Portland, ORE - - our little getaway

My plan was to blog each day on our trip, but unfortunately the hotel did not have free wireless internet - what the heck is up with that?

Bob has been looking up lots of places that we might check-out while we are there.

Wednesday, October 27th

We started today with both having the day off, running a few errands, cleaning house so that it will be nice and clean when we get home, getting Ursulla set up for us to be gone and I did a wee bit more scrapbooking.  It was nice to have a day to pack and get ready and not cram it into the night before we leave.

Thursday, October 28th

It is fairly typical that on the day we leave I wake up before the crack of dawn, today it was 2 am.  I guess that I did get 5 hours of sleep.  Of course I had so much time that I was ready way before we needed to leave.  Also, we bought a timer for Ursulla and couldn't leave until we made sure it turned on.
We made it to Seattle, without getting stuck in Ketchikan - it's always a fear when you're on a flight that stops there! - had our Wendy's, yummy, then boarded our flight to Portland.  It's a short flight, like 35 minutes, not too bad.  But we were on a large prop and those things are loud!  But we made it and Jordan meet us at the airport.

Jordan and Molly

We dropped off our bags at the hotel and went for lunch and a little tour of Portland with Jordan as our guide . . .

 Jordan's office windows . . .

Molly and Hello Kitty . . .

How far is it to? ? ?

 Molly and Bob

 Bob. . . wings and football . . .

Friday, October 29th

Bob's first cup of Starbucks coffee. . .

We woke up to a bit of a grey day, we walked along the waterfront and decided to explore the Japanese Garden . . .

After the Japanese Garden we explored the Pearl District and then went to Powell Books, the craziest, largest books store in the world!  We also stopped by Ben and Jerry's for a little ice cream delight and then the Cupcake store for one of the Friday Cocktail Cupcakes. 

Since it was so nice and sunny out, we decided to check out the view from the Tram, only $4.00 . . .

 Mt.  Hood

Mt. St. Helen

What a view it was.  We also found a few trails to hike around on before we headed down.  We meet up with Jordan and Yusef for a yummy dinner and a stop by Voodoo Donut.  I was so nervous going in there, it reminded me of the "Soup Nazi" Episode of Sienfeld.  Too funny.

 MapleBacon Donut

Saturday, October 30th

We awoke to a rainy day.  We walked along the river to the Saturday Market, looked at all the neat booths,

took a rest in a doorway . . .

found a U of M Alumni Bar. . .

which Bob inquired about watching today's game at,

tried to figure out what the heck this sign means . . .

people dropping, people pee-ing?

had Taco Bell . . .

 went to a beautiful rose garden . . .

I absolutely love this pic of Jordan . . .

 smelling Bob's favorite rose . . .

Next stop, the Zoo - I love the Zoo!

 Jordan is as tall as a black bear - grrr!

Bob got a kick out of this, she's pee-ing!

- and she started at us the entire time!

Bob was the "hotest". . .

Cute little bums. . .

Eatin' cotton candy - yummy . . .

"Love birds". . .

 Chillin' in an eagles nest. . .

After the zoo I relaxed and snuggled in bed watching horror flicks the rest of the day.  Bob went and watched the U of M game and we had an early night.

Sunday, October 31st

We woke to blue skies and sun, took a walk along the river, and stopped for breakfast . . .

Molly's yummy hazelnut, chocolate chip pancakes

while eating breakfast we decided to check in with Jordan and see if he would like to take us for a drive to see the waterfalls he had told us about.  To our delight, he said yes!

Waiting for Jordan to pick us up

driving along . . .

I love this pic of Bob and Jordan!  They were so cute taking lots of pictures at every stop.  I think if we lived closer they would share lots of tips with each other.  It was fun to watch and listen to them.

US!  We're cute too!

Vista House

photo techniques . . .

The bathrooms were marble, even the stalls!

One of several beautiful waterfalls we saw . . .

After a day of exploring waterfalls we went our separate ways to rejuvenate.  While Bob relaxed and read, I went for a walk, it was Halloween after all and surprisingly warm and I wanted to enjoy it.  I took a little photo shoot along the way.

I had forgotten the sound that dried leaves make as they crunch under your feet . . .

Waiting for Jordan and Yusef to pick us up . . .

(neither of us knew the other was making a face, we're silly)

pumpkins in our hotel . . .

The four of us went to four haunted houses and it was so much fun!  I haven't laughed that hard in a long time.  I will say that Jordan slapped me off of him, I was scared being left in the dark!

We ended our night with another trip to Voodoo Donut. . .

On Monday morning we headed back home to "the rock".  We had a wonderful trip, Jordan and Yusef were wonderful tour guides and Portland is a neat town to visit.  Until we get off "the rock" again . . .

Ahoy Matey!

This week is Spirit Week/Red Ribbon Week at school. 
Today was Pirate Day!

Bob made my hat for me!  I had the best one, cuz' it was made with love!!

A perfect Friday night . . .

