Seven Months In

It's been nearly seven months since we've moved to Portland. Seven seasonal, beer-filled, food-delighted months. Falling in love with neighborhoods, researching bicycles, pondering which vegetable to plant next, which boots to buy, which bridge to cross (literally, not figuratively), scoping out houses we may someday be able to afford. Seven quick, beach-less months.

Portland isn't nearly as shocking as Hawaii was. Our lives are not as exciting. But I think Portland has changed us a bit, as always, for the better.

Here's a few things Portland as taught me:
- If you recycle properly, you produce very little true trash.
- Paddling did keep me fit. It's important to have a physical hobby.
- If you get tired of beer, there's wine, and cocktails, and hard core cocktails.
- A lighter beer is not always better. I am a new convert to red beers!
- Happy hour is like a siesta, everyone should have one.
- Bicycles need a lot of expensive accessories.
- Beets are yummy. Brussel sprouts too!
- It's nice to say thank you to your bus driver.
- Sunny doesn't mean warm, sadly.
- A river is a terrible substitute for a beach.
- It's easy to bake an apple pie.
- People want to help you, to introduce you to others, and to welcome you.
- Fall is so special.
- Winter is long.
- Scenery that include a snow-capped mountain is pretty spectacular.
- Boots are essential.
- You do need all the coats in your closet. And one more pair of gloves wouldn't hurt.

Cheers, Portland. Here's to us!