Onyx Northwest Tour Days 6-9
Day 6:
Got to Medford and stayed with Puck and Emily’s family for a couple of nights. Thursday morning went to The Rogue Creamery to buy delicious beer flavored cheeses like Stout Cheddar and Rogue Brews, then drove to Crater Lake for a bike ride a quarter of the way around Rim Road, the rim of the Crater Lake volcano. Park Ranger offered without any suggestions to take a photo then warned me that by wearing all black that I might blend in to the asphalt and be killed by Winebago-driving tourists. Also drove to see The Pinnacles a volcanic formation that look like faerie castles. On the way back stopped at Rogue River Gorge overlook and walked around the white water falls. Drove to nearby “Natural Bridge” and jumped the kiddy fence so I could actually walk over the natural bridge. Made it back to Medford to have dinner with Puck and Emily’s family and discussed Yurts and scented oils as “bottoms.” Puck never misses an opportunity for snark ;).
Day 7:
Headed up north from Medford but changed my plans to join the grooms for their stag party night out on the town in Portland. Stopped at Deschutes Brewery to sample a few of their amazing brews then over to the groom’s friend’s house for the meet up. Three other heterosexual men joined us on a crawl through gay bars and gay male strip clubs. One of the grooms drank an odd cocktail given to him by the “cowboy” who was hitting on all of us and that put him “over the top.” Fortunately the other groom was driving. The male strippers were very “pinchy and cuddly.” I was not shy about putting a tip in a stripper’s shorts, but that is all I will say.
Day 8:
Awoke in Groom’s friend’s spare room to the surprise of his talkative 3-year old son. He was very cute and used my “goth” belt as a train track for his toy trains. Left to spend the day in downtown Portland. Started at Stumptown in the lobby of the Ace Hotel and had amazing cappuccinos and lattes while lounging on big comfy sofas. Next went to Powell’s books for a few hours and spent too much money in the rare books room. For lunch went to Deschutes again to finish out the samples, get a growler filled with their Belgian Ale, and bought sampler glasses for happy hour at work. That evening helped one of the grooms cut ivy to decorate the arbor at the wedding, then had an amazing sushi dinner at Bamboo Sushi a sustainable restaurant. Met Puck and Emily for excellent gelato and then to the groom’s friend’s house again for homebrews.
Day 9:
Spent the morning at Stumptown and Powell’s again. If I lived in Portland, I would spend every Saturday repeating that formula. Drove in early to the amazing McMenamin’s Edgefield hotel, brewery, Distillery, Winery, Tobacconists, Restaurants, spas, etc to help decorate the arbor for the wedding. After decorating it with ivy, ferns, and roses went around the complex to find little shacks everywhere selling amazing brews. Got back in time for the lovely wedding that brought a few tears to my eyes. Great food and drink at the reception was followed by soaking in a giant heated soaking pool that was a wonder to see. Wandered the halls of the Hotel photographing the murals and found a mural that seemed to be inspired by the Star Goddess vision of Victor Anderson. Another painting was inspired by the stray cat that had been named after misspelled graphitti that was supposed to say that “Satan Lives Here.” Kept going late in the evening with drinks, pizza, and darts with the gang in the pool hall.
Wedding Arbor:
The Grooms plus back-up husband:
Satan Lives Here:
Ruby's Spa
Star Goddess:
