We arrived in Portland yesterday afternoon, and have been very busy since. My Mom, A and I got our rental car and stopped at the AAA office in Downtown to pick up some maps. Had lunch at a yummy pizza place in downtown that was strangely situated next to a light-rail stop. Then we found our way to Trillium Hollow, the co-housing community we're staying at. A's mom showed up about that time, and my mom and I went into downtown while Loree got the tour of the cool house. She has a community house also, and enjoys seeing how other communities do it.

While downtown, mom and I found some great items at a thirft store. I got a pair of jeans (that I should have hemmed), an awesome black jacket with laces in the back (hard to explain, but it's cool) and a very soft, vanilla-colored scarf. We then went to a store where i found THE MOST BEAUTIFUL DRESS I've ever worn. Black, strapless, perfectly form fitting to my body. But it was much more money than I like to spend on clothing. Especially clothing that I'll only wear once or twice a year. This dress! I still might return to get it, but I'm not sure...

We met up with Charles (our host at Trillium Hollow), A and Loree for dinner at a crazy burrito place called "The Laughing Planet." Charles then gave us a cool tour of parts of Portland - mostly, the Pearl District, which is the renewed urban warehouse district. Many cool things happening up here that I love - people endeavoring to live more sustainably, which is so cool. My mom and I also went to Powell's books after dinner, where I picked up some Native American issues books and some Hugh Prather. (Notes to Myself and another title for Loree)

This morning we were up early and had breakfast with Charles before going to the Saturday Market. What a cool place! I found a recycled bottle-cap pin that says, "I Love Geeks," two handmade fair-trade baskets from Ghana (one for knitting and another large basket with handles for shopping) a pair of Thai fishermen's pants (I had originally got a pair for A, but then found out that he wants wrap pants instead, so exchanged them for my size) a boomerang (also for A) and an awesome handmade purse.

We then traveled the long way to the Portland Farmer's Market, arriving toward the end when many of the stalls (mostly the berries and bread) were sold out. Picked up two varities of apples I've never heard of, some freshly made kettle-corn, and several jars of jams of various berry concoctions. (I Love Berries!)

Then A and Loree picked us up and we had lunch at a Thai place near Powell's books. (Can't remember name for now) The food was delicious, and afterwards we parted ways once again. My mom and I drove around several neighborhoods for a short while, and then came back to the house to nap for a bit before our next exursion.

After napping (only an hour, but I really needed it!) we went down the road to the Japanese Garden. Wow, it was beautiful. The layers of all shades of green were stunning. So many things to look at. I really love green growing things. After touring the garden, we went to the International Rose Test Garden, were they have hundreds of new varities of roses. Again, so beautiful. I couldn't help but think that my grandmother would have LOVED to see such a thing.

There's more to say about the day and the gardens, but I'm really tired. Going on a long day trip tomorrow to see Hood River (and the river gorge between here and there) followed by a trip to Canon Beach. My mom has never seen the Pacific Ocean. We're thinking of taking a triangular route to the shore, going through Tillamook on our way back. Should be very fun.

I'm enjoying traveling with my mom. It's still a bit weird for me to have A doing other things (he's at a burning man party tonight with his mom and charles) ... but I like doing the things I wanna do, too.

Still have plans to visit the Grotto and the Original Pancake House and hopefully see some other parts of Portland before we return on Monday.