Springtime in Portland

 We went downtown and walked the Willamette River today, and true to our past Portland experiences, there is always something weird going on.  This time we saw a very strong runner go by us wearing blue bunny ears, a few minutes later there were more runners one with cotton balls around the neckline and a bunny tail.  Another couple minutes passed and suddenly we found out we were completely surrounded by bunny runners, at least they were running slow enough we were able to realize that we were in the middle of an Easter themed race.  The blossoms everywhere are beautiful.  The one below is not a black and white it was actually taken in the Target parking lot when I was doing some shopping for a charity basket for work.

I am really enjoying spring here if you can't tell.

Portland

We went downtown today.  Portland is a much different place during the 'off season' but still as quirky as ever.  On the agenda was: Powell's Bookstore, Athleta (yay!), Willamette River Walk, and walk around Pioneer Plaza and Square.  We are finally offically in fall here.  Some of the trees have changed to bright oranges, yellows, and reds, with many more who have yet to even start changing.  I wish the quieter weekends with JD would last longer.  We have been super busy between him studying and my new job training. 

The Navigator

Today was a big day.  I drove through Portland, across bridges, along OR-10, OR-8, OR-26, I-405 S, I-5 N, I-84 E, I-205 N, OR-30 E, OR-30 W, I-84 W, I-5 S, and I-405 N.  I did this alone.  I did this without a map.  I did this without getting lost.  I did this in great time.  I DID IT!  I love maps and I love knowing where I am.  Moving here has been a little difficult in that I couldn't look at maps when I was driving, and I didn't know where I was.  Today was liberating to say the least.  Having a GPS would be easier, but then I wouldn't have victories like today and oh how good they feel!

Portlandia

We explored downtown Portland today and had a great time.  We started at Pioneer Square which was having an Italian Festival complete with band playing songs like "Amore"-when the moon hits your eye like a big-a pizza pie, that's amore- we went to the Old Town Farmer's Market, walked along the Willamette River, saw China Town, and went to Powell's City of Books.  I love Powell's.  Today's highlights included a 1st Edition Adventures of Tom Sawyer and 1st Edition Stuart Little (that is the one I am holding in the picture).  There was also a book from 1512 with a $4,800 price tag.  I love walking through all the rooms and levels and seeing all the different books everywhere.  It is awesome.  We explored Jeld-Wen Field a little bit and enjoyed the sites and sounds of all the people, there is definately a reason that Portland's Motto is: "Keep Portland Weird", there were plenty of different things and people to watch.

International Rose Test Garden

It is still so strange to me that we can drive to downtown Portland in 20 minutes.  After a long week, JD and I went to the International Rose Test Gardens for a change of scenery before he spent the rest of his Saturday studying.  It was overcast and cool, a very welcome change from the 100 degree sunny weather we have had the past week.  We had fun walking around taking pictures, sniffing roses, and looking at the names of all the different roses.  They have everything from Fragrant Cloud to Betty Boop to Ketchup and Mustard.  I was a fan of the Octoberfest Roses (second ones down on the left), and that was even before I knew what they were named.  It was a quick get away and it was fantastic.