I guess for me, our northwest travels would never be complete without a day or two spent in Portland. This year I had a great reason to visit: a new FB connection with an old friend, and a chance to spend a whole morning with Jan O'Mara. She moved to Portland a few years ago and I couldn't pass up a visit with her, with lots of laughs and memories. Her house is absolutely darling and has her creative touches everywhere. So much fun to hear about her girls (my former students) and her life away from San Luis
Paul picked me up about noon and since the day was so gorgeous and so warm, we spent a big chunk of the afternoon at Portland's International Rose Test Garden, always a beautiful place to wander.
The garden, founded in 1917, is the oldest public garden of its kind in the US. It's located in Washinton Park which is an amazing retreat from the bustle of Portland.
We were still staying across the river at the Vancouver Elks Lodge so we returned to check on Foster. The lodge is wonderful and we'd had a great evening of music there the night before, but the noise from the freeway was terrible. We decided to go back down along the water for dinner and a quiet sunset view. This time we had a perfect table outside on the deck at McMenamin's Pub.
Lots of sailboats out for a lovely warm evening
and finally sunset.
It did feel strange not to have Mandy still in Portland, she'd moved just weeks before to her new teaching job and life in the Grand Canyon. So, this time only one Portland day.
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