Portland, the first three days
Here we are in Portland, checking it out. I’m trying the city on for size and Billy is having meetings to check out job opportunities. We arrived on Saturday.
Thumper did really well on the plane. 
At the end of the flight we received many compliments on how good-natured he is. I’ll admit our fellow passengers looked nervous when they saw us boarding with a baby. No problems, though. He nursed on the way up and the way down, slept for about an hour and a half and played happily with us most of the rest of the time. There was a bit of fussing when he got tired, but it couldn’t have amounted to more than a few minutes total for the whole five-hour flight. Quite a relief. I was nervous about the flight. We didn’t get him his own seat, but the flight was only half booked so we had a row to ourselves.
The weather has been dry and sunny for the most part, so apparently I’m not getting much of a sense of Portland weather. This city is so beautiful it’s almost unreal. Seriously seriously unreal.
See–sunny:
Giraffe parking:
The central library, land of very friendly, helpful librarians:
I’m finding it impossible to take photos that get across just how lush this place is. I mean…everywhere trees and shrubs and most of them in flower; these great towering willows and oaks shouldering over the streets. The entire city smells like honeysuckle. Seriously. But I can’t take a single picture that gets that across. It’s stunning…absolutely stunning. I’ve done a decent amount of traveling, and I didn’t know a city could be like this.
Billy had meetings today, so Thumper and I were on our own to wander around and explore. We may have stumbled across a yarn store and I may have accidentally bought a skein of Sea Wool. Whoops.
Later on, we met up with Billy and did some more exploring and stumbled across another yarn store, which was closed. Sad for me. Good for my budget:
Tomorrow we start looking at houses. I’m rather excited about that. The sun has been lovely, but I’m kind of hoping for a bit of rain before we leave, so I can see what the weather’s usually like.
I’ve only got intermittent web access, but I’ll check in again before we leave on Friday.
Welcome to Oregon! You came at a great time for weather. I’m looking out my window at Mt Hood and Mt Jefferson in clear blue skies. Sorry you won’t get to see rain on this trip 😉
But the rain is one reason it IS so green out here! LOL!
Posted by: Michele
The pictures of Portland are nice, but I really like the picture of your two smiling men!
Posted by: Marie
Look how happy Thumper is! What an adorable picture. This isn’t that unusual of weather for us. Even when it rains it tends to be such a light mist you don’t even notice it. It is the fact that we have stretches of grey days that bum people out. But I say, have a cozy fire in the fireplace, a great book, good food and a knitting project and look at the grey as what makes the fabulous lushness possible.
But yes, it is astoundingly beautiful. Hey! You want to find some of the fun character of Portland, you and Billy should find Voodoo donuts tomorrow! Anthony Bourdain thought he had died and gone to heaven!
And if you want to wander around fun areas, 23rd is great shopping, OMSI will be fun for Thumper and the rose gardens/Japanese gardens are wonderful. Did you find Powells yet?
Welcome to Portland, help keep it weird!
Posted by: Laurie
Would it turn your stomach if I said:
“AwwwwwwwwwwwwwWWWWWWWWWWWwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!”
Too bad! Don’t know if you’ve heard of this company but you might enjoy…
http://www.microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/title/337/
Posted by: Cirilia
Keep your eyes peeled for tiny horses attached to those hitching rings like the giraffe. It’s an art project [The Portland Horse Project] and I love it. Every time I go up there I take my camera and see how many I can find.
And this is typical summer weather for Oregon. Every May since I’ve been here we get a streak of the hot and sunny, then dip back into the cool and rainy for a few days before hitting the dryness that is summer.
Posted by: TheBon
Those look like two very happy guys. You must be doing something right…
Posted by: Suzanne
Thumper really is the smiliest, happy-looking kid!!! I’m sure he was an angel on the plane.
Posted by: miss ewe
I’ve only seen Portland in weather like that, too (Labor Day weekend a few years back). It’s charming! I love that it’s so neighborhood-y and such a walking city. Quick! Find a Coffee People before you leave!
Posted by: Lynn in Tucson
hey–I MET Anthony Bourdain in Voodoo Donuts last June (while out for my husband’s birthday party), but haven’t had a chance to see the segment aired.
you’re making me feel very, very ungrateful all those times I resisted moving there and all those times I visited and found things I didn’t like about it. A year and a half of that later, I got it.
