Dear Liza,
Grandpa needed some medical tests done the other day, which of course meant it was time for another adventure.
The lower part of OHSU (Oregon Health and Science University) is in an area of town called the South Waterfront. In the early 1900s, this area was lumber mills and other industry. Then, for years, it was an abandoned, polluted chunk of riverbank. Now, it was been re-built as an ultra-modern ‘village’ of glass tower medical offices and condominiums.
We took the Magic number 15 downtown, then transferred to the streetcar. There is a lot of very noisy construction downtown, and we watched as a tall crane swayed ominously in the wind.
After Grandpa Nelson’s five minute appointment, we started our walk back. The Tilikum Crossing and Willamette were beautiful in the bright fall sunshine, with some brave folks boating on this chilly day.
We walked to find lunch at Ladd’s Taproom, but it was closed. Heavy sigh of hunger and disappointment.
Walking up the hill on Hawthorne we found Burgerville, which was a less than stellar experience but kept us fed. As we continued, we found some retro decor in the outside of Lounge Lizard, these stylized lava lamps.
Then we stopped at Farina, a pricy pastry shop that mostly smells $2.50 macarons. I knew Auntie Bridgett had been wanting to sample them, so we bought three to take home. They were delicious. I don’t know if they were $2.50 delicious, however.
After a rest, Auntie Bridgett and I walked down to The Nerd Out where the owner, our friend Mitch Gillan, wanted to buy some of Auntie Bridgett’s Squirrel buttons.
While we were out, we had a walk around the neighborhood and then a before-dinner drink back at The Nerd Out. Moose Drool Ale for me, absinthe for Auntie Bridgett.
Feeling very indulged, we went home for dinner and ended the evening by watching The House if Wax, a silly old Vincent Price movie.
Love,
Grandma Judy
Dear Liza 