Ninety- Second Stop: Dreams

This is the day that I have been looking forward to for 10 years. Tonight I will be sitting in the Moda Center watching THE Garth Brooks perform.  Garth was my first country artist that I listened to and fell in love with!  Since I started listening, I told myself that one day I would see him in concert.  That day is HERE!!

Before the concert, though, we took a drive and went to find some waterfalls.  We headed towards the Multnomah Falls, but before arriving there we stopped and did a short 3-mile hike around the Latourell Falls.  We started at the base and went all the way up to where we were on top of the falls and down around till we were behind it.  It was absolutely gorgeous!!

After the 3-mile jaunt, we didn't have much time to do the other hikes, but were able to walk up and see the Multnomah Fall.  It is huge!  We went up to the bridge that is located in the middle too. Such a powerful beauty.

After the falls and a quick snack, we got cleaned up and headed to a super cute little wine bar right down on the water called Thirst.  We were able to watch some of the dragon boaters practice too.  The ships were beautiful and the colors were popping amongst the yachts and other boats.

After a flight of wine, we walked down the way and enjoyed a fancy meal at McCormick and Schmidts.  It was, as it has been, a fabulous meal.  The lobster was amazing.  After all fat and happy, we headed to the concert!

As we made our way into the stadium it hit me... I am making my dream come true!   I am going to be inside watching "Garth fricken Brooks" !!  As we watched the opener Karyn Rochelle, who is also a fabulous singer and song writer, it starts to sink in. Then he takes the stage and I get goose bumps!  What an amazing entertainer!  The crowd was sold out and not one butt in the seat the entire concert!

Garth Brooks' concert was the first entertainer to sell out his shows and so quickly there in the Moda Center.  He then even added another date and I some how got lucky enough to get tickets.  Garth said several times how moved he was by the support he received from Portland.  You could tell other times too by his body language.  He would put his hand over his heart look around and would be speechless.  Seeing that passion and sincere feeling of gratefulness was very moving.  He got my eyes sweating.

There are not enough words to describe how blessed I am to have had this opportunity.  Making this dream of mine come true is one thing I will never forget.   I wish I could follow him around the world.

Beautiful reminder that the Grandpa is with me. An old school Mail truck!

                                 

 

                 

            

                  

 

                                

 

Breath taking beauty from Portland Women's Forum lookout. 

Dragon boat practice. Boats were beautiful. 

                  

Happy Birthday Sister!!! 

                                 

 

Making dreams come true is a powerful thing.. especially when they are your own. 

Opener and back up singer. She killed it!

Yup! That is Trisha. No big deal!

My eyes sweat a little bit... Unbelievably amazing!

We met Karyn. No big deal. 

Ninety- First Stop: Portland!

I made it!!  Alyssa and I are here in Portland and seeing what kind of trouble we can find.

As soon as we met up at the airport, we headed to the hotel and regrouped.  We both had very early mornings.  Once we came up with a plan, we headed to to town on the MAX. 

After getting off the MAX, we started wandering,  seeing where we would end up and we stumbled across VooDoo donut.  Seizing the moment, we walked in and did not even have to wait in line. There wasn't one... and from what everyone told me that was very unusual!  We got a few donuts to try and made a friend with another tourist.  He was such a great guy.  Started a pay it forward chain.  Sometimes you just have to do something for someone else " just because". 

After trying a maple bacon donut and falling in love, we found ourselves a place to snack and have a beverage.  First stop ---Henry's Tavern.  Ordered a flight and a few appetizers.  If you are in town the food there is delicious and I recommend it!

Then we are off.. not knowing exactly where we stumbled across Rogue.  My new all-time favorite beer.  We can buy some of the beers in regular stores, but if you have not had the chance to go in the Oregon-started brewery, you should go in one.  It is such an awesome vibe and the brewery was started on a great idea.  If you want to learn more about this amazing place, check out their website!  I promise you won't be disappointed.   I mean.. the pumpkin spice beer taste like thanksgiving in your mouth.. delicious!

http://www.rogue.com/rogueabout/  

After a few more stops, we headed back to the hotel for an early night.  It had been such a great day and cannot wait for the next adventures. 

                                 

                                     

 

                                        

                                  

 

Ninetieth Stop: Anchorage

Today I got to run around here in Anchorage and it was fun.  The weather was beautiful and I got to splurge and pamper myself.

First stop was getting a mani-pedi.  It was so great.   I miss the little pampering things that I use to spend time on that helped with my own personal mental health.  After pampering with a mani -pedi,  I headed back to see Mrs. Miranda.  She asked if I wanted lashes and she put on volume lashes.  I like to think I had pretty long lashes, but hot damn!!!! The added volume makes my lashes look AMAZING!!

I am finalizing some packing and taking a quick two-hour power nap and heading to the airport!   I will be boarding my first plane at 5.  Portland, I am coming for you.   I cannot wait!!

Eighty-Nineth Stop: SPRING BREAK

SPRING BREAK IS HERE!!!

Off to Anchorage I go.  I got to make the trip with one of the amazing teachers here at the school from Homer to Anchorage.  What an interesting, exciting drive it was.  The weather went from beautiful sunny skies, firing down rain, hail, gust of winds, and HUGE snowflakes.  It was crazy and yet very beautiful.  With the crazy weather conditions and all, we made it to Anchorage in no time and it was such a beautiful drive and very exciting.

Once I got to Anchorage, I got my rental car and headed to my Anchorage families house.  When I pull in the driveway, I hear Mr. T come stomping down the stairs and see him flying through the front door and yelling, "Ryan, you stay here with me?"  After a very long couple of weeks, it was so nice to be greeted with such excitement.   I love that little guy!  It was so great to see my Anchorage family.   I am missing so many big things back home it was nice to be in a family unit.

Here is to the next week! Great things are coming. This is just the start

Tyler snuggles are the best!

Eighty-Eighth Stop: Homer to Anchorage

This blog does not need much. I got to take the drive from Homer to Anchorage with a great friend and colleague. The weather was unpredictable and yet so beautiful! 

Pictures will write this blog for me. 

MADE IT!