7:30 am – Got up, ate free breakfast in the hotel lobby (minimal selection, but they had make your own waffles)

8:45 am – Left Beaverton, OR

10:00 am – Arrived at Hood River, OR which was were our GPS took us when I put in Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area. It was the Forestry department, but 2 workers gave us a map which helped us out

10:15 am – 12:00 pm – Rowena Crest of the Columbia River –> gorgeous panorama view

Ainsworth State Park – Multonomah Falls –> 2nd largest waterfall in US…absolutely beautiful! We couldn’t find parking the first time we passed through…but we got a spot immediately after circling back for a 2nd time…GOOD KARMA!! We hiked a half mile up the bridge built above part of the falls. Such a stunning view.

12:45 pm – Failed attempt to check out a KFC Buffet, which was an inside joke / area of interest since the beginning of our road trip. The KFC no longer had a buffet.

1:00 pm – Lunch at Outback Steakhouse in Vancouver, Washington. Bloomin Onion, Chicken burger. Good stuff.

1:30 pm – Left for Seattle…standard drive and pitstops. Nice mountain scenery. Alex slept.

5:15 pm – Got to my cousin Derek Horkel’s house in the University District after going to the wrong address. Failed parallel parking attempt (WORST driving day of my life).

7:00 pm – Korean Tofu House on “The Ave”…waited 20 minutes for a table and Alex’s friend Sarah drove 45 minutes to meet up with us. Great to see her, as it always is with old friends. We all had bibim bap in the hot pot. So good.

8:30 pm – College inn pub for an after dinner drink. Saturday night specials! Derek left so it was just us 3. Sarah left around 9:45 pm.

9:45 pm – Geo cash a few blocks away from The Ave. Crushed it!

10:15 pm – Met up with Alex Waltz!! Didn’t know he was in Seattle until a Facebook search a few days before going to Seattle. Hadn’t seen him in years – so much fun hanging out with him.

10:45 pm – Bubble tea!! Yum!! Extra tapioca – good looks.

11:00 pm – Big time brewery for drinks. Another lovely cider and conversation.

12:45 pm – Walked to Waltz’s house. FaceTimed Chris Ashcroft on the walk – what a lucky guy to have a human alarm clock like me! Hung out at Waltz’s for a bit – he lives in a massive house with 7 other people!

1:30 am – Got a lyft back to Derek’s, utilizing the combined $260 in Lyft credits Lelchuk and I had thanks to my cousin Derek’s recommendation. Our driver missed us a few times, but it all worked out.

2:00 am – Back to Derek’s. Sleep shortly thereafter.

[huge_it_gallery id=”28”]