Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Whiskeymarie will have her revenge on Seattle


So Friday marks the beginning of my one-week "vacation" from my job, which as of right now I believe my official title is "Queen Fancypants of Not Working".
Not working is reeeeallly tiring, you know? Sleeping in, wandering around the house in my underwear, talking to the cats all day, lots of quality "magazine time"...

You know, hard work. Man oh man, I need a break.

I've got the house/cat sitter arranged, all of the travel arrangements/car rentals have been confirmed, so it looks like we're ready to go! Yay flying! Yay Valium!

We'll be in Seattle from Friday afternoon until Sunday morning, then we're driving to the Oregon coast for the rest of the week. For anyone living in/near either place, if you catch the scent of bacon and whiskey in the air, it's just me. Just ignore the sirens.

A few items:
  • I am meeting up in Seattle with my doppelganger, the other WM for a glass of wine, maybe some nibbly things, and such and such later Saturday (this Sat, the 26th) afternoon. Any of my other Seattle bloggers want to join us? E-mail me (it's in my profile) if you do and I'll let you know where. Here's your chance to punch me in the face for that one thing I said that one time.
  • We are only in Seattle a nanosecond, and pretty much all of our time there is spoken for, but I would LOVE any suggestions of things we have to/should do in Oregon. We are staying in a house right at the water's edge in lovely Seaside, OR. We are planning a day trip to Portland, maybe a trip to Mount Hood (tee hee, that sounds dirty), and a winery tour (duh)- any opinion on these, or anything else we should do?
  • I know. I'm not even gone yet and I miss me already too.

.

42 comments:

3carnations said...

For something quaint (and food related) there is a cheese factory in Tillamook, OR that offers tours (and samples). I seem to recall it's about an hour from Portland. We really enjoyed it. Also, we walked up to the top of Multnomah Falls. That was great. There are also a couple unique parks that we visited in Portland, though I don't remember their names. From one of them you could see 3 mountains, and the other is officially a park, but it is the smallest park in the country. It is actually in the median of a boulevard. We love quirky things like that. Somewhere we have a photo of us in the smallest park in the country. :)

Have fun!

Jon said...

I've been to Portland once, and I was really impressed by all the beer they have there. So my advice to you is to drink a lot of beer. (I know, I know. That's my advice for everything. But I really mean it for Portland.)

McGone said...

Now I'll be listening to Nirvana in my head for the rest of the day. And thinking of bacon. And whiskey. And Frances Farmer. So pretty much a normal Tuesday for me.

Safe travels!

lizgwiz said...

I've only been to Seattle once. I mostly remember drinking beer. And getting my first tattoo. Those two things may or may not have been related. ;)

rcubed said...

I grew up in Cannon Beach, just down the road from Seaside...go to Ecola State Park in Cannon Beach and walk from Ecola to Indian beach--it's a beautiful hike through the forest with amazing views of the ocean. If it were me, I would skip Portland and Tillamook and just hang out at the beach.
I guess it depends on your tolerance for driving and summer traffic. There's a decent Thai restaurant in Cannon Beach now, also the most awesome pizza at Pizza A Feta in Cannon Beach. The Driftwood Inn in CB has decent food and a good bar--my friend Suzy is the best bartender ever. She and her husband own the place so if you see a crazy lady tending bar who sort of looks like Elvira, tell her "hi" from rebecca in colorado. God, I miss that place. Have a good time, I hope you have good weather.

Lara said...

That sounds lovely! Have a wonderful vacation!

Also, if I were in Oregon I woudl go to wherever it is that they make wine.

Dr Zibbs said...

Make sure not to get too close to the space needle - unless you're wearing safety glass - it's very sharp.

Renaissance Woman said...

I don't have any suggestions,but I hope that you have a great time! If I was closer I would join for drinks but not punching. Not at the first meeting! Have fun...hurry back.

feisty said...

willamette valley wineries, in Oregon. they are South of Portland - very close by. if you go hungover, you will feel like a champ before you reach your 2nd destination....

my favs were EIEIO and Erath and Rex Hill: www.willamettewines.com

Chiada said...

