Category: Uncategorized

Puyallup Washington

3 July 2018

I met Kristen in the bathroom (restroom) of the Longhorn Saloon in Fort Worth Texas in March.

We hit it off and she invited me to her home in Washington. I told her that she has to be careful inviting me as I will turn up. True to her word she has been contacting me checking when I would arrive and today she welcomed me into her home.

On the way to Kristen’s there were several homes decked out for 4 July celebrations tomorrow.

This sculpture caught my attention “hearts are bigger in Puyallup”.

At Kristen’s we had a waterfight with her son Colby and his friends as part of her birthday celebration. Waterfight

Then Kristen’s fiance Kevin, started sliding down the staircase on an airmattress. This is the outcome when Kristen came down with Colby. Pay close attention to the hole she put in the wall with her right foot. However, she may have broken a bone or two of her left foot which did not go through the wall but rather took all the impact. The dangers of having fun. Stair slide

I will leave today with this question. What is it with toilet stalls/cubicles in the USA. They are all built with these big gaps! I don’t understand why.

Bridges of Oregon

2 July 2018

I have said this before, I don’t know what it is about bridges in this country that capture my attention. Perhaps it’s because they take you somewhere or that they join two places or just that they cross water? Either way, they are beautiful.

St John’s Bridge goes over the Williamette River and the Cathedral Park is set underneath.

I’ve never seen so many pickup trucks and boat trailers in one place!

I discovered Cathedral Park is appropriately named because of the gothic cathedral arches supporting the bridge.

The cutest bridge I have seen is this one which has a collection of trolls.

I didn’t have any trolls but left a koala. Do you think the trolls will be ok with that?

Portland Oregon

1 July 2018

Many cities in the USA have park and ride parking stations next to train or light rail stations in the outer suburbs FREE. So I parked at Orenco and took the light rail into Downtown Portland. I found a free walking tour on Trip Advisor, Secrets of Portlandia

Portland Square(similar to Sydney’s Martin Place) has free entertainment but I like the movies they have every Friday night. You don’t have to bring cushions because Ikea provides cushions and lounges to sit on.

While waiting for the walking tour I was thrilled to be entertained by The Oregon Crusaders, a competitive junior bugles and drums band. Our NSW equivalent would be the NSW Public Schools Millenium Band

The Voodoo Doughnut Shopis an icon of Portland. They even have a bacon or wasabi flavoured donut.

This is where the Oregon Trail commenced.

Mill Ends Park is the smallest park in the world, the only colony in the world West of Ireland for leprechauns.

The Meetup App has been instrumental in me locating social groups throughout my trip. I use it at home as well and that is how I learned to play golf, attend various theatre and other groups. This is not a dating app but for meeting people who have similar interests.

Here on my USA trip I have been to Singles dances in California, trivia nights in Georgia, Arizona, Ohio, salsa dancing in New Jersey, Italian festival in Nebraska, contra dancing in New Mexico and Oregon to name a few.

Looking up Meetup today in Portland there is such an eclectic mix of groups such as a Naked Nature Walk, an Ultimate pick up (frisbee group), a consent touch and pleasure group. This city certainly lives up to being different.

Trip advisor is also a very important source of travel information.

While I was having fun yesterday there was apparently a riot in this city. Portland Oregon Riot 30 June 2018

I rarely get to see the news while on this trip and I have to admit that more often Facebook posts from my friends is how I keep updated.

I ended my evening by going to the cinema to see Ocean 8. When I go to the cinema people laugh at me taking pashminas because I get cold. Lots of people in Portland had blankets. I don’t feel so silly now. Tonights session had a full house. Not like the night I went to the cinema in Iowa. I don’t mind going to the cinema alone but when I went to see the Book Club I was the only person in the theatre and probably should have felt sad and lonely but I laughed even louder than normal.

Hillsboro Oregon

30 June 2018

Another stunning backdrop in this country. Diamond Peak

Disturbing.

I am in bear and Bigfoot land.

An important safety provision for drivers in this country are rest areas of which are impressive. The USA provides excellent areas for a restroom break for humans and four legged friends, to stretch your legs, have a picnic, a quick nap or a long one, drink and snack vending machines and travel brochures for the state you are in and bordering states. I should have taken photo is of others but this one is beautiful.

For my running friends, I took a slight detour to this spot (known as Pre’s Rock)in Eugene Oregon where Steve “Pre” Prefontaine died. Pre was a famous runner who held many records at the age of 19 and featured in Sports Illustrated and sadly died at 24. It fascinates me when I come across these shrines, and this one in particular, with medals and even Nike shoes people have offered in Pre’s memory more than 40 years after his passing.

Tonight I had a fantastic time at contra dancing. I did 16,000 steps 3.5 hours!! I had so much non stop fun I was annoyed that I forgot to film it.

However this YouTube clip sums it up and we actually have this dance in Sydney. I will be chasing this up when I get home.

