This is only my second time to Portland, but I remember it being weird and fun. It has not disappointed so far.
One of the first things we encountered yesterday on our first morning here was a man wearing a marijuana-leaf-print outfit smoking some very pungent weed in a city park. As we walked by, he called out merrily, “Happy holiday!” Tom’s a nice fellow, so he answered back, “You too!” It wasn’t until a few moments later that he realized the “holiday” was 4/20, not Easter.
We met Tom’s brother and his family at the farmer’s market where we wandered and sampled and purchased.
We made a stop at Powell’s, as one does when one is in Portland, but I’m sure there will be more stops.
And, of course, we had to take a walk down to the waterfront.
My favorite picture of the day is probably Owen and Gabe (Tom’s brother) in the outfield at Owen’s little league game. Like father like son?
It’s a little bit weird to be this much a part of another person’s family again in a way that I haven’t been since my divorce. Being called “Aunt Sonja” and fighting with Gabe over who pays the check and waiting until Owen goes to bed to tell dirty jokes and stories with f-bombs in them is all familiar family stuff, but in a strange context. It’s lovely, of course– just different. I wasn’t sure this would ever be part of my life again.
I’m lucky to have so many connections here in Portland, including one of my bestest buds, Jamie. I’ll be seeing her soon, too! I think one of my favorite things about traveling is finding that there are family and friends kind of all over the place, even if you have to find them when you get there instead of already knowing them.
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