Push Me, Pullman

Two straight weekends in Pullman and we’re already wanting to get the hell out of here again. I needed to start looking at options for replacing the van so it was a perfect excuse to take off for Portland. Marcus and Mary were nice enough to put us up even though they both had to work. Amanda just got off of overnights so again I drove while she napped. I was proud to have made it all the way to their house from memory, despite taking the wrong exit. When we arrived Amanda presented our hostess with some gifts we had brought. We had purchased a hunk of Cougar Gold cheese from the WSU Creamery, which is a sharp white cheddar that’s very well known in the northwest region. And what’s cheese without a nice bottle of wine? Amanda and her vet tendencies had chosen a bottle of Three Legged Red. Unfortunately she hadn’t read the story of the pup the wine was named for something Mary did as soon as she picked it up. It talked about how the creator of the wine saved a puppy that was being attacked by a ferocious pit bull; a breed Marcus and Mary just happen to own.

For dinner, one of our favorite parts of coming to Portland, we went to an Ethiopian restaurant. Amanda and Mary expressed surprise at my willingness to go along. I don’t know why. Amanda said I’m picky about certain foods, but when I asked, “Like what?” she didn’t offer an answer. I don’t like everything I eat, no, but who does? Some people will never let you forget you came from a small hick town and enjoy applying that role to you when with their fellow “big city folk”. If anything I think it’s fair to say it's Amanda who could be considered the picky one since her vegetarian self refuses to eat over 90% of the items on most menus. It's interesting that the two ethnic restaurants we’ve ate at in Portland have been in the bottom floor of houses. Even more interesting was the food which was similar to Indian cuisine although it was served on this strange spongy bread that your were expected to rip and use as an edible utensil. Despite it's appearance my dish, the Lamb Curry with Collared Greens, was delicious.

The next day we were on our own. We first went and looked at vans then headed downtown for a bite to eat. I can’t remember the name of the place but it was some Greek restaurant with a purple octopus theme. I had this juicy Swordfish steak with an amazing spice but we could never figure out what it was. With full stomachs we headed to Pioneer Place. This mall is huge and spreads across four city blocks with sky & underground walkways joining the four story tall buildings. It was a little overwhelming to explore. After grabbing “We ♥ Katamari” for PS2 we headed back towards Marcus & Mary’s. That night they took us to the Rogue Brewery. We each got a sampler of six different beers mine contained the darkest porters available. If it’s not Heineken or the cheaper alternative Rolling Rock for me its got to be a porter or stout. Of many beers I tried that night the one that would have to be my most highly recommended is the Mocha Porter.