I'm leaving on a jet plane

[Shpepper]

Ya gotta watch them throw the fish at pikes place. And don't forget to kiss the pig! (if they're still up, haven't been in a while.) Dick's drive in is a place for greasy burger goodness. They've been doing a lot of construction in the area so If you'll be driving it's kinda crazy, although whoever planned the streets in the first place was on some bad crack. Space needle/ seattle center area is nice, they've done some upgrades and there is a tram to the westgate shopping center (they have Godiva yum!) ye olde curiosity shop on pier 54 is nifty. Lots of fun things to do! have a blast!

Yes the Pig is still there right by the fish throwers place.
Damn as soon as they finish replacing the damn bridge, I am going to have to go to Seattle for the day. I really need several bunches of Market flowers, some chocolate pasta and a trip to Pirates Cove on the waterfront.

[tropicsgoddess]

Have a blast and be safe! You definitely deserve a vacation, McGoddess!

[Jester]

Oh yeah. That. Powells, OMSI, Several restraunts, Waterfront Park... I got several ideas that I'm taking her too.

You are taking her to Powell's. You are a good man.

For those of you that have no idea what we all are talking about, Powell's is one of the two greatest bookstores in the entire country. (Strand's in NYC is the other.) Anyone into books would absolutely love Powell's. So Plaid, I hope McG is into books, otherwise you may bore her to death with that visit.

Portland: make sure Plaid takes you to the fountain by the riverfront. He should know which one I am talking about (the one that comes right out of the sidewalk itself). Not only is it gorgeous, it was the subject matter when I took the greatest photograph I have ever taken in my life. (I'll have to try to dig that up and post it online one of these days.)

Seattle: People have mentioned Pikes Place Market, and it does rock. Hell, that was the place where I picked up my first magic trick, at the magic shop at Pikes. Great stuff! Also, if y'all are into baseball, Safeco Field is simply amazing. I went there for the sixth game ever played there, when Randy Johnson returned for the frist time against the Mariners as a Diamondback. I was the only one wearing a D-backs hat. I was immensely unpopular, especially as RJ mowed down the home town team. Oh, and if you are into coffee, Seattle is going to be your place. (I actually felt like I was missing out on something by not being a coffee drinker when I was in Seattle.....)

And whatever you do, have fun.

And Plaid....there are a lot of CS guys who are going to be really jealous of you over that time. Bastid!

[McGoddess09]

Well,it's better to feel a bit like crap for 8 hours,than feel like crap for 48 or more hours. I'm a big fan of Dramamine. It is my best friend besides ibuprofen.

Awww. Jester. You made me blush.

[Giggle Goose]

I'm a big fan of Dramamine. It is my best friend besides ibuprofen.

I've been a Dramamine user since I was little. It works like a charm and I love that it makes me sleepy since that passes the time. But heaven help the person who wakes me accidentally....they don't call it DramaMEAN for nothin'!

[auntiem]

Bonus - the weather here is beautiful right now!
Portland - for sure Powells, but is there still that cool old movie theatre that is converted so you can drink beer / eat pizza while watching 2nd run movies? Sorry, I can't remember the name of any of the cool places I visit when there (aside from Powells) since my friends there manage to get me fairly drunk everytime. yummm Terminator beer...
Seattle - Watch the guys throwing fish they are so much fun, then go downstairs and get some yummy green tea ice cream. There is also an excellent comic book store downstairs. Play in the fountain at Seattle Center. I've heard the Savor Seattle tour is really good if you are into that kind of thing. Ye Old Curiosity Shoppe is fun - esp. if you like squished penny machines. You'll probably be able to see whales if you take a whale watching trip (the stragglers are still heading up) but the boats are pretty small so I don't know if motion sickness would be an issue. Sometimes you can see them from shore around here.
Have a great time - this is the best time of year to visit Pacific NW!

[Sonoma]

Welcome to Portland - you've definitely chosen the right time to visit. The weather is absolutely perfect.

Second (or third, or fourth) the suggestion for Powells. I could easily spend all day there.

