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)

Who needs soccer...

...when you have got Basketball. Last night we went to watch The Portland Trailblazers play against Oklahoma City at The Rose Garden downtown. The atmosphere was amazing and we won. It was slightly easier to understand and get in to than the Superbowl and there weren't quite as many commercials. We will definitely be going again.

Liz (and Eds)

Beacon Rock and Hardy and Rodney Falls

Hey guys.

We had a great day yesterday. Weather was really good so we headed east into the gorge and climbed the 848ft Beacon Rock. This Rock is the core of an ancient volcano which was not washed away by the Bretz floods - how the gorge was formed. It's a steep climb but from the top you get 360degree views of the gorge.

We then crossed over to the gorge cliffs and walked up to two waterfalls (Rodney and Hardy) which were about a two mile hike from the car.

And of course, the only way to end a hard day of walking...

...a 22oz cold beer!

Love liz (and Ed)

A bit more ordinary

Hi everyone.

We are still alive - just been doing slightly boring (or perhaps more normal) things. Ed is working hard and I have volunteered to work at the local school for one day a week - just to keep my from going stir crazy.

We've met a young couple (Doug and Sara) who live in downtown Portland and we went out with them last Saturday night to an eco brewery - a self sustainable place where the beer was all brewed on site.

Yesterday we went to a superbowl party at the house of someone that Ed works with. We arrived at 1pm and the game "kicked off?" at 3pm ish. It did then go on for another 4 hours (which was good because by the end of it we had kinda figured out some of the rules).

The weather is very mild at the moment 12degrees C today - so nowhere near as much snow as you have got!

We're off out into Portland again this weekend to meet Doug and Sara at a different micro brewery - there is a pattern emerging here!

Love liz & (Ed) xx

Video footage

Evidence of my filming skills. Watch out for me at Cannes!

The Weekend - Columbia River, Portland & Ski Timberline!

Greetings.

The exploring adventures have continued over the last week. The weather has been lovely if very cold. On Thursday last week I went down to the waterfront (of the Columbia River) and walked along the promenade. Now some people accuse Americans of being lazy, with drive thru banks, starbucks and such but I was introduced to something I had never seen before. A float through! This allows boaters to phone through their food order to the beach bar!!!

On my birthday Ed took the day off and we went into Portland for the day. We explored the NW areas of the city and took the streetcar to the waterfront where we took a cable car up to the university hospital. From the top of the cable car you could see all across Portland, across the Willamette River and see the snow capped peaks of Mount Hood (pictured below left) and Mount Adams and the ominous shape of Mt St Helens (pictured below right).

Yesterday we drove the 90 mins journey to the ski resort of Timberline (one of two major resorts on Mount Hood) . The highest lift takes you above 8000ft, only 3500ft from the summit. The day was so clear that we could see Mount Jefferson and other southern cascade mountains.

Ed is back in work today although it is a national holiday - Happy Martin Luther King Jr Day!

Liz (and Ed).

New Apartment

Liz took some pictures of the apartment today so i thought i'd put them so you can see where we're living its a bit like MTV Cribs but not quite as glamorous.

This is the apartment complex.

Front Room with a little sofa for two!

Dining Room

Kitchen and utility room.

Bedroom and saving the best till last...

a walk in wardrobe!!

Liz has just said I should get another job doing brochures for estate agents!

Till the next thrilling installment.

Ed (&Liz)

The Oregon Coast

Moved into the apartment - sorry for the delay - been super busy. Pics and details of where we are staying to follow (when Ed is back at work and I have nothing to do!!!)

Today we drove 90 mins to the Pacific Ocean and the Oregon Coast. We took in a number of small seaside (oceanside?) towns along the way including Astoria - where they filmed The Goonies and The Ring.

The weather was cloudy and overcast (something we're used to) so we needed our warm coats on. Highway 101 passes through numerous state parks and tiny, summertime resorts. It was nice and quiet on the roads although locals warned us of parking chaos during the summer months.

The Haystack rock in the background of this photo is 250ft high and you can access it at low tide - no chance for us today. It marks the end of Cannon Beach - a lovely, upscale resort - although again, very quiet when it's 1 deg. C outside.

As we followed the highway around "hug cove" so named because the road "hugs" the cliff we quickly ascended into the mountains. The views from the cliff where amazing!!!

We had to head back towards Portland early as we didn't fancy driving the winding pass back in the dark - although doing it during the day just made me feel sick!!!

I have started to get to know a few people, this is my coffee buddy (Jack)- he lets me do all the talking although he never pays!!!

Love Liz (and Eds)

The Historic Columbia River Highway

We drove out and explored the first paved road in the Northwest and America's first scenic highway, built in 1915, today. This was also the final leg of the journey when Lewis and Clark - the Western pioneers - first arrived in the North west.

The road winds and twists through the Columbia river gorge passing waterfalls, rock outcrops and sheer cliff faces. Absolutely amazing - even in the middle of winter. We drove along the Oregon side of the river and then crossed the 'Bridge of the Gods' (sounds better than it is), to the Washington side. The views on the Washington side were not as good - until Ed saw the snowy peak of Mount Hood in his rearview mirror and then it could be debatable.

There will be a pop quiz on The Columbia River Gorge at a later date!

Love Liz and Ed xxx

Happy New Year

Although we are 8 hours behind - the title greeting is somewhat delayed. We've been busy apartment hunting, shopping, eating and drinking.

We've found an apartment rental we like and hope to move into it by the end of next week. Ed is therefore making the most of the waffle making machine in the breakfast room at the hotel.

We have also been shopping over in Oregon (where you don't pay sales tax), enjoying the local food - lots of pacific fresh catch of the day, and sampling the local Washington State Merlot (very delicious).

We got caught in an ice/snow storm yesterday. I was driving and it was so heavy that I couldn't see the freeway lines, or the cars around me. Apart from that, just getting everything ready for when Ed starts work on Monday.

Love liz (and Ed)