Late breaking news: Minors prohibited in the land of dreamers

Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore and let me tell you, the grass really is greener on the other side. If you have a bucket list, I highly recommend adding “sit in the window seat on a flight into Portland, Ore.” The mountains and valleys are greener than a St. Patrick’s day parade in downtown Chicago.

We started off the day by getting semi-lost in the outskirts of Portland — in an area where apparently children do not eat. At every restaurant we went to a sign that said “NO MINORS ALLOWED” was posted. My traveling group is highly concerned for the children of Portland.

We spent our entire first day exploring the mountains and falls of the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area. The words to describe the beautiful land of Portland simply do not exist. I even got to be a photographer for the day (perks of being friends with photogs.) I think I might have to somehow airlift Shawnee Mission Northwest and drop it in an area of the mountains. Leaving is going to tear at my inner lumberjack heart strings.

After a long day, we checked into the Embassy Suites where you have to pay for everything from the internet to the FIJI Water Bottle sitting on the sink — $4 if you open it. Anyway, everything in our rooms is lovely, and the pillows are feather pillows — so you know sleeping is going to be good.

On another note I’m having an amazing time with the small group of friends from class. I have a feeling that this trip is going to completely change the dynamic of our friendships — in a good way, of course. I’m also excited for the keynote tonight and for the entire week of increasing my knowledge in journalism. I hope to learn something new every day.

Today I learned:

1. If I move to Portland, don’t have kids.
2. According to the postmaster (postmistress?), people from all over the country ship their wedding invitations to the Bridal Veil Post Office (established in the 1880s) to be postmarked and sent out. They have a special postmark for wedding invitations because of their name. This is the postmark she showed me.
3. I prefer Canons to Nikons.

More later. We’re off to Voo Doo Dougnuts and more adventures in the city. I’ll keep you posted.