Ouest and I hopped the border and headed off to Oregon for a visit with Grammy and a swim camp at Oregon State University. Bridget was very very happy to see Ouest.
We went over to Aunt Beth’s, the quintessential NE Portland home with a lovely backyard teeming with flowers that Beth works hard on.
We had a few hours to get down to swim camp, so we swung through downtown Portland to hit up an institution there. Admittedly, not one I’m even sure I’ve ever bothered with in the past, but one I thought would be fun for us on a quiet Sunday morning.
Voodoo Doughnut.
It’d be a real stretch to call this breakfast. You gotta give them credit for their imagination, though. I’d say they tasted like cake with way too much frosting.
Weatherford Hall. We had an absolutely beautiful day to wander around campus. There was a Special Olympics event going on so we watched some softball and then made our way over to The Downward Dog for lunch.
At the restaurant I overheard a kid, there with his mom, ordering his burger when the bartender asked, “Do you want fries or tots with that?” The kid replied, “Are tots good? I’ve heard of them, but I’ve never had them.” I don’t know why this struck me as funny as it did. As a kid raised in Minnesota in the 70s and 80s, I sometimes feel like every third or fourth meal contained tater tots in one way or another. Sure you can just toss them in the deep fryer, but how about with a can of cream of mushroom soup and a pound of hamburger? You haven’t lived until you’ve had tater tot hotdish with a bottle of Heinz ketchup as a chaser.
Passing through Oregon City on the way back to Portland.
Firing up the Porsche. She had a date across town for some brake work the next day.
I’ve been to Costco once in my life and it was twenty years ago with these same ladies. I absolutely despise this sort of place and my aunts knows it, but they also know that I love them and if they need a ride I’ll be happy to take them. I truly do not understand the appeal of Costco, though. It’s just awful. I’m sorry, but you’re all the weirdos, not me. After circling the store once I’d had my fill and decided to wait in the “food” court and order this famous hot dog and soda combo I’ve heard so much about over the years. “Only $1.50! How great is that? Hank and I get a dozen of them to go and keep them in the freezer to eat all week until we come back again next Sunday.” I made up that quote. Honestly, what could be more mediocre than a lukewarm hotdog and fountain soda? I can get that at 7-11 and not need to buy 120 rolls of toilet paper first. Ugh, I’ve already gone too far with this story, haven’t I? Have I gotten my point across, though? Because I can go on if you’d like…
I texted my cousins afterwards to let them know they could expect to inherit a sizable amount of paper plates someday.
Back in Mexico the weather wasn’t quite as nice, and surprisingly our leaks hadn’t fixed themselves. Weird. This one actually I wouldn’t qualify as a leak so much as a design flaw.
I ordered Chinese for a picnic with Grammy. Apparently they don’t serve Chinese food at the Assisted Living facility. I was shocked by the $82 price tag of our takeout order, until I realized I’d probably gotten enough food to feed the entire floor.
Ahhhh, sunset by the airport. Take ’em where you can get ’em, I guess.
And just like that, camp was done and I had my Ouest back. We still had a couple more days ahead of us in Portland, too.
8 Comments on “Swim Camp”
What’s not to love about Costco. Food samples and giant jars of M&Ms. I don’t like the hot dogs either.
I have never been to a Costco…. and I have one within a mile….. Glad you got back to Oregon. Side note: I Really live for your posts. The pictures, the adventures, Family!!!!! Please don’t stop.
Costco…… Maybe a different perspective on “what is the Costco experience” all about?
You’re a financial advisor/trader. Look at it from your wheelhouse . Trading stocks and shopping at Costco are very different activities, but both involve potential risks and rewards. Stock trading focuses on buying and selling shares aiming for profit from price fluctuations or dividends. Costco shopping involves purchasing goods at a membership-based retail store, with potentially big savings and bulk quantities of your favorite items.
Costco:
Benefits: potential for lower prices and bulk purchases and don’t overlook the wide variety and selection of products.
Risks: overspending, impulse buying, and a need to find adequate storage for all those bulk purchases.
Trading:
Benefits: potential for high returns, portfolio diversification, and passive income through dividends.
Risks: market volatility, potential for financial loss, time required to make informed decisions.
Whether it’s Costco or Trading, you’re playing the market and looking for the biggest bang for your buck with minimal risky spending. And when your neighbor is having 150 quests over for a big bash and forgot to buy paper plates!!!!!
You’re the man of the hour and get to set the price point.
It’s all about perspective. However, the hotdogs are lame no mater what anyone tells you.
All the best, love your posts.
Willie
You didn’t get the pizza!?!? Rookie mistake
HA! HA! I fell out laughing at your Costco rant-too funny & I agree!
We just bought a house in Florida & the owners left everything as they have a 2nd home up north…everything except the 120 rolls of toilet paper they had stored in the garage that is! 🙂
Beautiful post, loved the Oregon pix! Grammy looks as delighted as Bridget to see Ouest! Been following youse for years, your baby girl is growing into a lovely young woman & resembles you so much! She’s lucky to have such a great dad too!
Although gravely disappointed in your Costco views, I’m willing to overlook it because you are such a good son and nephew. Believe me when I tell you that as the mother of grown kids with their own lives and worries, Grammy LIVES for these visits. She is beaming. Still following along after all these years! Thanks for posting.
Tater tot hot dish! Dang but I’d forgotten about that. Sure does bring back memories. I haven’t seen tater tots in years. Or fried mushrooms either.
Costco. I shop there about four times a year for very a list of specific organic food items. What I buy can fit in a small grocery basket. People look at me in the checkout line like I’m crazy with such a small purchase. And since I’m a label reader I’m looking at all the crap in their cart with the same thought. Never have tried the hotdogs.
I usually agree with you on just about everything, but you lost me on your Costco rant. They have a ton of organic products, and the prices are great. We go about every six weeks to stock our freezer with bags of frozen organic fruit, and our fridge with hummus, yogurt, cheese, etc. Great place if you have a house with storage; not so good if you’re living in an RV or other tiny place or are nomadic; been on both ends of this one.
Grammy looks fabulous, and I know she enjoyed seeing you and Ouest.