Posted by: k
Welcome to Oregon! You came at a great time for weather. I’m looking out my window at Mt Hood and Mt Jefferson in clear blue skies. Sorry you won’t get to see rain on this trip 😉
But the rain is one reason it IS so green out here! LOL!
Posted by: Michele
The pictures of Portland are nice, but I really like the picture of your two smiling men!
Posted by: Marie
Look how happy Thumper is! What an adorable picture. This isn’t that unusual of weather for us. Even when it rains it tends to be such a light mist you don’t even notice it. It is the fact that we have stretches of grey days that bum people out. But I say, have a cozy fire in the fireplace, a great book, good food and a knitting project and look at the grey as what makes the fabulous lushness possible.
But yes, it is astoundingly beautiful. Hey! You want to find some of the fun character of Portland, you and Billy should find Voodoo donuts tomorrow! Anthony Bourdain thought he had died and gone to heaven!
And if you want to wander around fun areas, 23rd is great shopping, OMSI will be fun for Thumper and the rose gardens/Japanese gardens are wonderful. Did you find Powells yet?
Welcome to Portland, help keep it weird!
Posted by: Laurie
Would it turn your stomach if I said:
“AwwwwwwwwwwwwwWWWWWWWWWWWwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!”
Too bad! Don’t know if you’ve heard of this company but you might enjoy…
http://www.microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/title/337/
Posted by: Cirilia
Keep your eyes peeled for tiny horses attached to those hitching rings like the giraffe. It’s an art project [The Portland Horse Project] and I love it. Every time I go up there I take my camera and see how many I can find.
And this is typical summer weather for Oregon. Every May since I’ve been here we get a streak of the hot and sunny, then dip back into the cool and rainy for a few days before hitting the dryness that is summer.
Posted by: TheBon
Those look like two very happy guys. You must be doing something right…
Posted by: Suzanne
Thumper really is the smiliest, happy-looking kid!!! I’m sure he was an angel on the plane.
Posted by: miss ewe
I’ve only seen Portland in weather like that, too (Labor Day weekend a few years back). It’s charming! I love that it’s so neighborhood-y and such a walking city. Quick! Find a Coffee People before you leave!
Posted by: Lynn in Tucson
hey–I MET Anthony Bourdain in Voodoo Donuts last June (while out for my husband’s birthday party), but haven’t had a chance to see the segment aired.
you’re making me feel very, very ungrateful all those times I resisted moving there and all those times I visited and found things I didn’t like about it. A year and a half of that later, I got it.
Posted by: k
Yeah! Nice to think of you here enjoying our lovely weather! This is what summer is like here–July 4 through mid-October. You found Knit-Purl, our high end store… Close Knit is cool, especially with Bolt next door. Hope you can make it to Mabel’s for ambiance. Lint is really good, too. Have a good time!
Posted by: Julie
Are you going to be here Wednesday? We have a great knitting circle with kids on Wednesday afternoons at my house in SE PDX, just around the corner from Mabels. I’m well-known on the PDX SnB list at yahoogroups. If you want to come by and have some snackies and knit with us, we’d love to have you! Just email me. It’s going to be nice Wednesday so we’ll probably knit in the garden.
k: I envy you.
Lynn in Tucson: Coffee People, ils sont mort. They got bought by Starbucks and the whole chain is gone. Look for Stumptown Coffee now, its own stores and people who use their coffee. V v good.
Posted by: Lynn S.
be still my beating heart – how adorable is that happy, happy pic of Thumper and his dad? Ahhhhhh…
Portland looks absolutely beautiful and you hvae found 2 yarn stores already! can’t wait to read about the house hunting – lots of luck with that, may you find something perfect!
Posted by: Kellie
Moving is exciting. Totally relocating to a new city is beyond exciting. Stressful, but exciting. Enjoy the time that is going to be a landmark date in your memory. (“That was before we moved to Portland.” “That was the first year we lived in Portland.” “Thumper started walking just after we moved to Portland.” You get the idea.)
Posted by: jessie
Two yarns stores located in your first three days. I’d call that a successful move! Good luck on the househunting. Thumper looks very excited about the move.