Oooh! Oooh! I love Oregon. I've never been to Seattle but I've been to Portland a dozen times. Also been to Mt. Hood. There is a lodge up there that is pretty cool called Timberline Lodge. Also, if you do have any time to do anything around Portland, I'd highly recommend a few places: Hood River, a windsurfing mecca, and the Columbia Gorge, which is about a 40 minute drive east of Portland on the Oregon side of the Columbia River. Dozens of waterfalls - like Multnomah Falls - and hiking there. Lots of short, easy day hikes with spectacular scenery. Also the Bridge Of The Gods and the North Bonneville Dam are great places to see. Across the river in Washington in Stevenson is a huge visitors's center but I've never been there. I'd also highly recommend a ride on the Sternwheeler if it's docked in Cascade Locks. Ahhhh man... nostalgia. The Columbia Gorge is one of my favorite places in the world. I spent most of my summers there visiting my grandparents and family. I really really miss it. Say Hello to Oregon for me. As for the coast, I've only driven down the Oregon Coast once and it was prettymuch overcast the whole way. Hub-E and I stayed in a very cool bed & breakfast in Brookings which is just on the other side of the California/Oregon border. Have fuuuuuun!!!!! I'm so jealous.

http://www.crgva.org/
http://www.timberlinelodge.com
http://www.traveloregon.com/Explore%20Oregon/Mt%20Hood%20Columbia%20River%20Gorge.aspx
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/columbia/millennium2/welcome.htm

surviving myself said...

If you come to NY I promise not to punch you.

At least for the first fifteen minutes. After that I'll be good and drunk and I can't promise you anything.

Bill Hipps said...

I know you are booked buy if you don't stop by Top Pot for doughnuts you will be very sorry. Try the 5 pound custard filled if you dare!

CDP said...

I've never been, so no recommendations, but have a great time, and tell the other WM hi from me!

Amaya said...

Oh man, I'm going to be in Portland the weekend that you're in Seattle. :(
Anyway, I have some suggestions, but before I get started - the comments above are right on! Very helpful, yay!
Okay, so in Cannon Beach you need to have chowder at Mo's. Also, expect the mornings to be overcast but that usually wears off by noon in the summer.
As for Seattle, yes to the beer. There's a pub on the lower level of the market called Pike's Pub and Brewery. Good stuff. Plus you get to have the token "market" experience. Since you don't have much time in the city I'll try to keep my recommendations easy - so no Argosy Cruise for you. Or ferry ride to Bainbridge.
There's a park about 5 miles north of downtown called Greenlake that is really nice. It has a three mile trail around it and it's usually full of people during the summer. Fun vibe. Sometimes you see a local celeb there - Dave Matthews, for example.
Also, you can rent kayaks at Agua Verde near UW and go out on Lake Union and through the Arboretum, which is beautiful this time of year.
Okay, I guess I should stop. I really need to work. I'm just so excited for you.
Sorry again that I'll miss your blogger-get-together.
Can't wait to hear about the trip when you get back.

Stacey said...

All I'm saying is shop till you freakin drop because OR is tax free dahling.

Oh and if I tell you that again when I see you forgive me, it will be the wine talkin.

Damn why won't this week go by faster.

Stacey said...

Oh yeah and I am to only cool thing to see in Seattle so don't worry about any of that other stuff.

Oh woops, did i say that out loud ?

pat said...

We just went to Seattle and Oregon last month. Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood is "spendy" but very cool. The Rams Head Bar in Timberline Lodge has excellent food, beer, and views of the mountains. You can ski or snowboard there all summer. Check out the view:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thisispat/2640330451/in/set-72157605652921438/

I also liked Hood River on the Columbia River. Wish we would have had more time to explore that area.

Christy said...

I wish I had some suggestions for yout--I've never been there. I hope you have a fabulous time though. I'm sure there's bound to be good food & wine, and of course, you can't go wrong with those.

L Sass said...

I'm so jealous! I love the PacNW. I'm less familiar with Oregon than the Puget Sound, so I don't have any suggestions, but I'll be excited to read about your trip!

domboy said...

If you come back from Mount Hood without any semen stains on your car bonnet you really ought to be ashamed of yourself.

Joe said...

Here's what you do in Seattle:

Go to my old neighborhood (Capitol Hill), wrestle a cop to the ground, get him in a choke-hold and start yelling, "Coffee! Give me some fucking coffee or I swear to Christ, I'll ice this pig!"

Sounds weird at first, I know, but it's really one of the best ways to enjoy the city.

MommasWorld said...

Grr I'm jealous that you get to party with WM this weekend. Oh well, have a blast! Remember to carry an extra pair of pants in your purse...ya know you will loose the first pair. :-)

gorillabuns said...

Have fun, drink copious amounts of alcohol and sleep until noon!

kirby said...

If you're in Portland, go to the Kennedy School. In Newport, Oregon, don't miss the Rogue Brewery, but don't eat there. Go across the bay to their pub order Kobe's Blue Balls.

Siana said...

WTF?!?!? Monkey could have come with you! I just sent him to New York. Girl, you owe Monkey another trip.

diatribes and dish said...

