July 30, 2008
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Heroin, Portland and Wake & Shake!
Our last day in Oregon was spent in downtown Portland yesterday for a quick Dim Sum lunch followed by a trip to Powell’s (the biggest independent bookstore in the world). Then we headed over to the trendy new Ace Hotel for some photos in their old fashioned photo booth.It’s funny how things change. The Ace Hotel used to be a total dive called the Clyde Hotel when I first started making monthly visits to Portland 18 years ago. Several scenes from the movie Drugstore Cowboy were filmed there, and believe it or not, it’s the first (and only) place someone ever offered me heroin!! It was my first time on a business trip in early 1990 and I met some people at The Fish Grotto across the street, who invited me to their room at the Clyde. I naively went, only to find them all going into the bathroom to shoot up. Suffice it to say I got out of there quickly!
We finished our afternoon visit in Portland’s “living room”, Pioneer Square. As I sat on the red brick steps, I remembered all of the fond memories Portland holds for me. Good friends and amazing times. It’s always nice going back. Thanks to Marcelo & Emily for hosting our large brood, and thanks to Christine for coming up with the idea of visiting the Oregon coast again (when it wasn’t 30° and raining!)
The flight home was clear and beautiful and I got some great shots of Mt. Hood. This morning, I was working from home when the earthquake hit. Luckily, my Dad had earthquake proofed my house last year, and I’m happy to report that everything that was hanging on the walls stayed in place. Thanks Dad! The picture frames on my shelves weren’t so lucky, but other than a little broken glass, my home was completely intact. (Though, the shaking ceiling fan on high was a little scary!) It was the biggest earthquake I’ve ever felt, and only the third since I moved here in 2002. It kind of felt like one of those shiatsu massage chairs that you sit on at Brookstone, that knead your back with rolling balls. It felt like there were huge ball bearings moving across the ground. Crazy! So LA welcomed me home with a bang and my short vacation was over. I need a vacation!
Christine & Carey in Portland’s Chinatown.
The Hotel Vintage Plaza was always my home away from home in Portland. One year I stayed there 160 nights!
Portland’s “Living Room” – Pioneer Courthouse Square
The statue behind Drew & Christine needs that umbrella ten months a year, but not yesterday!
Christine in front of Pioneer Courthouse
The Broadway Bridge over the Willamette River.
The I-5 Bridge over the Columbia River between Portland, OR and Vancouver, WA.
The majestic Mt. Hood.
Downtown LA at the bottom and Dodger’s Stadium at the top.
Comments (15)
i love that downtown LA shot w/dodger stadium!
That is our way to say welcome home! Nice to have you home just in time to share the “ride” with us! One of my pictures fell off the wall here, too, and I had to clean up the broken glass. Make sure you vaccum the floor real good so that our hero (you), and his cute cousins, visitors, and dogs do not get broken glass on their feet. Welcome home!
the only thing that looks chinatown-ish in that pic is the gate. what’s up with that?
glad you had no damage – earthquakes are foreign ground for this midwestern boy! those are some great pix of mt hood. here’s hoping you and your friends can do it again soon. peace, Al
Great pictures. I’ve heard what a great city Portland is. It’s nice to see how pretty it is.
Those turned out really well. I love photobooth, I have so many from the past, and cannot pass up an opportunity to try a booth out. The Mt. Hood picture is incredible! It was a fantastic day. Miss you already.
@generasianx - Thanks Tony. I was actually surprised how well that one came out. The plane was at a weird angle and I didn’t think it would be any good.
However, I was taking the picture from inside the gate looking out, so there’s not much to see.
@stevew918 - What a nice comment!! Thank you. Though I’m hardly a hero. I will take credit for the cute cousins having some of my genes though. LOL. Thanks Steve
@JonasApproved - Yeah, I know. It’s no SF.
@pukemeister - Earthquakes are foreign ground for this Midwest boy too! I don’t think I’ll ever get used to them! Thanks.
@jeffersonpart2 - Yep, Portland is really pretty. Especially the 2 months a year it doesn’t rain! LOL
@cshetrone - I love how you look in that picture of you and Drew in Pioneer Square. I don’t have many “normal” smile pictures of you, and you look so beautiful in that one! A true pregnant glow!!
wow, the old fashioned photo booth is awesome~!!
I never realized what a nice-looking city Portland is. I always enjoy checking out your pictures!
@wherethefishlives - Thanks – Yep, Portland is a bit of a hidden treasure. It’s a very livable city if you can stand the rain!
glad you faired well after the quake.
great photos. loved the majestic so beautiful
you were a very smart boy to run out of that bathroom. smart one you were.
whoa it’s sunny in seattle.
@ibizajb - Porltand actually, but I heard it was sunny in Seattle too.
@razzlebash - Thanks. I’m glad you liked the photos!
ooo looks liek someone had fun. and mmm dim sum
that street pole sign is confusing…. @_@
@Sc12EeN17aM3 - You should come with me next time Jad. You would have fun!