Some not-terribly-exciting stuff

Once again, I've been a total blog slacker. But really, once again, we haven't done a whole lot of interesting stuff (either that or stuff you've already seen on here). But, spring is just about here so we should be getting out more! Lots of trees and flowers are blooming, which is really nice to see. I will take some pictures of that soon.

We celebrated our first St. Patrick's Day in PDX last week, which was actually not quite the spectacle I was expecting. I am used to SPD in East Lansing... lining up at bars at 7am, everyone's mouths green from the cheap dyed beer, and most of the city either passed out or arrested by 3pm. I must say, I enjoyed this much more! We spent most of the day at (where else) Rogue. Good beer and good people, can't beat that.

Mmmm, Imperial IPA

Um, this may be after a few Imperial IPAs...

We ran into my buddy Annapurna, a server at VQ... and the creepy
dude on the left wouldn't stop hitting on her

And of course, March Madness is here! I'm not a huge sports fan, except for MSU games, but something about March Madness is just so FUN. Last Friday we met up with our new friends (yay!) Kelly and Eric, who also moved here from Michigan last year, to watch MSU play. Kelly's mom is friends with Paul's mom, so the moms set us up on a blind double date. :) And they are totally awesome.

So, at the next table there were a group of crazy Canadians that decided to be our friends. I don't even know where to begin... it started with drunkenly singing college fight songs and the Canadian national anthem, and somehow ended up with this guy philosophizing with us while spraying french fries in our faces. Ah, the people you meet in Portland.

Guy #1, Guy #2, Eric and Kelly

Guy #1 with the Mayos

Guy #1 with the Fischers

So this guy's friends were telling us that he is a Canadian TV star, and whaddayaknow, he wasn't full of it: http://www.randallmark.com/. Haha! In his merriment, he also invited us all to stay at his house in Vancouver (his 4-bedroom house on 10 acres to be exact) whenever we want. I bet he thinks we won't take him up on it. :)

As of yesterday, I am officially car-less! I turned in my beloved Ford Escape, and we're gonna see how it goes without a car. Between our bikes, our feet, and all the transit here, I don't think we'll miss it very much. It will be cheaper to rent a car for any excursions than to worry about a car payment every month, for sure. Now I'm just waiting for someone to tell me I'm ruining the economy by not driving a car...

I think that's it for now! We'll try and do some fun stuff soon to liven up this blog. Promise!

Love,
Jenny

The Mayos emerge

After hibernating for most of February, we finally got out yesterday! It was our first day off together in a while, so we decided to take a drive while the weather was decent. We decided on Three Capes Scenic Loop, which took us out to the coast.

First stop was Cape Meares. We stopped off at a beach just before the cape to let Buckley run around a little bit. It was Buckley's first trip to a beach, and to an ocean.

Cape Meares is off to the left.

Buckley running away from an incoming wave... he was such a scaredy cat. :)

This is the view at the actual cape. It was just breathtaking.


Also at Cape Meares is the Octopus Tree, which grew to this shape due to high coastal winds. Pretty cool.



Another view from Cape Meares.


After Cape Meares was Cape Lookout, however the park required a day-use pass which we opted not to purchase. We'll probably go back when we have a full day to hang out and explore - it's a very popular beachcombing spot. Next was Cape Kiwanda, situated conveniently near Pelican Brewery. :) Of course we stopped for a beer, and after that I just forgot to take photos of the view. Oops. Well, here's the brewery!


On the way to our next stop, Tillamook, we stopped off at Munson Falls. Not quite as large as Multnomah Falls, and you can't get as close as some of the other falls on the Oneonta trail, but still very pretty.

Danger? "Danger" is Buckley's middle name.

We finally ended up in Tillamook, with only two things on our minds: cheese and ice cream. We headed to the cheese factory for a riveting free self-guided tour.

The cheese-packers.

My ridiculously delicious ice cream, Lemon Blueberry Pie.

And that was it! We didn't get to spend a ton of time in any one place, but it was nice to just get out of the city (after less than an hour of driving - oh how I love that). I look forward to spending more time in these places during the warmer months.

I can't believe it's March! Nice weather is right around the corner, and we'll definitely get out more then. Especially now that Paul is done with the bar exam! He took the exam last Tuesday and Wednesday, after months and months of studying and prep. He does not get the results until April, but I know he did great. I am so proud of him!!

And now, only two hours left until the new espisode of Lost. Can't wait (no spoilers, East Coast)!

Love,
Jenny