Over Thanksgiving we traveled up to Portland to visit with our friend Kat that lives up there. We rented a car and left Merced after work on Wendesday and drove to Yreka (note: not a spelling error). The driving weather was forecast to be less than desirable but we found that the weather wasn't an issue- the rental car was. Headlights that illuminate roughly 30 feet in front of the car are not very helpful on dark mountain roads and windshield wipers that smear the water around make seeing difficult. Other than that, the drive was uneventful. We made it to Kat's apartment around 1 pm on turkey day. The rest of Thursday was spent wining, dining, and catching up with Kat.
On Friday we got a bit of a late start and Kat had to work so we were on our own. First we walked to a little cafe just down the street from Kat's apartment, then we drove across town to the rose gardens. There were few roses at the time but we could tell that the garden would be quite amazing in full bloom. We'll have to check that out during warmer weather. Following a snack and a half hour of debating what to do next we decided to head to wine country. We figured we'd go visit some wineries and then pick Kat up when she was finished working. Things changed when Atalie spotted a giant Goodwill store. An hour-plus later we got back on the road but it was getting late so we headed up towards the winery Kat works at (Cooper Mtn), stopping at another one (Ponzi) along the way. We did tastings at both and bought a couple bottles that we enjoyed (and could afford). The night was finished off with dinner and a redbox movie.
Saturday we got up early and headed to Voodoo doughnuts (famous for odd flavored pastries) for breakfast. Kat had to work again so Atalie and I decided to hit up the Saturday market, which had lots of cool stuff (just out of our price range) and see some of the other shops around Portland as well as some craft brew houses (there are plenty to choose from in Portland). We ended the night at a really nice steakhouse (we were the youngest patrons in there).
Sunday, we made the drive back to Merced... a little bummed that we didn't get a chance to see more of Portland. But at least we got a taste of it and got some quality visit time with Kat.
Getting dinner ready.
In the rose gardens (minus roses).
Voodoo donuts breakfast.
Dinner with Kat at Jake's Grill.
Mt. Shasta on the drive back to Merced.
4 comments:
glad you had a good visit. atalie, i'm sure you did you mama proud with the goodwill visit. mt shasta looks like it has a heart-thing going on.... wonder if it looks like that yearround, occasionally, or if just the timing.
Yes, Atalie, I am glad you have potential to carry on the Goodwill tradition in the family. It has brought me many hours of fun and some amazing finds.....some no so amazing finds too, but that's for a different blog.
Yes, Atalie, I am glad you have potential to carry on the Goodwill tradition in the family. It has brought me many hours of fun and some amazing finds.....some no so amazing finds too, but that's for a different blog.
I love the picture of us at dinner! I had such a great time with you guys. Next time, I'll make sure that I don't have to work. Or, better yet, I'll just come and see you guys instead!
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