More Portland love

There has been a food cart explosion in Portland.  somewhere around 500 of these i am told. i have mixed feelings about them (i have had some good and some completely mediocre food, have had to wait 15 minutes a couple of times). and where do they wash their hands? but i couldn't pass this one by with the lovely garden sitting area and bright cart. a great place to enjoy this beautiful summer day and get in some people watching.

Aaahhh Portland

 

Being away definitely makes me appreciate being here even more - if that is possible. i spent the first week in Eastern Oregon. recovering from a very bad cold i got the day before i left Ouaga (I still dont have my voice back fully). then went camping at Clear lake near Sisters. it was so beautiful there - glass clear lake (way too cold for me to swim in!!), amazing hiking to 2 spectacular waterfalls.  Otto and his dad, my brother and dad all came.  i love being outside!!

the weather has been gorgeous here - after what sounds like a less than summery summer. I like to think i brought the sunshine with me.  We went to the Oregon coast for a day trip (Tillamook) and had a picnic on the beach and ran around collecting rocks with Otto. I have been staying at my mom's place - a bit far out of Portland, but it is very nice to have a chance to hand out with her. I have been lucky in that Otto's dad has been working quite bit, so i have been able to spend plenty of time with Otto. Otto has also had a chance to reconnect with his Portland friends (even Liam who now lives in Yuma). I have been catching up with friends. Visited the clinic where i most recently worked - i miss all my work friends/colleagues.  Did a great bike ride yesterday and visited my neighbors.  Life is good in PDX, esp when you dont have a job.

I thought about taking pictures, but i am sure a quick google image search for Portland would show photos much better than any i would take. so instead i have just one photo to share that really describes one of the reasons why i love it here.

Mmmmm, breakfast at Gravy

I have been floating between coffee houses, favorite restaurants and brew pubs - 3 weeks is not long enough in Portland to cover all the places i love.  This is the good life.