Finally a joint B-Rod/Rocky Bee adventure! B-Rod finally had a string of days off where Rocky didn’t have to teach, so we decided to hit the road. A friend was talking about road trips and we figured it’s been awhile, so we set our sights on Portland – a place we passed through on a previous trip and vowed to return to check it out one day. Now seemed to be the day.
The first day we spent driving and made it just outside of the city which gave us a couple days to wander around. It’s an interesting city – food trucks galore (good since we like food trucks), people biking and running everywhere you looked, brew pubs and distilleries which seemed to be on almost every corner, art and graffiti in different neighbourhoods, colourful characters and super friendly people. We just scratched the surface of the city, but took in what we could in a short amount of time.
Highlights of our quick getaway included going to an abandoned elementary school which was bought by the McMenamins brothers (they have a bunch of other cool properties in and around the Portland area) and converted into a hotel, restaurants, pubs and a movie theatre where you sat on comfy couches and could order drinks and food to enjoy with the flick. Our other highlight was Sunday brunch where we had THE best breakfast ever!! Nice way to end our trip as we start our leisurely drive home.
YEAH!! Roadtrippen
Around Portland
Food trucks are a big part of Portland. So many options and there seem to be food truck pods in most neighbourhoods (downtown had a full city block full all the way around of trucks!)
We stood in line for over an hour at this truck … can you see me? They only served one item – a Chinese crepe. It was worth it, but it was funny to see how many of us are sheep – most of us were in line because we saw this big line up and figured it must be good (none of us had any idea what they were really serving!) We spent time eating food from other trucks, making friends (because that’s what B-Rod does!) and taking it all in.
Bike culture is also a big part of Portland. I suggested renting one of these, but B wanted to save that experience for him and Todd!
The Saturday market is supposed to be the biggest craft market in America. Sadly, we were a bit disappointed.
The Spoonman stand was the only one where we found something “interesting” like this, or …
… this
Kennedy School . . . this totally reminded me (and had the feel) of Nanton Elementary School.
The boiler room pub/restaurant was pretty cool, but really big and crowded, so we spent some time in the Detention bar. I’m sitting at the end taking the picture, and you can see the entrance just past B-Rod who is at the bar getting us some beverages.
I was a little concerned when I saw this painting hanging in the hallway! Maybe it’s good that there was no rooms available for us to stay here!
The theatre in the gym was a super cool experience though!
We ended on a high note with THE best breakfast ever – it might not look like much, but trust me . . . it was a taste sensation!!
Portland is on our list! Can't wait!!
DawnO