"Living" In Portland, OR

While Josh and I were planning our trip we always knew that we wanted to spend enough time in Portland OR to feel like we are living there. So we decided to block out three weeks starting the beginning of September to "move" to Portland. The first week we were there we stayed in the town of Gresham (I wouldn't recommend choosing Gresham as a vacation destination!) After a week we moved to Jantzen Beach, which was really nice. It was more centrally located to where we wanted to be (Aiyana's house) and was less weird than Gresham. So we set up our house there for the next two weeks.

The wonderful thing about staying so long in one place is actually getting comfortable running errands. I am a home body, I always have been. I like to know where I am going and what to expect. As you can imagine NOTHING about this trip has been that way so far, to hop in the car and run to the supermarket and actually know where to find something is really nice for me. That's how I felt in Portland.

Another thing that made Portland feel so much like home was the instant friends we acquired.
There were so many wonderful things that we did in Portland that I will try to mention them all but I fear I might miss a few. If anyone wants to add any feel free.

A few days after we arrived we caught an amazing sunset from the top of Mount Tabor with our friends Chuck, Aiyana, and Wyatt which was followed by great Italian at the Italian Place with Aiyana's awesome roommate Ariana (yeah, we commented on how amusing it was that those two names lived together, especially because they can both go by Ana), and Rick a friend from Keene State College. As we mentioned before went on that amazing camping trip with Josh and Katie, and had an awesome dinner with Rick and his girlfriend Lindsey (who was Josh's roommate in college). We spent a great night out to dinner with Ariana and her boyfriend Nick (who is in Everyday Prophets with Rick), and some of their friends and their friends friends. Ana was babysitting that night so we brought five month old Ari too. Ari's mom Alison was great too! Josh and I did some child care for her while she worked and went to class. We had so much fun with Ari!

We left Portland feeling like we were leaving a great party. I will say one thing about that group, someone is always coming up with some amazing activity for everyone. Whether it be a pumpkin carving contest in the park to helping Lindsey make Junk to Funk awards out of old Barbie dolls.

If anyone is planing on visiting Portland OR, give Josh or I a call and we will put you in touch with this amazing group of people! Love to them all.