DAP, ADP, PDX.
I must apologize to our many thousands of fans for not being diligent with keeping up with the blog - but we were a little distracted! Mike D. came to visit! He arrived on Wednesday, October 15 around noon and left on Sunday, October 19 (incidentally, that’s my birthday) at 11pm. We did more in five days than we’ve done in the whole time we’ve been here - my brother is all about the action. Last week was all about the recovery, as we needed lots of sleep and cleaning post Mike.
Mike has some detailed entries about the trip on his blog, but I thought I’d also write about the adventures from our perspective. Right after Mike arrived, we had a tres classique lunch of mac and cheese and broccoli, preceded by some homemade salsa and chips. Some members of my family may think that my fresh salsa is more siesta than fiesta. That particular person may not get fresh salsa anymore. Yeah, that’s right, I said it. After lunch, we took an neighborhood trek, focusing on the lovely sights of Laurelhurst park and the holier-than-thou hipster-frequented coffee mecca Stumptown. Mike had a mocha, I had a latte, and Dwane had some drip coffee. (Author’s note: Dwane has mastered drip coffee at home - so much so that Stumptown’s drip tasted dismal in comparison! And another note: if you want a treat, order yourself a pound of fresh roasted coffee from cellist and roaster extraordinaire, Justin Kagan.) For dinner on Wednesday, we had a quick homemade curry (using Trader Joe’s fantastic Korma sauce) and Dwane and Mike sat down to watch the debate. I had to go rehearsal, but upon my return, Mike and I had some serious garage band time! Hopefully he’ll post our magnum opus “Bustin’ Up The Bad Guys” on his blog sometime soon.*
Unfortunately, I had to work all day on Thursday, but Mike was entertained by Sarah in the morning and Dwane in the afternoon. They took a hike around Multnomah falls:
Thursday night was Enchilada night, followed by some more garage band and then a showing of Pineapple Express at Laurelhurst theater. In this reviewer’s opinion, it was a pretty stupid movie, but also pretty funny. Oddly, I had thought it was about a train (where did I get that from?). I was wrong. Anyway, it was a perfectly themed movie for liberal Portland.
Friday was amazingly fun. We began with donuts at Voodoo Doughnut, a tourist must-see and generally wacky (in a kind of menacing way) place. I had a cocoa puffs donut, Dwane had one smothered in coconut, and Mike? Mike had this thing:
I believe it is as big as his head. After donut fun, we went to OMSI, courtesy of Ryan Schenk’s cousin Michelle and saw some stuff followed by A SUBMARINE TOUR.
This was the single greatest tour I have ever been on! I learned so much about submarines. For instance, did you know that women are not allowed to serve aboard a sub?
After the awesomeness that was the sub tour, we took Mike to McMenamin’s Kennedy School for some burgers, beer, and an Arnold Palmer for our teetotaler. I had a concert that evening so our adventure continued the following morning with my favorite activity: strolling around the Farmer’s Market with a coffee! Mike enjoyed the crunchy happiness of it all.
Mike joined Dwane in attending my concert that evening and then we headed out for a fabulous evening of karaoke! Check out Mike’s blog for a blow-by-blow.
Finally, with Sunday came my birthday, and we all brunched with Sarah at Pambiche, the Cuban restaurant down the street. I’m not sure if Mike mentioned the Guarapina, which is fresh pineapple juice sweetened with sugar cane juice. We both agreed that it was possibly the best drink ever. Dad D, of course, would argue for the cafecito, and their version of the cuban coffee was a pretty good take (not as good as Miami, though).
Mike and I finished up the trip with a wonderful visit to the Portland Japanese Garden (and a brief walk through the Rose Garden). The Japanese garden was extraordinary:
After my concert on Sunday night, we sadly had to bring Mike to the airport. His flight was on time and he made it safely to work in Canton, Ohio. Aw, Mike, we miss ya! We had such a great time. Come again soon.
* Yes, we are lame. Lame and AWESOME.
Mike D in the Land of Port!
Monday, October 27, 2008
It’s been so long, where have we gone?
