I will be waiting for you as you exit the secure terminal area and accompany you to your luggage and on to where our ride will be waiting for us. We will travel approximately 20 minutes toward downtown Portland where we will be taken to the Pearl District... "an area of Portland, Oregon, formerly occupied by warehouses, light industry and railroad classification yards and now noted for its art galleries, upscale businesses and residences. The area has been undergoing significant urban renewal since the late 1990s, including the removal of a viaduct and construction of the Portland Streetcar. It now mostly consists of high-rise condominiums and warehouse-to-loft conversions."
From the Pearl, we will walk to Lovejoy Bakers where we will enjoy a bagel, muffin or breakfast sandwich and a latte. Lovejoy Bakers make the best breakfast sandwiches. You many want to enjoy an egg, butter and fontina sandwich!
We will escort Ray back to the loft and you and I can head up to 23rd. Taking Lovejoy, we will enjoy the sights and take in the feel of the city. Shopping, chocolate tasting and enjoying the people watching is only the beginning of the fun and feel of excitement the Rose City exudes. We will trek down to Powell's where you can spend as long as you want perusing the city block of books and enjoy yet another latte in the cafe. Another "people watching" opportunity! From Powell's we will street car the entire route to take in the full vibe of the city and then finally get dropped at 10th and Johnson where we will say our "good-bye's" to Ray and make our way to Albany via Pioneer Square to see the Christmas Tree. We should be back home in the Willamette Valley by evening but if we're ready for dinner before we make it all the way to Albany, might I suggest the Oswego Grill?! Feel free to click on the link by hovering over the name of the restaurant to see their menu! Once we have checked in to the inn, we can settle in for the tour, the tea and time to catch up! Bed time then more fun on Saturday!
Saturday... enjoy a healthy breakfast of oatmeal filled with banana, brown sugar and rice milk. This is great with the coffee obtained from my favorite... "Market of Choice" in Corvallis. Stumptown!
"The business practices and quality standards of Stumptown Coffee Roasters have led to them being recognized as having "revolutionized the coffee business" and helped "refine coffee drinkers' palates" in Portland. Founder Duane Sorenson and Stumptown Coffee Roasters have been credited as being part of the so-called "Third Wave" of the coffee movement."
Once we have enjoyed our slow morning, we can get ready for the day and head out to follow my list of my most fav places in and out of Albany!
Albany Antique Mall
Emma Downtown
Vintage Roost
Pumpkin Hollow
Garlands
Inkwell
Drive by tour of OSU
Old Growth Trail... a very short walk but only if it's dry and not freezing cold!
Burgers at First Burger for lunch
Sweet Reds for coffee or tea
Albany Carousel Museum
...and I'm sure I'll be adding a few places to the list along the way!
We will rest up shortly then be on our way again with dinner at Pizza Amore' for salad and garlic bread balls then it's time for CHRISTMAS BELLES at the Albany Civic Theater. The play lasts about two hours then we'll ck out Vault 244 for cocktails and chatter! Back to the inn late but thoroughly satisfied and ready for a good night's rest!
Sunday we will entertain guests here for the Albany Christmas Parlour Tour! Breakfast of English Cheddar Omelette's, Brit Bacon, Blueberry Scones and fruit will get all of us going for another busy day!
Once our guests have checked out, we will ready for the tour ourselves! We will begin again at Pumpkin Hollow in N. Albany where we can purchase our "home tour" tickets and begin there at a replica of a "Salt Box" home right here in Albany! It's only a few years old but you will swear it's been here for 200 years! The tour will take us to several homes where we can enjoy experiencing Christmas from times gone by. Historic, classic, famous and absolutely stunning... that's truly vintage Albany! We may decided to ride our trolley or catch a ride on the horse pulled wagon. Norman Rockwell would have been proud of the scenes we will be a part of creating! FYI: bring your scarf, heavy coat and gloves... it's gonna be cold but that too makes the season even more merry!
After the tour, we may decide on a quiet dinner somewhere or head over to Calapooia Brewing for some Chili Beer, burgers and tots... we'll see what we feel like! It's then time to head back to the inn and relax!
Monday morning we'll head back to PDX but we're taking the slow road! A quick stop in Aurora will warm your heart and soul with it's cuteness but not before we have warmed our bodies with coffee and a quick breakfast at Allan Bros., The Beanery, near I 5. They have the best Mexican Mocha's!
We'll chat and reminisce all the way to Portland then say our good-bye's. But remember... it's only for a short while! I'll see you January my friend!
Merry Christmas and see you in five days!
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