{"id":919,"date":"2009-07-08T09:41:00","date_gmt":"2009-07-08T09:41:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/monkeymind\/2009\/07\/nearing-the-end-or-keep-portland-weird\/"},"modified":"2011-11-01T15:09:35","modified_gmt":"2011-11-01T19:09:35","slug":"nearing-the-end-or-keep-portland-weird","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/monkeymind\/2009\/07\/nearing-the-end-or-keep-portland-weird.html","title":{"rendered":"Nearing the End, or Keep Portland Weird"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

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Well, the trip with Jan is almost over.<\/p>\n

We made our way up the Oregon coast to Astoria then left 101, heading east on 30, drove past Clatskanie, where I\u2019ll be returning tomorrow, and on into Portland.<\/p>\n

As has been the case for this whole trip we\u2019ve not contacted friends in the area, choosing instead to spend our time together. I\u2019ve felt small tinges about this decision, but mostly have been so grateful to have time to just be with Jan. Haven\u2019t had time together like this in years\u2026<\/p>\n

And what a place to do it. The Pacific Northwest is flat out amazing beautiful.<\/p>\n

Now we\u2019re ensconced in Portland, and have few plans. A visit to Powell\u2019s, of course. A walk around the city\u2019s small Chinatown, probably. I do love slipping into the Chinese gardens.<\/p>\n

Otherwise we\u2019ll probably just follow our noses.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s certainly enough here to occupy us\u2026<\/p>\n