Southern Roots And Snow Boots: Off Island Adventure

I have enjoyed being on Kodiak for the last 8 months. The days are regular, easy, fun, and full of life. We just left for a little over a week to Portland, OR. Oh my. It was amazing. I have fully come to appreciate a fantastic meal, friendly faces, great wine/beer, culture, activities, warm air, greenery... was it hard to come back, definitely. Are we glad to be home. Yes.

Living on an Island makes you appreciate all the things you don't have on a regular basis, including Family.

We started our adventure with a beautiful Kodiak day and flew off Island with no delays. We met up with the Maine grandparents and set off to the beautiful Arch Cape. Our little beach house was a structural wonder, with fantastic charm and few shorts steps to the beach. Andy and I were spoiled with four lovely nights at the Arch Cape Inn (http://www.archcapeinn.com/). The sun was out and it was 60 for the weekend. It was awesome, beach combing, eating, laughing with friends. The wedding was small and lovely. Andy and I were chosen as witnesses to the ceremony and we were honored.

We finished our beach weekend with a trip to Astoria and visited the Lewis and Clark Winter Encampment, the Columbia Maritime Museum and ate along the river. A perfect end to the beach.

We moved into Portland, OR and visited the Pittock Museum. Its a beautiful Mansion built by the founder of the Oregonian Newspaper. Its beautiful. We of course toured on a rainy day, but the inside portion was awesome. We went to Powell's books, and had dinner at the Screen Door. yummy!

If it seems like we ate and drank a lot, we did. It was awesome. Next up food trucks and the science museum. At OSMI there is something for everyone and we enjoyed pulling levers, digging for fossils, engineering feats and learning how to skate board. At the food trucks we tasted our way around the world with lots of home made and wonderful little foods.

Wednesday is Winery Day. Six Wineries in the Dundee Valley. To note 2011 was a stellar year for the Pinot Noir. Many varieties were sampled and it was hard not bring them all home. It was a beautiful day to be outside exploring the vine filled hills.

Our last day in in Portland it rained. A great day to tour the Japaneese Garden. It was tranquil and lovely. The girls got to dress in Kimonos and par take in the mom/daughter day. It was beautiful if not wet. A must see if you go to Portland. The Rogue Brewery has a public eating house attached. The food was good, the beer was better :).

It was sad to say good bye, but great knowing we made the best of every minute with Mom/Dad (aka Mimi and Bubba). They seem so far away now, but soon enough we have another visit.

Enjoy the pictures!