On this trip I have been watching my rugby league games live on my phone. Tonight my NRL game was on at a civilised time (9pm here) instead of between 2am and 6am and I had to choose between it and dancing!! The State of Origin game will be on at 2am on 11 July. One good thing will be that it is after my dancing. Go Blues!!

Bend Idaho

29 June 2018

After a 6 hour drive to Bend I was quite tired but went out and enjoyed some line dancing at a typical country bar Maverick’s Country Bar and Grill.

Bend is a busy ski resort town in winter but at this time of year everything is very lush and green.

Brook Park has a river flowing through it, as do many of the towns I stop at. I love the trees here and again, the memorials for their servicemen always make me emotional.

Green Belt Idaho

28 June 2018

The Airbnb I am in Meridian Idaho is so comfortable I took it easy today. I went for a walk with my host, Denni, along the Green Belt of the Boise River.

We should have these bike tools and pump along our bike paths in Sydney.

I then went back to the Airbnb and lazed around the pool before going into downtown Boise for a last drink at The Balcony as I make my way to Portland tomorrow.

Boise Idaho

27 June 2018

Relaxed by the pool of my Airbnb in Meridian Idaho. I needed to soak up some of this glorious weather in Idaho.

I went for another walk downtown Boise and every Wednesday they have a free concert Alive After Five from 5pm to 8pm. This city certainly has a good vibe.

In the evening I enjoyed the entertainment of comedians at The World Series Comedy Liquid Laugh.

There were some mediocre comedians but one outstanding one was Gail Jones.

I meet people everywhere but Neica was another one I met in a bathoom (restroom) at the Liquid Laugh.

Neica you have the same surname as the comedian above. Good luck on Friday.

Idaho

26 June 2018

It was with a little sadness I left the haven in Pocatello. I got a good rest in a lovely home with beautiful peaceful landscape and interesting host.

There are so many treasures in this country and I then stumble upon Twin Falls, Idaho.

The Twin Falls video is here.

Down the road 16 minutes it just gets better. Shoshone Falls Idaho.

Next stop the Capital of Idaho, Boise. This town of 250,000 where you can get a gun licence easily and are permitted to walk around carrying as many guns as you want, but I have yet to see any. Below is the Capitol.

For dinner I had the most delicious paella at the Leku Ona. in the Basque Market area of Boise. I was fortunate to arrive during a festival with Basque dancers.

This city reminds me of Newtown/Surry Hills/San Diego with several trendy restuarants, modern buildings, lots of gay rainbow flags and lotsof people enjoying the balmy evening. Not what I would have expected from a small rural (hick ) town in Idaho but I got that wrong. I strolled the city and captured the sun setting in the west.

I found out about Gay Bingo when I discovered the best gay nightclub in Boise, The Balcony. It wasn’t very busy as it was a Tuesday night but even so this place has great atmosphere. I was disappointed I had missed out on Gay Bingo but had a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the company of Minerva Jayne’s, the host of bingo, after the show where we chatted for a couple of hours. Thank you Minerva Jayne for allowing me to “interview” you to learn about Idaho culture and your journey to become one of Idaho’s iconic entertainers.

Another great day.

Utah

25 June 2018

Salt Lake Ciity Utah is only 2.5 hours from Pocatello Idaho so I thought I would do a quick day drive south before I make my way north to Vancouver.

Utah is known for their Mormon (also known as Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints) population.

Temple Square is aptly named for the location of their grand Temple and gardens.

Down the road, The Lion House was built in 1856 for the second president of the Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints, for his large family.

The Salt Lake City 2002 Olympic Cauldron is located next to the Utah University Stadium.

The main reason to visit Salt Lake City was to see the Salt Lake. I was given incorrect information and ended up at Antelope Island and this was an unexpected surprise. There is much to see on this island including a marina, bison, hundreds of bird species but I found the salt lake beautiful. This is not the salt lake that holds car races or the setting for the movie “Radio Flyer” which I thought I was visiting. That salt lake I will attempt to see at the end of my trip.

The white parts in the photos are not waves or sand but salt. The blue and white contrast was magnificent.

Pocatello Idaho

24 June 2018

After a 10 hour day driving around Yellowstone I found an airbnb with this spectacular view in Idaho. Idaho is famous for its potatoes and known as the Gem State.

The Sunhaus is an interestingly architecturally designed house with eco self heating. The views are what have captivated me to stay for a few days. Again I need a bit of a rest and will use Pocatello as a base. Pocatello has a population of around 55,000. Named after a Shoshoni leader, it is the 5th largest city in Idaho.

Old Town had a theatre built in the 1930s which burnt down and all that is left is the Chief signage and the mosaic tiles below.

They have the only Museum of Clean in the world. It was closed but I hope to give you a run down on Tuesday when I plan to visit.

This poster in a shop was fun.