Portland - Wednesday/Thursday

Lucked out again, no rain in Portland!

Wednesday, Matt and I set out to visit the infamous Voodoo Doughnuts of Portland. Disclaimer, I strongly dislike donuts but I took one for the team and embraced the experience. I also knew I would be shunned by all those who have said "Oh !!! You have to go" if I skipped it. Bon Apetite Magazine listed Voodoo in their Top 10 Best Places for Donuts saying "What Dali was to art, Voodoo is to donuts" and yes, this place has definitely earned this title. :)

If you look really, really close I bet you can see him salivating!

Waiting in line inside we met Mary (below) from Santa Cruz, CA. She was in town for business and was buying donuts for herself and her boyfriend to enjoy at home. Lucky boyfriend! Sorry, Matt. I don't think I'll be transporting donuts home to you ... even if we only lived a few hours away. :) Mary made the Voodoo experience great ... even if I had to apologize to her for my slow reactions/responses since I hadn't had my coffee yet!

Fortunately for all of us the line was not too long at all. Just enough to take in all the sites inside the shop. Apparently the line in the summer wraps all the way out the door, down the street, and past many other non-donut friendly buildings.

3 dozen donuts boxed in a coffin -only $105. Now that's a party! These things were monsters, really. No, we did not buy anything near a coffin sized serving of donuts.

Matt ordered a lemon chiffon cruller with marshmallows and a raspberry romeo. I ordered the trademark Voodoo donut. A raspberry filled monster looking voodoo doll equipped with a pretzel stick stuck in his chest (instead of your traditional needle). Again, I didn't have my coffee before the voodoo donut experience so I didn't realize the expectations for this ooey-gooey beast until overhearing a goofy tourist guide discussing the history of Voodoo.  Those that have crossed me have been spared this time. 

This time ....

Birdy & Raspberry Romeo

Birdy and Voodoo.

PROOF that I've eaten at Voodoo! 

So, after the sugar rush and a quick reminder that I do not like donuts because they make me feel ill (every time, no matter what, guaranteed!) .... we walked to Old Town to snap a photo of the Portland sign.

Chinatown

We spent a good part of the morning/early afternoon discovering the kookiness of Portland. Many parts of Portland truly are "where young people go to retire". To each their own I suppose. The amount of homeless and panhandlers was truly surprising/overwhelming to both of us. They were not threatening for the most part ... they were just everywhere. In all parts of the city. Apparently Portland has fantastic social service programs to support this population. Good. Bad. Not for me to decide.

Whatever they're doing, it's working! Keep it up Portland.

 We opted to escape the inner city briefly by taking public transportation to see Portland's Japanese Garden. We didn't leave ourselves enough time to truly appreciate this garden as they were closing approximately 50 minutes after we arrived. Beautiful still, just in fast forward mode.

And back to the hotel to get ready for our anniversary dinner at Andinas Restaurant. Delicious peruvian food and drinks! From there we somehow made it across town to "Beermongers" as suggested by Joelle and Ty. Good drinks, 90's music and, well, interesting company. :) Another strange walk to find a ride back to the hotel. 

(I wish we had spent more time in this area in the daylight as there were tons of local shops that would have been great to check out. Next time ... )

Thursday (10/18)

To the COAST on the Sunset Highway!

Destination Falcon Cove, Oregon. 

I like you and all, Newt, but this is a bit too much.

A sure sign of a great hike!

The forest was just breathtaking and definitely worth the hike to the top of Falcon Cove to see the coast!

Any guesses what Matt dislikes more than Bears? "Dangerous Dropoffs" and sketchy edges!

After returning to Portland from the Coast we attempted to see Multnomah Falls on the scenic byway but the road was closed and the sun was setting too quickly. Another "next time".

Another return to the hotel to prep for our highly anticipated dinner at Pok Pok Restaurant with Matt's former coworker from Westinghouse, Gary Chou. Gary had played violin in our wedding with other band members/friends. It was great to meet up with him again!

Gary had invited another couple to join us, Jane and Jason, and we had a wonderful visit and foodtopia experience! (Pok Pok was yet another great recommendation from Joelle and Ty, thanks again!!) We shared plates family style and ordered SO MUCH FOOD ... so many flavors! Authentic Thai food, some of the outstanding dishes we ordered included Fish Sauce wings (amazingly delicious .. even if you've ever gagged while opening an always way too big bottle of evil fish sauce, ugh!!), Papaya Pok Pok (an extra spicy papaya salad dish), and Boar collar meat (surprisingly delectable for a gal that does not eat red meat) and several other dishes that I won't bore you to tears over. BUT .. if you make it to this restaurant you must call us for recommendations before diving in! Oh yes, go with friends too (or a group of strangers, who cares). Makes the experience so much more enjoyable!

Jane, Gary and Matt's hungry hands.

After dinner the local's wanted to show us the city at night. Off to Portland City Grill and Bar. We all ordered a final drink and enjoyed the skyscraper view of the city at night. Again, great company and the best way to enjoy the city! Our only regret was not meeting up sooner to request them to act as our tour guides to make the Portland experience that much greater!

We wrapped up the night by returning to Voodoo Donuts. I ordered a 1/2 dozen donuts to take to the California Shingleton's the next day. Brilliant!!

We couldn't wait to leave for California the next day to see the kids, Elton and Ashley. :)