Posted by: Jennifer
Wow. It’s as pretty as a Canadian city. 😉
I’m glad things went well for you with Thumper on the flight. Here’s hoping it goes just as well on the trip back!
Also, that yarn is exactly your color, almost like it had your name on it.
Posted by: LaurieM
What a cutie picture of those boys!
Posted by: Mandy
Portland is really beautiful. Sniff. I’m SO CONFLICTED because i’m really really happy for you, but selfishly, it makes me sad that you’re going to move. But now I have one more reason to visit Portland. Your boys look so happy in that photo! Good luck with the house hunting. xoxo
Posted by: regina
Oh gosh, the smile in that last picture is priceless! 🙂
Posted by: Laura
A couple of my best friends moved to Portland last year. When I talked to them last week, they said that Portland felt like home in a way that St. Louis never did.
So I guess it’s a pretty nice place. I hope you like it there!
Posted by: Emily
Great news about the plane trip! Happy you are loving Portland. Happy house hunting!
Posted by: KT
Yay, you’re here and the weather is perfect. Welcome to the land of a thousand yarn shops — we’ve got so many and each has its own special “feel”. I’ve lived here almost three years and I still haven’t visited them all. Have a wonderful time.
Posted by: Janice in Camas
De-Lurking to say welcome to the Pacific Northwest! I’m up in the Seattle area, but have nephews at Portland State. It’s a great city, I wish I could get down there more often. Good luck on the house hunt!
Posted by: Visionsister
Cari, this is the first sun we’ve had in about eleventy seven months. We are enjoying it as much as you are!
Posted by: LeAnne
Yeah! Nice to think of you here enjoying our lovely weather! This is what summer is like here–July 4 through mid-October. You found Knit-Purl, our high end store… Close Knit is cool, especially with Bolt next door. Hope you can make it to Mabel’s for ambiance. Lint is really good, too. Have a good time!
Posted by: Julie
Are you going to be here Wednesday? We have a great knitting circle with kids on Wednesday afternoons at my house in SE PDX, just around the corner from Mabels. I’m well-known on the PDX SnB list at yahoogroups. If you want to come by and have some snackies and knit with us, we’d love to have you! Just email me. It’s going to be nice Wednesday so we’ll probably knit in the garden.
k: I envy you.
Lynn in Tucson: Coffee People, ils sont mort. They got bought by Starbucks and the whole chain is gone. Look for Stumptown Coffee now, its own stores and people who use their coffee. V v good.
Posted by: Lynn S.
be still my beating heart – how adorable is that happy, happy pic of Thumper and his dad? Ahhhhhh…
Portland looks absolutely beautiful and you hvae found 2 yarn stores already! can’t wait to read about the house hunting – lots of luck with that, may you find something perfect!
Posted by: Kellie
Moving is exciting. Totally relocating to a new city is beyond exciting. Stressful, but exciting. Enjoy the time that is going to be a landmark date in your memory. (“That was before we moved to Portland.” “That was the first year we lived in Portland.” “Thumper started walking just after we moved to Portland.” You get the idea.)
Posted by: jessie
Two yarns stores located in your first three days. I’d call that a successful move! Good luck on the househunting. Thumper looks very excited about the move.
Posted by: Jennifer
Wow. It’s as pretty as a Canadian city. 😉
I’m glad things went well for you with Thumper on the flight. Here’s hoping it goes just as well on the trip back!
Also, that yarn is exactly your color, almost like it had your name on it.
Posted by: LaurieM
What a cutie picture of those boys!
Posted by: Mandy
Portland is really beautiful. Sniff. I’m SO CONFLICTED because i’m really really happy for you, but selfishly, it makes me sad that you’re going to move. But now I have one more reason to visit Portland. Your boys look so happy in that photo! Good luck with the house hunting. xoxo
Posted by: regina
Oh gosh, the smile in that last picture is priceless! 🙂
Posted by: Laura
A couple of my best friends moved to Portland last year. When I talked to them last week, they said that Portland felt like home in a way that St. Louis never did.
So I guess it’s a pretty nice place. I hope you like it there!
Posted by: Emily
Great news about the plane trip! Happy you are loving Portland. Happy house hunting!
