Thursday, August 6, 2009

pleasant portland

Here are the short and sweet moments as well as a few fave things we visited over the long weekend in Portland, Oregon. It's one of my fave cities to visit... can't wait to head back!
We stayed at the Ace Hotel, a small boutique hotel smack in the middle of downtown. And yes, that is the shower there that you see in the middle of the room... how steamy! (sorry, couldn't resist that comment). This photo doesn't do it justice, it was a really cute stylish room. 
There I am in front of Albina Press Coffee Shop, where we got our morning fix of Stumptown coffee (the local fave)... I'm on the right waving... the person on the left is just some hipster guy getting his bike, who probably thought I was some crazy lady randomly waving.
Roger is an avid video gamer, so when we heard that there was a big classic arcade called Ground Kontrol, stock full of games and pinball machines from the 80s, we had to make a visit. Even cooler, is that after 5pm, the place turns into a bar, so you can enjoy the games with a nice bottle of beer. I got my ass kicked in every game we played... in my defense though... I was a bit too young to actually play some of these arcade games back in the day. (Roger just gave me a glare, when I made that point... heehee).
One of our fave places to stop when in Portland is Powell's Books... it's like a Chapters and Barnes & Nobles combined and on steroids... but waaaaaaaayyy better and waaaaaay bigger. It's huge and has every book (new and used), you can imagine. Swept up for hours there, we forgot to take pics, so instead I took pics of some of our loot. We scored some nice Edward Gorey books and I bought a copy of "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" and am loving it so far!
Next stop was Voodoo Doughnut where we indulged in some sweet treats.... Roger got the one with Froot Loops on it (I think we almost went into diabetic shock over this one - it was that sweet) and I got the chocolate and peanut butter glazed doughnut with Rice Crispies... yummy.
And lastly, here is the photo booth pics we took while staying at the Ace. There is a machine in the lobby, so every time we visit Portland we make it a point to get an updated photo.... we forgot to adjust the stool before we put in our money this time, so were trying to guess the right height the photo would be.

28 comments:

AuroraRose said...

i love all the pictures you just posted - the colours are gorgeous! really clear...

Robert W. Leonard said...

Sweet, I would definitely visit that arcade! Glad you guys are having fun. :)

Angie said...

That looked like a fun weekend! Score on the Gorey and Zombies books - I love Gorey and I've heard good things about PP+Z.

Rainy Day Gardener said...

Thank you for highlight some of the best spots to visit in Portland! I love that you had coffee @ the Albina Press..it's a favorite hangout when I gather with friends in the Albina/Alberta area!

Holly said...

First off, you are a CUTIE! What a sweet and friendly smile you have! Now onto the other pics... The donuts made me so hungry for sweets! Seriously, I even went to my pantry and got a rice crispy treat lol. If I ever travel to Portland, I will definitely make sure to stop there. The bookstore sounds amazing too. Thanks for sharing your trip with us!

www.FeltedChicken.com said...

Fun!! I read the P.P & Zombies and thought it was so fun. I was trying to explain it to my boyfriend & he kept trying to argue that it didn't make any sense!! HAHA!! He'd dumb, so I ignored him!

Anonymous said...

Man, it's like week of the photo booth or something! I found one this weekend too! And I've always wanted to stay at that Ace. That's it. I want your life!

Kate8085 said...

Has you two ever seen "King of Kong"?
Movie for 80's video game lovers..
(that bastard billy!! if you have seen it you will know what I am talking about.)
Loved the steamy shower comment, hahaha.
You two farts are so, so cute.

Stacey said...

I would like to go on that exact vacation, I loved everything, the donuts, the hotel room...super cute!

secret cake said...

Hooray for P-Town! You hit two of my favorites-- Voodoo and Powells!

Made me homesick. We just moved up to Seattle from Portland...very similar, though : )

Hope you're well!

Anna said...

Those donuts look soooooooo gooooooood!! :)

Little Gray Pixel said...

That seems like a great time! Thanks for giving me ideas of places to visit in Portland when we make our way there.

Beth Howard said...

OMG I need donuts STAT! lol It looks like an awesome trip!

resolute twig said...

I am from POrtland too and its so great to see a little piece of home in your photos :) Looks like a great time.
And Powells really is the greatest book store in the world!

Sara said...

that sounds (and looks!) like such a fabulous trip! I've never been to Portland and would love to go!

Christy J said...

I live in the NW, and have been wanting to try that doughnut place! Krispy Kreme be damned!!

our little love nest said...

OOOOh my goodness! YOU look like you had the best time ever. Everything looks so fun. I am in awe that the Voodoo Doughnut does weddings. Thinking Oregon is the coolest state ever now. That hotel is wonderful. I think we may need to take a trip. xoxo

BEESTLYproducts said...

nomnomnom @ fruitloopdonuts!

Anonymous said...

That arcade looks like fun

Rheea said...

Those donuts make me drool.. I enjoy reading your blog! It's no wonder you've got SO many followers! Proud to say, I'm one of them now. Hee.

Rheea

Kathryn Dyche said...

Looks like you had a great time. I'm a big Edward Gorey fan and have those same cards that you purchased. :0)

Weird shower placement!

Elissa said...

your trip pics are so fun! i am filing this away in my brain if i ever make it to the west coast ;-)

Unknown said...

The shower is way cool! And those donuts look delicious. I am also coveting the Edward Gorey scores... Powell's Books really is the best ever. Fun fun!

californiablue said...

Great photos - My husband and I love Portland :)

melissakate said...

I really want to go to Portland! Everything I ever see regarding Oregon makes it look amazing.

p.s. That Pride and Prejudice and Zombies book looks hilarious.

p.p.s. That hotel room looks about as big as my apartment when I lived in Brooklyn AND they have a vintage arcade bar in Brooklyn as well called "Barcade" (imagine your own high hat here.)

jdavissquared said...

okay, now I want to go to Portland! looks like so much fun!

I was wondering if that book was any good...the cover intrigued me. I'll have to check it out!

David Burns Smith said...

voodoo doughnuts.......
:)

Anonymous said...

It took me FOREVER to get back here and check these out...damn, getting married is tough (ah hem, timing wise, only)!

You know how to pick it right!! I love ALL the places you visited. It's so fantastic to see a place you love through someone else's eyes. This always happens to me when loved ones visit. Thanks for the wonderful reminders.

...remembering to cherish what I have.