OREGON (the whole state in one blog)
OK, lots to say about Oregon. We finally headed out of California last week, moving from Patrick's Point State Park along the Pacific, inland to Oregon and Grants Pass. Once more heading over the Coastal Range and back to the valley, and major roads again. I didn't know this, but the famed Hwy 1 and much of the 101 traveling along the California coast are desolate. Gorgeous, but you are ALONE out there. Nothing but a smattering of tiny coastal towns all the way up to Oregon. Hours and hours of stunning shoreline but lacking in anything resembling humanity. Worth the trip, but we were glad to head inland and see civilization again.
Trail along the Rogue River between Valley of the Rogue State Park and Rogue River City.
Grants Pass and its neighboring town of Medford are small, about 35,000 each, but large enough to have all the creature comfort box stores. The scenery here was gorgeous. We were surrounded by incredibly steep hills covered in towering pines and maples. Climate here is upper 90's and dry in the summers and lower 40's in the winter. This place is a year round Minnesota summer. Hard to beat. However, even harder to find a job. So, as beautiful as this area was, we soaked it up for a week and moved north to Portland.
THE ROAD to PORTLAND: Observations.
OK, first off I'm loving Oregon. But (and I always have a 'but' or this wouldn't be fun to write), here's my first beef: you can't pump your own gas in this state. Huh? I got a stern talking to the first time I pulled up to Costo gas and started filling my own tank. The attended rushed out with his orange safety vest and told me what I was doing was illegal.
"Only certified gas attendants are allowed to pump gas here."
"Uh... OK. I'll pump my gas somewhere else next time. Sorry."
" You're not allowed topump your own gas in the state of Oregon."
"Uh... That's weird. Please fill me up."
Perplexed, I watched him fill my gas tank and we headed out. A few days later, while picking up some beer at the local gas station I asked one of these attendants what the deal was.
"So, why can't I pump my own gas in the state of Oregon?"
"Do you have a diesel? "
"No."
"Do you have a commercial drivers license?"
"No."
"Well, if you did you could pump your own gas, otherwise we have to do it for you."
Really... "So, only 'regular' people with gasoline powered vehicles are not allowed to pump their own gas?"
"Yes."
"Why is that?"
"Not sure, state law I guess. Oregon and a few other states are like this."
"Wow... You know I have a near perfect gas pumping record for going on 20 years now, spanning multiple states. No accident history, thousands of successful fills under my belt. Is Oregon afraid I might blow myself up? I can't think of any other reason, am I missing something? "
"No. That's the reason. They fear for your safety. "
"But not if I have a diesel or am a commercial vehicle operator. Then I'm qualified to handle this on my own. "
"Yes. Then you are safe."
Got it. Time to write to a local congressman. I'd love to see the transcripts of this bit of legislation and how it passed. If anyone reading this knows something I don't please let me know. I'm honestly scratching my head. It just can't be as ridiculous as it sounds.
Moving on.
PORTLAND. Portland rocks! They have an amazing public transit system of trolleys and tram cars that get you into and around the city with crazy efficiency. This is the first big city we've been able to explore with such ease. And Portland is as eclectic and weird as its reputation. We love this place and its green culture. Parks everywhere for the kids, rockin coffee shops every few blocks it seems. Amazing rivers run through it complete with floating houses and boats galore. (I love boats!) Ocean going ships filling up with grain from the Midwest via rail. Portland is an industrial port, eco-business hub, family-centered bike loving city and hippie hide-out all in one. It's warm and dry in the summer and cool and damp, but not too cold in the winter. Truly a great combo and I see why it's one of the most desirable cities in the US to live. About the only drawback Kristin and I see is its fairly high cost of living and unfortunately, their large homeless population that are everywhere. And I mean Everywhere, including the lawns of government buildings. Downtown is full of the homeless living in tents. Everybody here seems to know it's a problem, but it's so hard to see.
Portland goes down as the coolest and by far the hippest city we've ever been to. And I say that coming from Austin TX. Our slogan of 'Keep Austin Weird' is apparently shared with Portland (or was stolen I hear). However, I think they take the cake, and that's a good thing in my book.
Parting hilarity.. I-5 is one, if not the major artery that moves traffic in and out of downtown Portland as it crosses the Columbia River. Just to the north is Vancouver, Washington. With its close proximity there are a large number of people who live in Vancouver and take the 5 over to Portland for work. Get this, I-5 has a drawbridge over the river. Serious. So, when you're sitting in rush hour traffic on the freeway you get to stop and wait for Bob Jones's sailboat to go through. WHAT?? That might just push me over the edge after not pumping my own gas on the way home. Austinites, if you can picture 1-35 with a drawbridge maybe you'll find this as funny as I do. (although I'll add we haven't seen it lift yet.)
And that's all for now from Starbucks on Hayden Island, north Portland. Its 8AM, I'm 2 cups of coffee in and Whitney Houston's 'Greatest Love of All' is playing through their speakers.. Which is oddly soothing. Kristin, thanks for watching the kids this morning so I could have some 'man' time.
On to Seattle.
BEN
