Passport fun!

Portland is known for being a bit unique so it only makes sense that we would have a chain of restaurants, taverns, pubs, cigar bars, concert venues, theaters, spas, micro-breweries, distilleries, soaking pools, wineries, golf courses, pool halls and hotels that are located in old schools, poor houses, masonic lodges, ballrooms, vintage theaters, churches, brothels, general stores, pioneer homesteads and funeral homes.  

Of course, anyone local to Oregon and parts of Washington knows I am referring to the McMenamins chain. Full of character, these unique places are owned by local brothers Mike & Brian McMenamin and have been key in revitalizing some of the Pacific Northwest's forgotten architectural and historical treasures making them into hip and trendy places to relax, be entertained, listen to great live music and enjoy some awesome food, beer, liquors and wines.

This year, McMenamins has released their Passport which is exactly what it sounds.  It is a little blue passport where you get stamps for visiting different locations, sometimes individual locations, like the local pubs scattered across town and other times large locations like Edgefield where you visit eight different bars/restaurants/tasting rooms, etc.  When you complete a location (or neighborhood), you receive a prize of some sort.  While most locations are local to the Portland area, some are in various other places in Oregon and Washington, which means fun trips and new places to visit!

Some awesome friends and I purchased the passports a couple of weeks ago and have been having a blast exploring new locations and collecting the spoils received from completing pages.  The passports themselves can be purchased at basically any McMenamins locations and cost just $20.  The best part is that you can earn that $20 back easily by completing four activities in the front adventures part of the passport (not required to complete the passport) doing things such as having a spa treatment at one of their Ruby Spas, taking a dip in the soaking pools, attending a concert, staying the night in one of their hotels, tasting a beer, wine or distillery flight, etc.

Seriously awesome marketing scheme on their part but for McMenamins enthusiasts it is a fun way to visit all their locations and earn some amazing prizes when your passport is complete.  Prizes include three free nights at historic hotels, free concert tickets, free food, invites to exclusive parties, etc.  Well worth it if you are a McMenamin's fan!

Here are some photos from our adventures so far!

The Passport - stamps and photo hunts at Edgefield

Pat's Corner - Grand Lodge

 

Ceiling at Pat's Corner - Grand Lodge (photo credit: Bryan Freeman)

Cornelius Pass Roadhouse (photo credit: Bryan Freeman)

Rock Creek Tavern (photo credit: Bryan Freeman)

Our freebies so far - McMenamins playing cards from completing Edgefield in 12/2013 and photo magnets from completing Grand Lodge in 12/2013 (prizes may change by month).

The Burning Man project

So last night I found myself wasting a couple of hours fascinated by the Burning Man website and watching subsequent videos on YouTube of the event.  Why?  I don't know, cause it was there and interesting?  But really, when I think about it, I recognize that it intrigues me so much because it represents the epitome of an 'adventure' to me.  It's mysterious, overwhelming, awe-inspiring and a bit uncomfortable - all things that I think are necessary for an experience to be an adventure.

Fire dancer in Black Rock City

Now, I'm not even contemplating going to Burning Man.  The thought of me at Burning Man is ludicrous - I mean really, I never go outside the house without at least mascara on, I hate being hot and the festival is in the Nevada desert in August, I don't do well with not being able to take a shower at the very least every other day, I hate porta-potties, I have an intense phobia of drunk puking (well, other people barfing in general) and I certainly wouldn't have the physical stamina to walk and ride a bike around a vehicle less town (well, except for the DMV - Department of Mutant Vehicles roaming the grounds - google image search them for entertainment, seriously).  And yes, I realize that last sentence was the stuff grammar police have nightmares about.

Duck mutant vehicle, revelers at night

But all that aside, reading about Burning Man has awoken a burning need in me for change.  For the need to add more excitement to my life and explore the world and people around me.  Hauling a weeks worth of water, supplies, food, bikes, tents, etc. across an arid desert to indulge in 6 days of uninhibited craziness and community may not be the best choice for me but that doesn't mean that I can't be inspired by the spirit of the festival.

Black Rock City at night - amazing that all of this is brought in and created on the site and when it is broken down at the end of the festival they leave no trace behind. 50,000 people leave no trace.  At all. 

My version of Burning Man will be exploring more of this fabulous city (and state) I call home.  There are so many things to do here in Portland and I've done approximately three of them in my past 31 years.  Boring. So while I may not be up for a crazy adventure, I look forward to the new things I will experience right here in my awesome hometown. Stay tuned for posts as I experience new things!

Burning Man!