Pike Place Market

On the way home from Portland, Bridgette and I made a detour to have a late lunch and do some people watching at Pike Place Market in Seattle.  I love going to markets - the fruit, veggies, flowers, and people all make for fantastic subject matter.  Here are some of the photos from the day:

Market!!!

Beautiful Flowers!

Yum!

Pasta - yummy!

Peonies :)

mmmm honey sticks!

lilies

Colourful veggies

Next time you are at the market be sure to check out the Johnson Berry Farm jams!  Their Tayberry and their Raspberry Habanero are my faves so far though I'm intrigued to try the Strawberry Mojito :)  Yum, yum!

Cannon Beach

On the second day of our Oregon vacation we set out for Cannon Beach.  I hadn't been to Cannon Beach since I was a kid so it was great to check it out again so many years later.  Our weather wasn't fantastic but we still had a great time.

The candy shop where we bought giant bags of salt water taffy... Yum!

Haystack Rock in the distance

Gracie loved the beach... 

Haystack Rock

How would you like to sit here with a drink and a magazine/book on a hot summer day... 

Haystack Rock

After the beach we took a drive to Tillamook where we sampled their amazing ice cream and cheese.  On our way back to Portland we stumbled across the Stuff and Things store as well as the cool structure below... I only wish I knew what that structure was.  Anyone know?

'Stuff and Things'

Gorgeous structure near the train track that has a tree growing inside.  So cool!

Portland

This past week my friend Bridgette (@DuchessBridge) and I took a trip down to Portland for a little four day mini-break.  We had a fantastic time strolling the city, eating fantastic (and cheap!!) food, and of course shopping.

The first day we arrived in the evening and headed out for a quick stroll with Bridgette's dog before setting out to find a meal.  I have to admit that by the time that we set out for food Bridgette and I were both a bit hangry since the only food we had eaten that day was coffee, a JJ Bean muffin, and Cool Ranch Doritos.  After searching awhile for something that suited our picky tastes we wound up at Jake's Grill where we had the burger off their Happy Hour menu.  That $2.95 burger was the BEST burger I have ever eaten - and it wasn't just because I was hungry!  I highly recommend it if you visit the city.   

Some photos from day one:

Old Town

Love the Duck Store - all ducks all the time

Duck Store again... 

Floyd's!!  Only took this photo because there's a Floyd's in Victoria that I love

China Town

So much greenery in Portland...

Day two we set out to Cannon Beach (photos to come) and then came back for dinner in the Pearl District.  I didn't take many photos in the Pearl District but do rather like the one below of a store window that was filled with lanterns of all shapes and colours - so pretty!  The shopping in the Pearl District was fantastic.  I picked up a fantastic nautical themed scarf and a gorgeous new watch.  Thank you fantastic CAD-USD exchange rate and tax free Portland shopping :).  

Lanterns

After dinner we found ourselves trying to drive home but being diverted by numerous 'No Turn' streets that wouldn't allow us to drive in the direction of our hotel.  Eventually I joked to Bridgette that there must be something really amazing up the hill we were driving towards because clearly the universe wanted us to drive up there.  As it turns out, I was right (I love being able to say that).  As we were driving up the hill on our grand adventure we came across signs for Pittock Mansion and decided to take a look.  I will let the photos below speak for themselves - it was gorgeous.  Perched up 1000 feet above the city the view from the mansion is phenomenal.  I'm only sad that we got up there after the mansion itself had closed... I think I would have liked the interior as much as the grounds.

View from the Entrance

Back of the house

Back of the House

View of the City

Back of the house - check out the reflection of the sunset in the huge bay window

Entryway

Will post photos of the Oregon Coast and of Pike St Market in the next couple of days.  Have a safe and happy Canada Day/July 4th everyone!!!

Vancouver, Vancouver

Yesterday my friend Bridgette and I took a trip down to the Vancouver Convention Centre to check out the EPIC Expo - the sustainable living expo featuring fashion, food, home decor, and much more.  On the way down we had to stop at JJBean for coffee and as such wound up taking the long way on our walk to the Convention Centre.  It wasn't the greatest day (i.e. rainy and gross) but it was nice to get out into this lovely city.  Here are some photos from our walk:

PS my two favourite EPIC booths were the Luscious Creations booth (amazing amazing vegan cupcakes) and Andrew Briggs' art (both Bridgette and I picked up amazing pieces).  Check them out!

Graffiti

This photo was taken a few years ago down at the breakwater in Victoria, BC.  My friend Haley was in town and we went out for an expedition around Victoria.  I thought that the graffiti on the wall looked particularly amazing against the calm of the ocean.  I particularly like the bright colours - brightens up the gloomy Vancouver day... WHEN WILL SUMMER COME?!?!?!

Sonoma Wineries

After vising Cornerstone, we went on two days worth of wine tours through Sonoma.  Here are some photos of the wineries that we visited:

Day one started with a visit to Cline Winery - Not just your classic winery, Cline also features an impressive collection of unique birds.

Viansa Winery - This winery features an impressive deck that overlooks a lovely wetland.  I suggest picking something up from the deli and enjoying your snack on the deck.  Perhaps you can even play a little bocce on the bocce court afterwards...

We finished off day one with glasses of champagne at Gloria Ferrer - delish!

Day two started off with a visit to the Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery.  They have a beautiful garden and a great wild boar statue at the Villa Fiore wine shop and tasting room.  The statue is reminiscent of the wild boar statue in Florence, Italy.  The legend is that if you touch the nose of the wild boar that it will grant you good luck!  Needless to say, I gave the boar's nose a little rub for good luck.  

Our final stop of the trip was the Ledson Winery.  What a gorgeous building, huh??  We sampled some amazing wines including one that hasn't even been released yet!  Yum!

All in all it was a fantastic vacation!  If you ever get the chance to go, take it!  And, if you have been before and think I missed out on seeing something please leave me a comment so I can start my list of must-sees for my next trip :)  As for me, I will be working on planning my September East Coast vacation.