The Amazing Race Comes To Portland

The Amazing Race was interesting because almost all of it took place in the Portland area ending like I predicted on the grounds of The Pittock Mansion. Before talking about the winning and runner up teams here are the sights that the Amazing Race visited. Some of you that were here for the Portland Netstock will remember some of them. In Order of Appearance:

Newberg. Newberg is the city that borders Sherwood and is the city where the assisted living was that mom stayed in. The road the cars went on was 99-W which runs right by my house. I pass Bell Road, the road they had to turn on to get to their clue, every time I go to pick up Mom’s drugs. Newberg is in Yamhill County, a county defined by the number of vineyards it has.
From Newberg the teams went to the Bridge of The Gods in The Columbia Gorge. The Columbia Gorge is one of the most beautiful places on the face of the earth. Just stunning. When the crew was here for Netstock we took a Sternwheeler ride through the Gorge. We passed right under The Bridge of The Gods. It was where all the wind surfers were.

From the Bridge of The Gods they went to downtown Portland to The Portland Building but their real destination was The Standard Building. The Standard Building is where my brother started his law career, His first job was in it. It is two blocks down and one block over from Higgins where we all enjoyed the best crème brulee on the West Coast.

From the Standard Building they went to Adler Street. Alder Street isn’t all that far from where Saturday Market is held. They have a lot of food carts in one specific area on Alder street. They also have a lot of food carts in downtown Portland but usually not on weekends.

Even closer to where the Saturday Market was right near old town, Voodoo Donuts. An amazing and fun place. They make any kind of donut that you want in any shape you want. They have made wedding donuts, Elvis likenesses, donuts shaped like ships, or buildings like The Empire State Building, or any movie star etc. If you go there you may see a punk rocker having coffee and a donut with a guy in a three piece suit. It is true Portland!

From Voodoo Donuts they went to the pit stop at the Pittock Mansion. The Pittock Mansion sits on a hill and overlooks Portland. A beautiful place to take picture of our city. The building was originally owned by the founder of the local newspaper, Pittock, who sold it to the city when he was having financial troubles. They now have daily tours through the building. The architecture is absolutely amazing.

Coming in third in the race where the frat boys, Andrew and Dan. They got a cab driver that didn't know where Newberg. Couldn't overcome that. They should have called mem, I would have caught them up! Coming in second were the separated couple, Ken & Tina, who really were winners. At the end of the race Ken presented Tina with the rings they used to wear and they decided to give their relationship another go. It even had host Phil shedding a tear or two.
Winning a million books were the sibling team, Nick & Starr.

With the Amazing Race and Dancing With The Stars both over now my only two fun TV shows are Boston Legal and Top Chef. Guess I will have to find something else to do besides watch TV!

Hope you have such a great week this week that you feel like a million bucks!