What a whirlwind! Not only did we suddenly uproot and move house within the last few weeks - the weather has done a complete 180 as well!
Only two weeks ago there was snow on the ground. The barely-emerging buds on the trees were covered and I worried they would survive the snow, which lasted an entire week. This kind of weather is not typical of Portland - like in most of the country right now - but turns out I needn't have worried because as of yesterday the weather has become summer-like and the buds have exploded into flowers.
It's going to be 68 degrees today. It's only March 12th! It's fantastic of course - after that weird late snow/freeze I am SO ready for warmth and light clothing - but it's very strange. We used to have to wait to at least June until we got this kind of weather, sometimes even late July - and it totally sucked. It was one of the worst things about living in Oregon, waiting for the warmth of Spring. Good lord how many people have gone insane and died waiting for the warmth of spring in Oregon, at least in the 80's and 90's...so I'm definitely not complaining, lol. 68 degrees is wonderful and welcome!
It's kind of incredible where we live now. We're only a few blocks from the river, and just along two - no three - of the most charming neighborhoods in Portland. The stately and sometimes whimsical grandeur of Ladd's Addition, the hip corner of Division and 12th, and lower Hawthorne a stone's throw away, and yet our street is incredibly quiet. Wow!
Yesterday the hub and I took two amazing walks. It was 60 degrees outside, and everyone was in tee shirts. First we went to Ford's Food and Drink on lower Division st. What a beautiful building! An old Ford dealership, they've kept so much of the original charm with the grand pillars inside and brick facade outside, and beautiful old industrial windows and stairwells - but full of fresh new businesses and eateries - it's just great! Then down the street from Ford's is this incredible mural that takes you by surprise as you round the corner. Where am I? Is this Portland? It feels like New York all of a sudden!
Later that evening we drove down to the new Tilikum bridge to walk across and see the city in the evening light - OMG I CAN'T EVEN TELL YOU how beautiful it was. I was completely blown away. The city is INCREDIBLE. There are lightrail trains crossing the most beautiful historic and modern bridges everywhere you look, there are snow-covered mountains everywhere you turn - Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helens standing out huge against the bright blue sky. You have the Portland downtown skyline - full of different types of architecture, and boats everywhere - paddle boats, sail boats - and happily for once, NOT ONE motorized boat or loud motor of any kind!!!!! It was all serenity and golden, peaceful light on the bridge last night. I was completely transported with happiness. Heaven on earth for a moment.
Today - 68 degrees. It's still dark out right now, but I hear the birds beginning to sing - and where we live now - we have a view of downtown from our back yard - I will soon be able to see Portland's tallest skyscraper named "Big Pink" living up to its name as it catches the sun's rising rays.
Good morning Portland. xoxoxo
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