There's a little town north of Seaside called Gearhart, that has a great little bakery/restaurant, Pacific Way Cafe. Go there. And go to Cannon Beach ... you gotta see Haystack Rock.

Also go to Higgins in Portland ... my fave is the open-faced pastrami sandwich available in the bar, but their dining room always has great NW fusion type dishes.

OR go to Paley's Place in Northwest Portland, a great little French/PacNW restaurant. So many good drunken times there ... and their pommes frites are an excellent way to soak up booze.

AND for the best spanish coffee you'll ever taste (and a free show in the making of the Spanish coffee), go to the bar at Hubers, Portland's oldest restaurant. I went there the day I took the Oregon bar exam. Good memories.

Finally, on Mt. Hood, if you want to go for a quickish hike, go for the Tom, Dick & Harry Ridge hike. Google it, you can get directions anywhere ... PHENOMENAL hike and great sights.

I'm so freaking jealous.

Gwen said...

Never been there so my recommendations are just to enjoy whatever it is you do to its fullest. I'll tell you what I tell everyone who's about to travel: Be good, have fun, but be sure to come home or else I'll die.

Brillig said...

Ooooh, sounds fantastic. I love Seattle, and I love Worker Mommy too-- what a wonderful combo! Have a great trip! And do something wretchedly scandalous and then come home and blog about it...

:-D

Just Me Again said...

Things to do in Portland:

Get a tattoo at Delux Tattoo on 82/Powell.

Go to Stripperoke (yes, you karaoke while the strippers strip) on Sunday night at 54th/Foster, forget the name of the bar...

Eat yourself sick at Pix on Hawthorne (it's a pastry/coffee place).

Just FYI, the Lazy Girl link is dead now. I've got a shiny new blog at thebestrevenge.wordpress.com. Please take your shoes off before coming in.

John said...

Whiskey! Whiskey! Lovely Whiskey! I don't even have time to read your post...I think it was something about you going somewhere? Virginia? I just dropped by because I missed you. I'll be back soon to savor every drop. : )

Just Me Again said...

Thanks for the bundt cake. I'm sorry you didn't get to read my Whiskey Marie Pickle Challenge post. I can sum it up for you in one word though: FAIL.

Who knew they didn't have mason jars in Mexico?

Letty Cruz said...

YAY Valium indeed! And why does Frasier STILL rear his fat head in MY big head when I see/hear/read about it?

180|360 said...

I was going to recommend the Kennedy School in Portland, but I see someone beat me to it. We stayed there a few years ago- very funky. You could go just for a drink or look around. It's a great place to stay the night.

The Oregon coast is beautiful! You are going to have a wonderful time no matter what you do. Ciao!

Stacy said...

I wish I were coming with you so I could drive you around and show you fun things.

However, in SEA, don't miss Pike Place Mkt. The produce alone will make you swoon. Fresh lychee? Done. Golden raspberries the size of your thumb? Done.

Go shopping at Utilikilts: www.utilikilt.com in South Seattle. Dudes in kilts? Right sexy. Get one for the Mister!

I haven't been to the OR coast since I was a kid, but on Cannon beach you can go on clam digs and have a bake on the beach! Deeelicious.

Have a fab time, dearie. Drinkies when you get back??

dguzman said...

I've never been there, but I'm sure there's plenty of wine and nibblies. Have a blast!

pistols at dawn said...

I love the idea of taking a vacation from sitting around the house. This is why we all admire you. And also because of your dedication to sitting around the house in your underwear near large picture windows.

T said...

I hope you have a great trip! Sounds like we will be there to welcome you back on Sunday. Can we go somewhere besides Pukins? PLEASE? We need to present a united front to the M and FIL ...

Moe Wanchuk said...

Can you say "Hi" to Niles Crane for me?

Fran said...

It is a good thing that I am going away too, because I would be freaking out big time without you.

Well,not really, but it sounded so damn good!

Have fun!

Ann(ie) said...

Have so much fun! I live in Seattle and I have met the other lovely WM and you guys are going to have a blast. Come find me if the party gets too fun for me to miss, okay?!!! AND we just got back from Seaside a couple of weeks ago....Stayed at the Shilo Inn on the water....BIG FUN. You will have a blast!

Distributorcap said...

i biked the coast of oregon

http://youtube.com/watch?v=bOWOoJLs1hg

dont miss it

E said...

Aww, I am a little jealous! I used to live in Seaside. As a previous comment recommended, I'm going to second the Ecola State Park and Canon Beach. The movie Goonies was filmed in that area -do you need any other reason to go?
Also, in Seaside, hit up Dooger's. AWESOME crab melts, and the promenade area that it is on is really fun!
Enjoy your vacation, the Washington/Oregon coast is amazing!