Posted by: KT
Yay, you’re here and the weather is perfect. Welcome to the land of a thousand yarn shops — we’ve got so many and each has its own special “feel”. I’ve lived here almost three years and I still haven’t visited them all. Have a wonderful time.
Posted by: Janice in Camas
De-Lurking to say welcome to the Pacific Northwest! I’m up in the Seattle area, but have nephews at Portland State. It’s a great city, I wish I could get down there more often. Good luck on the house hunt!
Posted by: Visionsister
Cari, this is the first sun we’ve had in about eleventy seven months. We are enjoying it as much as you are!
Posted by: LeAnne
Cari, this is the first sun we’ve had in about eleventy seven months. We are enjoying it as much as you are!
Posted by: LeAnne
So, what has happened with your FIRST house?
Posted by: Mary K. in Rockport
I have friends in Portland who moved there from Monterey, and they love it. Glad the weather held out for you, and it’s funny how any yarn with “Sea” at the front of it kind of jumps out and lands in your bag, eh? I had a similar Sea Silk accident. Sigh.
Posted by: Lee Ann
Sounds/looks great so far. Very exciting!
Posted by: Steph
I don’t think you’re going to get any rain, dude! But don’t worry, you’ll get your fill once you move here. Happy house hunting, and if you get a spare minute, give me a call or shoot me an e-mail, and maybe we can do coffee or dessert!
Posted by: Mariko
My sister lives in the Pacific Northwest, and every time I got to visit, I have the same reaction — it’s so GREEN! I tell ya, it’s good for my soul. 🙂
Posted by: Katinka
Coffee People! Powells (with Fup!)! The Rose Festival! All the bridges and waterways and Saturday Market! Sometimes I miss Portland. If you have a chance to get out to the coast, head to Cannon Beach – it’s one of my favorite places in all of the PNW. I used to drive out there every other weekend just to sit on the beach for a few hours, to get away from the pressures of school.
Also, your menfolk look adorable. *G*
Posted by: moiraeknittoo
Close Knit is my favorite yarn store in town! A very lovely woman owns and opperates it (her husband takes a shift on Sundays too).
You have to try to get back there to see it and experience the atmosphere there. Just makes you want to sit and knit all afternoon.
Posted by: shannon in oregon
yay…you made it and love it! i was catching up as i have been a little busy, since april 24. glad to hear that ou love portland. i, too, moved because my husband felt i would love it. it is such a gem and i miss it at times. maybe we will run into each other when tim an i visit our family. swing by my blog and check out the boys, they are here!
Posted by: mamie
Welcome to Portland, I hope Sellwood is one of the neighborhoods you are house hunting in. Have a wonderful time looking.
Posted by: Otter
That picture is in front of my LYS!
Have fun looking at houses, Cari! That’s one of my favorite things to do here, and I’m not even in the market for one right now. So many cute and old and lovely and downright unusual houses here.
The weather has been particularly lovely this week, but honestly, don’t believe everyone who tells you the weather has been terrible. Except for a week or two in November and a week or two in April, it has hardly rained since we moved here in August.
What’s most interesting about all of Portland’s lushness and flower is how early it started! I swear, I started to see some flowers as early as late Jan/Feb!
Posted by: Michelle
Portland has always been one of my favorite cities. So has Eugene, a bit south. But I’m sure they’d much rather have YOU than US (gads, not MORE CALIFORNIANS!?!?).
Glad Thumper did well on his flight. Good job, Mr. T! 😉
Posted by: Mother Chaos
What a wonderful new adventure for you three. How exciting!! A new start. New Yarn stores. New Friends to make. I’m almost jealous!
Have a wonderful time and keep us posted on your progress. Hope you get to see some rain. Is that where they have the amazing fish markets? I could be wrong but it comes to mind.
Posted by: Michele
Oh, I’m so glad it’s going so well, and that you’re getting such a good vibe from the city. Yay!
Posted by: alison
Cari, this is the first sun we’ve had in about eleventy seven months. We are enjoying it as much as you are!
Posted by: LeAnne
So, what has happened with your FIRST house?
