How We Met

Her Story: 

How did we meet?  At work.  How common.

EXCEPT there IS a story.  You see, Onnie and I both were employed by Portland State University just months apart.  Onnie ended up becoming part of the Tech Support Team for the department that I was working in (one of many on his roster).  I was there for four years and I don't remember him ever coming up to service our group's machines -- he sent his student workers instead, which was de rigueur.  You may say that four years is a long time, but to be fair Onnie was married at the time and, well, I was just learning about Portland, enjoying my new home in the Northwest, and curious if the right man was to materialize.  I was also waiting for the right job to materialize.  When I eventually found a new group, it was, lo and behold, in the same basement hallway as my previous Tech Team.  Imagine!  Well, since I knew one of the students, Andrew (the rest had recently graduated or flown the coop), I was introduced to Onnie at Andrew's graduation/going-away dinner.  After that we politely waved in the hall.  Nearly a year later I started to lunch in the hall (because the cafeteria was just too crowded by then), and we started to chat more in the hall.  And laugh in the hall.  And he seemed to take breaks at the same time (funny how I would run into him outside and going in the same direction).  And the rest .... is a sweet up-and-down crazy private story that you aren't privy to.  Needless to say, the basement is no longer a dingy dark subterranean enclave.  It's our little place now; he's nearby and I love it.  (Until departments or jobs change, that is, but he's there for me to go home to and that means everything.)

There's also a bit about a hare and a mythical sea creature, but it's shrouded in tidal mist and can't be translated into any written language.

Dining

For your dining pleasure, there is much to sample in lovely Astoria -- especially if you like seafood!  Yum.

http://www.oldoregon.com/dining/

Coffee
http://www.oldoregon.com/dining/espresso/
If you like Starbucks, there is only one nearby and that's right across the bridge into Warrenton.  They serve Starbucks coffee in the Safeway (on the East side of town), but the Safeway servers may be slow in trying to figure out exactly what you may be ordering.  The diner Andrew & Steve's makes a good cup o' Joe, according to Onnie.  But there are others places to visit get your caffeine on.

Eats
http://www.oldoregon.com/dining/restaurant/
Onnie and I like Andrew & Steve's, especially for breakfast.  It's a small diner, but the food and coffee are good, and it's all quite reasonable.  The Pig n' Pancake has been described as an overpriced Denny's with bad service.  The Wet Dog Cafe & Brew Pub is tasty, with lots of fish on the menu.  For Mexican food, Onnie recommends Plaza Jalisco.  The Home Bakery is a family favorite for pasteries -- you'll find it on the East side of town heading out Rt. 30 towards Portland.  It's a Finnish bakery most beloved by the Granados family.  Tasty turnovers and danishes!

Drinks

Visit the same link above for restaurants.  The Elliott Hotel has a lovely European-feel wine bar in the basement (below the sidewalk), which you can get to from outside the hotel, in front of the florist.  I'll check with them to see if they are open to the public and what hours.  As we won't be serving alcohol at the reception, I will try to post options for our guests.   Stay tuned!

Days of Glory/Hoop Dreams

It was a beautiful weekend in Portland and we spent some time Saturday at the annual Multnomah Days fest in Multnomah Village, which happens to be just a hoop, skip, and a jump from my dad's house. Did I say hoop? Yes, I said hoop, as in Hooping, a highly updated version of your classic Hula Hoop (tm) form of exercise and entertainment. Check out our updated Photo section for some pix from the day, including a short video of a top-notch hoopster, Erika Fey, showing how it's done.

After a morning in Multnomah, we hit the highway and headed west for a splendid rest-of-the-weekend-getaway in beautiful Astoria. And we've got pictures to prove it, please check 'em out!

Accommodations

For those of you who may be staying in Astoria for one or more evenings, we've compiled a short list of links and recommendations of places to stay.  We will be staying with family in one of the B&B's in town.  If you would be interested in possible group rates, please give us a call. 

Lodging
http://www.oldoregon.com/lodging/
You'll can walk to some of the hotels, but most are very close by even by car.  There's a Best Western and Holiday Inn, as well as luxury and economy on both ends of the spectrum.  Something for every checkbook, and some are right on the water.  The Hotel Elliott is right across the street, and even though you may not stay there you might get a tour if you ask (it's recently be renovated and is pretty swanky.)


We visited some Bed & Breakfasts while in town, and here are a couple that we would recommend (based on looks, location, and general guesswork).  You may want to call them for more details.  Most list the peak season through October 31st, so keep that in mind.

Rosebriar Inn B&B
http://www.rosebriar.net/
This is a very nice place.  It's just up the hill from the theater and it has parking and good views.  It used to be a convent and has a little garden and shrine.  Beautiful dining area, lots of hard wood and stained glass.  Gorgeous staircase.  Comfy lobby for relaxing.

Rose River Inn B&B
http://www.roseriverinn.com/
Also a nice place.  They were closed for cleaning when we were there, but looking inside we could tell it's a nice place (the website has good photos).  Hardwood floors, big lobby, nice porch, homey atmosphere.  Good views, too.  They have a little dog that greeted us at the window, complete with a knitted sweater.

Clementine's B&B
http://www.clementines-bb.com/index.html
This is a little more old-homey feel.  I could suddenly imagine that I was back in 1895, complete with a bustled skirt and hat.  Antiques galore.  The style is a bit more Victorian Traveller.  First floor lobby overlooks an unattractive government building.  We didn't get up to see the rooms, so I'm hoping they look over and out towards the water.  Steep staircase outside to the main door.  Lovely garden, though.  Just a short walk to the theater.

Grandview B&B
http://www.grandviewbedandbreakfast.com/
http://www.pacifier.com/~grndview/ (for pictures)
This one has an old Victorian English Tea feel to it.  Comfy, bright little breakfast nook with china that has little birds and flowers on them.  Good views towards the river.  There's not really a lobby to hang out in and you'll need to walk up some stairs.  The proprietor was a genuinely friendly woman who has been there for quite a while and liked chatting with visitors.  Timing again prevented us from seeing the rooms, but they look comfy, though on the frilly pastel side.

  RVs & Campgrounds
http://www.oldoregon.com/lodging/rv-parks-campgrounds/
Fort Stevens is a classic.  They even have yurts!  Onnie can give you a rundown as he has personal experience of camping there.