With the exception of seeing two groups of friends for one day each in late July, we’ve been on our own since we left Phoenix. So I rolled into the Portland area about 10 days ago with gobs of anticipation at the prospect of spending time with friends.
We ate well, drank some nice wine, saw some beautiful places and most importantly, spent hours in conversation.
All of those things — delicious. A few highlights of our stay, both good and bad.
Dinner at the McMenamins Edgefield — McMenamins is an Oregon/ Washington company that specializes in taking historic properties and turning them into community gathering places. They brew their beer, make their wine, and distill their spirits. One could arrive and never have to leave.
The Edgefiled location, located in Troutdale Oregon, consists of a hotel and a couple restaurants on the site of a former poor farm. It was dog-friendly, so we spent a great day porch-sitting, wine-drinking, admiring the beautiful grounds, and wrapped up the day with some steak-eating.
NOTE: I was having such a great time visiting that I took nary a photo at McMenimin’s except for the one above with the steak. Thanks to my friend Kathleen for sharing hers.
Milo Mciver State Park — I stayed at a campground about 35 miles from the Portland area.
Once I had proven my prowess with getting out of difficult predicaments using only duct tape and paper clips, my fellow campers welcomed me, Trax, and Sally.
Silver Falls State Park
We also spent a few nights in Silver Falls State Park, which is southeast of Portland. It’s another great Oregon state park, and features many natural waterfalls. Only a few were accessible to trails that permit dogs, but what we saw was lovely.
A day trip from Silver Falls yielded some yummy ice cream from a roadside business with a can’t-not-stop name.
We even ran into a roadside vegetable stand –with an honor system payment method.
Ok. Next is out of chronological order in this retelling…but the most…I don’t know what adjective to use. “Poignant”? “Maddening”? “Tragic”? “Thing that Makes Me So Pissed”?
On our way into the Portland area early last week, I and the doggies traveled down the beautiful Columbia River Gorge.
We enjoyed a stop for lunch at a Marina in Cascade Locks, and snapped some pics of the statues of Sacagawea (who accompanied Lewis & Clark on their expedition to the Pacific, serving as interpreter and liaison to the native peoples), and Meriwether Lewis’ Newfoundland dog, Seaman.
While we were sitting in the sun munching on our lunch, I texted this exact message to a friend — “At this very moment, sitting on a patio right next to the Columbia River with my dogs at my feet, enjoying fish & chips and iced tea, I cannot imagine being any happier”.
That was on Monday August 28th. Horrifically, the following Saturday, that entire area was evacuated (and still is at this writing), due to the devastating fire in the Columbia Gorge. It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. And this is what the exact spot looked like less than a week after our visit.
Reports are that it was started intentionally by a 15-year old boy with fireworks. Dammit, dammit, dammit.
I am so sad for my friends in Oregon, and throughout the West for that matter, who are enduring the loss of life and property due to the rampant forest fires. And for those facing the hard work in recovering from Harvey in Houston. And for those who are in harm’s way this weekend due to Irma’s approach of Florida. And on, and on. We are safe and are enjoying our travels, but our hearts are heavy.
Stay safe. Hug your loved ones.
Don’t know which I like better: the steak and wine or the ice cream cone! I’m so glad you could spend good time with friends.
The Before/after pictures are so incredibly sad. It is all so devastating right now. I texted with Sue R this past week. Her house was ok but street was flooded and no power so they were living in a hotel. Her daughter’s wedding is fast approaching but is in San Antonio, so venues are ok. My sister lives on the gulf coast of FL, so we are very worried about what they will find when they are able to return. They left their home on Wed and drove to Lexington (your old KY home) to stay with her husband’s son and family. So scary and sad.
Anyway, your photos are beautiful…and poignant… and I am happy that you are happy!
Laurie, I will keep your sister in my thoughts. Glad that they are out of harm’s way, but it must be so stressful for them to leave their home.
The first part of your visit here there was all the ash in the air — making everything look so odd. Not to mention all the ash covering everything! How awesome was it in the Silver Falls campground to look up through the trees and finally spot a bit of blue sky?!
So glad you got to visit with friends. It is sad all the devastation from fires and hurricanes, but heart warming to see everyone coming together to help each other through. You stay safe…and thanks for keeping me posted as you travel. If you were here I’d give you a hug!!!
Virtual hug accepted and returned!
Great to meet you, Sally, and Trax during your visit to the Portland area. So glad that you were able to see a bit of the beautiful gorge before the fire.
Frothy Top? Ron and I might need to add that to our Portland area bucket list. The name is awesome and the ice cream looks delicious.
Look forward to following your adventures!
Jen, It was nice to meet you as well! Yes, on the way back to my campground after having dinner at your place, I saw the plumes of smoke off to the east. Just horrific.
Love the ice cream photo – yum!!
Hi Eileen, watching the news every night and seeing the devastation from fires, hurricanes, and tornadoes that many are enduring just breaks my heart…my husband went to college (Reed) in Oregon, and his sister still lives there, so we know the Columbia River Gorge well…it’s beauty is inspiring. It’s so important to savor the moments of happiness one has the good fortunate to experience…so happy for you that you are giving yourself this gift. Your pictures and your stories are amazing…catching up with your blog is one of the things I do to give myself a gift in the middle of the work day. Thanks for that! ;)