Sun & Mon Sept 14-15 Portland & Yachats
Catching up with two days since we spent Sunday night in an Embassy Suites. Although it was a fabulously restored grand old hotel, they wanted $10 for a night of internet access. The more expensive the hotel, the more they charge for internet.
Left Seattle after visiting the mother ship, Starbucks #1 just down the street from our hotel. I presume that the coffee was the same as all the others, but this one was the first. I did notice they did not sell anything but coffee, but fortunately a bakery near our hotel (with excellent eclairs and napoleons, I had discovered the previous day) was open and had Pain du Chocolat, so all was good.
Drove to Portland with a detour. Went east on I84 and visited the Columbia River Gorge. First stop was a vista spot built by government long ago. Great view of the river, and for some reason it felt like we were in upstate New York.
Lots of waterfalls along the southern side, and we stopped at a few. By the time we got to the big one, Multnomah, the crowds had gotten overwhelming. C jumped out of the van, took some pictures of Multnomah as I circled the parking lot along with a battalion of others seeking a spot. She loaded back aboard and we escaped the area.
A nearby State Park offered a nice place for a picnic lunch, with a view of para-surfers, just like we see on the ocean by our Boca condo.
We pulled into Portland on a very warm day. No clouds in the sky, but a haze everywhere. We sweltered through the International Rose Test Garden. We have hundreds of rose pictures, each more glorious than the next. But we couldn't capture the smell, which was divine. Also drove up to Pittock Mansion for the view of Portland. If it weren't for the haze, Mt Hood would have been visible. I heard that same story many times in Seattle about Mt Rainier, most of the time from Bill Gates. I had to travel there on vacation to actually see the mountain. I have no idea how to see Mt Hood.
Stayed at the aforementioned Embassy Suites in downtown Portland. Had an incredible corner room on the mezzanine. Very spacious. But no internet.
Walked to river, only three blocks away, to see the heart of the town. A large street fair was just breaking up, but we saw some of the vendor stands and the artwork they were selling. Happened by Voodoo Donuts, and decided that standing in the 40 person line was probably too much. It was too hot to do much exploring, so back to the hotel to spend the night in a room that rivaled the Boca condo.
At 6 am, however, the line was MUCH shorter at Voodoo. In fact, we were the only ones there. They're open 24/7 for all of your donut needs, and ours were certainly met. Great donuts, as good as Lamars. Voodoo also has some more exotic varieties, such as maple iced with bacon. Here, if you bet dollars to donuts, the odds are in your favor.
Traveled along the coast, starting at Seaside and the Lewis & Clark monument. The best stop was at Cannon Beach, with Haystack Rock. As we drove further south it got foggy along the coast, and by the time we reached Yachats (pronounced Ya hots -- the c is silent) it was smothered with low clouds. But it was yet another superb room, and view from the deck was wondrous. We have the fireplace burning and the sliding door open for the sound of the surf.
Catching up with two days since we spent Sunday night in an Embassy Suites. Although it was a fabulously restored grand old hotel, they wanted $10 for a night of internet access. The more expensive the hotel, the more they charge for internet.
Left Seattle after visiting the mother ship, Starbucks #1 just down the street from our hotel. I presume that the coffee was the same as all the others, but this one was the first. I did notice they did not sell anything but coffee, but fortunately a bakery near our hotel (with excellent eclairs and napoleons, I had discovered the previous day) was open and had Pain du Chocolat, so all was good.
Drove to Portland with a detour. Went east on I84 and visited the Columbia River Gorge. First stop was a vista spot built by government long ago. Great view of the river, and for some reason it felt like we were in upstate New York.
Lots of waterfalls along the southern side, and we stopped at a few. By the time we got to the big one, Multnomah, the crowds had gotten overwhelming. C jumped out of the van, took some pictures of Multnomah as I circled the parking lot along with a battalion of others seeking a spot. She loaded back aboard and we escaped the area.
A nearby State Park offered a nice place for a picnic lunch, with a view of para-surfers, just like we see on the ocean by our Boca condo.
We pulled into Portland on a very warm day. No clouds in the sky, but a haze everywhere. We sweltered through the International Rose Test Garden. We have hundreds of rose pictures, each more glorious than the next. But we couldn't capture the smell, which was divine. Also drove up to Pittock Mansion for the view of Portland. If it weren't for the haze, Mt Hood would have been visible. I heard that same story many times in Seattle about Mt Rainier, most of the time from Bill Gates. I had to travel there on vacation to actually see the mountain. I have no idea how to see Mt Hood.
Stayed at the aforementioned Embassy Suites in downtown Portland. Had an incredible corner room on the mezzanine. Very spacious. But no internet.
At 6 am, however, the line was MUCH shorter at Voodoo. In fact, we were the only ones there. They're open 24/7 for all of your donut needs, and ours were certainly met. Great donuts, as good as Lamars. Voodoo also has some more exotic varieties, such as maple iced with bacon. Here, if you bet dollars to donuts, the odds are in your favor.
1 comment:
I've decided that the name of this vacation needs to officially be "Donuts Across America".
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