Unfortunately I never got to Cannon Beach

Hi to all the people who helped me plan a wonderful trip to Cannon Beach and restaurants in Portland. It isn%26#39;t really funny but I never got to one restaurant or to Cannon Beach. Don%26#39;t worry, I will use your information in the future.

We drove to Portland in two days. I was having some health issues when I left. It was exasberated by a new hotel that had intense odors due to it%26#39;s newness. I had somewhat of an allergic reaction and 36 hours of illness. I was only going to be there for 3 days so you can see what that did to my plans.

On Thursday afternoon I did get to take the light rail into Portland, eat at some bar and grill on Morrison Ave right off the light rail. AND I do mean right off the rail. I can%26#39;t remember it%26#39;s name something like ';Down and Out'; and they are a chain but we never have gone there. I enjoyed seeing Downtown, Chinatown, the different residential areas. I only walked a few blocks in downtown but just getting out was really fun.

On the last day I had a great day which made up for all the rest. I was so appreciative for the time I had. It was one of those magical days from beginning to end. Since we were staying at Heathman Lodge who by the way let me in early (10:00 a.m.) on Wed. without reservations since I was so sick from the other hotel, I got right up and on my way. We started out at an inexpensive breakfast place to limit my energy. Then we went the Columbia River Gorge. I saw the waterfalls, walked to the look outs at Bridal Falls and even walked to Bridal Falls with several rests. Thank goodness for the benches. I had to laugh because the elderly people went down to Bridal Falls behind us and passed us as I rested and came up before we even got there. I look so young so they probably thought it was strange. We went on to Multnomah Falls and I was so jazzed I nearly cried. BEAUTY BEAUTY BEAUTY....green trees, lovely flowers, beautiful mountains, lovely river views, a gorgeous waterfall and restaurant with a wood burning fireplace. Throughout the day I smelled fall leaves, I celebrated the wonderful leaves in contrast to the wet pavement, the air was cool but not cold, the sky changed from cloudy to blue on and off and I wanted to bottle it all up and hold onto it forever. I got to walk up to the bridge at Multnomah Falls and take pictures. I nearly wanted to jump up and down like a kid in a candy store. It was MAGICAL!!!

So now what...I hope to get there again in the near future or in summer and spend more time. I will have airline benefits so that will help make it possible. This was really a ';look over ';so I could plan better (my decision to call it that so I can not dwell on the time I lost). Next time I will get my ocean and cliffs magic. I will get to go to Mt. Hood. It was snowing at 5000 ft on Friday and the news said they couldn%26#39;t get past Government camp so we surely didn%26#39;t get to Whispering Woods or the rest as planned. BUT, I do believe we will be back so it is just a matter of time. AND I have video of the falls and green areas so when I need a ';green'; memory I can watch them all over again.

Thanks and I will share next time when I get there. If I fly instead of being in a car two days and staying in an unknown hotel, I should be good to go most of the time. I can%26#39;t wait!!!

Unfortunately I never got to Cannon Beach

Thanks for reporting back, I agree Multnomah Falls are gorgeous! :)

Unfortunately I never got to Cannon Beach

You took me back a few years, who%26#39;swho. I remember my wife reacting to certain smells, often perfumes, much in the same way as you. Too bad it forced you to miss much of what you%26#39;d planned, but it%26#39;s nice to read that you%26#39;re looking forward to a next trip.

And thanks for the perspective; ';..I smelled fall leaves..in contrast to the wet pavement, the air was cool but not cold, the sky changed from cloudy to blue on and off and I wanted to bottle it all up and hold onto it forever.'; Gives me a new sense of appreciation of things I often take for granted.

Hope you come back soon!

gardenmore should see your entry!! I think the gorge and all of the falls are so beautiful. We like to drive up once or twice a year and really fall is such a wonderful time to experience the area. I love it when all of the stone walls and rocks are covered with moss. The gorge is an oasis of cool in the hot summer and then pure magic in the fall.

Glad you had one great day. Sorry others were not good. You surely sound like candidate to come back. Gorge is special but we have a few other equally nice places.

Ah, here is your report!

I left a note for you on another thread :)

I am sorry you got so sick, I am glad that the hotel was so accomodating and kind .

I am glad you enjoyed as much of the trip as you did, and I hope that you have many many more years of enjoyment and trips ahead of you.

Scarlett

Thanks for all your comments. I did go on gardenmore%26#39;s post and wrote about the Heathman Lodge. I didn%26#39;t say much about the Gorge because that was a definite stop. I%26#39;ll be seeing you all next time.