McMenamins Group

Later in the day, we went to a place owned and developed by the McMenamins in Troutdale, Oregon. The McMenamins group had bought this property and like they usually do, they renovated it into restaurants, a hotel, entertainment, and more. Other places that they have renovated have movie theaters and places to shop, and other forms of entertainment. McMenamins places can be found throughout Oregon and Washington.

The place we visited was an old renovated farm that used to be a poor farm and housed the poor.  It dated back to the early 1900s. It used to accommodate the poor from all walks of life, who helped and stayed under one roof together. They would be nurses, loggers, sea captains, business types, homemakers and builders, slaves, slave owners. They were a melting pot of nationalities as well. In all of their differences, they had one thing in common…they needed help. They would supply the much needed labor for the 300+ acre farm.

Now the McMenamins renovated the the big hotel. They have included restaurants, bars, and the nearby Ruby’s Spa, which is within walking distance from the hotel. They also make their own beers and wines. There is also an area that accommodates huge outdoor concerts.

We walked around the lush, well landscaped ground, through the outdoor eating area. Then we entered into the wine tasting area before going into Jerry’s Bar for a drink, to listen to the music, and take more photos. Hanging on the walls were paintings and posters of the Grateful Dead.

 

We ate dinner in one of the hotel restaurants. Later on the ride back home, I was totally content from my meal and with the music of the Grateful Dead, playing in my mind.

Another interesting day spent with my daughter and her husband.

Mount St. Helens

  

While waiting for my daughter to come back from work…she took a short day today, I threw together some homemade pasta sauce and meatballs for dinner tonight. But right now, I am excited about our upcoming trip to see Mount St. Helens in Washington.

As we drove through Portland’s downtown area, I could see Mt. Hood in the distance. Without cloud covering, I could see the entire mountain, especially the top. It looked like a perfect post card picture. And of course, I took a number of pictures from the car. On the left I could see Mount St. Helens. As we got closer and closer to Mount St. Helens…it got bigger and bigger!

While driving through the National Park to Mount St. Helens, we stopped first at the Visitors Center, where I had to buy a few post cards and magnets. I even purchased a small bottle of volcano ash. It wasn’t the real thing but a souvenir that I would put on my bookshelf in my bedroom. It would remind me that I actually saw Mount St. Helens!

Along the drive, we would stop at a number of look out areas where we parked and got out and took a number of pictures of the mountain. In the distance, we could actually see Mt. Adams, which is even taller than Mount St. Helens. Mount St. Helens has an elevation of 6,000 feet. Mt. Adams towers over it with an elevation of 11,000 feet. 

  Mt. Adams has snow on the top. It is to the left of Mount St. Helens.

The drive through the National Park was awesome; just simply breath-taking. All I could see were the mountains, a few creeks, and tall pine trees, which dotted the mountains and filled the sides of the road. As we got closer to Mount St. Helens, I could see the deep crevices along the mountain, where the lava streamed from the top of the volcano.

 

Our last stop was an observatory, where we could get a better close up of Mount St. Helens. As I gazed at this beautiful sight, I thought about when people talk about different states being God’s Country. I definitely would say this about Mount St. Helens, along with Mt. Hood, the Columbia Gorge and its waterfalls, all the mountains, and all the pine trees that grow along the river and on the mountains. Oregon and Washington have to be included in God’s Country!

And I Didn't Break It!

 

On Tuesday, I was on my own, since both my daughter and son in law had to work. So, I found a few things to do, like empty the dishwasher and fold the clothes from the dryer. Then I figured out how to use my daughter’s washer and dryer…I didn’t break it. I also figured out how to turn the television on, with a minor misstep…I didn’t break it. I made a much needed cup of coffee with my own make shift filter, tasted good…I didn’t break it.

Eventually, I dragged myself out and walked to the gym for a much needed work out. I found out that I have a universal membership to all the LA Fitness gyms throughout the United States and that was good news. Worked out awhile on the machines…I didn’t break it.

Afterwards, I found a Starbucks, which are everywhere, and got an Iced Coffee…apparently, my new favorite drink of choice these days.

On my wat back to my daughter’s house, I walked by a few more homeless people. A bike rider rode by me and I got a high off of his clothes. Pot is legal in Portland and a person can find one of the free standing distribution buildings throughout Portland.  (The picture underneath...shows my daughter's neighbor's four marijuana plants that are legal to grow in Portland.)

I got confused as to where I was going and had to stop into a tire store for directions, where the man asked me if I was going to the Plasma Clinic!

And I thought that I looked normal!

Japanese Garden

Sunday, found us traveling through the downtown area and headed for a tour of the Japanese Garden. The day before, we walked through the Rose Gardens and I definitely loved all the roses and the grounds. I really didn’t care if we went to the Japanese Gardens. But after walking the five acres of the Japanese Gardens, I was happy that we went.

Included in the Garden was the Wisteria Arbor, Strolling Pond with the Authentic Moon Bridge, Tea Garden, Zig Zag Bridge, Natural Garden, Poetry Garden, Pavilion Gallery and Flat Garden. I loved all the green and tranquil areas of the Japanese Garden. I especially found the Sand and Stone Garden and the Flat Garden the most intriguing to me. Maybe it was because the white gravel was raked in such a perfect pattern and design.

  

The Koi Pond included the beautiful and many design Koi Fish.  The fish had interesting colors, patterns, and scaling. We stopped and took a lot of photos of the beautiful fish and watched them swimming around. They seem to have a sense and purpose to what they were doing. 

I was glad that my daughter and her husband suggested the Japanese Gardens. I loved experience the Zen like feeling of the gardens, and now understand the simplicity and power of all of it. I think that if I had a Japanese Garden in my back yard…I would be sitting outside next to it and writing.