A Weekend of River Floating, Wine Tasting and Friendship

This weekend I went to Hood River in an attempt to make it down there as many times as possible both before summer is over and just in general. Friday night Beth and I had crab legs and filet mignon at her parents’ before meeting friends for sunset drinks at the Columbia Gorge Hotel and then a night of high-stakes jenga, mingling and dancing. We ended things with a post-2am-hot tub sesh and it was all just really great.

Saturday morning Beth, Greg and I ate bagels and drank coffee downtown and then met a group of our friends, piled into the back of a van (I got to sit in a camping chair in the van, very safe, obviously but also very awesome) and drove to the Klickitat River which we then proceeded to float down on inner tubes and air mattresses. I had never floated a river before and inevitably flipped over navigating some rapids, immediately after which my friends were there to pull me, the non-swimmer with the life vest, out of the water, back into my tube and then hold on to me through the rest of the rapids. It was a really great time and I’m so thankful to have such wonderful people looking out for me.  

When we got to the end of the river we loaded back into our vans and headed to a few wineries to do some wine tasting. At the first winery Beth and I broke a chair we were sitting in together and then I made Dave laugh so hard he fell on the ground after hitting myself in the face with a wine bottle. At the second I ate cherry tomatoes and basil out of the garden and saw some goats. After wine tasting we all went to dinner at Henni’s and then had a low key, early-to-bed night.

Today Beth and I visited with Marissa, ate breakfast, shopped for bras and undies, napped and walked Pop Tart the dog. Then I proceeded to have a minor emotional breakdown when it was time to head back to Seattle. Work has just been so stressful and busy lately and a few other pieces of the puzzle have been less than amazing too. Not to say everything is awful, because it’s not, it was just a hard transition back to reality. There are just so many good people and good things in Hood River and I wish I could move there. It kills me that I can’t, yet.

 The view from Syncline Winery  Dave LOLing at my clumsiness The grounds at COR Winery I missed the memo, or maybe they did?   One of us was more excited than the other to be taking a picture together :) It was so good to spend some quality time with this kid for the first time in too long – don’t let the face fool you, he’s stoked.

I went to a rodeo and also I want to move to Hood River

I spent last weekend in Hood River loving life. Hood River in the summer is my favorite thing in the whole world and I'm pretty sure if my friend Sarah has to hear me say "I love it here" one more time we're not going to be friends anymore, but guys, it really is that gush-worthy good.

Friday when I got into town I met Sarah for a quick dinner at Double Mountain before we headed to The Dalles to watch the most eventful rodeo ever.

First, they couldn't get the lights in the arena to turn on so we sat through about a half an hour of some pretty boring banter broadcast over the loud speakers between events. After the lights turned back on they started the barrel racing. Mid way through the event, one of the girls fell off of her horse. She seemed to be mostly ok but the announcer called her out saying something along the lines of "that's the most embarrassing thing that can happen to a barrel racer...!" Poor girl!

But it gets better, after the barrel racing they started the bull riding which was going pretty poorly, as hardly anyone could stay on their bulls for more than about a second.

 

However, at one point, after one of the riders fell off, his bull continued running around the arena and bucking like crazy. When he bucked his way over to in front of where we were sitting it became apparent that he had broken his leg, which was just flapping around as he kicked. The rodeo staff noticed too and some cowboys came out and wrestled the bull to the ground and held him there while some other staff brought around a truck and trailer. They then attempted to get the bull up and load him into the trailer, but the bull was in so much pain at that point he didn't want to get up and when he finally tried he hit his head incredibly hard on the trailer which made the loudest, saddest echoing sound. They then called out about 30 more cowboys to stand around the bull and help get him in the trailer at which point I'm pretty sure they gave it some sort of shot and then dragged it in. It was horrifying and completely heartbreaking to watch (even as someone who grew up on a farm).

 

 

After they got the bull loaded up there were still three more rides to go. So they started up again, the first one was fine, but after the second person fell off of his bull, the bull ran across the arena and didn't stop. He jumped right over the fence into the spectator area. Everyone just screamed and ran. I wish I had a picture of this giant bull with his giant bull horns jumping into the crowd. Oh man... Luckily no one was hurt and after they got him back in and we watched one more ride, it was time to go home.

 

We all left totally shaken and decided to meet at the Pub in Hood River for a drink. While we were there I completely offended a stranger by saying that I am "kind of into Miley's new heroine phase" (because I mean, the video kind of grows on you). After which he apparently went up to one of my friends (who he didn't know and assumed was a random stranger) and started ranting about how I was what's wrong with America! (I can't help but laugh as I write that because it's just so ridiculous).

 

The rest of the night was low key, but fun, and ended with me dancing to one song (blurred lines, of course) before they turned the lights on at Jack's.

 

The next morning I got to meet Marissa at Juice Bros (the juice and smoothie "food" truck in downtown Hood River) and spend like a minute catching up with her before she went to work. I also went to an awesome antique shop in Bingen with Sarah where we got vases to make terrariums and I scored an old Betty Crocker cookbook.

