PORTLAND...Family and Friends

Good food and company at Jake's with Mary Ellen and Gunnel

Monday, August 3... with Mary Ellen

I was so fortunate in Portland. I had three friends I wanted to see and in spite of their busy schedules I had time with each. I emailed my cousin Mary Ellen and was thrilled to find that she didn't have to work on Monday morning (Gunnel was busy that morning so it worked out perfectly). After leaving Cynthia's, ME and I met for breakfast and family chatter. We were discussing how I could get downtown to a special bookstore when she said "What the hey! I was just going to clean the kitchen floor today. Why don't I go with you."

The Seattle light rail is great and before long we were in Nordstrom's (for Clarins). We wandered around some of the downtown stores for a while on our way to Powell's Books. This is a bookstore that I've heard about for years. and it is a great find. I think if I lived in Portland I would spend half the winter here.

Gunnel called after her meeting and came on down and met us at Powell's. We ended up having a great time at Jake's which is one of Portland's landmark eateries. I wish I had seen their web page before ordering! I might have been more adventuresome. My salad was very good, though.

Tuesday, August 4 ... with Gunnel

This was a interesting display at Rex Hill Winery. Each glass contains an aroma that is discriptive of a characteristic that may be found in wine. Chocolate, figs, cherries, earth, spice.

Gunnel and I have been friends since Laura and Tina were about three. We have traveled together and always have fun. Today was no exception... we went wine tasting. We enjoyed the wineries we visited so much that we poked along and only made it to two places. Oh well, they were good ones.

Now it is really time for me to get home!