Saturday, June 27, 2009

Portland... one big commune.






Today was a really long day. After trying to find a good place in the Redwoods with the biggest, most lush trees I didn't leave until almost 4 o'clock. I was one mile away from the Oregon/California state line when I got a speeding ticket. Of course I sped thru Oregon anyway, some people never learn their lesson. I was ready to get to Portland and see my friends, Aaron and Kelly. It's always nice to see a familiar face when you've been traveling this long. When I arrived, it was almost nine and me and Aaron went and had a beer, (Hamm's beer  is Portland's PBR, and is quite delicious), and a bite to eat. He showed me around a little and the next morning I did a four mile stroll around the city. Meeting up with Amber at this coffee shop called Fine Grinds, I met Luke and Ruby. Ohhh Ruby, he was a true joy to be around and I was a little disappointed that I only got to hang out with these two for about three minutes. We ate raspberries and sunbathed in his back yard for a couple of hours then I walked back to my friends place where I was staying.  Aaron and Kelly moved here last year and he had the opportunity to open his own piercing studio called, The Velvet Elvis. Well, I had planned on getting my yearly tattoo at some point on this trip, so this was probably as good of a time if any. Of course Aaron would know who to recommend, and Dan, was a terrific artist. He gave me a great deal and did a superb job. Very pleased. So far every time we roll in town people want to take us out on the town, but me and Kelly my last evening here did face masks and polished our toes. They were in the process of moving so I helped them pack up the kitchen and tried to reduce some stress on their part. Portland to me has it figured out. Everything here just makes sense. People literally take their yards out and put gardens in. Growing food, always leaving unwanted items on the corners for others and walking down the street in the middle of the night was not the least bit intimidating.  Portland is like  one big commune. Fantastic! 

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