Our quick trip to Portland last weekend had an itinerary that felt like a kid-friendly version of the New York Times travel column: ride the streetcar, find the fountains (like the one Grace, in her bee suit, is pondering above) and playgrounds, visit the kids’ section at Powell’s, and order something with avocado in it at every opportunity. Maybe that’s just Grace… We also managed some photobooth photos at the Ace Hotel, some Stumptown coffee, and some excellent local beers, so there was a little something for the adults, as well. We were there to visit Lauren, and we spent most of both days with her, which was a lot of fun. The weather was perfect, and walking around the Pearl, we felt the pull of Portland.

Grace and I hung out in parks all over the city. At one point, approaching a statue from behind, I wondered aloud who it might be. Grace thought for a moment and said, “ABE!” based on her extensive knowledge of dollar bill-related presidents. Lo and behold, it was Abe, and she was rightfully proud.

During her nap on Saturday, I went to the Multnomah County Library and did a little research, spending some quality time with the Portland City Directories from the 1930s, and looking at some local buildings.

It was lovely to see Lauren, meet and hang out with Andy, and re-visit the little slice of heaven that is Portland.