That’s right, folks, Portland is in an epic run of sun. More than one week of blue skies and sunny days, with more on the way. We might even hit 90 degrees tomorrow! It feels like summer’s arrived.
It’s also one week until my sister Shelly and I will be hoofing it 13.1 miles in the Qualifier half-marathon back in Bay City, Michigan. Sunday is my long run day: I hit 10 miles last Sunday, logged six miles today, and have just a few short-ish runs this week before the big one. Wish us luck, because Lord knows this isn’t a normal activity for us Redick girls.
One of our favorite parts of OVO!
Back to happier topics: Portland’s gorgeous weather. It makes everything more enjoyable. Last weekend, Lindsay, Daniel, Jeff and I hit McMenamins’ Kennedy School and saw the movie “Friends with Kids,” which I loved! Saturday we got dressed up, snagged a drink at the prohibition-style tavern Interurban (where we even had a craft liquor Jello shot!), ate dinner at Lincoln before hitting the Cirque du Soleil show OVO. Sunday we got a taste of one of Portland’s most popular bakeries, Petite Provence, and finished the day with an evening BBQ on the back patio.
This weekend held even nicer weather. Friday was my friend Jessica’s 33rd birthday, so after discovering the heavenly, 16-cart “Good Food Here” food cart pod on Belmont, we met Jessica and a crew of others at the chill yet fabulous Bye and Bye on Alberta. (We will be back!) Even better, by midnight the smells of the neighboring Grilled Cheese Grill food cart wafted over to the bar, so we picked up some cheesy late-night grub before heading back over the river.
On Saturday, the Krass clan (including Cooper) headed to the Oregon Coast, determined to take advantage of the sun. First stop: Ecola State Park, a hiking and sightseeing mecca just north of Cannon Beach that boasts breathtaking views of rocky Pacific beaches. One of the most beautiful areas of the coast that I’ve seen. Next stop: Manzanita, a relaxing beach town that’s a favorite of the locals. Cooper chased his Frisbee into the ocean, we laid on the beach, downed some Mexican food at Left Coast Siesta and got our chocolate fix at Manzanita Sweets before paying a trip to Seaside. The visit made me a little nostalgic since the last time we were there we were with my family, but after a couple quick beers at Bridge Tender Tavern and Dundee’s and a surprisingly enjoyable dinner at Bigfoot’s Steakhouse, we were back on the road to Portland.
Today has been equally blissful but much more low-key. Lot of reading in the sunlight. (I’m in the middle of birthday girl Jessica’s book, “Better Each Day,” and Portlander Chris Guillebeau’s “The $100 Startup” – both very good!) Happy Mother’s Day to the moms in my life! What’s nice is I’ll get to see mine in five days for the first time in months. Can’t wait for a nice Michigan trip…
The super-knowledgeable bartenders at Interurban
Heading into the Cirque du Soleil show OVO (notice the guys unintentionally dressed as twins)
The baked goodies at Petite Provence on Alberta
My new favorite food cart pod: Good Food Here on Belmont (of course I had to get one of those crème brûlées)
The breathtaking view from Ecola State Park
Coop and Jeff walking up the sightseeing hill at Ecola State Park
Tillamook Rock Lighthouse, 1.2 miles offshore
At the edge of the world!
Scenic stop on our way to Manzanita
Jeff and Cooper playing some beach frisbee (check out the little disc in midair!)
The view from my towel tucked back on the Manzanita beach
Busy beach at Seaside
Our Oregon Trail 
So glad that you had a great time in our little town of Manzanita, you are always welcome to come and enjoy the beach, the best mexican food & some delicious chocolate!!