Not the Connells of the 74-75 fame, but the O’Connells. The wonderful family of my sister in law.

They put up with us across two locations and were nothing but wonderful hosts!

First up was Erica in her Portland flat. Her and her dogs two cats, plus the parents hound, she was very kind to accommodate us! Right by the river, a perfect spot for us to wander in and see what Portland had to offer. An aerial tram took us to a hospital, and back. We had an awesome coffee, at the Simple Local Coffee place. Oddly I broke my own rules, where normally I would go for a simple local coffee, instead the marketing got me and I opted for a Salted Caramel Latte. Who’da thunk it, it was bloody lovely. There were some more beards, Some more Utilikilts and some more artsy things.

Erica was kind enough to lend us her car. We headed out to the waterfalls in the gorge by the Columbia River. It was indeed beautiful. I couldn’t help the theme from Last of the Mohicans playing through my head on repeat (it also happens in real life occasionally too, as I found a three hour loop of the theme on youtube…it really is a wonder I tell you) as I bounded through the forests to the tops of the cliffs. I’m pretty sure my head music got audible a few times via whistles and hums but who cares.

I am forever enamoured by the hugeness of some of the trees and the imagery of the mosses blanketing whatever they touch. You will probably note in the photos. The ones that are poorly shot, with nothing but a bit of moss or a tree in. That’s me that is. But that’s enough of that. Conny saw a snake, shat her pants and jumped behind me. She walked behind me after that, refusing to go first.

While chatting at home, Erica pointed out that the first person is usually ok…its the second that gets bitten as the snake is disturbed by the first and lashes out at the second. I will be walking at the back from now on apparently.

We met Tania and Maddy at the flat and ate pizza, I discovered that Conny had no idea what peperoni was.

We hopped on the Bolt Bus and headed for Albany where Bobbie and Dan hosted us for the weekend. They ordered pizza. We were housed in the caravan (practice for our camper on the next leg) we hung out with the sister in law (Kerry) and the kids. Erica came down on the Saturday and we went to the beer festival. Conny and Kerry got drunk on a couple o’ pints. Dan and Erica sampled some tasty brews. I ate a veggie burger. All in all pretty good. We walked in a forest, Jem sat on my shoulders most the way, refusing to walk. He is also a big lad. I am not very strong. Basically that hurt. Elouise was a grump. But she’s cute so that’s ok.

We went to the market. I picked up a guitar, and got a free t-shirt to boot. I have to say the Fingerboard Extension in Corvalis is my kind of music shop. All old stuff, some classics, some unheard of brands, some weirdo custom mades, all reasonably priced and full of character, I could ave doubled my collection for a couple of grand there. Conny prevented this.

All in all it was a cracking few days taking it easy and it was really nice that although we have only met a couple of times, Kerry’s family made us feel so welcome, and indeed part of the family.

Muchos Gracias O’Connells, you are awesome.