Our Stay in West Linn, OR

Oregon

March 2021

Driving from Yacolt, WA, to West Linn, OR

Checking out and in! Today was moving day. We would have loved to stay longer in this Yacolt cottage, but the owners already had other renters for the upcoming period.

Thankfully, we found something closer to our friends in Oregon; in West Linn, one of the hilly suburbs of Portland.

We left around 11 am, had lunch, and arrived early at our new location. We were allowed to check in earlier. Within 2 hours, we had unpacked the car and walked to the nearby supermarket to get some dinner!

From Texas to Oregon, Catching Up with Friends

During our stay here, we visited our San Antonio, TX, friends who had moved to Lake Oswego, OR, last year. They live in a beautiful apartment near coffee shops, local restaurants, the park, and the lake. They love it here in Oregon.

My friend had prepared a delicious dinner with salmon, couscous, and asparagus. Her homemade bread was top-notch; she grows her own yeast, which she calls Lola. We had chocolate cake as dessert. We chitchatted all evening, and before we knew it was 12pm. It felt great seeing each other again after almost three years!

A Lake Oswego Stroll with Spring in the Air

Spring was in the air, so instead of taking the car, we walked to the grocery store in Lake Oswego to get wine and bread. The temperature was pleasant, and the trees and flowers also liked it since they were full of blooms!

People gathered outside soaking up the sun, sitting on the public benches, or in the grass. Although everyone was still wearing masks, the beautiful weather made us really want to believe that the worst of COVID would finally be over.

Reconnecting in Downtown Lake Oswego

I met my dear friend two years ago while living in Hillsboro, OR. We began our beautiful, sunny day with coffee and a leisurely walk through Lake Oswego’s park, following the trail along the scenic Willamette River.

After returning to downtown Lake Oswego, we enjoyed a light snack and two glasses of chilled Willamette Valley Pinot Gris, while soaking up the sun’s warmth. Moments like these, shared with great friends, are truly priceless!

Hillsboro Revisited, Tracing Old Trails

For old times’ sake, we drove to Hillsboro and walked the trail we had walked or run so many times. It was overcast; therefore, Mount Hood was hidden in the distance. When it began to rain, we returned to the car.

We drove by our former apartment, where we had lived for two years. The contractors had finished painting, which they started after we moved in July last year. The new blue and white colors made the buildings significantly more appealing.

We considered stopping at the Spaghetti Factory for a snack, wine, and a final farewell to the area but ultimately decided to return home for a glass of wine instead.

A Goodbye, From Basement to House Prep

For 15 days, we stayed in the basement of a family with three little boys. The renters were polite and helpful when we encountered Internet and TV problems. However, we would not book there again. The basement lacked natural light, remaining dark even on sunny days. We also found it difficult to adjust to the noise when the family was home. Despite these challenges, we enjoyed our time in Portland, reconnecting with friends, shopping, and visiting familiar and new places.

Check-out was at 11 am, and we locked the door at 10:55 am. We then drove to our son and daughter-in-law’s home in Auburn, WA, arriving around 2 pm. For two days, we helped them prepare their house for the market. Afterward, we continued our travels to King Hill, Idaho.