Eats

Ernie met us at the boat and we headed south to the sleek Hotel Modera in Portland. Along the way we stopped for lunch and to have a close-up look at Mt St Helens, via the town of Cougar, Washington. Looking for food and hoping for the best, we pulled into the parking lot of America's Family Diner, just off I-5 in Woodland, Washington. I scouted the facilities, but found no wheelchair access. I asked the owner and immediately a plywood ramp was produced. Ernie and I wrestled Jim in the door and we tucked-in for a fine meal. Jim had a Rueben, Ernie had a hamburger and I had an omelet. All three meals were freshly made and satisfied our collective soul. Jim and I had some homemade lemonade; his had strawberries, mine had blueberries. Our waitress, Kellie, gave us superb service. She is seen in the photo, above, with her father, Ray Chumley, the owner. The restaurant is also a small shrine for all service members in the area. While we we there a photo of a local man, who is serving in Afghanistan, arrived in the mail. His photo will be mounted on the wall along with the dozens already there. Good place, fine people.



After we checked into the hotel, I left Ernie and Jim and headed out to the Powell's Bookstore to try to use the slow internet and get away for a few hours. Portland was throwing a parade in our honor, so I gave up on Powell's, called my ex-Hampden neighbor, Trish, and asked her to come out and play. She brought Elsa and we had a little family reunion at Nick's Genuine Coney Island restaurant. The bar and restaurant were totally un-remarkable but it was fun seeing old friends. Elsa was very wary that the Little Dog was hiding someplace.