The final leg of our trip was to Portland, Oregon.  The ride was quick and scenic, a slight detour takes you to the Mt. St. Helen's visitor center, but the volcano was shrouded in heavy fog during our visit.






Our first stop was at the lively Saturday market, one of the largest open-air crafts market in the US.  "Elephant ears" are massive, flat pieces of fried dough, ours was slathered with apple butter and cinnamon.



Yes, the weather would alternate between heavy wind, sunshine, and rain.  Hardy Portland natives just rolled with it, whereas I was constantly adding and removing layers of clothing.



That night we ate at Jake's Crawfish, which had the fattest, tastiest mussels I had ever eaten.  So often we eagerly pry open those black shells only to find tiny, wizened mussels clinging to the inside.  But it was certainly not the case this time.  I'm getting a little hungry just thinking about it.



My morning wakeup call in the form of an almond croissant and a mocha from Stumptown coffee. 



A few shots of Pittock Mansion, a chateau built by the Oregonian mogul Henry Pittock on the west hills of Portland.  Not a huge place, but richly detailed with lovely views downtown.  I saw an engagement session and a bridal shoot during the brief time I was there.  Popular. :)





I'm not quite sure if the toiletries are in keeping with the era, but I would greatly appreciate having some "fairy soap" that is "daintily scented."









Afterward, we entertained ourselves at Finnegans for some time.  Don't we look cool?





I was very tempted to buy this.



We really liked Portland City Grill for two reasons: (1) happy hour and (2) amazing views of the city.  We had the papaya, avocado, and cucumber stack, the dungeness crab & bay shrimp bruschetta, and the calamari (devoured too quickly and thus not pictured).



And for a snack?  As if we hadn't eaten enough, we stopped by a quirky little landmark, Voodoo doughnut, frequented by tourists and locals alike.  Previously I thought sweet and salty should be separate flavors, and never the twain shall meet.  But their bacon and maple doughnut cured me of that notion.





Three excellent reasons why I like OSHU (from left to right): (1) wonderful facilities, (2) amazing views of Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helens, and (3) they have their very own farmer's market.



In case you wanted to go to the Great Wall of China, this helpful post will point you the right way.  Or perhaps you'd like to go to Timbuktu?  Only 6,726 miles away...



Heading back home