Gromit's Adventure in Oregon: First Days

Gromit decided he needed to blog about his trip with Marilyn and John to Oregon for Christmas this year. He jumped into nearly every picture taken with Marilyn's camera and then chose the ones he wanted to share. Please note that his words are in italics.




Getting to Oregon requires a plane ride or two. Because of a weather prediction of possible snow, Marilyn and John packed up on Saturday and drove to the Carter Lake Super 8 motel. Did you know that a former oxbow in the Missouri resulted in a little island of Iowa right by the Omaha airport. When you drive from the airport to Omaha, you pass in and out of Carter Lake, Iowa in a blink of an eye.




I had fun in the motel playing with the iPad and then playing Gulliver's Travels with my buddies Enough Already (Gulliver) and Hutch.




The next day we headed to the airport. I traveled in Marilyn's little backpack.




After a longer than expected delay in Salt Lake City, we arrived in Portland and drove to Jenni and Brian's house. We have never stayed there before and it was very exciting. Jenni is Marilyn's niece. Two cats, Pete and Pearl, also live in this house and I decided they should be my friends.

Here I am getting up close and personal with Pearl. I was told she was shy, but she obviously loved me.



Hutch joined me for a chat with Pete. He was quite vocal at times and I know he was singing my praises! I am sure he was upset to see me leave.



We took a field trip to Voodoo Doughnuts, a very 'portland' type place! The doughnuts were normal with unusual toppings, like white frosting with purple sprinkles and purple tang crystals - a Grape Ape.


Here Jenni and Brian pose in front of our selection of doughnuts. Jenni chose the plain one while the rest of us OD-ed on the sugary frosting.




We managed to be there for a wedding. Note the voodoo spear used in the ceremony and the special wedding doughnuts.





Jenni and Marilyn posed in front of the bright pink establishment. All in attendance were glad to have experienced Voodoo Doughnuts but a repeat visit was not necessary.


Back at the house Jenni and Marilyn played with the Wii, got out their iPads named Izzy and Paddy, downloaded some fun apps, especially Scrabble, and watched a Christmas movie on the the big screen (thanks, projectionist Brian!). Unfortunately, the time with Jenni, Brian, Pete, and Pearl was short. On Tuesday we jumped into the rented red HHR and headed to Cannon Beach with a stopover to visit Anne and Vern in Banks. Did you know that Marilyn and Anne were college buddies 40 years ago???