Scouting Trip

In October 2006, J took a trip to Portland, OR for a job conference and ended up really loving the city. It was a place that we both talked about visiting someday, but at the time, a 4-day trip all the way across the country seemed like a bit of a stretch for me. I opted instead to take a shorter weekend trip with him to Boston in early November. Boston was great (we were engaged that weekend), but I kept thinking how it would have been awesome to share the experiences of that first trip to Portland.

I the midst of extensive research to populate our "Top 5 Places to Live" list, I found that Portland looked great on paper. It has great public transit, lots of parks, a cool downtown, lots of beer.... I also found that just about every person who has visited can't get enough. Even still, I couldn't help thinking, what if they are all wrong?

My practical nature would not allow me to fall in love with a city that I had never visited (even though I desperately wanted it to be as cool as everyone said). Besides, what if we moved there and found that it really is a city of rabid granola eaters? I'd seen a lot of people in photos wearing hiking gear. Was I prepared to give up my cute black pumps for brown boots? I also heard that umbrellas are a faux pas in the Rose City. Could I handle the perpetual bad hair days caused by hats and rain?

Fast forward one year. We're right back to Portland.

This morning we catch a plane to PDX and barring any freak snowstorms we will arrive just after lunch. (Chicago O'Hare, I know we've had a rocky relationship, but I didn't really mean all those things I said. Please don't make me regret this apology.)

J and I have a full itinerary in order to absorb as much of the city as humanly possible. This is arguably the worst time of year in Portland weather wise, so if I can handle it this weekend then we're set. Hopefully we will revisit some of J's favorite spots from the 2006 trip and explore other areas for the first time together. I can't wait!