Day 2: Portland

Day 2: Portland

QOTD:  Let me ask, I’m not sure

Pics: More shots from The Louisa (rooftop gardens), another bakery visited, partially eaten simit (sort of a twisted bagel, with sesame seeds on top, normally served with cream cheese), old plant within blocks of downtown, another view of The Louisa, and another view of Powell’s

Weather:  Intermittent clouds, sunny and clear, far less humidity, mid-70s

First: a side note about Powell’s, the best book store in America. THB used to buy pretty much all his books from Powell’s (free shipping if buying in bulk, THB buys books in bulk), mostly used, some very used and obscure, and some new. It is a great place to roam around in and get lost touching the product, six floors of pure pleasure. Then, THB’s eyes turned south and along came the Kindle with adjustable font. At that point, a shrewd investor, realizing THB was shifting his many purchases, might have gone short on Powells and long on Amazon. THB is not a shrewd investor.

Breakfast on the balcony with Peet’s café au laits, $5.20, NYT from Starbucks, $2.50, Pearl Bakery toast (from yesterday’s loaf). A long walk along the Williamette River, second breakfast at the Pearl Bakery: mini-levain, single portion of monkey bread-like pastry, one café au lait, $6.50. Grand total: $14.20 with newspaper.

Head upstairs around 11:30, sit with S&D while they babysit their two Portland male grandchildren while mom visits doc to check on her pregnancy (granddaughter on the way, due in 5 months). Mom returns, we set off for a tour of the boroughs and lunch at Grand Central Café and Bakery. Nice sandwiches, cookies (we end up with extras, inadvertently), jam pocket, and a simit, iced tea, S&D treat.

Gallery touring, where we see a great glass work by Ted Sawyer, local artist grad from Portland State. THB and DB had toured the show independently and both really liked the same piece, that’s a good sign. It needs to be displayed so you can see both sides, we’ll have to think about it for the loft.

Another visit to the Pearl Bakery to pick up a loaf for dinner, anb for the third (or is it fourth?) time in less than 36 hours THB has been waited on by someone who has no clue about the product (not just at PB, THB is putting veggie moussaka guy in this category and it happened at a 3^rd spot too). THB thinks we are here at some Portlandia moment when many of the experienced workers leave town for a month (in France, that’s called “August” – or however you say that in French, here it may be called “September”) and substitutes who look just like they live and work in Portland are put in their places for a while.  At least one of them had the courage to tell THB it was her first day. The rest are just trying to fake it and make it?

Dinner at S&D’s apartment on 16^th floor, skirt steak, grille veggies (at fluctuating market prices), baked red potatoes, Pearl Bakery bread (fluffy), salad, and Straw and Salt  goat cheese, habanero and berry ice cream in waffle cones, pinot noir and a viognier rhone style blend. All good!