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)