back from the west

We're back from our whirlwind vacation! Flew to Vancouver on Monday, stayed with Leah, met up with Ethan and Gee, did some sightseeing at Lynn Canyon and some shopping and some beaching at Stanley Park's Third Beach, rented a Ford Flex and the whole gang drove down to a J.W. infested Portland, drove back on Saturday and hung out with Teri, got up on Sunday and flew home. A great trip with great family and friends, blessed with gorgeous weather everywhere.

Not a bit of rain until Sunday; the much-vaunted rain of the Pacific Northwest held off until we left. Even then it wasn't a lot of rain. Portland is super cute, we went to Powell's Books and the Ground Control arcade and the giant rose garden and the Pittock mansion up on the mountainside, stalked Shain's old house from 40 years ago and had some Bob's Pizza. The hotel we stayed in was eerily reminiscent of the Castlegate, but with better service and cleaner. Looming as always in the distance was Mount Hood. Or, depending where you are on I-5, Mount Rainier or Mount Baker, capped with snow.

Here's a few pix; more to follow.


the famous suspension bridge hundreds of feet over Lynn Canyon

deep green mossy lush undergrowth

down in Lynn Canyon

Vancouver's Third Beach. Water was cold but not THAT cold.