Portland, OR

A few weeks back I got the chance to end my season of traveling with a fantastic trip to Portland, OR!  I love this city and my lovely friend Heather, who happens to live there!  

I hadn't seen Heather since living in New York - this year has just been one fantastic reunion after another. :)  

Heather is one of the best things that came from my experience in NY - it would have never been the same without her there and I am so lucky to still have her in my life! 

Some highlights of the trip:

I just love a good farmer's market - at the Beaverton Farmers Market

Staying at the Ace - a Portlandia clip is modeled after this hotel.  So hipster, yet so cool.

Watching Heather run the Portland Marathon!  She was AMAZING - I was so proud of all the runners and enjoyed being part of the crowd, cheering people on.  Woohoo Heather!!

I loved the return to "our theater" - best place to watch movies.  

As Portland is home to many local brews, I enjoyed several beverages.  I love a city that loves good beer. 

Being in Powell's reminds me of being in Strand in NYC.  There is something to say about rooms and stories of mostly used books.  Its inspiring and overwhelming all at the same time.  

After a visit to Portland State University (future grad school for me???) I went to Portland City Grill for yet another local beer and contemplative afternoon.  After eavesdropping on the perfect candidates for "Real Housewives of Portland", I looked over the fog-covered city, river, and mountain and just had a moment to enjoy.  

To enjoy being right where I was and to think of where I may be.  Its frustrating when a picture doesn't do a view justice, but this photo still triggers that moment for me...

And just like a photo sometimes cannot properly capture a view, it often fails to properly capture a feeling... but this one is close. 

I wish you could bottle up the perfect fall weather, breeze, and change, combined with a calm happiness and sense of being.  Simple joy is sometimes the best joy. 

If I were to describe the trip in a few words, they would be:

friendship

fall

freeing

future

A big thanks to my lovely Buxton hosts!!

It was lovely, Portland - until we meet again...