A bit hungry so we popped into the Pike Pub - split a grilled cheese - meh - and a beer flight. Good to be tucked into a corner after dealing with peeps all day.

This is

Us!

Lily Lifter was my fav.

Based on Valarie and Jordan’s experience, decided to visit the gum wall - gross. 🤮 truly people’s gum stuck to the wall in Post Alley.

In case you want to partake.

No- don’t touch it!!!

Popped in a few shops, had an ice cream and then one more beer stop at Locust Cidery - don’t go there for the beer - it is an afterthought for their ciders.

Pooped out - traffic, traffic traffic and more traffic. Decided to stop for one more on the way in downtown Renton before hitting the sack!

Picture compliments of Sharrie.

The troll.

Next up was to drive up to Blue Saucer cafe. This was located in an area that Valarie and Jordan are considering moving to. We liked the vibe of the area and drove up and down a few streets just to check it out on our way to our next stop.

Fancy tea for Diane , cold brew for me.

Forgot to mention, Sharrie was driving us around in her fancy Maserati 😜. She toook us to a small town - she had never been there either.

On the river trail - actually got to speak to the artist of this painting. He was fixing it up for some graffiti people had added.

Cute little painted flower boxes throughout the city

We just meandered around - shops, food \240and antique stores. Diane and I stopped for a wine tasting and then we had dinner and a restaurant overlooking the river. Salads and a glass of wine and called it a day and headed home - Sharrie’s casa :-).

On the bridge.

We continued our drive through the great tree 🌲 views and stop and go traffic. Found a winery to stop at called Columbia Ridge. Their snacks were good, the wine was decent and the service lackluster due to lack of staff. The view and weather on the other hand was amazing.

From the parking lot.

At our table :-).

Diane’s flight. Actually liked the Rose but the Pinot noir was both our favorite.

My flight.

Our cheeseboard. In addition we had bacon wrapped dates, which were the worst I’ve ever had.

We made it to the Kimpton Vintage hotel in Portland. Got checked in and the hotel was actually quite lackluster. Very small and tight security due to the crime in the area. Our room was very plain other than this beautiful cork art on the one wall.

We went to their happy hour and then took an Uber to David and John’s house for dinner.

David had damaged his leg so it was a little hard for him to get around, but we did enjoy our conversation. Flank steak, broccolini and rice on tap with chocolate cake and port wine for dinner. Somehow, I do not think we will hear from them again.

Back to our hotel for one final class of wine at the bar and then to bed.

Being the princess that I am, decided not to get my feet in the sand, so we did not get to see the puffins.

We continued our drive up to Astoria for lunch. Had wanted to go to a really cool looking brewery with seafood, but apparently that location collapsed and their new location did not have much of a view. So second up was this place called Buoy Beer. Diane had fried shrimp and I had the worst ever burger and barely edible clam chowder.

One final picture from Astoria - that bridge behind us is over 4 miles long and crosses the Columbia river into Washington. \240Oops - we don’t seem to have that picture :-).

Decided to make another stop in the town of Aberdeen and grab a beer. It just so happened to be pride bingo so we played a couple of rounds and did not win anything.

Great sign!

View of the marina - it is an island of course :-).

Bought those sunglasses and some cool art.

Had lunch at Doc’s Marina - again - food was blah - I didn’t even eat 1/4 of it. But here was me waiting for our table.

Comfy.

Decided to pass on wine tasting at Eleven Winery and we just had a glass of bubbly. Our wine pourer was friendly!

Nice new shades - PNW made.

And the last stop before taking the ferry back was Bainbridge Brewery. Beers were good!

Sat inside for most of the ride back due to the wind, but had to step outside to take a picture with that great skyline!

Hold your hair!

Time to go home - really long travel day due to delays so got home at 2:30 am.

Really enjoyed seeing Sharrie and Ella. Love her new place and neighborhood is great for walking.

I am floored again at how difficult it is to drive in this city and this area. All the streets are numbers in no order and wind around all over the place. Few highways, no one has ever heard of a frontage road and long lights. Google maps - you were our friend on this trip!

Really love the summer weather though!