Tumor Travels- Portland, Oregon

Took advantage of my medical leave from work and took a trip to Portland, Oregon to visit one of my favorite people, Kristall.

It had been almost two years since we had seen each other.  Definitely not ok.  In that time she has gotten married and is now expecting her first child.  : )

 It being the northwest we did have some rainy weather.  But, guess it wouldn't be a true Portland experience if we hadn't.

She was great touring me around the city and checking out local hotspots.  One of them was Voodoo Donuts

the line for this went down the block.  Guess Portlandians love their donuts too.  The shop features some interesting and inappropriate names for the donuts, including the cream filled "cock and balls" does this actually sell? and the "old dirty bastard"

One of Portland's sayings is "keep Portland weird" The city definitely has its share of unique and interesting characters.  It is what makes Portland, Portland.

 

We also went to Powells Bookstore.  The largest bookstore in the US, possibly the world.  They had quite the selection and even had books in several languages.  Want to read Cincuenta Sombras de Gray? or Harry Potter und der Stein der Weisen? They have it.  They even hand out maps as you enter the store

 

Food carts are big part of the Portland culture.  There are many lined up with all different types of cuisine to choose from.

 





Another interesting food stop is Salt and Straw

which features a pear and blue cheese ice cream.  Yes, it tastes as bad as it sounds.

Of course one wonderful feature of Portland is it's beautiful parks.  We did go and wander around one.  I'm sure it would be amazing to see the more of the plants in bloom, but it was still beautiful.

Keep on keeping on Portland

Tumor Travels- AZ

Had the opportunity to take some time off from work due to a 9lb, no that is not a typo, 9lb tumor that was found coming off my left ovary.  I am now minus a couple parts and plus a pretty interesting scar,  but I did get to enjoy some time off.

After spending a full week in the hospital.  I was finally ready to head home and ok to fly, according to my surgeon, so I headed out to AZ.  It was wonderful having the time catch up with friends and breath in some of that fresh mountain air.

Yes, mountain! my home town Flagstaff sits at a 7000ft elevation in the middle of the largest Ponderosa Pine forest in the world.  I noticed that some people have even started putting faces on these trees. 

I took a day trip to the Grand Canyon with my friend/sister Mara.  No, I did not hike or carry a pack

 Guess which one of us lives in California and which one lives in the North East : )

 

The Grand Canyon is just one of many beautiful spots in AZ.  I enjoyed having time to relax and spend in my hometown, Flagstaff.

 

Enjoying an ice tea at Heritage Square.

 

The Sonora desert

It was great being able to reconnect and spend time with family and friends back in AZ