Back by popular demand!

It’s been a while since our last update. Partly because we have been busy running the hotel and making sure all of our guests have a great time and partly because it’s been too hot and nice to sit inside by a computer but anyway, here is the last six weeks bottled up into six fun packed paragraphs.

We had a great weekend trip to Depoe Bay in June where we stayed right on the Pacific Ocean. There were whales swimming close to the shoreline and we managed to catch a glimpse of them and some seals pups. When we got home we had a great BBQ of hotdogs and Boston beans.

In true American fashion, we went to watch the Portland Beavers ‘play ball’. Ed came home particularly pleased as not only did he enjoy the beer and hotdogs but he also got a match ball.We also found a local lake and went swimming but we’re not convinced the locals are fully prepared for our Mediterranean looking bodies!

For 4^th July celebrations we were tempted to don our red coats and walk around talking in strong British accents but instead we were lured (by Doug and Sara) and by the offer of hotdogs to the Fireworks at the waterfront park in downtown Portland.

We’ve found some fantastic spots in downtown Portland for chilling out on hot summer days and for taking in the views. One spot in Washington Park gives views of four mountains (Hood, Adams, St Helens and even Rainier which is over 100 miles North near Seattle).

Last night we went to watch a strange sport the Americans call soccer. The Portland Timbers played the MIGHTY Burnley. Before we went we weren't sure who we would be supporting but as soon as the game kicked off it was clear we were fans of the Claret and Blues. I’m not convinced that the locals fully understood the game as I heard Ed explaining the off-side rule with the use of hotdog buns!

Until next time…

Love Liz (and Ed)

At least we didn't see any apes!

Hey guys.


Since moving into the house, we’ve been super busy emptying boxes and painting walls (all in varying shades of off white!). This weekend however was a national holiday weekend – Memorial Day. So, we decided to go to the southern side of Mt St Helens, the side which is still slightly in tact.

The drive up there was fantastic, passing a series of lakes all surrounded by mountains covered in Evergreen trees.

We made our way to the Ape Caves – tunnels underneath the ground which were formed by lava thousands of years ago. We needed lots of torches (or flashlights for the American followers) and although the tunnels were only 1.5 miles long it took us nearly 2 hours to get through. This was mainly due to the huge piles of rock fall that we had to climb over and the sheer rock faces we had to climb up.

It was so cool and damp down in the tunnels that when we came out the other side, the heat and dry air really hit you. Although it was warm where we came out of the tunnels, due to the altitude there was still a lot of snow. It seemed strange walking through snow in shorts and a t-shirt.

On the way back down we stopped off for a picnic and some paddling at Yale Lake.

It was pretty challenging climbing through the caves; I was glad that the only ape I encountered was this one!

Love Liz (and Ed)

New House

Hi,

Following on from the sale of our house in the UK we have now bought a house in the US. It's quite close to where we were living before and about 1.5 mile from my work so i can walk when the weather permits. We moved in last weekend with the help of Sue and have spent the last week painting and unpacking. 

The house is on the side of a hill and south facing so we get great views from the deck looking over the Columbia River and into Oregon and nice warm evenings in the sun. The weather has been okay still raining occasionally but nice and warm.

We are now busy getting the spare room ready for when our next visitors arrive in June and have plenty of room to accommodate people now!  The White Hotel is open for business!

Love Ed (& Liz)

The sun has had his hat on!

We think Spring might finally have arrived in the Pacific North West. We spent Easter weekend at Canon Beach – where they filmed The Goonies. The weather was really good on the first evening we arrived and we managed to walk along the cliff tops at Ecola State Park on the Saturday. There is no national holiday on Good Friday or Easter Monday though so we had to go to work knowing that everyone in England had bonus time off! 

This weekend the weather has been absolutely lovely. We spent Saturday afternoon at the Vancouver Historic Reserve – where the old fort and the Officers' houses remain, then walked along the riverfront to a bar called Beaches for a well deserved beer in the sunshine. 

Sunday, we drove to Portland, met up with Sara and spent the afternoon having a Picnic in Waterfront Park. We had a very

 surreal moment; whilst we were playing Frisbee, three people strolled passed playing guitars and singing Cheryl Crow. I felt like I was on the set of Dawson’s Creek!!

We had good news with our UK house sale last week too – it all completed on 14^th. It was such a relief as it had been going on for ages.

The best thing however was the arrival of a package from the UK. It was full of pictures, letters and food from our friends (we do have supermarkets here but they sell some odd stuff like spray on egg!). Thanks so much for it guys – it was like Christmas.

Love Liz (and Ed)

Up Eagle Creek without a paddle

We went up Eagle Creek yesterday, for those of you that have 

be paying attention we have already been there but we went with Sue this time. A couple of months make a massive difference and the river was a lot higher and faster than in February, mainly due to the snow melt coming down from the mountain.The weather was lot warmer as well and the legs saw their first bit of sun. 

Last time the river was lower so you could walk out and see Punch Bowl falls from the river bed, this time to do it you had to wade in the river, i convinced Liz this would be a good idea but quickly realised it wasn't as the freezing water turned our feet blue but we persevered and got a good shot of the water fall before quickly running back. Our exploits seemed to be infectious though and soon the world and his wife were taking their shoes and socks off.

Today we went to a tulip festival about 40 minutes south of Portland in Oregon, the tulips weren't fully out though as up until this weekend the weather has been quite cold but you could see that it will be amazing in a couple of weeks. We did find a pair of shoes to fit my feet though whilst we were there.

Ed & (Liz)

Is it already nearly April?

We’re still here!

So, it has been a while– mainly due to the fact that I am now working full-time. It’s like being back in the real world again. I’m just temping as a receptionist at a local medical company. It’s good that it is so close to where we are living and it has also meant that I have started to meet some more people.

We have also managed to lease a car each – this was something we were getting worried about as everywhere wanted 3 years credit history and we only have about 2 months. We managed to get something sorted though through the VW guest worker program.

The weather has been a little spring like – some mild afternoons and evenings – but still lots of rain. The daffodils and crocuses (should that be Croci?) are out now which is making everywhere look really pretty. 

Mum arrived on Tuesday last week so we have been showing her around the sites; Historic Highway on Saturday and more importantly The Outlet Mall on Sunday! 

We’ve managed to find some great places to eat and we finally found somewhere that does a decent Gin & Tonic. We’re still on the hunt for the best fish and chips and Ed is quite happy to keep experimenting!

Love Liz (and Ed)

Eagle Creek

Last weekend we went for another hike along one of the many trails that line the river gorge, this time we went up eagle creek. The trail started at the base of the river gorge and ascended very quickly up the side of the creek. The hike was classified as easy but at several points it was just a narrow path with a 150ft drop to the river below, we walked past punch bowl falls and our aim was to reach bridge simply called 'high bridge' which was 3.5 miles along the trail, but we fell short by about 1/2 mile as we got higher up the creek the conditions got worse and despite having our walking boots on we couldn't get much further unless we wanted to slip down the mountain. On the way back though we took a detour and went on a side path that took us to the valley floor and gave us an even better view of punch bowl falls.

Last week Liz's work card arrived so she can now officially work in the USofA, she has started to apply for some jobs as well as getting her teacher certificates verified so that she can teach here. The apartment is a lot nicer now that we have our own furniture and we're not cramped together on the little sofa. Work is going well, I've unfortunately had to adapt my pronunciation of some words like aluminium; otherwise a quick request becomes a 5 minute discussion on the English language!



Ed (& Liz)