Where I've been and what I've seen - Part 1

When asked : "So what's new, what've you been up to?"
My standard answer is usually: "Nothing really, just working."
After the said exchanges, I usually re-evaluate exactly what I have been doing with my time (or at least my free time outside of working.).
The truth?
Not every moment has been awe-inspiring.  But, we have been on the move.  You see, sometimes I forget that trips were taken because of the simple fact that I forgot to snap thousands of photos.  So I decided to take you along with us on some of our trips, since I've forgotten to share them.
Not all posts will include photos from yours truly, but I'll try my hardest to include links to available websites so you can check it out for yourself.
I think some, if not most of the places we've hit are worth looking into.
P.S.  Most of our trips revolve around food, so beware if you're on a diet.

Our first trip was a quick one taken in July of this year.  We went to Portland for a day, then ended up in Salem.
As I've said time and time again, I (we) love Portland.
We are still exploring this grand metropolis and finding places we plan to return.  On this trip, we re-visited old favorites and found some new.  We got there around noon.  So our first stop was for lunch at a Cuban restaurant, Pambiche.
This usually crowded (good sign, in my opinion) restaurant is colorful and original, delicious and totally worth getting lost for (directions always lead you down one way streets that will get you lost).

I ordered a dish (I can't remember the name) with oxtail in a "special sauce."

It was delicious.

Aaron (the little plate across the table) ordered a Cuban Sandwich with plantain fries.

Oh and a mojito was mine to have as well.

Did I mention that all of it was delicious and always has been?

When we first reached Pambiche, we parked across the street from it and noticed a brewery.  After lunch, we ran across the street to a brewery: the Migration Brewing Co.
The vibe of the brewery was layed back, open and would be a great place to just be for a while.
As for the beer? Only Aaron had a pint here, as I was stuffed to the gills with oxtail and a mojito.  Verdict was that the beer was "pretty good."
That's saying a lot for Aaron to say that about a beer.

Our final destination was the Cascade Barrell House.
This was Aaron's choice as this brewery is known for its craft beers and sour beers.
We ordered some appetizers and a couple flights to test things out, mostly sours.
It turned out to be such a good idea.  I'm not a sour beer fan, but even I found some I liked.

As I said before, this was a quick weekend trip, so we didn't get to cover much else.
This pretty much sums up our weekend in NW Oregon.

On the road again- part two

     I should've crawled out of bed early and worked out.  Didn't.
I should be working out now.  Won't.  Instead I'll tell you about day two of our weekend trip. Yesterday was all about the coast and today will be all about what we did in Portland.

     I SUPER LOVE PORTLAND.  It's a city (and what a city it is) but it's just unique enough in it's architecture and surroundings to make you forget you are in the city.  There is such a great energy and mix of people that you never really stand out as a tourist, maybe because everyone is involved in doing their own thing to even notice you.  Nevertheless, I don't think I would ever be bored in Portland....I just don't think it's possible.

     One reason is because of all the McMenamins scattered around Portland like little gems.  For those not acquainted yet with what McMenamins is here is a very brief rundown: two brothers started buying up run down and/or historic buildings with the idea to keep the history of the building (and all the people who made the buildings what they were/are) alive but also to re-introduce it in new venues- such as hotels, restaurants/pubs, movie houses and places to simply hang out.  They are amazing and fun and I always feel like Alice in Wonderland trying to figure out what pictures and sculptures around me means and eating and drinking all the delightful goods (plus they make a delicious hard cider that I can't get enough of!)
     This time around we stopped by the Kennedy School, Baghdad theatre and Edgefield. 



Inside an old classroom (now a room to stay) at Kennedy




In one of the many hallways of Kennedy

     If interested, just visit the McMenamin's website for more info and pictures of any one of their places.  I don't think you will be sorry!


     Another thing that makes me love Portland is the amazing Powell's books.  It too is amazing!  It is a four story, full city-block-wide book store with countless books on every topic you can think of.  I could spend hours there perusing all the floor and topics that interest me.  Sadly I only spent an hour there this time. There's always next time!

You actually need a map to get around Powell's at first!

Those are just a few of the MANY things we enjoy going to do in Portland.....hope you can check it out for yourself sometime!