Sometimes I tell a story that I want to share, sometimes its just to write...and then there are the ones that I think and think about...the ones that are so much fun...that I just really like to keep to myself. The times that are so much full of good memories, the friends are deep down to the bones kind, and the laughs are non stop. That was my time in Portland in July.
Zode, me, Kate, and Simone
Simone and I had this great road trip planned...but I must let you know 5 important things about this friend of mine:
1. She talks funny…like Aussie funny.
2. She is prim and proper…likes her chai tea.
3. She is a retired speed walker, no kidding.
4. She is an expert massage therapist.
5. She drives not so good
She had never been to Portland before...had all the things mapped out that she wanted to see. We were staying with my bestie friend Kit and his family…I luv Kit like no tomorrow…always have and always will.
Kit, his son and baseball player Keaton, and me.
We flew in Thursday morning, picked up our rental car, dumped our luggage, put Nuvi in (gps)and headed out downtown. Yep Simone is crazy fun and likes to go about as much as me...but she must have her tea:) We checked on Kate...she was the driving force behind our road trip…Kate was racing the Rev3 half distance in Portland along with a few others...but since she had to eat proper and sleep proper and be good...Sim and I took in the sites for her. Downtown was found, a great lunch spot, coffee, chocolate, a bit of shopping, more coffee, laughs, getting caught up on life...just like old times, it was the best day ever.
I luv this sign, cause it kind of reminds me of Simone…really really you just have to know her. She is 100% tradition, 100% pure, 100% quality, and 100% a breath of freshness! What a start to a wonderful weekend.
Sim luvs the architect and is a happy snapper...likes to take it all in. But I had to keep telling her to watch out for cars:)
We went to the Rose Gardens, The Japanese Maple Garden, The Pearl District and the Original Sump Town Coffee Roasters. Memories for a lifetime...what I will always treasure.
I was treasuring this day in July in the Rose Gardens with Simone…and treasuring myself...cause this has only been the 2nd time I have ever been away on my own without kids on a grownup vacation! Yep 17 years is way to long to have a little bit of me time.
Next up was the Japanese Gardens...three elements that make up the gardens, Stone which is the bones of the landscape... Water which is the life given force...and Plants which are the tapestry of the four seasons. Kind of like my life, the gardens were so beautiful and peaceful…what I strive for every day. Often I succeed, but then there are those days that I fail…that’s why I needed this time so very much.
After we explored, we had a good quick dinner with Kate...she was so ready to race...I think just so she could have her pot dinner post race dinner. Another thing that is an Aussie tradition. Kind of like a frozen pot pie if you ask me:) That is a story in its own right!
Coffee mid afternoon…Simone tried to give me a talk or two about my picture taking...maybe I should get serious, but I get serious, it becomes work...and right now it is funOh my I am tired, big power walk tonight...getting ready for another adventure in a few weeks...off to bed. I will continue the second chapter to this wonderful Portland adventure tomorrow…after all there was a race involved..and it was a great one at that!
A good thought to leave you with though and to think upon:
When we recall the past, we usually find that it is the simplest things-not the great occasions-that in retrospect give off the greatest glow of happiness. A Bob Hope saying…
The water falls at the Gorge “Latourell Falls”. A walk that was filled with more beauty...to be continued:)
