Weekend Adventures

How was your weekend?  We had a very nice one!  The last time we chatted I told you that we had reservations for Valentine's dinner at our absolute FAVE place for steaks.  Bumpers Grill in Fairview, OR.  And ladies and gentlemen, we've tried a lot of steak places.  For research.  We didn't have lunch so we'd be good and hungry.  Our dinner did not disappoint.  It was all delish and we had a lovely time together. They serve their steak atop some amazing Bordelaise sauce.  Nummers. 

Our table had the perfect red rose for our visual enjoyment.  :-)

We ordered creme brulee to top off a romantic dinner.. with 2 spoons.  It was aMAYzing!  

We had an early dinner so we decided to take a leisurely drive up the Columbia River Gorge afterwards.  We went to Cascade Locks and drove around our favorite park, we saw a new brewery and pub down past the Historical Museum.

There is a quilt square on the museum - we spied several quilt squares around town which has been led by a quilting group.  Neat, huh?  They even have a brochure so you can drive around town to find them all.

We always drive to the end of the park, past the Sternwheeler office and the marina.  There is a parking lot there where you can shut off the engine and just enjoy the river.  This is looking west.

This is looking north and east.  This is where sailors launch their small sailboats and race in the famous winds of this area.  

The marine park is just east of the East Wind drive-in - I love the vintage neon sign.  If you order a "small" cone, it will amaze you.  Dayle had a swirl cone of vanilla and chocolate.  :-)

We drove to this little State Park under the Bridge of the Gods and were treated to a technicolor sunset.  :-)

Aww.. the end to a perfect day.

Yesterday we decided to keep on having fun and headed to Tad's Chicken'n Dumplins for a late lunch/early dinner at 3 pm.  We got a table in the oldest section, which we love, right next to a window.  I snapped this photo of a fisherman in his beautiful wooden boat.  

I could not believe my eyes when I saw 4 young men in swimming suits frolicking in the ice cold Sandy River.. in FEBRUARY!  Yes, we're having amazing weather, it was 62 deg. F - a new record.. but swimming?  I told Dayle, this is great, dinner AND a show!  LOL!

The view from our table, looking west, towards Portland.  

The view north, you can even see Washington State way up the river, the darker blue there.  

I was just amazed at how much fun these guys were having on the river.. but just imagined how cold they would be!  They ran out into the water, dove in and swam.. 

Boys.. they even were digging for buried treasure.  :-)

A man and woman drifted by.. I hope they caught a salmon!

Our dinner arrived.. we both had the crispy fried chicken made in their cast iron skillets, mashed potatoes and chicken gravy, green beans simmered with onions and ham.  It did not disappoint!  The only problem is that we had to bring half of it home as we got full.

The "sign" -- against a brilliant blue sky.  If you're a longtime reader you'll know the story of this place... but if not.. a long time ago half of the sign burned out and coming from Corbett down the river you would see "Tad's Chic Dump".  On the other side it was all lit up.  Of course now all the locals call it the Chic Dump and it was decided to leave the sign that way.  :-)

This is an older photo of the sign at dusk when you can see the sign better.

So, we had a great weekend of love, romantic dinners, adventurous drives in our gorgeous Columbia River Gorge.  I hope you had a wonderful weekend, too!  Today the sun is shining, not a cloud in the sky and is expected to break a record for warmth.  I love where I live!!  ((hugs)), Teresa :-)