Monday, February 16, 2015

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 :-) 

20 comments:

  1. While you were enjoying a romantic meal with your darling, I was putting together a 9x13 pan of home made lasagna, lol, I've eaten lasagna for 3 days now. I have another 2 days worth to put in the freezer. I don't think there has ever been one meal that you have shown us that didn't look deliciously tempting. It is so hard to believe that your weather is so mild and pleasant now when the rest of us are still dealing with snow. Those boys out in the river makes me shiver, oh my. Been a long time since I've been fishing,. I'm with you I hope the couple in the boat had some fish to take home. Looks like you had a good Valentine's Day.
    Susanne :)

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  2. Sounds like a wonderful, romantic weekend Teresa. The food looked delicious and the scenery stunning!!!! That sunset was breathtaking. I am still hoping that one day DH and I will visit your beautiful part of the world. Hugs Anne x

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  3. What a glorious weekend you enjoyed Teresa and your weather was perfect..such stunning photos. Enjoy your sunny day today as we are heading to bed.......how funny is the time difference to the UK! Hugs xx

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  4. Sounds like you had a great weekend and your weather looks fantastic. Cannot believe those boys were swimming!!!!

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  5. What a fun weekend - Chic Dump and all (big smile).

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  6. Your first picture had me (almost) licking my computer screen--that steak looks so fabulous I can almost smell it:) I will have to keep an eye out for the quilt squares next time I am out your way. I love the ones in Tillamook. I just can't believe our weather--it's like paradise outside!
    Blessings,
    Aimee

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  7. Fun times! Both of your dinners looked wonderful. I can't believe the boys swimming in the river, (it look like you're at the same table we sat at for our dinner!) They had to be freezing. It's 63 here this afternoon and sun, sun, sun! I am so loving the weather here. I am so glad you and Dayle had a romantic weekend. Just what you two lovebirds deserve.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  8. Mmmmmm creme brûlée , my favourite. Looks like you had a super valentines day. Those young men! Blimey!!!!!!! CN x

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  9. What a wonderful weekend you had, with gorgeous weather too! So glad you both enjoyed happy and romantic Valentine's celebrations! Wishing you a great week too.
    Helen xox

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  10. as always Teresa, thank you for bringing me along. I LOVE The sunset images. You captured an amazing treat for us.

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  11. I love your post today, so full of love for your life with Dayle. Really what is not to love? You live in a gorgeous area, with a wonderful family and friends. As you know I think it is all so wonderful. As for the boys they are a hoot!
    When I went to school in Kalamazoo MI, we drove out to Lake Michigan every Memorial day and dunked ourselves in the water, and it was FREEZING! I think a bit of wine helped.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  12. What a lovely weekend! If you'd like to, you can read about mine here: http://suchwildlove.com/2015/02/17/morro-bay-getaway/
    Love, Hashi

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  13. I am soo stopping in for an ice cream the next time I drive by!!

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  14. A chic dump ... kind of a contradiction in terms but I love it. Both the neon signs in this post are fabulous ... we don't see too many like them in rural North Wales. So glad you had a great weekend x

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  15. Hi
    I seen your comment on another blog and just had to say hi since you live in Oregon, I have 2 grown children in Portland and Saint Helen's Oregon.

    That chicken dinner is making me hungry on this Ash Wednesday LOL

    Your pictures are just beautiful of the scenery and those boys swimming, that is something my grandsons would do and have done in years pass. we usually go to Lincoln City and up and down the coast always stop at the ice cream place where they make cheese ,c can't think of it's name now Tillamook I remembered LOL

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  16. I tried to post a comment when I first read this but couldn't from my ipad. I loved seeing all of the fun photos! The wooden fishing boat. The silly boys in that freezing water!!! The sunsets!! The Chick Dump!!!! Big fun.....the whole post!
    xo Kris

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  17. Glad you had a good weekend. The wee hats are lovely.

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  18. Great food and loved your hats and flowers too and beautiful photo's too xoxo

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  19. Gosh you live in a beautiful part of the world! Thanks for all those wonderful photos :)

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  20. Gosh you live in a beautiful part of the world! Thanks for all those wonderful photos :)

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