‘Places’ Archives
St. Johns
Portland is known for its great neighborhoods. Annexed to the city in 1915, St. Johns still maintains a fierce character of its own, with a downtown of storefronts, coffee shops, restaurants and a fencing salon. Aside from the peaceful charm of the downtown, St. Johns is one of Portland's most dramatic neighborhoods. It is one of the [...]
Farmers Insurance Call Center
I spent a little time at the Farmers Insurance call center in Hillsboro, Oregon, and was amazed at how hard they work to keep their workplace a positive place. There's an on-site gift shop filled with cheerful items like balloons, paper sunflowers, painted pots, butterfly magnets and more. And on the walls all around the building are huge [...]
Sauvie Island
I've been house-sitting on an island just north of Portland. Today, it was stunningly beautiful. Sauvie Island is a country paradise. The island is home to organic farming co-ops, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, beaches, and 12,000 acres of wildlife area. It plays host to 150,000 migratory birds. According to the Sauvie Island [...]
Portland Laughter Yoga
Looking for a place to get a few good laughs? At Portland Laughter Yoga you can get in a good belly buster while getting your workout. From their website: Laughter Yoga is a unique new physical activity where anyone can learn to laugh for no reason at all! It is a perfect blend of playful and energizing laughter exercises. These laughter [...]
Temporary Coffee
Thanks to Serene Bertram of Portland Oregon for today's recommendation. Portland is a coffee town. There are boutique coffee houses all over. Today, Serene walked into one with a funny sign in the window. Yup, it's pretty temporary. A branch of Water Avenue Coffee, Temporary Coffee has opened up on Water Ave in a temporary spot [...]
Pix Patisserie
If you're in for a divine treat, Pix Patisserie in Portland, Oregon, is THE place to go. Actually, the 2 places to go, as there are two locations to get your Pix fix. Where else can you get such deliciousness presented so beautifully as the Concord (chocolate meringue, chocolate mousse, and chocolate ganache are hidden by sticks of meringue and [...]
Soaking Tub at the Kennedy School
Part of the venerable McMenamin’s family, the Kennedy School is housed in a 1915 schoolhouse that was once part of the Portland school system. In addition to 23 classroom/guest rooms, the property includes 5 bars, a huge, interesting restaurant, a theater pub and a soaking pool. Located where the teacher’s lounge used to be, the [...]
Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta is one of the most awesome places to be. With approximately 700 hot air balloons in the air, it's the largest balloon festival in the world and truly is a sight to see. In fact, it's been said to be the most photographed event in the world. If you're looking for something breathtakingly awesome, make a trip [...]
Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains
Okay, the folks who live in Southern Idaho are going to be displeased that I’ve shared this, but it really is one of the most awesome places I’ve ever been. The Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho are beautiful. Whenever I see pictures from Patagonia, or Alaska, or the Alps I think, “that looks like Idaho!” All because of these mountains. [...]
Cargo
Cargo is one of the most awesome places in Portland's Pearl District. 20,000 square feet of imported awesomeness. Everything from furniture to bowls to books to jewelry--and then some. Just walking through there on a lunch hour I go back to work feeling as though I've traveled half the world. Don't live in Portland? You can take a virtual [...]
