Things to Do in Portland and After
Back in the fold of welcome obligation and responsibility, I look back on a long and enjoyable weekend in Portland, Oregon. And while I didn’t get to catch up with dear old friends in nearby Seattle (Phil), I did get to reconnect with a big part of who I am, meet a grand new addition to that part, and let go of things for awhile.
Things to do in Portland when you visit Ken, Paige, and Ava:
1. Be introduced to Cuban coffee and enjoy it immensely. You may wonder why it takes a visit to Portland, Oregon to experience this uniquely Miami treat, but you’ll get over it and ask that the tedious process of preparing another effeminate-looking cup begin again. 2. Drink White Russians for no reason whatsoever. Just do it because you can. When following a Cuban coffee, they are particularly refreshing. 3. On the Thursday of your arrival, go see the Portland Beavers play the Fresno Grizzlies in a Triple A match-up. Marvel at the absolutely stunning PGE Park and how it strangely reminds you of Fenway Park but doesn’t seem to do that for anyone else. Drink too much discounted beer because it is “Thirsty Thursday.” Heckle the Grizzlies because it is always fun to be an asshole at a minor league baseball game. 4. Go to the Space Room Lounge after the baseball game and revel in the pure and delightful seediness of the place. Drink too much Makers Mark and make sure Ken drives home. 5. Go to the Kennedy School and be shocked that someone has literally refurbished an entire old elementary school and turned it into a series of bars, restaurants, luncheon rooms, theatre, and lodging. Bask in the odd nostalgia that walking those wooden halls offers. Have the barbecue sandwich and thick Ale for lunch. Stop and shake your head that such a place exists. And then kick yourself for not thinking of it first. 6. Go to the Oregon convention Center for the annual Ceramic Showcase and enjoy that all-too-rare glimpse of originality. 7. Visit sprawling Laurelwood Park and watch your friends play with their toddler. Take pictures. Throw bread to spoiled ducks. 8. Go to lunch at Cool Runings and have the best Jerk Chicken sandwich ever. Mix the best homemade hot sauce you’ve ever had with the best red beans and rice you’ve ever had and make jokes while you perspire and try to manage your running nose. 9. Scoop up Baby Ava, and love on her, and make her laugh, and read to her, and make her fly like an airplane, and tickle her, and put her down for her nap, and miss your Boy tremendously. 10. If you love a dive and strong drinks, go to the Bear Paw Inn and feel at home. 11. Go see Todd Snider at the Aladdin Theatre and grin like you just invented music. 12. Enjoy two and a half days of stunning weather. 13. Enjoy a beautiful rainstorm emanating from a soulful grey sky. 14. Stay up all night talking and drinking and act utterly baffled when it is 7:15 a.m. 15. Take pleasure in the fact that some friendships never diminish, but grow like Oregon Douglas Firs and Georgia Pines, surviving distances and years that often weaken the strongest things. 16. Buy a bottle of Veuve Clicquot and toast to good friends. 17. Stay up all night again talking and drinking and *nurse your brutal hangover all the way home (*cold draught beer in Denver, Colorado will help you do this).
Back in the fold of welcome obligation and responsibility, I look back on a long and enjoyable weekend in Portland, Oregon. I hold my Boy and kiss his smile. I play along with “Hey, Daddy, Watch ‘dis”! I give him airport treasures. I bathe him and wash his hair. I explain to him (again) that I don’t like carrots. Or grapes. I break inside just a little when he says, “I’m so glad you back from seein’ Baby Ava.”
And later, as Emerson sleeps, I sit on the side of his bed and watch the rhythmic rising and falling of his chest. Our breathing is synchronous. And I wonder what a man like me did to deserve the visitation of such grace.
