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)