A visit from Cousin Peter

Peter and Judy at the Blue Kangaroo

     Last week we had four bright, dry, clear days, perfect for  showing my cousin Peter some of the sights of our fair state.  Peter arrived by train from Maryland, full of stories from his three days of coach travel with the general public. After a hearty lunch  I took him on a short drive around the rolling countryside of Clackamas County.  Whenever Peter's head swiveled and he exclaimed "Oh!" I knew he had spotted another 40- or 50- year old car. The next day he explored  antique and junk shops of Sellwood, and we introduced him to Northwest coffee house culture.

Library cottage

Yuppie cowboy

At Ecola State Park

    On Thursday we drove to the coast. Peter the movie buff thought that the view of Haystack Rock was so perfect that it was time to cue the whales.  At Mo's, he asked if it was OK to lick the bowl after he finished his clam chowder.  "Of, course"we said. "This is Oregon."  (He  didn't.) 

      We showed him the Library Cottage,  built a hundred years ago by one of our first head librarians, and willed to her beloved staff "for their rest and recreation."  Later we watched a cowboy ride up and down the main streets of Cannon Beach. 

Prettier than the Grand Canyon

Wahkeena Falls

From the sublime to the ridiculous

      On Friday we drove up the Columbia Gorge, and feasted our eyes on vistas and waterfalls.  We ate lunch at  the Charburger in Cascade Locks.  As we sat overlooking the Columbia River  I hoped to show Peter some barges, but we didn't see one vessel  on the water.  Then back to Milwaukie, where Peter asked about something I don't even take note of any more: the Bomber Restaurant.  After dinner on Friday night Peter  tried mightily and gracefully not to outclass me completely at Scrabble. 

Treasure hunting at Powell's

      On Saturday the weather returned to our typical March gray and rain, perfect for poking around Powell's bookstore.  Peter found the perfect souvenirs: two  books about model railroading written by his father in the 1950s.  Then it was time to say goodbye and put him on the northbound train.
     You too, family and friends, can bring sunshine to our gray days.  Come visit.