Posted by: Mary K. in Rockport
I have friends in Portland who moved there from Monterey, and they love it. Glad the weather held out for you, and it’s funny how any yarn with “Sea” at the front of it kind of jumps out and lands in your bag, eh? I had a similar Sea Silk accident. Sigh.
Posted by: Lee Ann
Sounds/looks great so far. Very exciting!
Posted by: Steph
I don’t think you’re going to get any rain, dude! But don’t worry, you’ll get your fill once you move here. Happy house hunting, and if you get a spare minute, give me a call or shoot me an e-mail, and maybe we can do coffee or dessert!
Posted by: Mariko
My sister lives in the Pacific Northwest, and every time I got to visit, I have the same reaction — it’s so GREEN! I tell ya, it’s good for my soul. 🙂
Posted by: Katinka
Coffee People! Powells (with Fup!)! The Rose Festival! All the bridges and waterways and Saturday Market! Sometimes I miss Portland. If you have a chance to get out to the coast, head to Cannon Beach – it’s one of my favorite places in all of the PNW. I used to drive out there every other weekend just to sit on the beach for a few hours, to get away from the pressures of school.
Also, your menfolk look adorable. *G*
Posted by: moiraeknittoo
Close Knit is my favorite yarn store in town! A very lovely woman owns and opperates it (her husband takes a shift on Sundays too).
You have to try to get back there to see it and experience the atmosphere there. Just makes you want to sit and knit all afternoon.
Posted by: shannon in oregon
yay…you made it and love it! i was catching up as i have been a little busy, since april 24. glad to hear that ou love portland. i, too, moved because my husband felt i would love it. it is such a gem and i miss it at times. maybe we will run into each other when tim an i visit our family. swing by my blog and check out the boys, they are here!
Posted by: mamie
Welcome to Portland, I hope Sellwood is one of the neighborhoods you are house hunting in. Have a wonderful time looking.
Posted by: Otter
That picture is in front of my LYS!
Have fun looking at houses, Cari! That’s one of my favorite things to do here, and I’m not even in the market for one right now. So many cute and old and lovely and downright unusual houses here.
The weather has been particularly lovely this week, but honestly, don’t believe everyone who tells you the weather has been terrible. Except for a week or two in November and a week or two in April, it has hardly rained since we moved here in August.
What’s most interesting about all of Portland’s lushness and flower is how early it started! I swear, I started to see some flowers as early as late Jan/Feb!
Posted by: Michelle
Portland has always been one of my favorite cities. So has Eugene, a bit south. But I’m sure they’d much rather have YOU than US (gads, not MORE CALIFORNIANS!?!?).
Glad Thumper did well on his flight. Good job, Mr. T! 😉
Posted by: Mother Chaos
What a wonderful new adventure for you three. How exciting!! A new start. New Yarn stores. New Friends to make. I’m almost jealous!
Have a wonderful time and keep us posted on your progress. Hope you get to see some rain. Is that where they have the amazing fish markets? I could be wrong but it comes to mind.
Posted by: Michele
Oh, I’m so glad it’s going so well, and that you’re getting such a good vibe from the city. Yay!
Posted by: alison
You guys are so cute – all three of you! And Thumper looks delighted with his soon-to-be-new-‘hood. Sounds beautiful, looks beautiful – yay! (I know, I sound like a cheerleader, and that’s not really my idiom, but in this case I can’t help myself…)
Posted by: Lizbon
I hope you find the perfect home.
Posted by: Natalie
I hope you find the perfect home.
Posted by: Natalie
you are getting the fun of summer in the PNW…
youll get the rain in the fall- it is what makes it all green 🙂
and you will love it there… GO TO THE JAPANESE GARDENS!!
Posted by: stinkerbell
You’re going to love Portland! And, you’re going to love the fiber events in Oregon. Black Sheep Gathering,http://www.blacksheepgathering.org/, is in Eugene (2 hours south) in June. Oregon Flock and Fiber is in Canby (a little south) in September. Both great shows.
Posted by: The Spinning Guy (Kim)
I love Portland. I’ve lived in the PNW all my life and wouldn’t dream of leaving it. I don’t live in Portland though..I’m up in the Seattle area. We always get beautiful spring days like this…but don’t worry…in June there will be rain. There is always rain in June. Once July hits we get the real warm dry stuff. People always think it just rains and rains all the time. Nope! It’s beautiful around here :o) Glad you’re getting to know that!!