Things to do in Portland when you visit Ken, Paige, and Ava:
1. Be introduced to Cuban coffee and enjoy it immensely. You may wonder why it takes a visit to Portland, Oregon to experience this uniquely Miami treat, but you’ll get over it and ask that the tedious process of preparing another effeminate-looking cup begin again. 2. Drink White Russians for no reason whatsoever. Just do it because you can. When following a Cuban coffee, they are particularly refreshing. 3. On the Thursday of your arrival, go see the Portland Beavers play the Fresno Grizzlies in a Triple A match-up. Marvel at the absolutely stunning PGE Park and how it strangely reminds you of Fenway Park but doesn’t seem to do that for anyone else. Drink too much discounted beer because it is “Thirsty Thursday.” Heckle the Grizzlies because it is always fun to be an asshole at a minor league baseball game. 4. Go to the Space Room Lounge after the baseball game and revel in the pure and delightful seediness of the place. Drink too much Makers Mark and make sure Ken drives home. 5. Go to the Kennedy School and be shocked that someone has literally refurbished an entire old elementary school and turned it into a series of bars, restaurants, luncheon rooms, theatre, and lodging. Bask in the odd nostalgia that walking those wooden halls offers. Have the barbecue sandwich and thick Ale for lunch. Stop and shake your head that such a place exists. And then kick yourself for not thinking of it first. 6. Go to the Oregon convention Center for the annual Ceramic Showcase and enjoy that all-too-rare glimpse of originality. 7. Visit sprawling Laurelwood Park and watch your friends play with their toddler. Take pictures. Throw bread to spoiled ducks. 8. Go to lunch at Cool Runings and have the best Jerk Chicken sandwich ever. Mix the best homemade hot sauce you’ve ever had with the best red beans and rice you’ve ever had and make jokes while you perspire and try to manage your running nose. 9. Scoop up Baby Ava, and love on her, and make her laugh, and read to her, and make her fly like an airplane, and tickle her, and put her down for her nap, and miss your Boy tremendously. 10. If you love a dive and strong drinks, go to the Bear Paw Inn and feel at home. 11. Go see Todd Snider at the Aladdin Theatre and grin like you just invented music. 12. Enjoy two and a half days of stunning weather. 13. Enjoy a beautiful rainstorm emanating from a soulful grey sky. 14. Stay up all night talking and drinking and act utterly baffled when it is 7:15 a.m. 15. Take pleasure in the fact that some friendships never diminish, but grow like Oregon Douglas Firs and Georgia Pines, surviving distances and years that often weaken the strongest things. 16. Buy a bottle of Veuve Clicquot and toast to good friends. 17. Stay up all night again talking and drinking and *nurse your brutal hangover all the way home (*cold draught beer in Denver, Colorado will help you do this).
Back in the fold of welcome obligation and responsibility, I look back on a long and enjoyable weekend in Portland, Oregon. I hold my Boy and kiss his smile. I play along with “Hey, Daddy, Watch ‘dis”! I give him airport treasures. I bathe him and wash his hair. I explain to him (again) that I don’t like carrots. Or grapes. I break inside just a little when he says, “I’m so glad you back from seein’ Baby Ava.”
And later, as Emerson sleeps, I sit on the side of his bed and watch the rhythmic rising and falling of his chest. Our breathing is synchronous. And I wonder what a man like me did to deserve the visitation of such grace.
posted by Ryan at 1:33 PM
9 Comments:
What a great trip! I don't know if you read about my Portland trip last summer in my archives, but Georgia took me to the Kennedy School a few times during my visit. I loved it too. Did you go to the Detention Bar? How cool.
I vote for bringing Emerson with you when you visit Phil. That way you two can catch up, and I can hang out with the cute kid.
Aw, MAN! You have to come visit. Your guest room is waiting, Ry.
It really was a great trip, MJ. I had forgotten that you went to Oregon and have since reread those entries. I saw the entrance to the Detention Bar but I don't think it was open at the time. I was really blown away by the whole place.
Samantha, I'm all for bringing Em and he would most certainly be encouraged to hang out with you. But I always like making new friends and wouldn't let him monopolize you. I'm thinkin' a little duct tape and a lawn chair for the Boy? Keep him out of trouble while you and Phil show me around?
Scr., Keep that room ready. I do hope to make it back to Seattle sometime. Had time not been so short, we likely would have tried to make it up Sunday for a visit and Todd Snider's show.
I get the feeling that you have more work to do on the left coast.
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