[satfix]

<p>I have been nervous about moving to the Pacific Northwest. Even though I was born in California, I left as a baby and have zero recollection of it. I've lived most of my life either east of the Mississippi or the Midwest and to go this far west - well, it's like going to another country.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I spent the weekend in Portland and have to say, I think I am going to LOVE living there. I spent the weekend downtown in the Pearl District - had some great sushi (FINALLY!) and found a great R&B Club and found the people to be extremely friendly and open. I took a brief trip out to the Columbia River Gorge and the scenery is amazing and I actually felt like I was in Germany (this is a good thing).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I don't know where I'll wind up living and finally settling in - the company will put me up for as long as it takes to make the transition. The next couple of months I'll spend a great deal of time visiting different areas and hope to find the perfect place to live while there.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I expect to be there for probably 2 or 3 years before they move me one more time - but I'll make the most of this move and am extremely excited about the move.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'll miss being able to get in the car and head south to see my kids; but the time in the car from Minnesota and the time in a plane from Portland is about the same - so I can surely still do this.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I posted a pic in the Conversation thread of the area. I'll keep you posted on the move!</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>

 

[Floridaboiler]

<p>Good Luck.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I saw that picture in yesterday's daily thread.  Very cool!</p>
<p> </p>

 

[Grizzly]

<p>It is a delightful city, great cultural scene, great running scene, and it is damp.  That said, the desert is a short drive away...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>We're a loooong day's drive away too.</p>

 

[merigayle]

<p>awesome!!!!</p>

 

[sierra]

<p>I saw the picture you posted!  Arent the waterfalls cool!  I have to ask though.... how in the world did you get that pic without anyone else in it? LOL. when I was there.... the place was packed! </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Anyway... glad you are liking it so far. </p>

 

[Mrtambalynman]

<p>Go and visit the coast to see the dunes.   </p>

 

[Grizzly]

<p>There's actually 3 coasts.  The first up near Portland is all of the rugged beaches, the middle is the dunes, the third has all of the interesting rock formations.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Oregon is really three states, the coast, the valley and the interior.  How any one party can govern that is beyond me.  But you'll have more than enough time for fun exploring with Ronan.  You MUST get out to Mt. Hood, you MUST explore the valley and head down to Crater Lake.  There are lava tubes and deser attractions in the interior and you have the whole coast to explore.  Ronan will love the beach.</p>
<p> </p>

 

[wherestheportojohn]

Groovy!<br><br><br>
Yup, it is on my list of places to visit in the US. <img alt="cool.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/cool.gif">

 

[satfix]

<p>I head back the week of the 13th and plan on checking out the coast then. Though it will be the first of March before I am there for a weekend.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Realisticly, mid March before Ronan will join me. He will love it I am sure!</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>

 

[rlemert]

<p>You can probably get to the Mt. St. Helens area in 90 minutes. Just go up I-5 past Kelso a bit, then take the roads into the mountains. I believe there's a vistors center at exit 38(?) (main Kelso exit) that will have more details.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Head out toward McMinnville and check out the Evergreen Aviation Museum. It's the current home of Howard Hughes' Spruce Goose, which is enough by itself to justify a visit. However, there's a lot more. (I liked the "smoke jumpers" exhibits.)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The Astoria area has the mouth of the Columbia, the Astoria Tower, and Fort Fisher State Park - the only site on the mainland to exchange fire with the Japanese in WW II, and also home to the wreck of the Peter Iredale.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Newport (on the coast) has the Oregon Aquarium (and is home to the Newport Marathon).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Just north of Florence on the central Oregon coast is the Sea Lion Caves, which are worth a visit.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Early August, head down to my home town (Junction City, just north of Eugene) to the Scandinavian Festival.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>As for where to live, most of the people I know live to the west of downtown. The suburbs on the far east end of town tend to have more problems with ice storms that the western suburbs and central area.</p>