About: Portland, OR (again)

We got out of town last weekend and went to hang out in Portland. We (mostly me) just needed one more chance to get out of town before summer was over - Todd just loves the city and wanted to go back. It also happened to be his birthday - so the trip sort of ended up as his birthday celebration.

 The drive over is so beautiful - at least the second half...

 There was an absolutely terrible wreck on the other side of the ride and another up ahead of us so we crossed the river and drove up the Washington side - which we hadn't done before, it was very scenic - if a little windier than I like.

 Back on I-5 North, but in a very different part of it. 

 Grant and Jen and kids went too and set it up for us all to stay at his parents house, like last time. It's such a nice place to stay.

 Liam enjoying the pool all to himself.

 All of Saturday was spent in the city...

 The main thing Todd wanted to do was visit Powell's City of Books - it really is soooo big and so much fun.

 We went to lunch at a place Todd picked called Teote (sooo goood),  did some other shopping - the kids got school shoes, had several coffees, and just wandered as much of the city as we could before getting pooped. But before we went back to the house - ice cream. We had to drive to two Salt & Straw's to find out that didn't have an insane line.

 That evening we napped, swam, and then when the kids went to bed Todd and I and Jen and Grant went out to a late dinner on the water - we never get to do that! We actually got caught in a parade of old / fancy cars - like in parade. We got lots of funny looks and a few jeers, but we found it hilarious. It was a late happy hour at the restaurant and there were dueling pianos going and it was just a great evening.

The next morning we headed back into the city for doughnuts from Blue Star (I think they might be my favorite) and coffee. 

 We drove around a bit more and went over to IKEA to do a little damage. 

 Afterwards we met our friends Amy and Karl for lunch (did not take pictures - so sad!) and then headed back home. 

We stopped in Hood River - more coffee - and walked around their river front area - lots of little shops, parks, and some good beach. We wished we had left earlier and had time for a swim!

Idaho welcomed us home with an incredible sunset...

 It was super fast - maybe 40 hours - but it felt like a real getaway.