days without obsessively checking out blogs, facebook and instagram. It won't kill me. Really. I am living proof.
Some other things I learned on this trip are . . .
Ten Things I Learned On My Trip To Portland:
- The sun DOES shine occasionally in Portland.
- It's harder to find Big Foot than you would think.
- There are a lot of waterfalls around Portland. Although after looking at the tenth one, they all start to look the same.
- People in Oregon like their Ducks and Beavers.
- Sturgeon can grow really really big. I met a fish named Herman at the Bonneville Fish Hatchery that was over ten feet long and over 70 years old.
- Portland has a lot of cool trendy neighborhoods with cool trendy people walking around.
- Thrift stores and antique shops in Oregon basically carry the same kind of stuff you find back East.
- There is a Hawthorne Street in Portland. I'm pretty sure they named it after my blog.
- I don't like driving on narrow mountain roads where they have rocks as "guardrails" and on the other side of the "guardrail" is a 300 foot drop.
- 3 full days is just not enough time to do everything you want to do in Portland. This is a 7 day-er kind of city.
- I can go away from home for a few days by myself and my house won't implode and my son will still remember me when I get back.
BTW, Portland's unofficial slogan is "Keep Portland Weird". Just in case you had no idea what the title of this post meant.
Have you ever been to Portland?
Mimsie Barnard
Just discovered your site and your photos are fantastic as are your
comments. Fell in love with your owl and will try my best to make
one! Thank you for sharing your art and travels. Looking forward to more of your art and other things you find to share with us.
Mimsie in Virginia
Pam Kessler
You are welcome! So glad you found me!
Into Vintage
Dang! I wish I had known -- would have loved to meet you in person! Looks like you saw many of the highlights while you were here and enjoyed some global warming. Come back soon! xo
Teresa Mucha
We have family that lives across the river in Washougal and we love visiting Vancouver and Portland. My brother in law worked at the dam and we love driving up the gorge. Its beautiful country. Your pictures are amazing. Glad you had a great visit.
Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces
I've always wanted to go there...looks beautiful!
Pam
It's gorgeous, Linda! If I were younger I might think of moving there just for the scenery!
Oliva Ohlson
Gorgeous pictures!!! I learned something about Portland: they have waterfalls!!! So glad you "unplugged" and enjoy your trip with family!!!
Jemma
Gorgeous country. My sister lived in Portland for many years and I always looked forward to visiting her.
One because she was my sister, two the scenery! Glad you were able to unplug for a little while:)
Judy Clark
Beautiful photos. Those waterfalls are gorgeous. Glad you had a few days off and enjoyed it.
Judy
Pam
Thank you, Judy! So much gorgeous scenery!
Pamela @ FlowerPatchFarmhouse.com
I learned to drive on curvy roads with not even rocks for guardrails and 300 foot drops into rushing river gorges. I still drive them every week. 🙂 You should try them with ice and snow on them during a blizzard, just for the heart pounding rush you get when you go into a slide heading for the edge of the road. No need for thrill seeking around here, just drive the mountain roads!
Glad you enjoyed yourself, it has been a long time since we were in Portland.
Pam
I'd be a nervous wreck all the time 🙂
Mickey Wood
I've never been to Portland, but am a big fan of weird, so will have to visit : )
Glad you had fun.
Pam
Definitely visit. It's a fun place!
Patty Soriano
Hmmmm, in Texas, it's "Keep Austin Weird." I wonder who borrowed from who ? Would love to see Portland some day. Looks like a good trip. Hope you had a great time.
Pam
OK, I had to google it and it says it originated in Austin!!! Portland stole it from Austin 🙂
Musings from Kim K.
The last time I was in Portland, my senior daughter was getting ready for kindergarten and I didn't know some of the fabulous blogging friends who in live in OR. I definitely want to go back. It's on my wish list. Glad you were able to get away, if only for a few days.
Pam
The last time I was in Portland was 27 years ago and surprisingly a lot had changed!
chris aka monkey
welcome back, looks awesome in weird old portland it is a city i would love to visit in the summer and you certainly took some gorgeous pictures xx
Pam
It's a great place to visit, you should definitely go!
dee
You took some beautiful pictures while you were here, you did Portland proud!
Pam
Thanks, Dee!