Dora & Boots take on Portlandia

We have made our way to the West Coast Portland, I must say I like Portland, Maine much better.

We are here in Oregon for 2 nights/3 days staying in a beautiful hotel in the heart of the city center, downtown. Exploring a new US city is always fun and especially with my silly partner in crime. We have laughed so hard due to our thin blood and frost bite feelings in our feet. Too tired to write last night I will recap the day in order before today’s adventures begin.

At 5:30 am we headed to the Phx airport. I know who leaves so early….I wanted to escape as soon as possible. Always love to runaway. My plane seat mates a lovely 30-something couple who just moved 4 months ago to Arizona for the sun. They tell me all about the must sees and how friendly people in Oregon are, although too liberal for them. Another reason why they left. They love DT. Now after one day of being here I understand why they moved. I could NEVER live here. It’s grey-gloomy with a chill in the air and we learned it rains 221 days a year.

Everywhere is green, dense beautiful green trees with the fall leaves in many shades of color. That part is beautiful. Lots of bridges and water. We jump on the MAX, the city public transportation. A cheap $3 easy ride from airport to our hotel doorstep. We are staying in the Pioneer Square area for any readers familiar. It’s centrally located to everything within walking distance. We made our way to Tasty & Adler’s for a snack. Yummy sweet Brussels- delish, and a signature dish called the “ Whole Toad, it was egg, gruyere bread pudding with spices that you eat on a toasted baguette and with salad. We filled our tummy’s and walked to Powell’s bookstore.

For any reader buff, this is like a place you dream of, especially me who is sad that book stores are going out of business. This gigantic 5 story building takes up an entire city block. The rooms are labeled by colors….a red room, purple room, rose room, etc. I was stunned that they has 3 aisles of cooking books. Every topic is displayed here. Travel, adoption, surrogacy etc….. ALL topics. I’m hoping we go back as 1.5 hours was not enough. I collected a handful of books in a wheely cart to sit on a bench to checkout. Boots sat with Michelle Obama’s book and was dozing. It’s been a full day and the best is yet to come, lol

We walk back to hotel to get in warmer clothes, gotta layer up as the bus tour was cancelled so I found a Segway tour. In hindsight not the best activity for winter months 🙂 Why we are back to being Dora and Boots and not just Laurie & Audrey……

My trooper mommy was once again filled with nerves as we made our way to the meeting point. I’m lucky she doesn’t say no to me 🙂 We meet Natasha, our private Segway guide for the day. Yes, no other tourists are as dumb as me ha ha ha. Natasha could be on Broadway, she is a performer in a BIG way. A true Leo type vibrant bold personality and has fun at work. She does 4 tours a week rain or shine and has a loud fun spirit. She never cancels a tour or they would be out of business. She is a native and teaches us so many historical facts about the city. Again the parts I love about a tour, it brings the buildings to life with a story. We buzzed through Portland State University campus, passed the Art museum, historical society museum etc. By the time we could stop for the 10 min warm up break our feet and hands had frost  bite. No joke we can’t feel our feet that we are laughing and crying so hard. My mom thinks it’s arthritis but I tell her it’s just cold limbs going 10 miles an hour through 40 degrees. Thankfully we had wrapped up with multiply scarfs. We pass city hall, federal buildings and court houses. Over 2 bridges and through parks. Marijuana is legal here and smoked down by the river. We breathe in the second hand potent smoke and finish this adventure. Natasha recommends we use a blow dryer on our feet once home. Great idea……we laughed and complained the whole way back. This MAX train through the city is awesome and easy to use. A very well planned out city.

We defrost, blow dry our feet rest and change for dinner. A scrumptious meal awaits. Portland is a foodie town and all about farm to table dishes. Dinner was yummy, I went to bed early and got a much needed 10 hours of sleep. It’s a rainy day today and we have planned a food walking tour. Food trucks are a BIG deal here as they line every street.

More details to come……. 50 Shades of grey Heathman Hotel up next

love Dora and Boots!