The second-run theater might be the McMenamins restaurant/theaters. http://www.mcmenamins.com/index.php?type=theater They have theaters in a lot of their locations, where you can order off of the full menu & enjoy the movie. You may also try the Valley Theatre, http://www.valleytheater.net/. They also have pizza, beer, & second-run movies out in Beaverton, on the west side of Portland.

Enjoy Portland & Seattle. The others know Seattle better, but the sights they've mentioned are definitely must-sees.

[Becks]

Have fun!!!

IHave fun! Be careful! Don't do anything I Becks wouldn't do!

How'd I get brought into this conversation?

So that would be a Carte Blanche? Or ala carte blush?

*snort*

[McGoddess09]

The day before

I'm pretty much packed up. I just have to throw in last minute stuff like toiletries and my phone charger. I gave Plaid's number,address,work place number, and a list of places we will be going to my mom and she can give a copy to my grandparents. I have tied up loose ends. My fines will be taken care of. Library fines. Don't get overexcited.

Tonight,I'm going to a local sex shop with a friend and then I'm settling in for the night. I have to wake up at 6:30 tomorrow morning and my friend,Tattoo is picking me up to take me to the airport.

Love you all!

[Jester]

Tonight,I'm going to a local sex shop with a friend...

Someone has to say it....just why are you going there the night before you leave on this trip, hmmm?

Tattoo is picking me up to take me to the airport.

You mean the jackass that keeps trying to get with you and, once he does, dumps you for spurious reasons? The same twat waffle that has tried to undermine your relationship with Plaid from day one? That shithead?

Should be interesting car conversation on the way to the airport, I would imagine.....

[rvdammit]

And not too far out from Portland (40ish minute drive) is McMenamins Edgefield, http://www.mcmenamins.com/index.php?loc=3&id=30 .

[McGoddess09]

Yes Jester. That same guy. He actually offered to take me, as long as I give him gas money. I only bought a "special" dvd *wink*

So, I'm sitting here, enjoying my coffee before Tattoo picks me up. When I get to Atlanta, I'll get a hold of Plaid,Irv, and Blas and if they want to post about that,they can. When I get to Plaid's place, I'll post.

8 hour flight here I come!

And yes Kate, I will be good to my flight attendants. It's my first time flying alone and they are the ones who would help me.

[Jester]

He actually offered to take me, as long as I give him gas money.

That actually is a fair deal, as long as by "gas money" he doesn't mean "thirty dollars" or some other ridiculous figure (I have no idea how far you live from the airport). And, of course, as long as he doesn't try another bush league maneuver to try to get in your pants. Like, say, hitting on you during the drive while you are for all intents and purposes a captive audience.

Sorry, it should be fairly obvious I don't think very highly of the guy. But if he actually behaves decently and gets you to the airport for a reasonable amount of gas money, cool.

And by the way....enjoy your vacation!

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

Just got the text from McGoddess--she's made it to the airport. Will let me know when she's in Atlanta.

ETA: she called me from Atlanta a few minutes ago and has since boarded the plane. She expects to be in Portland around 6:30 pacific time, which doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me for the distance involved, but that's what she said. Either way Plaidman should know what time to show up with the welcome wagon at the airport.

[McGoddess09]

Sorry about not posting earlier. Got really busy.

I actually got there at 9. I got things mixed up. Frikken time zones! Thank you for posting Irv! I greatly appreciate it!

So far, Plaid has taken me to Powells,Lloyd Center,Ben and Jerry's, and around downtown. Basically, I spazzed (ina good way) about everything. I was so amazed by the sheer ginormousness of Powells, the number of stores in Lloyd, and the fact that I got to try real Ben and Jerry's rather than the store bought stuff!

So no-one fear. Plaid is taking good care of me. I'm being fed very well, I'm sleeping very well, and being loved very much.

Coming here felt like coming home. I really feel at home here, moreso than I do back in IL. It's really weird. It is like I truly was meant to be here.

I will post about my whole trip when I get home. It's...interesting...