Showing posts with label Trenton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Trenton. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Oregon Trip

So, uhhh...hello! I know it has been forever since posting, sorry. I have been way too busy with graduate school, internship, and work. Most of my posts will probably be travel posts and the occasional, random update. Really, I am only doing this for my own personal documentation and for those of you who have asked about me keeping up with my blog. I have been so bad at it, I know. I will try to be better about it though, promise! Here's are some pictures about our trip to Oregon. Enjoy!

Oregon was such a nice break from school. Trenton and I, and some of our mutual friends that came later, decided to take a trip to Portland and it was a lot of fun. I have been so stressed from school and writing paper after paper and was looking forward to this trip. Trent and I arrived a day before our friends but not as early as we planned because our flight was delayed (Thanks Spirit Airlines). It was still nice to see the city in the evening and explore the area around our hotel. We stayed at The Society Hotel, a small, boutique hotel that was just enough for us. It used to be a building filled with navy barracks that housed the men in bunks. You can tell by how small the rooms are. But it was just enough for us! 

The Society Hotel-Downtown Portland




 The next morning, right before our friends arrived, Trent and I decided to do some hiking. We wanted to make sure we got some outdoor, physical activities in on this trip because we knew we'd be stuffing our faces. I mean, what else do you do on vacation? Prior to the trip he found some cool spots we could go to and we decided on Forrest Park. It was just a 20-minute bus ride out of the city and a little gem right outside Portland! I would definitely recommend running the trails there for anyone who loves green everywhere and tall trees! At the end of one of the trails, we stumbled upon this cute little neighborhood that seemed to be placed there randomly. It was really cool to see these small, beautiful homes that overlooked part of the Beaverton area.
Forrest Park
Don't know why but this "everything" bagel was everything. SO good!

Scary.
We had been looking at things to do prior to leaving but knew we just wanted to do a lot of exploring of the city and visiting the different breweries out there that Portland is known for. Most of us had never been to Portland before so really, it was a good chance to just explore and stumble upon things, something I like to do in every city I visit. We made sure to get some coffee at Stumptown, some doughnuts at Voodoo, and some lunches at the local food carts. YUMMY! We visited Powell's Bookstore (I'm in love) and Ground Kontrol, the barcade in the city. I only went to a few breweries because I left a day early before everyone but the rest of the crew went to Backpedal, Rogue, Deschutes, Fatheads, Cascade, Widmer, Brew Labs, Base Camp breweries. (I don't have pictures of them, sorry.) Oh, and of course I had to visit Target too. haha
Portland
Stumptown Coffee at ACE Hotel
The Alberta Cart Pod
Portland Saturday Market
Breweries
We were randomly asked by Brewcycle to help take their cart back to Backpedal. We did it because they gave us free beer and it actually turned out to be kinda fun. Kinda. haha
Trenton wanted so badly to be the conductor while we biked for brew. He got to feel 10 seconds of it. haha
We did some tourist-y things, can't deny it. It was actually a very fun and beautiful way to see Oregon. We planned a pedal bike tour that took us up to different waterfalls until we reached Multnomah Falls. It was the prettiest bike ride I have ever ridden, even if I hadn't ridden a bike in over 15 years and almost didn't know what I was doing at the start. It's true though, you never forget how to actually ride one. We were taken to many great picture spots and falls and it was so lovely. In total, we rode 8.1 miles to Multnomah and my thighs were on fire! The day before we hiked a few miles too! Talk about exercise. This part of the trip was probably one of my favorites. I loved the clean, cold air on my face at every downhill. It was almost like a high for me - riding on the road, looking at some of the best sights and feeling the rush as I worked hard for every uphill. The end result was amazing, of course, and Multnomah Falls was beautiful. 
Outdoor Bike Ride - Bridal Veil, Chanticleer Point, Multnomah Falls

Eating picked leaves (Redwood Sorrels) from the area around the falls - citrus-y!


I hope to visit again some day, Oregon! Thank you for having perfect weather, beautiful sights, and the yummiest places to eat while we were there! 

Monday, June 22, 2015

Los Angeles - June

Flower District

Grand Central Market
CHEESE! | Lamb burger from Belcampo Meat Co.

Pellicola Pizza
Movies while you eat!

Ham and Eggs Tavern
My sister and her band, Abraham Lincoln, played here.

Thursday, April 16, 2015

Play Ball! - LAD v STL


I love a good baseball game on a nice evening - sun setting, breeze in my hair, and cool air on my skin. I can't say I'm the biggest sports fan but I do tend to enjoy live games - cheering, singing, and dancing are always fun. I would much rather go to an actual game than watch it on a TV screen. I was so excited for the Dodgers game yesterday!

Yesterday was the first Dodgers game I attended, not only for this season but, in three years! These baseball games in Los Angeles remind me of Trenton and all of our adventures we used to take in the city before I left for Africa. It usually ends up being an all day adventure with lots of eating and strolling around Los Angeles before getting to the game. I love it. So I was super excited when his friends planned a game for us on Jackie Robinson Day!


This picture cracks me up. This guy was hilarious walking up the stairs, purposely trying to photo bomb my picture! ^
Our plans to eat before the game fell through but I didn't really mind! Although Trenton was a little bummed that his surprise didn't work out (I know now! :p) I couldn't stop thinking about the infamous garlic fries at Dodgers Stadium, not to mention the nachos and ice cream and other really bad food that I enjoy at games. :) With me being sick all week and trying to get over the flu (the flu won't stop me from watching Ethier!) it was a nice venture out, mid-week. Plus, did you know that garlic is a natural decongestant? The more reason to eat those tasty garlic fries - my favorite! We parked at Union Station in Patsaouras Plaza, took the Express bus straight to the stadium, and got dropped off right in front of the gates. Because it was Jackie Robinson Day, we all got #42 jerseys and I actually really like it. Even though it's a little big on me I felt like I was channeling those Sandlot days and finding my inner Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez in my gear. He's so dreamy. haha We even had time before meeting his friends to look in the club store and eat some food. (Thanks for my hat Bub!) I haven't seen his friends in a long time so it was nice to hang out, eat, and sing/cheer/dance to the three-second musical opportunities they give you at baseball games. haha Dodgers ended up winning (woohoo!) and it turned out to be a great night. Can't wait until the next game! (hint, hint Mikey)

Us in our Dodgers gear!
We had way more food but those garlic fries though... mmm.