A Beautiful Day In Someone Else's Neighborhood

Last weekend my friend H. and I visited Oregon City. I mean, really visited. I've passed through O.C. (population 37,400) hundreds of times in my life. I've run a monthly kids' program there for nearly 2 years. But I've never dedicated an entire afternoon to just exploring the town. 

The day we chose to visit turned out to be beautiful, and I came bearing a list of places we could potentially check out.

Our first stop was the Straight Pioneer Cemetery (13014 Clackamas River Drive). Google maps took us in circles (and other shapes) before we finally found it. It's tiny, rustic, and tucked away off the beaten path. 

I'm assuming the Straights died after trying to caulk their wagon and float it.

Rest in what? We'll never know.

We found these cool bulbous things stuck to some oak leaves...

Next stop: Oregon City Antiques (1702 Washington St). We'd never been there, despite having visited about 20 other antique shops in the area. We've even passed through Oregon City to get to other antique shops (hello, Aurora!), but somehow managed to not realize this one even existed.

It was huge. And it had a basement, which was also huge.

Some highlights...

Mac Tonight, baby!

After spending at least an hour poking around the place (and buying a couple of things, let's be honest) we headed to Coin Corner & Hobbies (215 7th Street), which had been recommended by @BooneBuilds on Instagram. 

This place was also amazing. I'd never been in a store that had such a distinct devotion to toys from the 70s-00s. Barbies, LEGO, Micro Machines, Playskool, trains, Matchbox cars, Little People... and on and on...

I'd forgotten these existed...

Yeahhhh... those were seriously weird.

Next we took a little walk around the downtown area, grabbing a drink at Black Ink Coffee (503 Main St.), which shares a location with White Rabbit Books & Gifts, a cute little shop that I'd like to revisit.

Then we got back in the car and took a drive up the hill to about 4th and Madison. We proceeded to walk around this neighborhood. Lots of houses/yards were decorated for Halloween. Some yards were still works-in-progress.

We also checked out some of the historic homes...

And of course we admired some neighborhood cats....

Alas, we soon had to call it a day, but we definitely want to make a return visit! We have a shortlist of places we'd like to go on a future trip, including the Oregon City Municipal Elevator, St. John the Apostle Cemetery, and SuperThrift.

We'd also like to revisit the historic neighborhoods closer to Christmastime to see what kind of decor the residents will put up for that holiday.

So... maybe we'll be back soon!

 

From Port To Port

Today we're driving from Portland, Oregon, to Port Angeles, Washington. 230 miles o'fun.

When it's not raining, there's a really nice view out the car window...

There's an even better one inside....

Heh heh heh

Four hours later, we arrive in Port Angeles!

I should tell you a bit about Port Angeles. P.A. is famous for several things, notably:

*It's the place that has the ferries that can take you to Victoria, British Columbia,

annnnd

*Bella and her chums went there in Twilight. (More on that later....)

I myself am here because I'm visiting my aunt and uncle, who live in town. My mom's with me. We come here every year or two, only I can't remember when the last time was, but whatever, moving on....

 My aunt & uncle have a cat & a dog...

They are both adorable, as dogs and cats ought to be.

On our first full day in Port Angeles, my mom and aunt want to paint rocks and birdhouses.

So we paint!

Behold the as-yet-unfinished rock of strawberry non-glory!

That evening, we go for a walk -- my mom, my uncle, the dog, and I.

I'm carrying my camera.

I see an eagle!

And an airplane!

 My mom, my uncle, and the dog totally leave me behind...

:(

The next day, my mom, my aunt and I venture into the main part of Port Angeles...

Oh hey, what's this?

HEY WAIT A MINUTE! Didn't that used to be....

Twilight shop, noooooo!

I wrote about the place in 2010. And now it is no more. 

Moment of silence for the Twilight shop....

Surprisingly, the only Twilighty thing I see in the whole town this visit is a postcard that says "Welcome to Forks" It has a photo of the high school and a red pickup. Sort of sad.

We have lunch at this great place, I forget its name--

A Roy Rogers -- yum!

While waiting for our food, I play around with the macro settings on my camera...

...and we watch some football on the telly.

That evening, after dinner, we visit a nearby playground. And you know me -- I take pictures...

And why, yes, I did manage to injure myself! Twice!

Sadly, we leave Port Angeles the next day. The drive home is pleasant....

I am even allowed to get out of the car a few times and take photos.

Washington drivers are a fun bunch...

Hey, put those paws on 10 and 2, dog!

After a four hour drive, we are back in Portland. The past few days have been peaceful, but fun.

Next travel adventure destination: Minneapolis!