Knowing this limitation, I believe I've come to value visits much more because I am aware they will be shorter, more infrequent. I certainly miss seeing family more often, especially those treasured weekend trips home to indulge in home-cooked meals and quiet time, which rarely seemed to happen in New York.
Kristin purchased her flight to visit Lindsay and me in December. And then, somehow, early April had arrived, and we were off to the airport in a Zip Car to pick her up.
She arrived after what felt like a month of rain showers. (And actually, I'm not exaggerating. It ranked as one of the rainiest Marches on record!) I obsessively checked the 10-day forecast before her trip, hoping we'd see at least some sun. Or at least, clouds without rain. She lucked out. We had a beautiful week and it only rained a few times!
The day of her arrival, we decided to welcome her to the neighborhood. Coincidentally, our friend from high school was here visiting another friend from high school, so we all met--along with yet another friend from high school, who lives in Corvallis--for a beer at New Old Lompoc Brewery. (A few weeks ago, we learned it will soon be bulldozed thanks to condominium construction, which truly seems so counter our neighborhood's values.) With the exception of Lindsay, it was quite the Binghamton crowd.
On Easter morning, we drove out to the Gorge. The weather was perfect--sunny and mild. We hiked Angel's Rest, which is characterized by its cliffs and spectacular 270 degree view at the summit. Over 2.4 miles, we ascended around 1400 feet. The 40 mph winds at the top shortened our stay at the top, but not until we had soaked up the marvelous view of the Columbia River. It was, really, a perfect way to spend Easter morning. Later, Lindsay's parents had us over for Easter dinner, where they surprised Kristin and me with a birthday celebration!
Our cousin Steve and his wife and boys were in town, so we met up with them at the McMenamin's Kennedy School for dinner. The McMenamin's brothers are known for buying up old, historic buildings and turning them into eclectic bars and restaurants. The McMenamins renovated the once-abandoned school and turned it into a hotel with guestrooms, a restaurant, multiple bars, a cigar room (named "Detention"), a movie theatre, and a brewery! Needless-to-say, we had a great visit and a ball wandering around the old school and peering into classrooms.
Other highlights of Kristin's visit: cooking dinner at our apartment for our birthday and playing darts, a Forest Park trail run, seeing the Iron Lady at the Mission Theater (another McMenamins joint), Besaw's for an early scrumptious breakfast, delicious Dick's Kitchen burgers with Lindsay's family and ping pong, an obligatory Friday trip to Bailey's for a delicious micro-brew, and making sushi on her last night.
We are thrilled Kristin was able to visit us for a whole week. And she managed to bring along some of the marvelous East Coast spring weather! Here's hoping it sticks around...
We are thrilled Kristin was able to visit us for a whole week. And she managed to bring along some of the marvelous East Coast spring weather! Here's hoping it sticks around...