Portlandia

We just came back from our last family vacation as a family of four. Yes, I was the genius who decided it'll be a good idea to book a trip to Oregon in the dead of winter (flights were cheap, okay?). After we got used to the initial 20 degrees cooler than (cold) Bay Area weather, we faired pretty well.   It was pretty cool to experience walking in the snow while it was snowing, walking around a ghost town downtown Portland, staying at the fanciest hotel Portland had to offer, and drinking (coffee). 

 How the family kills time when our flight is delayed

 Riding in the TriMet to get to our hotel

We survived without a car in Portland thanks to Daddy-o's navigating around the city with a bus schedule. Plus riding the tram (or whatever it's called) is more common in Portland than it is in the Bay Area. 

 Elevator at the Nines

Level 15 - club level 

A part of me wished we hadn't brought the kids. There was a special club lounge for club level visitors. The beds were super comfortable, we were definitely living the life. I don't think we can ever go back to Embassy Suites life...

 Quickie lunch at the food pods

I didn't know food pods were so popular in Portland. This phenomenon needs to make it's way down to the Bay Area. I was a bit disappointed we didn't get a chance to try the more popular pods. Next time... there's always next time for Portland. 

 Forget Starbucks, hello Stumptown!

I might've become a coffee snob. Starbucks tastes like water-y Folgers. Portland does make some pretty good coffee, I'll give them that. After coffee, we did a lot of kid friendly stuff. We froze going to the zoo and then spent some time at the children's museum. 

Kids had fun at the zoo

Up close and personal with a baby polar bear 

 Up close and personal with some elephants

 Up close and personal with a fake elephant

 Monkey #2

 Monkey #1

Like the rest of Portland during this cold week, it was pretty empty at the zoo. We could've walked in without paying... it was THAT empty! During off peak season, it was super cheap (but you're walking around in like 27 degree weather). We paid $20 for the entire family. 

 Japanese dinner

And that was pretty much what we did during our first day in Portland. Looking back, I wish I did some retail damage. During "severe" weather (we learned that Portland people are a bit severe), lots of stores were closed. That was a bummer, especially since everything was just a five minute walk from our hotel. Speaking of hotel...

 Posing in front of the special club lounge on the 12th floor

Look at this modern, hip view!

Free dessert on night 1

Free dessert on night 2

Free dessert on night 3 (girl included)

On Day 2 in Portland, the forecast showed snow the entire day. However, that did NOT stop us from venturing out and exploring the city. First stop: Lovejoy Bakery (lunch) before taking the aerial tram up to OSHU. 

 Kids loved the grilled cheese sandwich

 Parents loved the Cubano and BLT

View of Portland via aerial tram

View #2

It was freezing here. I wish it was snowing so we could get that in the background. We were shivering up a storm! It was so bad that Lucas got frost nib (a more mild form of frost bite) even when wearing gloves! After our cold adventure on the tram, we decided to check out Powell's (the hugest bookstore we've ever seen). It was also warm inside, so that was a win!

Lucas found the Pokemon section

Charlotte found the princess books

Walking back to our hotel in the snow!

 Asian taking a picture of an Asian taking a picture of their hotel in the snow

 Random burger joint for dinner

Due to the "severe" weather, lots of restaurants closed down. We originally wanted to try out some market place where there's something for everyone, but they closed down. So we had to settle for this random burger joint on the way home. Meh. People of Portland, a little snow and sleet won't kill ya!

 Drinking (coffee) our way through Portland

Verdict: It is going to be very, very hard to go back to Starbucks lattes. The coffee here has a much richer, creamier taste. I'm going to miss their coffee. Btw - skip the Stumptown at the airport, it's more watered down and Starbucks-like. 

 Just a random free afternoon snack from the club lounge

Sad face - back to reality

Gross story - right when our plane landed back in SJC, Lucas hurled into his seat, iPod, headphones, and jacket. It was pretty disgusting. We decided to leave the headphones and jacket; it wasn't worth it. I don't think those flight attendants were happy with what happened. There were also some people staying on the flight to fly down to Ontario. I don't think they were happy with that either.

Overall, it was a great trip to Portland (besides the cold weather). Even the kids realized that the hotel we stayed at was way fancier than our normal Embassy Suites stay. One day, I would like to go back to Portland again... without kids, so we can go on an eating/drinking expedition. Until then... I'm 32 weeks pregnant and only have five more weeks of working left till I go on maternity leave. The end is near!