I'm Back.... and I'm Back.

I’ve decided to come back over here and start blathering into the universe again. (I’m just kidding, I know there are some people who –used to –read this regularly)

I just spent the weekend in Denver where Katie and I surprised Natalie for her Birthday.

Denver is COLD this time of year.

It’s full of snow, it has some blinding sun, but it’s pretty as hell.

My favorite part of the trip was definitely getting to go out for high tea with the girls. If something similar exists in Phoenix, I haven’t found it (not that I’ve looked too terribly hard).

My least favorite part was my flight delay. Overall, I spent 11 hours in the Denver airport this trip. Getting in four hours before Katie wasn’t so terrible, after all, I planned for 9 hours of writing time in the airport, so I had things to do. But when I want to be home, delays push my anxiety toward the red line, and let’s face it… the airport is just one big cage of rude people in too much of a hurry who will push and shove to get into a line where they have to wait  anyway.

Upside: Both flights had fun turbulence.

This trip was my first experience with both AirBnB and Turo. I’ll admit, Katie handled all the logistical stuff for that (Thank goodness, because my memory is still hit and miss). The place we rented in Arvada was GORGEOUS, and the rental car was incredibly hassle-free. Also, I should point out that traveling with friends can sometimes be odd or stressful because we all do things our own way. Traveling with someone you’ve known for 18 years makes it all so much easier. Seriously Katie: you, me, vacation – Anytime.
 

But now that I’m home and we’ve done a grocery run, things can get back to “normal.” I’ve gotten to snurgle Lula and been all in Earl’s face. Laundry has been done (though I haven’t put away all of my travel stuff yet) and I’ve gone back to the normal routine of work.

Normalcy is my new lifeline.

Oregon Trip Part 4: Portland Again

Our last day in Oregon was our four year anniversary. We spent the day together in and around Portland. Starting with the Old Columbia Gorge Highway (which was closed because of snow for part of it) and Multnomah Falls.

 In Earl's defense, I was making a weird face as well at first.... and then I couldn't help but smile....

And then we went to the rose test gardens - which still had a few roses oddly enough, and the Japanese Gardens.

After we gardened out, we found a place to grab lunch. Earl wanted some Fish and Chips and I was looking for a good Clam Chowder. But Kim (the Vegan Mama's) Suggestion of the Hawthorn Fish House and their Cheddar Crab Chowder swayed my tastebuds.

That night we went to both the Rogue and Deschutes Breweries for drinks and some fantastic grub.

The next morning we went to the airport, ate breakfast at Gustavs, and then hopped on our plane for the long flight home....

 Goodbye Oregon.... Hello Arizona.

Oregon Trip Part 3: The Coast and Astoria

It rained the morning we left Coos Bay/North Bend.

I guess I'm not really fooling anybody.... It rained most of the time we were there.

We headed up the coast on a rainy saturday morning, which was nice. There weren't many people on the roads or when we stopped. Which I always prefer.

We stopped at a few of the places we stopped on our road trip up the coast in 2009.

Heceta Head - though we did not actually go up to the Lighthouse.

Cape Foulweather where we picked up a christmas present for Earl's mom.

And then we were in new territory as we drove through Tillamook. (though we did not get any cheese).

 And stopped for a little hike at Osborn East State Park.

And we had to stop in Cannon Beach for the Goonies Rock (Haystack Rock).

And then it was on to Astoria, where we stayed the night and then we went to see all the goonies stuff. Because Earl is a huge fan of the movie and I, love it as well.

We went to the goonies house - which I just realized Earl has pictures of, but I don't.... how odd.

 And that morning, the sky exploded.....

 Okay, so it's just the rising sun throught the Fog, but it still looks like a nuclear blast....

We went to the Maritime Museum.

 Where they had ALL the bells and whistles.

And we went to the Jail in the beginning of Goonies - it's now the Oregon Film Museum....

 And is right next to the Flavel house (where Mikey's Dad worked)

 And of course we stopped where Chunk shoved his milkshake and pizza into the window....

The stop was great was great, and though it wasn't intentional, I ended up posting this on Earl's Birthday. So.... Happy Birthday, Earl! I hope we get to take a ton of Road trips in the future where we can act like silly tourists and just enjoy being our weird selves!