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My trip started out great. Nice day for a drive down to Portland, didn't get lost ,(it's a pretty common occurrence, no big deal, every road leads somewhere,) found the Naked Winery in Hood River (try the red called Orgasmic!), made my way to my sister in law's house where I had dinner and then we headed downtown Milwaukie somewhere to find a wine bar. Turned out to be a pretty cute place, Wine:30. And this is where my trip could have turned to crap. We went out and my car wouldn't start. At. All. Dead. I guess I've already told that part, but, bear with me.

We attempted to jump it with no luck, so my brother in law took me back to my hotel. They had a busy-ish morning the next day so I didn't ask them for any help getting things going the next day. I just figured I would take care of it. And I did. The next morning I went downstairs, asked for a phone book and called Les Schwab and a cab, with some assistance from the WONDERFUL front desk clerk -- she was awesome! As I said, the guy from Les Schwab was there when the cab dropped me off, and I was nearly ready to roll. Those Portlanders are something else, doing that stuff in the rain with a smile on their face! Way to go! You guys are my heroes. I was irritated to be out in it for just a few minutes...

So off I went back to the hotel. Awhile later my sister in law called to check in and see if I needed anything. We ended up meeting later at Peet's coffee - another yum stop! I ended up there on accident while searching for the Clackamas Center. Then I drove in circles trying to find my way out. Luckily my sister in law was able to give me directions when she arrived later.

That night we went to a birthday party in Portland for my brother in law. It was at Old Town Pizza. MMMMM!! Yes, I wish I had taken my camera, it was a beautiful building with a lot of neat brick and woodworking, cool lighting and windows. After dinner we moved the party to Prost!. Another fun place that would have photographed well. It had stopped raining and we sat outside where it was a really mild evening. I met some friends of my sister & brother in law and had a couple drinks. Later it was back to the hotel.

It's fun to see so many neat places. My hometown gets a new place once in awhile but once you've been there, you've been there. Old Town Pizza is a do-over with the family some time. Prost! is a definite do-over with My Honey.

The next day wasn't without its own adventure. My dad in law's tire had gone flat. Not just flat, but a hole in the white-wall flat. Needed to be replaced, flat! On a Sunday! So he worked on that for the better part of the morning then it was off to Claim Jumpers for lunch and then on to the coast. We left rainy Portland for the beautiful coast. Who knew?

It was fun hanging with my mom & dad in law and my other sister & brother in law, but kind of lonely for my family too. I felt like a 5th wheel a LOT, and had to do some serious talking myself out of feeling left out, because I wasn't. Ever. But it's just one of those things, you know, that recording that plays when you're feeling vulnerable or uncomfortable or something? That one. I just had to turn it off a few times is all. Tell myself I was being ridiculous. Because I was.

We ate well! One night we ate at Tidal Raves, which was pretty good. The view was gorgeous and of course it was time for the sunset which made it even nicer. We waddled home after eating a HUGE dinner. Oh, and the Pendelton Lemonade? MMMMM!

Another night we at at Georgies. Now, that's the place! I had a delicious Artichoke & lime soup, (to die for! just think of artichoke dip, in a bowl, all for yourself. So rich, but so delicious) and halibut with pasta and alfredo sauce on the side. MMMMM! MMMMM!!! (Double-MMMM!!)

There's more to tell, check back later --