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).

+/= of the week

As today was one of those "terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days" I figure it is the right time to take a look at what is going well in life..

+      I am looking forward to babysitting my adorable niece Meredith on Saturday evening while my sister and bro-in-law go to a Timbers game.  I'm hoping for sunshine, for them to enjoy at the game and for Miss Meredith and I to enjoy before dinner!  I am also super excited to see my bestie Kristal on Sunday when she is in town for the weekend.  It's been way too long again (since January!) and I'm looking forward to catching up with her.  Oh, and in my first week back on plan (Medifast) I lose 7.5lbs.  Yay!

-      My knee has been hurting today and I hate limping around. And this isn't even the knee with the repaired torn meniscus and still torn ACL.  UGH.  I'm looking forward to continuing to loose more weight and easing up on some of the pressure I put on my poor knees on a daily basis.  I also have a CRAPLOAD of homework to do over the next two weeks.  Aack!

Tuesday People*

I am so thankful I ‘manned up’ and took a chance in going back to school.  The thought of doing so was scary as hell considering my previous college debacle.

My first college experience was a time when I was at my worst.  I was so far down the rabbit hole, sunk in a pit of depression, hopelessness, lack of self-worth, etc. that I couldn’t cope with everyday life, let alone school.  I barely passed my classes, cut myself off from all but a few select friends and holed myself up from the world.  This depression greatly affected my faith as well, when your self-worth is so low you certainly don’t feel worthy of God’s love and you feel like no one cares about you, even our Heavenly Father. 

Over the years as my mental health has gotten somewhat better my faith has gradually come back and I have once again found comfort in the promise of Christ’s love.  It has, however, been the encouragement, insight and faith of the amazing group of ladies that make up my cohort at George Fox University that has truly encouraged me to open myself up again to God’s love.   From in class prayer on occasions when numerous ladies need a little bit of help to the daily encouragement and support found on our little Facebook group, I have never been a part of something where there is such a shared feeling of God’s love on a personal level and I am so thankful to be part of this amazing group of ladies. 

• You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. (Psalm 32:7-8)

• You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)

• Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. (Psalm 61:1-4)

So here’s to my Tuesday People:

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17)

 

*(read Tuesday's With Morrie - it will change your life)

The big 3-0!

The weather cooperated! I was so glad to be able to make it over the mountain without any issues on Saturday so I could be with my very best friend for her 30th birthday dinner.  

Kristal and I have been friends for 26+ years of our now 30(!) years of existence.  It amazes me that we have known each other this long and still like each other - in fact I think in some ways we are closer than we have been in years, even with her being 150 or so miles away.  

We've been through a lot, both together and apart, and I know that even if we have another time where we aren't as close as we are now, we will ALWAYS be there for each other...

So cheers to best friends and always having the other's back... and another 30 years of friendship!

Here's to the fun and flirty 30's!  ;)