Today I fell in love with Portland

Aaron told me before we left that I would fall in love with Portland. What i did fall in love with is Erin and Jill, their son Andrew and daughter Mariana.  But to be honest with you I wasn't impressed with the city. We have spent the week in Vancouver WA, just a hop across the bridge and have driven around the city most of the week.  Its not overly pretty from a distance, sprawling and industrial.  The  grey sky and rain probably do not help with my perception of the city.

Today however I fell in love with the city of Portland.


We visited the Hawthorn neighborhood.  It s a funky, arty neighborhood, with thrift stores, music shops, local designer and arts run shops, restaurants, coffee shops and books stores.

We walked into a guitar store that had little theater in the back and the owner got Aaron up on stage to play the piano, it was so cool to see him up there.  3 times a week in the evening, they open the back room theater and musicians names are put in a hat and pulled at random, you only to play one song becuase there is such a demand.   Then we got an impromptu concert by a local musician. She played a piece based on a bird she heard on a while on a hike, then she gave a cd of her music. It was such a great experience. They were so friendly
 

We then popped in to a clothing store were all the clothes are made and designed by local designers.  Up stairs was a community sewing room run my Bree. She runs classes and you can use all her equipment for $8 an hour.  She even has Becky from project runway coming to teach a class in the New Year.  There are so many resources for artists here in Portland.
 
 

Our friends Erin and Jill have told us about similair places in Portland for video editing and artists. They also have lots of sports complexes with in door running tracks, swimming pools etc. This is because of all the rain.


We also went to Cinetopia. Cinetopia is a privately run movie theatre that has living room theatres. They are small movie screens with huge leather seats, with trays attached where you can order food to your chair. They also have pits thats are full of throw cushions so you can lay down and watch the movie.  We saw Tin Tin which was very good.

 We then went into a vintage store and found a old style photo booth.

I also brought a hat the pink one. The other one was from Urban Outfitters for $5. That's 4 hats on this trip, and  I thought I wasn't a hat person.






























 


We have made a pro and con list about moving to Portland.


Tomorrow is out last day here. We are going out for breakfast and i am doing laundry and packing as we are leaving about 5am Sunday morning. We have a 12 hour drive home.

Dolls For Friends and Powells City of Books - Portland & Vancouver, WA

We have been in Vancouver WA for 4 days now. We have spent our time here with our friends Erin and Jill creators of  Dolls For Friends  We have been having lazy days, walking around shops and chatting, it has been so relaxing and and inspiring.

Dolls For Friends is the offshoot of their Vancouver, WA based design firm, shop. They started this project with the purpose of promoting their design services through the process of “gifting” organizations and individuals who inspire them through their work and contributions to the world of music, art and design. Several times a year they create custom, one-of-a-kind plush pieces and send them to individuals on their ever-expanding appreciation list. Each piece is sent with a little background information on what it is we are doing and a thank you for the wonderful work they have contributed to the art world.
 
They are now well known for their dolls, have a solo show coming up and participate in craft shows in the Vancouver and Portland area.  Their dolls are also shown in NY and Indiana.

Click here for Dolls For Friends

Click here to buy a Dolls For Friends Doll


Facebook Page - Dolls For Friends

Their shop is on Esty check them out and  buy a doll. Soon these will be collectors items.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/dollsforfriends/sold

I had the privilege of  working with Jill Lynch on a doll i had designed.  Jill very kindly gave up a afternoon so I could spend some time with her in her studio. Jill did the construction and guided me through her process. It was inspiring to be in the inner sanctum of the  Dolls For Friends creator. I watched as she seamlessly sewed and created the doll in front of me, cutting with out a template, using scissors with the precision of a chiefs knife.  I was in the presence of greatness.  Yet Jill is humble about her success and future plans.  A idea she started when she was ill and wanted to make a doll for her young daughter is now a established and growing business with clients buying dolls up as soon as they are made, collectors following them to shows and their following getting bigger everyday.  The future for  Dolls For Friends is bright and the sky in the limit.


Here is my Doll.  Her name is Emmi, she is shy, likes to read, and loves scarfs.  She likes mint chocolate chip Ice cream and color.

Here is the doll Emmi with some of her friends.  Jill let me choose two dolls for myself from her inventory as a gift.  Wow... So excited.  We already have a octopus at home that Tootsie got hold of and has half a mustache.. Grrrr Toot, bad Toot!!

This is Jill Lynch the maker and creator of Dolls For Friends with Emmi

We also spent today at Powells City of books.  If you love books you must move to Portland just for this store.  Its 4 stories of books, a whole city block of a book store. Not the new shiny kinda book store either but that old, library, used book store feel.

Each room is painted a different color and each room has of course books on different subjects.  So if you want books of art you go to the pearl room on the 3rd floor.  Poetry you go to the blue room on the first floor.  There is a coffee shop but it has long tables and people are sat together and everyone is reading with a stacks of books along each table.  We didnt leave with out spending $50 on books.

Had a wonderful day.  Only 3 more left, home late Sunday, sleep Monday and back to normal Tuesday.

