North by Northwest
As I sit here in my boxers thinking about the last five days, I'm just amazed at how much fun we had and how grateful I am to have a wife that likes to travel, a job that allows me to, and the finances to get away with it (well, sort of). That being said, here are the highlights of our trip to the North West.
Wednesday
After a 6AM to 6PM shift for me, and an 8 hour shift and all of our final packing for Cassandra, we bonzai run to SFO only to find our flight has been delayed. We have sushi for dinner. It was the only place still open and was overpriced, but soooooooo worth it.
Thursday
We awake in a hotel in Portland, OR at 8:30AM. There is nothing like looking out a window and seeing a skyline you have never seen before. It's kind of like Christmas morning when you were a kid.
Took the MAX lightrail to downtown to get to the bank. Portland has an awesome lightrail system that turns into a streetcar system in downtown. If you want a quick tour of downtown, hop on MAX. It's free in downtown.
Smart Husband made the Hotwire reservations for Portland MAINE, not Portland OREGON. Forty five minutes and some serious begging later, a new reservation was made and previously paid funds credited toward the new reservation. Upgraded to a Pontiac Grand Prix. Wow, what luxury! Power windows and EVERYTHING!!!!
Visited Powell's Bookstore, walked around downtown, visited the Catholic grotto (awesome views of Portland and beautiful gardens, although it helps if your Catholic, which we aren't).
Drove to Long Beach, WA via highway 30. Awesome. Arrived at dusk to a warm lasagna cooked by my Aunt Di.
Friday - Sunday
Drove around the LB peninsula, visited the towns of Oysterville, Ocean Park, Seaside, Astoria, Raymond, Long Beach, and Gearhart among others. We now know the approximate values of homes between Portland and the coast, which makes no difference, as we are looking at at least five years before we can move. Watches three sunrises, two sunsets, and saw the most stars I think you can see. Watched two movies: The Lake House, and The Winslow Boy. Both were great. Spent alot of time with Aunt Di, who is my favorite Aunt and a gracious hostess. I always hate to leave. (sniff)
Monday
Travelled back to Portland via Highway 30. Went to the ILWU Hall. Had Chipotle for lunch. Drove around Portland until 3 when we turned in our car. After much trepidation about whether or not we would be able to board our flight, we were able to board AND sit next to eachother. The flight home was uneventful. WE HAD BARNEY'S - OAKLAND FOR DINNER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yum. We arrived home at 10:30PM.
Many thanks to Aunt Di for being an excellent aunt, host, and overall stellar human being. Thanks to Jen and David for assistance with our flight reservations. Many, many thanks to my wife for putting up with her dreamstruck hubby for the past five days.
See the myspace/halsrants page for pics.
Wednesday
After a 6AM to 6PM shift for me, and an 8 hour shift and all of our final packing for Cassandra, we bonzai run to SFO only to find our flight has been delayed. We have sushi for dinner. It was the only place still open and was overpriced, but soooooooo worth it.
Thursday
We awake in a hotel in Portland, OR at 8:30AM. There is nothing like looking out a window and seeing a skyline you have never seen before. It's kind of like Christmas morning when you were a kid.
Took the MAX lightrail to downtown to get to the bank. Portland has an awesome lightrail system that turns into a streetcar system in downtown. If you want a quick tour of downtown, hop on MAX. It's free in downtown.
Smart Husband made the Hotwire reservations for Portland MAINE, not Portland OREGON. Forty five minutes and some serious begging later, a new reservation was made and previously paid funds credited toward the new reservation. Upgraded to a Pontiac Grand Prix. Wow, what luxury! Power windows and EVERYTHING!!!!
Visited Powell's Bookstore, walked around downtown, visited the Catholic grotto (awesome views of Portland and beautiful gardens, although it helps if your Catholic, which we aren't).
Drove to Long Beach, WA via highway 30. Awesome. Arrived at dusk to a warm lasagna cooked by my Aunt Di.
Friday - Sunday
Drove around the LB peninsula, visited the towns of Oysterville, Ocean Park, Seaside, Astoria, Raymond, Long Beach, and Gearhart among others. We now know the approximate values of homes between Portland and the coast, which makes no difference, as we are looking at at least five years before we can move. Watches three sunrises, two sunsets, and saw the most stars I think you can see. Watched two movies: The Lake House, and The Winslow Boy. Both were great. Spent alot of time with Aunt Di, who is my favorite Aunt and a gracious hostess. I always hate to leave. (sniff)
Monday
Travelled back to Portland via Highway 30. Went to the ILWU Hall. Had Chipotle for lunch. Drove around Portland until 3 when we turned in our car. After much trepidation about whether or not we would be able to board our flight, we were able to board AND sit next to eachother. The flight home was uneventful. WE HAD BARNEY'S - OAKLAND FOR DINNER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yum. We arrived home at 10:30PM.
Many thanks to Aunt Di for being an excellent aunt, host, and overall stellar human being. Thanks to Jen and David for assistance with our flight reservations. Many, many thanks to my wife for putting up with her dreamstruck hubby for the past five days.
See the myspace/halsrants page for pics.