A perfect day in Portland

After a quiet evening in our room eating snacks from Whole Foods and a great sleep, we were up early to experience Portland. Norm managed to find a cafe on the way to the street car that supports those in need in the community and you pay what you want or more. Of course we paid more but had good pastries to start our day. Downtown Portland is a fun place to wander. Here we are at Pioneer Square watching a slightly senior group of musicians and baton twirlers doing there stuff. Beautiful public space decorated with flowers. Come back June 14 and they sell off the plants a dozen for $10. Until then they water them twice a day, two years ago the creators laid out a map of the world in greens, reds, purples, yellows and oranges. They call this spot in the middle of downtown Portland's living room. We hung out 'til noon to hear The Beat Goes On, a marching band of older musicians and baton-twirling seniors, collective age Norm figured at 2,000 years-plus. When we are old, we'll wear purple and learn the tuba.

 Even in a walker you can still make music! Next a classy wool store, Knit and Purl. Maybe on our way back. We have to remember we are on bikes. 

Lunch was at Deschutes Brewery, established 1988. Outside in the sunshine, drinking Chainbreaker beer, eating pizza and people watching - nice! 

Picture from our room but t-shirt from the brewery. They make the beer at Bend, Ore., but they drink a lot of it here in Portland's Pearl district, a renovated old warehouse district like Yaletown in Vancouver.

We spend the afternoon walking around the Pearl District, voted the most walkable neighbourhood in Oregon and an example of urban renewal. We did find some clothing items that should fit in our panniers. Next was Powell's Books. We tried to control ourselves and came away with only 3. No visit to Portland isn't complete without a visit to Voodoo Doughnuts. Yes Norman had a maple bacon doughnut! Mine was chocolate coconut. Yummy!

Tomorrow we get to take in two markets and an evening Starlight Parade. Should be fun. 

On to Hollywood (Oregon)

We've made it to Portland and are staying in the Hollywood neighbourhood. Caught the train in Mt. Vernon this morning  after a 6 km bike ride to the train station. OMG the first moments on the bike seat  felt like I was sitting on rocks instead of the bike seat. In time my bottom adjusted, thank goodness. The train ride was 6 hours and having 4 delightful wild and crazy, non stop talking women beside us helped pass the time. Note the paper around the second women's neck......it is the toilet seat cover and she referred to it as a Texan T-shirt. They laughed so loud and had such fun, it was hard to believe they were all heading to an evangelical conference in Rose Garden in Portland. 

And of course they took our photo too. 

Off the train and biked another 6 km to our motel, close to an historic route called Sullivan's Gulch. Only got a little lost but good old city maps on my iPad help find our way. We've checked out the Hollywood neighbourhood and found the important spots - Whole Foods, Starbucks, Antique City (old postcards found already) and a bike store. Norm feels right at home. Tomorrow downtown Portland beckons and probably Powell Books and I think a coffee or two. 

Metchosin to Mt. Vernon

On the road by 8.30 this morning, heading to Sidney to catch the noon ferry to Anacortes. Decided to take off the rain pants I put on since it wasn't really raining. Oops, not the best decision. It rained almost all the 44 km to the ferry. But we had 3 hours to dry off.

Here is Norman enjoying his newspaper with Friday Harbour behind him. Once in Anacortes we biked another 33 km to Mt. Vernon (rain continued) for a total of 77 km. Not bad for our first day. 

Norm found a Quality Inn right beside the I-5 but guess what there is no traffic! But wow are there traffic jams in downtown Mt. Vernon. TV says Skagit bridge will be fixed by mid June. And to complete our first day of biking we walked over to the DQ for burgers, fries, onion rings and a sundae. That's what biking lets you enjoy. Tomorrow we take the train to Portland.

Let the bike trip begin

We have the bikes! It was getting a little tense since Norm's new bike was to be here last Wednesday and then failed to arrive on Friday, then Saturday, but today, Tuesday he got it. Oh, I got a new one too, plus a light, new panniers, fenders, rack.......the full deal. We are set. Now we just need sunshine. Tomorrow morning we head to Sidney to catch the ferry to Anacortes then bike to Mt. Vernon. Keep in touch. 

Planning

Hopefully the weather will improve as we get ready for our two week bike trip to the Oregon Coast. Think I can get all this into two panniers? 

Bike ride to La Conner

Left early this morning on our bikes from Victoria to Sidney to catch the ferry to Anacortes. What a beautiful day! Met up with Val and Ken Baker at the ferry. Arrived in Anacortes just after 3 and headed to La Conner, only about 25 km away. The roads weren't too steep and the temperature almost too warm. By 5 we checked into our historic hotel, found a wine bar on the main street of La Conner to relax and sip many kinds of Washington wine then off to a dinner of seafood. A perfect way to start our 5 day adventure.