What a long, strange trip it was

So, the Victoria/Vancouver/Seattle/Portland/Oregon Coast All-Girls Road Trip ’05 went off with… well… different plans than we’d set out with. About 2 days into the trip, we needed to make an emergency detour into Portland, where we stayed for 5 days at Molly’s cousin’s house.

Being the self-anointed Queen that I am, I entertained myself with, what else, BAKING! The molasses spice cookies seemed to be the biggest hit, but I will give myself a pat on the back for a very nice pie crust (for which Annie made the pumpkin goo). I’ve deemed it best that I not divulge any information regarding any Sticky Toffee Pudding that might have also been generated, since I have no desire to have some version of the British mafia coming after me in their jaunty driving caps saying things such as “Pip pip, guv’nah” and the like. Far too frightening for me. So let’s just say it never existed to begin with, k? And the scones? Well, er, I came to the conclusion "self-rising flour" doesn't.

As far as the sights outside of the kitchen went, there are a few interesting ones to note. (Photos from the trip to be posted on Flickr when I get around to it.) First, let me take the opportunity to say that I really think Santa Clara County needs to repeal the law banning fireworks. I mean, isn't almost lighting yourself on fire or charring a few of your fingers, like, a right or something? Facists.

The Tillamook Cheese factory was a mesmerizing procession of enormous blocks of cheese. And since all roads lead to cheese, we could hardly miss it. They also had a cheese store at the end (duh) to make Wallace & Grommit proud… wisely including a good selection of crackers.

Powells bookstore in Portland. Just go, I needn’t say more, except that the 1.5 hour parking meters in the area really, really aren’t long enough. Ooh, and make sure to go into the rare books room. And don’t forget to grab a map. (OK, I guess that was quite a lot to say about Powells, but just friggin' go already.)

Yachats, OR – A gold star to the person who can actually pronounce it! (We decided to call it ‘yak-hats’ since we were pretty sure a yak would look quite fetching with a lovely chapeau.) OK, so not such an exciting destination, but a super cool name.