July 7 - Portland, OR

Today started off with a wander through the labrynthian Powell’s Books in downtown Portland (comes with a map to guide a visitor through 6 rooms over 3 floors), including parking in one of the most confusing parking garages I have ever been in. (We had to wait for the parking attendant to come to the car to give us instructions, then, once we parked, we had to give him the car keys.) Then lunch with Suzanne! She managed to schedule us in before an important delivery thankfully – her second child is due next week. We learned about the endangered Pacific Northwest tree octopus (from her “Think Before You Click” workshop for youth and the internet). It’s great to see old friends after so long!
Then the afternoon was spent wandering along Hawthorne, one of the trendy areas in town, eventually ending up in a smaller Powell’s bookstore outlet. We stopped in the attached coffee shop for a drink before heading ‘home’.

Walking around these neighbourhoods has been a wonder for our senses. Rosebushes, glads, pansies, nasturtiums, and tonnes of other that neither of us can identify. Beautiful gardens everywhere. And the ‘hens-and-chicks’ have all sprouted these tall protrusions – is it their centennial seeding time? Maybe one of you reading this can inform us about these odd plants.

We met up with Tom and headed up to Rocky Butte to admire the views, have a lovely hummus, pita, tomato and pear picnic. Afterwards, Tom and Toby got a chance to pass clubs (two consecutive nights of juggling for Toby). The cloud cover opened up enough for us to see the peak of Mt. Hood. (Or Mt. Wood, according to Toby.) Can only imagine how impressive it would be had the weather cooperated!