Val’s Portland Chin-Up Tour

Mike calls my trip to Portland this weekend my “chin-up tour.”  We came down for a few appointments on Friday and intended to leave on Saturday morning after fitting in a trip to Powell’s, a walk on the river front, a good meal in the Pearl District and a quiet night in the hotel reading together.

Didn’t turn out that way.

So Mike headed home on Saturday morning and I got about the business of creating the Chin-Up Tour.   I did what every woman I know would do; called some friends, booked some spa and headed out in search of cool shops and delicious wine.  

The weather was gorgeous this weekend.   Walking along the river osprey, herons, bald eagles and kayakers all competed for my attention.  Mt. Hood reached for the sky, a quiet presence, a quiet reminder of peace and serenity and strength.

Portland Spa and Boutique is right along the Columbia River and is nestled between a couple of nondescript store fronts.  Calm and quiet, with water features everywhere.  A glass of cool water and an invitation to disrobe and soon i was on the table relaxing with a heated towel on my neck.  Ah.

I found my favorite new place, Thirst, a wonderful wine bar and bistro with outside seating overlooking the marina.   They serve great wines from the Pacific and have a daily Pinot Noir.  I have had it each day we’ve been here and if my luck holds, I’ll sneak tomorrow’s Pinot of the Day in before I hit the train.  They serve local cheeses and Salumi cured meats, olive flights with great bread.  The service is a bit lacking in it’s attention to detail, but the food, wine and scenery is outstanding.    The Pinots from Daedalus Cellars and Witness Tree were both delicious.   I had post-massage wine sitting in the sun reading the latest Ann Perry, and then a nap.  And it was back to Thirst for a late evening glass with my friend John.

Today I trundled back to the spa for a pedicure and a great cup of coffee, then met up with my friends Ro and Dave who had come up from Eugene.  We hit O’Conners for lunch in Multnomah, the off to Patagonia, REI and the NW district.  We went up to NW 23rd in search of a The Dapper Cap, a fabulous little hat store with over 2500 hats for men, women and children.  Three hats and a hat box later we’re walking back down 23rd ducking into local shops full of wonderful treats by local artists; food, jewelry, clothes, purses, shoes and more.

Then of course, back to Thirst!

Dave and Ro Ann headed back to Eugene and I headed up to my room to read Thirty-Three Teeth by Colin Cotterill and bask in the glory of my Chin-Up Tour.

Tomorrow, it’s back to reality and more visits to the OHSU doctors.