Cannon Beach and Astoria

This morning we had breakfast at a Cafe that Neil our host suggested. " The Lazy Susan" breakfast was fresh and healthy, we had quiche, fresh fruit and toast.





We then walked around the art galleries and little shops.  Cannon Beach has a very arty feel to it. It is really picturesque, the beach runs behind all the shops and each is an independant boutique, gift shop or gallery.



I found some really cool art.


We then went to Haystack Beach with our starbucks.

After the walk along the beach we headed to Astoria.  Astoria is much like Seaside but a little more industrial. We hung out in a coffee shop that is open on xmas day and is also a Bistro they make everything from scratch.


We then went to visit the Goonies home but couldn't get to it so I took a picture of the sign.  I was really surprised that the town dont make more of a tourist attraction out of the fact that the Goonies was filmed there.  Sigh what is the world coming to!!


We then headed to dinner at the "Bridgewater Bistro"  we decided to treat ourselves.  The food was really great.

We then headed home to meet our new house mates for the night. We have decided to leave early in the morning so we can get to Erin and Jills for lunch and go to their meeting as they have their co visit.

Our new house guests are Curt and Martha two very cool people who are checking the area out to see if this is somewhere they might want to live. They are both teachers. We had a nice evening with them and then hit they hay. 

Off to Vancouver Washington tomorrow.

Seaside

We woke up  at noon on Friday. We needed the sleep, traveling is fun but it takes it out of you.  We had breakfast at home consisting of coffee and rye toast. Then we headed out. We were headed for cannon beach but Aaron turned into the outlets here in town and it didn't take much persuading before we headed into the Eddie Bauer outlet.

Aaron brought a scarf and a sweatshirt, I brought some slim leg cargo pants. I have never worn slim leg before but Aaron convinced me so ill see!!!! I have a theory about who should wear slim leg pants and unless your a bean pole you shouldn't and I'm not a bean pole by any stretch of the imagination.



I may be a little old fashioned but i like my boot cut or flare it gives one the hour glass look, apposed to the diamond shape if you have any hips at all in slim leg pants.  Each to their own, the camera will be the judge. Watch this space.


We went in a couple other stores then stopped for lunch at a small hole in the wall that turned out to be really good sushi.

After that we decided to see a movie as the movie theater is across the road. At $8 a movie we could see two.  We saw Mission Impossible, it was ok.  Very frustrating as nothing went right until the end of the movie, you spend the movie thinking arrrgghhhhhhh.

We then headed to the store to buy groceries came home and hung out. It was a very chilled day.

Book wish list

This list is from the library of Neil Branson.  We had the pleasure of staying in his home the past 2 days. Though unfortunately did not get to meet him.  A fellow traveler and adventurer.


Born to run - Christopher McDougall

The Places In between - Rory Stewart

Small Wonder - Barbara Kingsolver

The Quoteable Traveler - Debrough Mchugh

There is no toilet paper on the road less traveled - Doug Lansky

Metel Cowboy - Joe  Kurmaskie

Tuesday mornings with Morrie - Mitch Alboom

Tales of a female Nomad - Rita Golden Gelman

Vagabonds - Rolf Potts

Dark Starr Safari - Paul Theroux

Ghost train to the Eatern star - Paul Theroux

Day 6 Off to Seaside

Seaside. Just that name reminds me of home. In the UK we call the coast the Seaside. 

The first town we stopped at was called Florence. It was picturesque, art gallerys, coffee shops very boutique looking with out feeling snobby. 


They also have some really nice bridges, all designed in the art deco style. 


Aaron met an elderly gentleman in the coffee shop there who chatted for about an hour telling him about his life in the military, he was super sweet and was happy to have someone to talk to.


While Aaron was listining. I was wondering the coffee shop and found all kinds og goddies. I would have easly spent $100 on thier stuff it was so cute but I restirained my self to $8 on a bird that i can hang in my car.

This was $29  I loved it but could no way pay that for it

      

I brought this for my car

I wanted to buy these for Tiffy so bad...... they were thermal inside too!

We kept coming accross beach after beach and just didint have the time to stop and walk them all but we would sit and take in the beatuy, the sea was calm today and the beaches all empty. I will miss this.


We finally arrived in Seaside. Found our home for the next few days courtesy of Neil Branson who although wont be home has allowed us to stay in his home. We found him via couchsurfing.com.   His home is lovely and his has a great selecetion of books. I am looking forward to sitting in his reading chair ( which I already have and and started reading "Born to Run" I love it) and reading.  I would be happy here reading and walking the beaches for the rest of our trip. I have decided to make a reading list from his books so that I can buy them for myself.

We went out to dinner,  (I had lobster, but decided I prefer crab) saw a movie and then Home to bed very tired and happy to be going to sleep. Tomorrow we lie sleep in have lunch and take it easy.

Day 5 Coos Bay

Then we headed for Coos Bay, where thanks to Robert and Lisa we would be meeting up with some friends of theirs called, Tristan and Johanna.

We arrived checked out the town. Its a logging coastal town has a industrial feel to it but it has its charm to.  Especially in the morning when the mist is low in the hills and everything sparkles in the mist.


