The Velveteria ? I know there was talk of it in July but I put it down as just another Urban Myth.
I have to be on the 2:50 pm train out of town on Sun but maybe I could still check it out then. I am thinking it might be just a little smaller than the Louvre, right?

Not an urban myth, Bill. Where did you think that Velveeta was made?

whence the descriptive word
CHEESY !!!!
very appropriate

So, it's time for another recount. I think we've got enough folks interested in the walking tour to make it $12 per person. (It would have been more per person if we had fewer than 10 people joining the group.) The catch is that for a private tour, I have to book it now and give them a 50% deposit... So don't back out after I've done that, or you'll have me to answer to.

These are the folks who have said they're interested in the walking tour (after a market stop):
Tracy Ann
Llalewyn
Sky Annie
anniebanannie
BillE
Hillbilly
Wayward Angel
kjerstan
Callilucy
crackerjillian (maybe)

Those interested in an out-of-town activity (as yet to be determined):
Zopa (and her many personalities)
BostonBill

Those who are completely non-committal, and who should probably go into politics:
trekker
Capt Steve

Speak up if you haven't yet been counted.

Alright, we are finalized for Friday night at the Hawthorne Hideaway. 8ish, come one come all.

Thanks, cracker, you're a gem for organizing that.

Please count me in on whatever tours you've got planned - either in Portland or going to Mt. St. Helens! My Jet Blue flight comes in from JFK on Friday night at 11:05. But if the pub crawling is still going on by midnight, I'll try to catch up.

quote:

My Jet Blue flight comes in from JFK on Friday night

i like you very much already - you have exquisite taste in airlines.

BillE arrives not much later than that, I believe.

I'll be at the hostel welcoming folks at that point in time, most likely.

As info,the hostel wants anyone who thinks they will be arriving after 11 pm to call them to let them know that day. They will then give you a code for the door and arrange for linen etc,

hey everybody.

here we go. you might be facing a deadline by which you needs make a commitment. i know, i know, this is all so very un-flybytheseatofonesconvertiblepants, but here is what i am thinking [at last, you sigh]:

if i am gonna rent a vehicle in which to place a few booties of booties, then i need to see what is in peoples' heads. so i can invest a couple of hours trying to find the best deal on a rental (any tips, by the way? ie airport vs. downtown agency). but, before investing those precious, precious hours (which could be spent on youtube) i just wanna know who is kinda pretty sure they wanna go out of town on saturday.

i myself dont know right now where we will go, although i just saw a still photo of folks looking out at the ocean from an oregon beach and it was beautiful, but again, the scene swirling in my head involves stopping for some coffee/beer, seeing a purty place, chillin', returning to pdx in time for disco naps.

but this is not a matriarchy/monarchy/democracy...opps, i mean, it is more like a democracy, though not a representative democracy cuz that would be very complicated to throw together in a couploa days.

if you got bored and skipped to this line then here's the summary:
if you wanna go out of town on sat (and chip in toward gas/vehicle rental), then lemme know.

pax
zopa

Yes, I would like to see something outside the city. I am fascinated by Mt St Helens although apparently this is not a weather friendly destination in Dec. I did get to the coast in July and it is indeed a wild and wonderful place.
So I am in for wherever.

I am interested in getting out of town (probably cheaper for me than roaming the markets, thats always dangerous especially if they let me haggle).

Mt. St. Helens has always been on my wish list, but thats weather depending. The coast is beautiful, seaside is a good place or also haystacks (I think thats what those large rocks in the ocean are called), or heck anyone want to go see the aquarium (haven't been there since I visited Keiko the Orca) in newport. Might be a good place if the weather is true oregonian winter weather.

Trekker

Okay, the walking tour has been booked - it'll start at 2:30pm on Saturday, December 2nd. The starting point is the Visitors Information Center on the lower level of Pioneer Courthouse Square. If you're coming directly from the Saturday Market, you can catch the MAX train (free!) to the square. Here's a map of downtown Portland; the square is between Broadway & 6th, and Morrison & Yamhill. You should see what's meant by the "lower level" of the square when you get there - it drops like a Roman amphitheater does.

It'll be $12 per person (plus tips for the guide, not required but if the guide is good they're recommended) if we have 10 or more people on the tour, more per person if we have fewer than ten. You'll be paying BnA for the tour, as we're paying the deposit up front.

Some other notes about these tours - they are rain or shine, so plan on going regardless of weather. It was snowing about a half-hour ago here - the weather this weekend looks cold, but not snowy (at the moment). It's a good idea to plan for rain, though. It is December in Portland, after all. Umbrellas are your friends.

Questions? Ask away.

Wow. Just noticed this giant thread. I am completely behind and in front of an out of town adventure Saturday. The dirtier we get the better. Never really explored much up in those parts but I know it's beautiful pretty much anywhere you go. If the usual spots have lost peoples interest I could see if I can find out something really spectacular to hit up and if it's hard to get to I can boost a 4x4 pickup from the Portland office and we can pile in the back like REAL adventurers. Any local hikable hot springs? Alaways a personal cold weather favorite. Just a thought. By the way I really like the expression "Disco Naps"! Awesome.