St. Paddy's Weekend in Portland
This past weekend was spent in Portland.
I had a "galooper" experience prior to leaving Seattle.
I swore Amtrak's site said departure 7:45am.
A friend dropped me off at the train station at 7:24, plenty of time to print my express ticket and get on board.
Once inside, I got my ticket and sat down with 15minutes to kill. I looked at the three gates and did not see a 7:45am posted for Portland. But I saw a 7:30am! So I asked an agent who quickly cb'd to the train operator asking if one more can get on, even though the engine had started and the gates were locked. To my luck, they let me board.
The rest of the journey went smooth.
I saw in business class and it was a relaxing scenic ride. They even played a movie. It was pretty sweet compared to driving down i-5 in traffic.
Upon arrival to Portland it was a beautiful day. Sunny and in the high 60's. I checked into the hotel and proceeded to the Kell's Irish Festival with my friends Tara & Tom. They had been there since Friday, shopping for wedding rings. Good idea since Portland doesn't have a sales tax.
Kells festival during the day was great. We were there by noon, great bands and lots of adult families...people my age with their folks, aunt and uncles, even some grandparents! There were 2 older ladies who reminded me of my great-aunts.
By 12:30 one band grabbed Tara and I to do a little dancing on the dance floor. He grabbed a few other gals and was trying to teach is an irish jig...but it was easier to do my own version. After 10 minutes and the lea singer trying to start a dancing circle, I ran off into the crowd to hide. Too much jiggy and not enough drinking! ha ha No, it was just too early for cheesy, holding hands dancing circles.
It was so nice out so T&T and I went and took a walk and had lunch in a nearby park.
We returned to the festival, only to wait in line for over an hour to get back in. It was a totally different scene - drunk, obnoxious people. Granted all the bands that day were great but we did not stay long this round of the festival.
We went back to the hotel, knapped and then met back up for the Pogues Tribute show. Tara stayed at the hotel because she was coming down with the flu so Tom and I met up with another friend and his group of buddies.
Pogues is this awesome Irish band and a Portland band called "KMRIA - Kiss My Royal Irish Ass" only play Pogue tunes. It was GREAT!!!!!!
On Sunday, T&T, and I ventured around town. I bought a new ring that is simply a celtic knot from Katherine's- an Irish boutique. Before heading home, we walked through the Japanese Garden. Flowers are just blooming so it wasn't as colorful as my last visit.
Overall, it was a great weekend with no hangovers and lots of laughs.
To see all the photos Click here yo!
