Mad City Bonsai

Portland, OR

We were unable to get any sleep before we left for the airport. A couple of doubleshots took car of that.

Today was mostly spent standing in lines. Lines to check our bags, security checkpoints, to get on and off the planes, to get our rental car, and to get out of the rental car lot.

It started with a 3 hour drive to Chicago Midway Airport. Followed by the most uncomfortable 2 and a half hour flight to Denver, CO. This flight was running late so we had to rush to the next gate, and got there just in time. They really need to do something about those seats, our backs were killing us.

We then arrived in Denver, CO with little time to spare. We had to rush down to the next gate which was clear down at the other end of the airport (and if you have ever been to the Denver airport, you know how far that is), we got there just as they started boarding the plane. Now it was time for another 2 1/2 hour plane ride with the worst seats imaginable. But we made it!

Arrived in Portland, OR at 10am!

After getting our rental car we drove straight to the Portland Hawthorn Hostel and checked in. I had never stayed at a hostel before and I must say that this was very nice, they even had an “Eco-Roof”. Instead of shingles it had all sorts of succulent ground covers all mixed together.

We decided to goto the Portland Saturday Market, a place where local artists and food vendors of all kinds are able to sell their wares. This was really cool, they had just about everything you could think of.

Sunshine was in heaven, with all of the jewelry and some of the best food I have ever had. I was able to buy an original hand painted Japanese scroll from a man who could hardly speak any English (The scroll was not intended for bonsai use, but sure looks good up on our wall).

By the time we had left we were so tired, all we wanted to do was get back to the hostel and goto sleep.

But when we got back to the hostel we saw, posted on their announcement board, a flyer about watching the sunset from the top of Mt. Tabor. It was only 2 miles down the road and since we were not going to be in town long, we decided to walk.

Along the way we stopped at a place called “Portland Fish & Chips”. It was okay, but I wouldn’t suggest getting a fish taco.

The sunset was spectacular, well worth the walk.

We finally returned to the hostel around 10pm, talk about a long day.

It is now time for sleep.