We found a Starbucks in Safeway to use the WIFI and sat for an hour. Then things start to go wrong. We cant start the car becuase the ignition wont turn over. The steering wheel is locked and the the ignition is just spinning. Then Aaron breaks the key in the ignition. We call our insurance and try to get a tow. Only problem is no one is open to tow the car too. We call Tristan and Johanna and their C.O.B.Y is a mechanic but he cant come out till tomorrow we have to leave our car over night outside Safeway unlocked cause our only key is broken in the ignition. Johanna comes and gets us. We take basic with us and spent the night with them

Johanna cooked an awesome Chicken pot pie the best i have ever eaten , sorry Sarah! I am going to get the recipe. We had a fun evening of games, they are super sweet. Johanna is stunning she looks like Liv Tyler but with brains, as she is a computer software writer. Kinda like the Matrix.  Tristan has hurt his back and laid up poor thing but he was very cool and fun to be with. They are both pioneers and serve in ASL here in Coos bay.


We went to bed tired and anxious about the next day.  Got up and Johanna took us to our car. After the tow truck arrived about an hour later and told us there was a lock smith that could have it done in an hour and he has done this tons of time, we opted for that option.  By noon we had our car back and went exploring. Phew

We went to Charlston as I was interested in seeing some rock formations called Concretions are A concretion is a compact mass of mineral matter, usually spherical or disk-shaped, embedded in a host rock of a different composition.We didnt have to much time to investigate but I did find my very own little cannon ball.

We then headed back to Tristan and Johanna's for a nap, meeting prep, dinner and then the meeting. After the meeting a bunch of the friends came back and we had a get together, it was fun. Alot telling us to give our love to the Leondises, and tease Robert. 

Wonderful to meet the brothers. We left early the next morning and headed to Seaside where we will be spending the next 3 days. Time for a rest I think.

Day 4 - Port Orford & Bandon

We left Brookings sad to say goodbye to a new friend but excited to for the rest of our trip.  I was unusually tired and napped in the car during the morning. We pulled into Port Orford mid morning for lunch and a break.

We had lunch at Griffs in the harbor. I had heard great things about it but wasn't overly impressed It was ok.

We found more amazing beaches and walked them looking for smooth stones and enjoying the long isolated beaches to ourselves
.

We stopped of in Bandon which is a charming town. full of cute shops, great places for lunch a divine chocolate shop we spent some time sampling. Yum




Now to head to Coos Bay.

Day 3 - Brookings

What a wonderful day. Its the people you meet along the way that really make a journey. Wither its the journey of life or a vacation.

We have been staying with Jeryl Schooler, the mother of a brother and his family in our cong. 

We slept in Monday morning because we all stayed up till 1am chatting, Jeryl is in the Spanish cong in crescent city. but lives in Brookings to care for her elderly parents. she works in a sushi restaurant, the best in town and maybe the Oregon coast so we are told.  

Jeryl cooked us breakfast of eggs, bacon and apple strudel bread.. yum! and tea? coffee. Aaron and I then went to Fred Meyers. Its a great store in Oregon. Cross, trader Joe's with Rayles and target and you have FRED Meyers. It has everything you want but its really good too, The prices are amazing because in Oregon you have no sales tax so i got organic milk for $2.99 wow!  We have been to Fred Myers 3 times today already.... we love it'

We then took Jeryl out for lunch, she chose a place that was new but had great reviews in town. it was called Super-fly vodka distillery.  We didn't have any vodka but the menu was very good, We had the pork loin,  the Koren beef and Aaron had the burger it was all very good. the place is hip has a bar in it but has the feel of a brewery.
 

after lunch we hit the beach. In Brookings the weather was great, Blue sky and the sun was out it was actually warm in the sun, Jeryl says that Brookings is the banana belt the climate is so good here that you can grow bananas. 
 

We parted company while Jeryl collected her car from the mechanic and Aaron and I went to find wifi at a local coffee shop called the salty dog. its in the port, we arrived 10mins before they were going to close but the owner who it from Tahoe originally and his friend from Roseville let us hang out while they closed and we all chatted. They were super friendly and tomorrow we go back for free coffee.

We were invited to dinner at Jeryl parents home. Jeryl cooks meals for them about 4 times a week as they are on their 90s. Tonight she has acquired some crabs and was cracking them when we came home so i helped. We ended up having crab on salad with avocado, pickled artichoke hearts, and an amazing sauce, with lots of garlic bread to wipe it up with, then we had crab legs with butter,garlic sauce. This is the first time i have eaten like this and I loved it.. oh my gosh. I think that my trip is ruined the food I have had while a guest with Jeryl has been out of this world, I cant imagine getting any better on the rest of the trip. 

Jeryl parents are so sweet, faithful and encouraging.  I came away, on cloud nine, refreshed by the spiritual association i had had. ..


We finished the evening off chatting and doing some study. This has been a most relaxing. and personable day. what has made it so amazing is the company. Spiritual company, Jehovah was in all our conversations, and because of that and the love that was shown to me, I now have a new and wonderful friend in Jayler.