I'm writing from a small coffee shop on 39th in Portland. We've been in town for a few days now and are having a great time. Initially my plan was to write every day, or close to it. Instead I've been making a lot of fart noises with my mouth, and not posting. For that I am sorry. So I will do my best to get caught up.
Day 1. We made our way down to Los Angeles to spend some time with friends. Amber and the ladies threw a party for Becca and we doods played golf, and later lit a backyard on fire.
Day 2. Then it was off to San Diego to visit Grandparents who are moving to Texas. We checked into a fancy hotel and had a fancy dinner, compliments of Mom and Dad's Christmas giving’s. We visited G and G Pool the next day, as well as our good ol' boy Trailer, and then crashed at Uncle Tom's house.
Day 4. We were up with the sun, and made our way back up the 5. We had a sweet breakfast in Pasadena with Matt and Lisa, and then it was up the 101 to Cambria, where we checked into the Bridge Street Inn hostel. This place was beautiful. We walked around town, and decided on a little place called Robin's for dinner, where I had a braised lamb shank, and Amber ate lobster enchiladas. We enjoyed a bottle of wine, compliments of the aforementioned M and L, and called it a lovely night.
Day 5. The next day we drove up the 1 through San Simeon, Big Sur, and stopped for lunch at a little pub in downtown Monterey. Then it was through San Francisco, over the Golden Gate Bridge, and on to Santa Rosa to stay with the Talbot's. We spent the night catching up and playing around with the boy.
Day 6. We had a laid back morning. Breakfast at the Omelet Express. A few photos with Charlie Brown and Snoopy. Then up to the redwoods, where we hiked beneath the massive giants. It was beautiful to say the least. We stood in the silent presence of greatness, and we were glad. After that we bbq'd and, being in wine country and all, drank wine. We talked into the night, then slept.
Day 7. We had early coffee, hugged goodbye, and drove to Redding. I drug Amber around town to all the old hangouts. Then we caught up with Peter at an indoor soccer game he was playing. We had pizza and visited a F. L. Wright church that I had never seen, and then went back to the Black's place for cocktails and lot's of Wii Bowling.
Day 8. Coffee at Sue's, a few goodbyes, and the 5 north. Peter hitched a ride with us, which meant Amber, who was peacefully reading her book in the backseat, had to put up with us blasting Dragonforce all the way to Lake Shasta. We had lunch in Ashland at The Black Sheep. Shepherds Pie and Beans on Toast. Then the long haul through the rain to P-town. We got in to Suz's, and caught up for a bit. Drove down to Joey's work for some soup and free beer. Then spent the rest of the evening playing pool at a sweet McMenamins bar called The Backstage.
Day 9. Breakfast at The Cup and Saucer. The Hell's Huevos were completely awesome. After that we headed downtown to snoop around. Powell's books is everything I've heard and some. Time consuming. We made our way back over the river for hot dogs, ping pong, and buck twenty-five Pabst at Zach's Shack. Then we went to The Avalon, which was probably Amber's favorite place so far. Two words. Nickel Ski-ball. Among other amazing five cent arcade games. After that it was darts at The Horse Brass.
Day 10. Coffee and Bagels at Chris's work. Downtown to 23rd Street to shop around and book the wife a haircut. Then back for Joey's acoustic show at 9 Muses, where we ran into a young lady by the name of Annie Bethancourt, also playing. We spent the rest of the night maxin' there, a'sippin.
Day 11. Today. A Monte Cristo at The Cricket. Some photo swapping back at Joey's place, a.k.a. The Purple Barn. And then it was goodbye to Peter, Sean, and Scarlett. And here we are.
So far this town has been a lot of fun. My opinion as of now is: Lots and lots of good food and sweet hangouts, amazing houses, and piles of liberal hippies. Now our goal is to get down to business. Visit schools, and really figure things out. We'll let you know how it goes. And I'll get some photos up asap.
