Portland, OR 10-19, 10-20, 10-21, 10-22

Friday: Allan has a spacious apartment complete with catherdral ceilings. Paul and I decided to make some donations from Target to Allan's apartment while he worked in the morning. I think he will keep about 1/2 of our purchases. For sure the clock that ticks too loud and the laundry hamper with a cover were instant rejects. The TV stand/future coffee table and the coffee pot will stay. Other items are debatable. In the afternoon we headed out to a local corn maze, complete with a farm animal exhibit and haystacks for climbing. Dinner in downtown Portland at a great local cajun place.
Paul and I headed to the Pacific with Allan and Annie on Saturday AM. Annie arrived after her 12 mile run to 3 sleeping persons. It was a great morning for sleeping in with steady drizzle combined with intermittent downpours. When we arrived at the beach we were greeted by blue skies, a nearly empty beach and big surf. Paul's test of his new gortex hiking boots waterproofing was overwhelmed by an unexpected wave. We hiked a trail -- Allan and Annie went all the way to the mountain top, Paul & I went up a little more than 1/2 way up. Beautiful views of the Pacific from the mountain. Rain returned for the trip back. We stopped by Allan's office and air field enroute to Portland. Allan went out to see friends while Paul and I stayed in on Sat evening. Paul continues to battle a cold and it is nice to have a place to hang out at, a home.
Sunday, we dropped Paul at the airport. Allan and I met his real estate agent in downtown Portland. He is looking at 2 and 3 bedroom homes -- ranging in age from 75 to 100 years old. We saw an interesting variety -- all close to areas he'd like to consider. Some were clear rejects including the garage roof that is leaking and caving in. Then off to Allan's pickup ultimate frisbee game. I took a hike through the neighborhood [Dennis Kucinich stickers], met players and went with all to the local sports bar. We met Amy Walsh at the air port Sunday evening.
Monday, Amy and I considered going to the Pacific via Washington state but enroute we were greeted by Mt St. Helen's in the distance. We had absolutely perfect weather and decided to head there first and maybe go to the Pacific later. Well, Mt St. Helen's is further away than it looks so it was our only stop of the day - about 90 minutes from Portland. We were both incredibly impressed -- great visitor centers, hikes near the Mountain, interesting terrain. A recommended stop. We met Allan and Annie in Portland for dinner and walk along the waterfront.
Tuesday, we headed east, stopping in Pendleton, OR for lunch and a stroll around town. We did some shopping and continued on to Idaho.