We just returned from Portland, Oregon. Fortunately, I only lost Internet signal for a few hours on some of our drives so this was a seamless working vacation. I’m doing a few quick loads of laundry and starting to pack again–I’m heading off on my annual sojourn to the American Society of Journalists and Authors Conference in New York. Until my re-cap of the conference later this week, here are a few highlights from our trip, starting with a writer’s obligatory visit to Powell’s Books:

I went home with a new literary journal and my love had several machinist books shipped home–because they weighed more than me!

We did three hikes on our trip and this was my favorite…

…to Elowah Falls. It’s what I imagine waterfalls look like in Hawaii.

Hiking was required to get a closer look at Mount St. Helens – the observatory opened two days AFTER our visit.

The Cigar Bar aka Detention at McMenamin’s
One of the restaurants we went to was McMenamin’s Kennedy School, a former elementary school converted into a restaurant, hotel, four bars, and a theater!

We came upon the Tillamook Air Museum by happenstance.

The old wooden hangar reminded me of a barn. I love barns. 🙂
When you’re married to an aerospace engineer, you have to stop at every aviation museum in the area. We also visited the Evergreen Air and Space Museum in McMinnville – and went inside Howard Hughes’ infamous Spruce Goose!

Evergreen Air and Space Museum

On our drive along the Oregon coast we stopped at the Devil’s Punch Bowl. During low tide you can walk inside…but we didn’t plan our trips by the tides.

Stay tuned for food highlights later this week…
Donuts! I know that place through friends. Thx for post–Oregon is in our future, so very good to read. Beautiful photos!
Thanks, PB! Yes, Portland is known for Voodoo Doughnut, but I actually found a competitor’s doughnuts were better. My post later this week is ALL about doughnuts!
If I ever get to Portland, my first stop will be Powell’s!
How did you tear yourself away? 🙂
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