 

Saturday afternoon I drove to Vancouver for beautiful baby princess Alessandra's first birthday party.

 

I was debating camping at a friend's farm after the birthday party, but decided to drive back to Hood River for one more night, because, OMG "I love it there so much!" :)

^^I mean, isn't this just the prettiest place?!^^

 

After I got back into town I met Josh and Sarah for FroYo and then we went back to their house to relax in the yard, which was so so nice. I miss yards so much when I'm in Seattle (it's the little things). It was so nice to just sit outside and enjoy the fantastic summer night.

 

The next morning Sarah, Kiva and I went to Ground for coffees and granola yogurt bowls before heading to Good News Gardening to pick up the rest of the necessary supplies to make terrariums. We spent the afternoon potting our plants before I headed back to Seattle.

 

It was just one of those weekends that made me question why I'm living in Seattle and not Hood River. I just love it there so much, you guys!!







Hood River for Marissa's Birthday

 

Two weekends ago I drove back to Hood River to celebrate Marissa's birthday. I missed it last year because I was studying for the bar/living at the law library/generally hating my life, and I promised her then that I would be there to celebrate this year.

I drove down on Saturday morning, which, by the way, is far less traffic-y than driving down on a Friday night. I would highly recommend it. When I got into town it was absolutely beautiful outside, so I decided to play third wheel and I tagged along with Josh and Sarah (and Kiva and Lala) on a min-adventure to Mosier to visit Josh's dad.

 Sarah and I in Mosier

 

 LaLa and I (OMG I made friends with a dog!)

 

After Mosier, the three of us headed back into Hood River, blasting some old school Nelly #sogood. We grabbed a quick bite to eat from Colby at Hajukin Cuisine (also #sogood) then headed to Dog River for a little birthday prefunk with the crew.

 

From back left: Tonya, Caroline, Marissa, Rachel, Florian, Phoebe, Josh S, Me, Sarah, Tall Paul and Dave (front and center)



 

Marissa wearing my birthday gift to her: JORTERALLS! I'm sort of obsessed and want some for myself now. #OOTD

 

The rest of the nigh included drinks at the pub, a dance party at Jack's (my favorite) where I successfully requested both "Hot in Here" (because I just couldn't get enough) and "Blurred Lines" and got to share a scorpion bowl with my friends.  

 

Caroline, Abby, Huggie, Beth and Florian sharing some Scorpion bowl at Jack's 

 

Then, to top it all off, after the bars closed, Huggie convinced a cab driver to take a van full of us through the Taco Bell Drive through, after which we devoured $36 worth of cheap tacos around the TREW house coffee table before Beth and I walked back to her place to sleep for a  few hours.

 

The next day a few of us did breakfast then Beth and I decided to go into Portland for a few hours of walking around NW 23rd St, shopping and some really delicious mac and cheese before I drove back to Seattle. 

 

It was a really quick, super fun Hood River trip and I can't wait to go back for the 4th of July!

MDW2013 in Hood River

I spent Memorial Day Weekend (#MDW2013) in Hood River and I had such a wonderful time.

 

Friday night after I got into town we went to the opening of our friends' new restaurant, Hakujin Cuisine. It's seriously delicious street food style Asian fusion deliciousness. I ended up eating it the next day too. Couldn't get enough of those fun buns! I spent the rest of the night hanging out downtown and catching up with friends.

 

The next morning (read: early afternoon) Beth and I grabbed breakfast at Pine St. Bakery. I had a delicious biscuit sandwich and made sure to re-hydrate with some coconut water which made me feel on top of the world.

 



 

After breakfast we went downtown Hood River to get iced coffee from Marissa at Dog River. We also shopped a little and I ended up with some new Citizens, a cute dress and some lip gloss from Plenty (whoops!).

 

While we were at Plenty, Marissa text Beth asking us to bring her chapstick at her second job of the day, Double Mountain (AKA my favorite place in the whole world). We obviously had to stay for an afternoon beer after dropping the chapstick. They had one of my seasonal favorites on tap, the Clusterf#ck and I was super excited to relax and chat with Beth over a beer. 

 



 

After Double Mountain we went back to Beth's house then walked to Rite Aid, and while we were there we decided to pick up a case of cider. #bitcheslovecider #whoarethosebitcheswiththatcider

 



 

And take it down the street to our friends' house/very fancy beach to share over some snap-chats (do you guys use snapchat?). First it was 4 of us then more people kept stopping by. That is one of the many reasons I love Hood River, you can sit in someone's yard, drink cider, and double the size of your group in no time. It was super relaxing and awesome.

 



 

When the cider was gone we walked back to Beth's to put on our PARTY SHIRTS!