Posted by: Stephanie
I hear great things about Portland, welcome to the West Coast (from a Vancouver-ite). You missed the rain!
Asaknitter
http://www.knittingnutter.com
Posted by: Asaknitter
I highly recommend Mabel’s for yarn in Portland. Check it out!
http://www.mabelscafe.com/
Posted by: knittripps
cool! I ADORE Portland. I went to college there (Reed, I graduated in 1985) and I always thought I’d make my way back. And perhaps oddly, Rochester (NY) reminds me a lot of Portland, only colder. Do NOT miss Powells bookstore.
It’s a really great town – enjoy!
Posted by: Sara
i’m so glad you’re liking it here! we got all the rain and whatsit out of our system before you got here apparently. it was hailing at my house on the 4th of may, and i live on the east side.
anyway, hope you like it enough to stay!
Posted by: avalynda
Funny….I was in Portland back in October for a job interview and it didn’t rain at all when I was there either. Beautiful sunny days, too bad I didn’t get to see what it was really like so I didn’t take the job. Good luck!
Posted by: Jamisyn
Enjoyed the adorable Thumper pix and the travel notes. I love the pic of Billy holding the tiny curling Thumper toes in front of the yarn shop, too. I’ll bet you are going to LOVE it in Portland!
FYI, I added a link to your blog in my knitblog’s sidebar; hope you don’t mind.
Best – Carolyn B.
Posted by: Carolyn Bahm
You guys are so cute – all three of you! And Thumper looks delighted with his soon-to-be-new-‘hood. Sounds beautiful, looks beautiful – yay! (I know, I sound like a cheerleader, and that’s not really my idiom, but in this case I can’t help myself…)
Posted by: Lizbon
I hope you find the perfect home.
Posted by: Natalie
I hope you find the perfect home.
Posted by: Natalie
you are getting the fun of summer in the PNW…
youll get the rain in the fall- it is what makes it all green 🙂
and you will love it there… GO TO THE JAPANESE GARDENS!!
Posted by: stinkerbell
You’re going to love Portland! And, you’re going to love the fiber events in Oregon. Black Sheep Gathering,http://www.blacksheepgathering.org/, is in Eugene (2 hours south) in June. Oregon Flock and Fiber is in Canby (a little south) in September. Both great shows.
Posted by: The Spinning Guy (Kim)
I love Portland. I’ve lived in the PNW all my life and wouldn’t dream of leaving it. I don’t live in Portland though..I’m up in the Seattle area. We always get beautiful spring days like this…but don’t worry…in June there will be rain. There is always rain in June. Once July hits we get the real warm dry stuff. People always think it just rains and rains all the time. Nope! It’s beautiful around here :o) Glad you’re getting to know that!!
Posted by: Stephanie
I hear great things about Portland, welcome to the West Coast (from a Vancouver-ite). You missed the rain!
Asaknitter
http://www.knittingnutter.com
Posted by: Asaknitter
I highly recommend Mabel’s for yarn in Portland. Check it out!
http://www.mabelscafe.com/
Posted by: knittripps
cool! I ADORE Portland. I went to college there (Reed, I graduated in 1985) and I always thought I’d make my way back. And perhaps oddly, Rochester (NY) reminds me a lot of Portland, only colder. Do NOT miss Powells bookstore.
It’s a really great town – enjoy!
Posted by: Sara
i’m so glad you’re liking it here! we got all the rain and whatsit out of our system before you got here apparently. it was hailing at my house on the 4th of may, and i live on the east side.
anyway, hope you like it enough to stay!
Posted by: avalynda
Funny….I was in Portland back in October for a job interview and it didn’t rain at all when I was there either. Beautiful sunny days, too bad I didn’t get to see what it was really like so I didn’t take the job. Good luck!
Posted by: Jamisyn
Enjoyed the adorable Thumper pix and the travel notes. I love the pic of Billy holding the tiny curling Thumper toes in front of the yarn shop, too. I’ll bet you are going to LOVE it in Portland!
FYI, I added a link to your blog in my knitblog’s sidebar; hope you don’t mind.
Best – Carolyn B.
Posted by: Carolyn Bahm