I spent the last week of my U.S. trip back in Portland, finishing up errands and seeing peeps.
Somehow, I didn't take any photos of said people during this round of the visit - mostly food again (obsessed, much?) Regardless, I want to give a shout out to some friends that I didn't photograph, since they made my trip home feel so much like home. So, I'm using a couple of photos from the past.
I love this pic of Kate and Ken from our going away party last year. Kate's been one of my best girlfriends for the past few years now, and she's opened up her home to me on both of my visits to the U.S. I can't thank her enough for not only being an awesome, fun friend, but also offering up a fabulous guest room and car rides. Thanks Kate!
Josh and Laura are also awesome, fun friends, and have offered up a place to sleep and car rides multiple times during both of my visits home, and Ken's visit home in June. They also met up with me as much as possible while I was home. And they have two adorable pups that I love to pet. Thanks Josh and Laura!
Now, the last week of the trip, in photos...
A little day trip to Cannon Beach for a run along the coast, a walk on the beach, and Dungeness crab cakes. The Oregon Coast will always be one of my favorite places in the world.
Happy Hour!! I could write an entire post singing the praises of Portland's amazing happy hours. They pretty much got me through five years of accounting jobs, as meeting up with friends after work always brightened the days. So, I hit up happy hour with Ian and Karen at clarklewis. It was delish as always, and so great to catch up with Ian and Karen, two very kind-hearted and fun people.
Dots at my favorite cupcake shop, Saint Cupcake. Here we have a red velvet and a pumpkin, with a free side of bonbonbunbun. Love their new downtown shop.
Stopping for an Oregon brew at Clyde Common between errands one afternoon. In case you haven't noticed, I don't really mention beer on here. I've never been much of a beer girl, which seems like such a shame, living in Portland and all. However, being home and surrounded by affordable, good beer made me want to advantage of it (it's around $11 in Norway for a bad beer). This was an Upright Wheat - pretty tasty. For beer :)
Pierre, our British gentleman friend in Oslo, recently introduced us to the Pimm's Cup. When I saw one on the menu at Secret Society I ordered one up to see how close they were to what Pierre made us. Pretty close!
Quite possibly the best cocktail I've ever had (this is saying a lot, people). Gin, red pepper, mint, and lime at Toro Bravo. I typed it into my phone immediately after taking a drink, so I'd remember it.
I hit up the Portland Farmers Market at PSU with Josh and Laura. Had to get the old standby, Salvador Molly's tasty tamales. Didn't even have to wait the usual 15 minutes in line, since it was raining.
Josh, Laura, and I were mesmerized by the pepper roasting at the farmers market. It smelled like heaven.
Mini cookies from Two Tarts at the farmers market. Their version of the Oreo is amazing.
Oh look, humans! This is actually from the first round of P-town, but I just found it. Fire on the Mountain with Sam, Jakesta, Joe, and Joel. These guys are gentlemen, and scholars.
From the good ol' Whole Foods deli - turkey and brie sandwich with a side of smoked mozzarella pasta salad.
The good eats adventure came to an end with my departure from PDX. But not before I grabbed one last sandwich at Elephants, and these pretzels from the Made in Oregon store for the long flight back. These babies are incredible (and maybe not the most considerate thing you can do for your fellow passengers on a nine-hour flight, with the lingering taste of garlic they leave behind...)
The Moment of Zen for this last round was an an easy choice...
The Toro Bravo red pepper cocktail (can't remember the name). Loved. Tried to replicate it when I got back to Oslo, and got sort of close. Don't worry, I'll keep trying...