So, Bob and I have our first weekend off together, since I think when we went to Seattle in April.  It's pretty darn nice . . . we are having my favorite Friday night meal . . .

and my favorite Friday night snack . . .

watchin' Law and Order reruns with my favorite man.

Our Alaska Day

Today was the first day in a couple of weeks that Bob and I actually had some time together.  He has had Mondays and Tuesdays off.  This usually happens once a year and it's always a ruff time for us.  But today we got to spend it together.  After sleeping in a bit, we lounged around and then headed to the grocery store to have enough time before to get home before the baseball game.  We picked up a bunch of sunflowers, they always remind me of my MandaGirl.

We also bought a bunch of fruit, we always do, but lately I have been on an apple kick, not the same apples, a couple of as many types as I can find at Fred's. . .

The we cleaned house, did laundry, and packed lunches for the week.  We also brought in our Hosta, we figured that it has earned a place inside for the winter.  Last winer we put the pot and Hosta in the outside storage and when we opened it up this Spring the Hosta was a foot tall and stark white, it had not only survived the winter, but had grown!  So this winter we will see how it does inside.

I also learned today that my Gram reads our blog!  I have been thinking that I needed to do better at blogging.  I love you Gram, thanks for the chat tonight, I miss you all the time.

Now we are enjoying white cheddar popcorn and some spooky old-school Halloween movies.  What a good day . . .

"Red Dog" Weekend in Seattle

I was in Seattle this weekend, participating in the process of buying new product for the gift shops for next season.  I admit that it was kind of cool to see all the styles and be in on what we purchased, but I also enjoyed . . .

 . . . taken Mr. Bear along, he hasn't missed a trip yet!

 . . . enjoying a Wendy's Single and a Frosty . . .

  . . . while staring at sunny skies . . .

  . . . my nice big hotel room . . .

 

. . . and the sleep number bed . . .

. . . all snugly, comfy and cozy . . .

 . . . enjoying some bbq and a sauce tour at Famous Dave's . . .

. . . relaxing in the sun at a local park (this tree was perfect to lean against, curved right out) . . .

 . . . and taking in the view . . .

 . . . there was a bit of shopping, but just a little,

like this vintage tee for Bob from Old Navy . . .

 . . . a few scrapbooking items from JoAnn's Etc. . .

 . . . and a couple pair of holiday socks. . .

. . . and then there was Target, I just love to browse around.  I came home with a new shower curtain (only $14.99!)  and a few other little items . . .

It was a nice little getaway, loved all the warm and sunshine.

GSE Weekend

This weekend was my GSE selection weekend and I spent it with some pretty remarkable people.  I was so nervous, but was put at ease.  Everyone was so kind and I had a wonderful time.  I even cooked!  Imagine!!

Friday Night . . . we all meet and had dinner.  It was pretty neat meeting everyone and listening to the Rotary members stories.  Part of our District is in Russia, so their stories about traveling to and from, were pretty entertaining.  I also meet all of the other GSE applicants and they all seem down to earth.  We had some nice conversations and it was good to meet everyone.  They also told us that tomorrow night we have to cook - are you kidding me, ya all know I don't cook!  They told us that the secret ingredients are a moose roast and some smoked salmon, it sounded like there were some good ideas on how to prepare it.

Me ready for dinner

Me ready for dinner with my sweater 

Saturday . . . After a day of learning about Rotary and presenting our Power Points, which I was pretty nervous about, but I did it!, we also went shopping for our dinner items. 

Devon with the secret ingredients - moose roast

Carrying the groceries up the drive

All of us preparing the feast

Thomas with the moose roast which was taken down by the 11 year old granddaughter of Mike and Peggy from the selection committee.

Me helping with the salad - it was yummy!

A full kitchen

The feast

 Beef Stroganoff

Dinner preparations

The Chocolate Moose (delicious Kate!) brigade

Time to do dishes . . .

After dinner . . . we took the "out of towners" for a night tour of the Capital City . . .

Devon at the Capital

At the Red Dog (aka The Dog) taken the tourist pic . . .

A few drinks at "The Dog" . . .

Cheers!

Sunday Morning . . .this morning we meet with Dora, who will be the Team leader, then we departed . . .

Bob forgot to mention that he had reset the alarm for 5:45 am, instead of 5 am, so the result was me drying my hair at Coastal.

Departing from the hotel . . . the candidates then went to the Glacier

The GSE Candidates at the Mendenhall Glacier

It was a pretty remarkable weekend.  I am glad that I had this opportunity, that's what this "Alaska Life" is, seizing the moments . . .

Time for a change

With the new season, I thought it was time for a change.  Hope you enjoy the new layout, fall is my favorite time of year.  MJ

False Outer Point

This afternoon we went out to False Outer Point so Bob could do some fishing and I did a bit of studying.  It ended up being very warm and sunny. 

False Outer Point.  If you look closely, you'll see Bob fishing.

My study spot, complete with a stump for a desk.

My view.