 

(I stole the above and below party shirt pics from Beth's Instagram)

 

We then swooped up Marissa and grabbed some Mexican food for dinner. We took this little GEM in the bathroom after. #badbitches

 

After dinner we went out to the bars, mingled, saw some more of my favorite people, went to Jack's where I had an epic dance party, then walked home at 2am and woke up snuggling with a pug. It was so SO much fun.

(This one is from Greg's Instagram)

 

Sunday I had two delicious breakfasts, went to see the Hangover part 3 with my cousins (not quite as good as the first, better than the second, and I LOLd a lot), met up with Josh and Sarah AND got to hang with my friend Adam from law school. He was just passing through Hood River for the night so he went to dinner at Double Mountain with Josh, Sarah and I and then we took him to the Trillium to hang out a bit before we all called it an early night. I love showing people Hood River.

 

 

Monday I went to my parents' house to see my Fluffy cat and go through some of my old things (so many awesome pictures now in my possession).

It was a totally exhausting weekend but also a total blast. I'm ready for the weekend to be here again so I can relax and hopefully recover a little bit.

See ya in two weeks, Hood River!!

 

 



a Thursday jam

 

Have you guys heard this song by Robin Thicke yet? It's quite the little jam. I also really like the plastic outfits in the video. I wonder if I could pull that off? 

 

#sogood #onrepeat

 

I hope you're all having a happy day.

 

xxoo 

Katie and Josh's Wednesday Wedding

Yesterday I got off of work at 2, picked up Katie, took her to get her bridal bouquet, took her to my house and we got ready for her wedding. You guys, yesterday Katie got married!

After Katie's mom met us at my apartment and we had fixed our hair and makeup, and had a few sips of pink champagne, we drove to the courthouse downtown Seattle.

The only time Katie freaked out all day was when we were sitting in terrible i5 rush hour traffic on the way to the courthouse. Josh called her and said that they were waiting, and ohmygoshwhyarentyouhereyet?! And there was a moment of "I'm not going to make it to my own wedding" panic, but otherwise things were happy and totally smooth.

When we finally got downtown I dropped Katie and her mom off, found a really lucky parking spot on the street, sprinted up a hill in my dress and heels in the pouring Seattle rain while being laughed at by a parking attendant, and made it in time for a few pre-wedding pictures.

the wedding party: me, Katie, Josh and the best man, Will 

Katie and Josh right before they said "I do"

 



After waiting a few minutes the judge took us up to the top floor of the courthouse where there was an incredible view. She performed a short, sweet ceremony and it was perfect.

After everything was done at the courthouse we headed to Staple and Fancy for and incredible multi-course dinner.

The dinner was a special chef's menu served family style. We started dinner with bread, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar while we sipped on delicious drinks. The first real course was a ton of appetizers which were all interesting and totally delicious (think: white fish crostini, chilled asparagus and ramp soup, house made ricotta with peas, etc.). We then had a pasta course which consisted of a clam pasta and a chicken ravioli. The third course was the most amazing pork any of us had ever tasted and not-at-all-fishy bass. Before we left we enjoyed wedding cake, which was topped with Katie's grandmother's cake topper from her 25th wedding anniversary. It was just all so fun, low-stress, and perfect.

I'm so happy for Katie and Josh (my new best-friend-in-law ha). Hooray!!

P.S. This might sound totally weird but Wednesday weddings are awesome, and it somehow seemed extra special. I also loved that there were only a few of us there so we all got to really enjoy each other's company. Katie and Josh decided they wanted to "elope" a few months ago, after they started planning a bigger wedding and decided it was too much stress. They chose yesterday (Wednesday, May 15th) because it's their two year dating anniversary and they're heading to Ecuador this weekend, so that trip can act as a honeymoon until Katie's grad school schedule calms down a bit.

My Story in 250 Words

Today I thought it would be fun to do a little blogger link-up for the blog every day in May challenge (I can always use a topic prompt). Today's prompt was "the story of your life in 250 words or less." Mine ends a little abruptly, but is exactly 250 words. Enjoy! 

 

I was born in Hood River, Oregon and grew up on the other side of the Columbia River in White Salmon, Washington, which is a tiny town of just about 2,000 people. I grew up on the same ranch, in the same house my dad was born and raised in. Although I grew up in White Salmon, at this point in my life I identify more with Hood River, which is my favorite place in the whole world (especially in the summer). I’ve lived in Seattle for 7 ½ years now, the University of Washington brought me here, and law school at Seattle University kept me, but Hood River is where I feel this inherent need to be as much as possible.

I work at Microsoft in their legal department where a large part of my job is editing contracts. I love it. When I was in college my dream job was editing (editor at somewhere like Vogue, maybe?). Then I went to law school and I thought that dream died. But now, I get to combine the dream with my legal training and it makes my heart happy. And, the fact that I get to wear whatever I want to work doesn’t hurt either. I love clothes and I like the idea of expressing yourself through what you wear. I also really like spending time with my friends. I know everyone says this but my friends might just be the best friends ever, and I’m so thankful for them.

THE END!

Happy Wednesday, Friends!