The Pumpkin

I had gotten to Portland¹ not to far into the evening, around 4 PM. My generous host, Bill, led me to my room where I was able to catch up on some reading and listen to the transcendent set by Tig Notaro at Largo in LA.² Bill had some papers to grade and I needed a shower.

Bill had some additional guests, and we all went out and got some dinner and some locally flavored beer. I grabbed some Inversion IPA from Deschutes brewery. It was a fantastic Brew that has a bit of kick to them.

We went out to a fun little bar that had a large outdoor area with a decent sized fireplace in the middle, a bench swing, and a little shed near the front. The outside was a bit packed, but the shed was wide open for the 5 person party we had going out. Prices out here in the Pacific NW for beer are very cheap. It is 7-8 bucks for microbrewery³ 6 packs. The bar also had an every day special of 2 dollar PBR pints, but did not have pitchers. I don't quite understand not having pitchers available. Is this a thing in Portland? It's weird.

After having a few libations at the bar we went to a food truck area where there were many options. Unfortunately, I feel I chose poorly and got a philly cheese steak. The crepes that were being eaten around me looked much more appetizing. Oh well. We happened to pass a place where we acquired a pumpkin.⁴ Back at the estate Bill and his other guests decorated the new jack-o-lantern with a brown crayon⁵, bottle caps, and a headband.

I woke up a little later than I have been traditionally waking up this trip. It may have been due to the beverages consumed the previous night, but I don't want to jump to conclusions. I was able to however still get to a campground in Whitman National Forest. It was pretty, but I was too tired to take pictures and just set up a tent and went to bed. The trip itself was a pretty great drive, but it was cold that night. I think for the rest of the trips I will not find campgrounds rather go to cheap hotels.

1Heyyyyyyoooooo River.

2Available here, It was featured on the most recent This American Life podcast, but it really much better heard in entirety. Pay the $5 it is fantastic.

3I don't like the name craft breweries, but I also don't like microbreweries. Many “craft breweries” don't do a lot of experimental stuff, just take care to make a higher taste content in the beers. I believe we should move to Taste Breweries. IT'S A REVOLUTION!

4Acquired*

5The brown crayon was used in its intended state as well as a melted state. It was really a work of art.