A Suitcase and Go

So I’ve been in Portland for almost 2 weeks now.  Most Portlanders I talk to say the storm last week was the worst one in a few years - just my luck. Since Snowpocalypse it’s actually gotten much better and I’ve been able to explore Portland and walk around.  Here are some highlights of the recent exploration: The Portland Waterfalls -  go see them and hike if you can, so beautiful!  Too much snow for me and the paths were not fully clear, but I would love to go back and hike the area Tilikum Crossing Bridge - for some reason I’m obsessed with this bridge, it’s just for commuters and a fun walk/bike ride across. Views of the river are very pretty (I got a super clear day) and you can explore the Portland waterfront after visiting Vista House - built in 1917 as a rest stop on the Columbia River Highway - the views of the Columbia River Gorge and the Washington side are so pretty to see Cascade Brewery - check out some great sour beer Last note: I got some feedback...

Welcome to Portland, Oregon, destination #2!  I've already been here for almost a week.  My first couple of days haven’t been ideal, I landed during a crazy snow/ice storm and the weather was pretty cold at 27 degrees. I bundled up and made my way to a grocery store to stock up. Luckily, by my third day here the snow had settled down and temps were up 10 degrees so I went out and explored a bit. Things are starting to get better, snow is melting and temps are in the 50s.  I'm looking forward to exploring the city more this weekend. Landing in the snow and thinking what did I do? When your AirBnB used to be a hotel Venturing out in the snow Downtown Portland Very popular tourist attraction The snow starting to melt away

I'm at the airport on the way to my next destination, thinking about the amazing time I had in San Francisco.   Livability for me: 99%, it loses 1% because its so damn expensive, feels even a bit more expensive than NYC to me.  I'm sure I'll be back and could easily see myself making it a permanent home. Off to destination #2 now! A few final San Francisco pictures that didn’t make it in the other posts. Grace Cathedral Palace of Fine Arts Final visit to the Marina area to see the Golden Gate Bridge

I explored Oakland since I really wanted to drive over the Bay Bridge.  I've become obsessed with it after seeing it at night.  It was such a great decision to explore outside San Francisco, I got to enjoy a really nice hike and some incredible views. Highlights: Hiking at Joaquin Miller Park: Such a pretty trail and you get a wonderful lookout point  Grizzly Peak Vista Point: The scenes were like a postcard, you could see everything from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Bay Bridge Treasure Island:   Its a former military base off the Bay Bridge. I got some food and sat near the rocks and enjoyed the scenery Hiking at  Joaquin Miller Park Lookout point at Joaquin Miller Park View from  Grizzly Peak Vista Point Black Lives Matter memorial paintings at Albany Bulb Lunch with a view at Treasure Island

This week and weekend has been busy once again.  I have some coworkers and friends here, so now that outdoor restaurants have opened up, I met up with some people.  Such fun nights laughing and having a few drinks. Since this is officially my last weekend in SF, I really wanted to make it great. I spent Friday night walking the Pier at Fisherman's Wharf and Embarcadero.  Saturday I went to South San Francisco to meet up with a friend.  We went for a hike in Mori Point and since it is on Highway 1, and I've been wanting to drive it, I decided to just continue on.  I ended up driving all the way to the Santa Cruz boardwalk and making some stops along the way for pictures. Highlights: The Bay Bridge at night – It is so pretty all lit up, I haven't seen it up close with the lights dancing before, hard to get a good picture, but it was a sight to see Mori Point – The hiking wasn't too bad (its all stairs going up), an...

For those of you who know me really well, you know I love some nice street art.  This weekend I spend Saturday in the Mission District.  Its so full of color and energy and the food is great.   Sunday I rented a bike and went through the Golden Gate Park.   Some highlights from the weekend include: The Woman's Building in the Mission District - It has this beautiful mural painted all over the building Misión San Francisco de Asís - The oldest surviving structure in SF Food in the Mission District - I basically ate my way through the district, starting with a latte from Stonemill Matcha, a burrito from Senor Sisig, and ice cream from Bi-Rite Creamery - I recommend it all Golden Gate Park - Everything is great in the park and its completely worth spending a day taking it all in The Woman's Building Street Art in the Mission District Street Art in the Mission District Street Art in the Mission District Street Art in the Mission District Misión San Francisc...