PDX, will you marry me?

Just back from four fantastic days in Portland.  Oh Portland - I would SO marry you, but if all we can manage is a dirty weekend a few times a year, I will take it.

I was lucky enough to be invited along on the PDX adventure of dear pals A & J.  I've been to the city a couple of times before, but this time I really felt I got into the nitty gritty of this fantastic city, thanks to A's planning and their knowledge of the fun and quirky and caffeinated wonders the city has to offer.     From the PSU farmers market, to the bizarre urban goat yard, coffee roasters/baristas that take incredible (and justified) pride in their product, the quirky heritage home extravaganza that is Hippo, to beer and cheese festivals, to happy hours that were...well, happy...and great food throughout - there is no shortage of things to love. Oh - and the tax-free lifestyle is pretty easy to get used to.  As are coffee shops that have nibbles that are great - and $1.  ONE DOLLAR.  Nirvana.

I've said it before but I will say it again - if I were 25 yrs younger, I'd be living there and going to PSU, probably drinking way too much coffee and getting way too many tattoos.  The place is a hot spot of hipster culture, but somehow it dodges the annoying attitude you find in Vancouver.  There is something genuine and engaged about the young people there.  And I must say there are some gorgeous tattoos, on gorgeous people.

I will be back, my PDX love.  And if I'm good, and improve my cryptic crossword skills, maybe the best tour guides ever will invite me along again :)

And in other news, the bunkle is in the midst of getting a bit of a facelift...no more giant cherry tree, which seems to be making the whole house blush.  Not quite finished, but close.  The big reveal when it's all done, promise.

(And I'm not sure what is going on with this crazy oversized font...sigh.)