Trying the Salt & Straw/Taco Bell collaboration

 I love a choco taco, I always have. It has the perfect ice cream to cone ratio. A standard choco taco comes with a waffle cone taco shell, ice cream through the middle, and a chocolate hard shell on top. When I saw that Salt & Straw had collaborated with Taco Bell on one I knew it was going to be for me. 

I went to the Bridgeport location looking for them and there were only a few left. I snagged one and headed to the seating area near the shop where I got to hang out by the fire and eat the Tacolate with some spicy sauce. 

I tried it without sauce first. Really delicious cinnamon-ancho flavored ice cream in a crunchy waffle taco, covered in snappy chocolate, and puffed quinoa sprinkled over the top. Small but individual sized.

Trying it with the mango jalapeño sauce, ok. It could have been spicier in my opinion. 

Then the wild berry cinnamon sauce, also ok. 

A fun little treat for the day. Really nice and crunchy. I’d have another one someday, no sauce necessary. 

24-hour roadside pie, yes please

 Have you ever been on a roadtrip and just wanted something interesting and sweet besides the offerings at gas station marts?

The Berry Patch at 49289 Hwy. 30 Westport, OR has you covered. A neon red sign can easily be read from the road with time to pull into the parking lot (if you’re going the speed limit and heading west). “24 hour Berry Patch Pie Machine.” 

This is a must for me, how can someone pass this opportunity by? There are instructions for use of this machine written and taped to the machine. There are also notes that read, “You’re on camera!” and “Don’t be mad at the pie machine!” So here are some helpful hints to follow as well; use the grey buttons to scroll through for your favorite pie before tapping your payment card, make sure you can access the sliding door to the corresponding pie of your choice, tap your card, now stare at the machine while pushing some weird clear-green-ish button wondering why the door doesn’t automatically open when you push it (yep I did that), and then slide the door open, get the spoon while the door is open, push complete where you tapped your card, and enjoy your pie!

I very much enjoyed my cold Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie whilst riding as a passenger down the road. It was a delicious thick peanut butter, cheesecake-like, layer over a graham cracker crust with a thin layer of chocolate ganache on top. There were several other individual sized pies available. I just can’t pass up the best flavor combination in the world (in my opinion) when I see it. 

Go out and find all the fun snacks in the most interesting places! 

Great Oregon Steam-up 2025

This was a last minute decision Sunday morning. After eating a disappointing breakfast burrito and finding a lake too cold to swim in at 10:30am, for some. A decision to switch gears was made. 

We ended up in Brooks, OR just in time to hear the noon whistles of many vehicles, which was impressive to hear even at 200 feet from the entrance gate. What we found was a fun and informative festival of thousands of machines, vehicles, equipment, and people.

Entrance fee is $17 per adult plus a $5 parking fee per car. Outside food and nonalcoholic beverages is allowed. Since I had planned on staying at the waterside most of the day I had packed a picnic of lunch and snack foods. We found a covered gazebo to eat under, thank goodness. It was 83° F this day. We each had a full 32oz hydro flask of iced water, this was not enough for the 3.5 hours we spent there. We ended purchasing another 500 ml water bottle per person and a delicious fresh lemonade. 

Shade was limited, most machines, heavy equipment, and trains were outside, wear a hat and sunscreen. I came across a TriMet Max train that was running as a cooling station. It was nice to get out of the heat and was probably the cleanest Max train I’ve ever seen. 

There were also so many buildings full of vehicles and all sorts that we didn’t make it to all of them. I did find a semi-truck from a company my grandfather drove for when my mother was a child. 

We caught part of a tractor and equipment parade, probably ran for at least 45 minutes. 

Some of the vehicles we found were unexpected; for example the hearse. A Chevy body sent to Spain in the early 1900’s where the hearse body was added, made of hand-carved olive wood. 

A fun project for kids to keep them busy is the youth passport. Kids collected stamps, or a burning if it is from the blacksmith, and wooden pins to attach to a lanyard. After collecting enough they receive a medallion for the lanyard, a rubber duck, and a temporary tattoo (the last two may vary). 

All in all a good time had by all. I wish we could have made it to the double-decker train ride, the trains run periodically from the train station. Tickets can be purchased from the train station for other trains as well. We also missed the logging demonstrations and a miniature train ride (hubby was not interested, le sigh). There is one more weekend this summer, August 2-3rd. 

Borrowed a screen shot from antiquepowerland.com

Here are a few more pictures I took from our day. 

Summer foodie Saturday, maybe

 I have been thinking up a day where I could do some activities I wanted but also fit in some food destinations I want to try and or try again. I came up with this summer Saturday by combining some of my favorite things. Let’s start this day. 

Before leaving the house fill your reusable water bottle with ice water or beverage of choice, pack a cooler bag (the kind you find at the grocery store registers) with a reusable freezer ice pack, grab an umbrella, and a board game (one without cards, like Q-Less or Azul), you never can tell what may happen. Then I do the usual pocket pat; keys, wallet, phone. Let’s go. I like a leisurely drive, especially on a Saturday, so we’re heading to Portland via 99E. Jump on wherever you like or are closest to. 

First stop is breakfast around 9am; Sincerely, Bagel at 525 NE 24th Ave. Portland, OR. Delicious, chewy bagels. Great flavors and schmears. Parking in the area is hard to come by and streets are lined with cars on both sides so that only one car can get through at a time, have someone without anxiety do this. 

I got the Nolita on a chili crisp bagel, spicy and oh so good. To-go I got the honey and butter Bleeker on a plain bagel with a side of Marionberry schmear (probably just seasonal because it was written on a piece of paper by the register), an everything bagel, a Za’atar bagel, and a side of spicy scallion schmear. This is where a cooler bag comes in handy, keep the schmears cold. 

Next…Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. Hear me out. I love science and I am a big geek, possibly nerdy. You do not need children to go, it’s fun without them. OMSI at 1945 SE Water Ave. Portland, OR. Right now their extra, paid separately, exhibit is Jurassic World by Brickman(R). Those exhibits change a few-ish times a year. In past years we’ve seen a Marvel comics and Lego exhibits, always interesting and fun. The rest of museum is mostly hands-on or interactive. Play with chemicals (safely) or see a movie at the IMAX theater or walk through the submarine that sits stationary in the Willamette river. 

I’ve decided, with all that walking around and wonder, it’s  lunch time. Stop three is Roake’s at 18109 SE McLoughlin Blvd. Milwaukie, OR. My dad took me to this restaurant occasionally when I was a kid. It’s not changed and never should. I get the Super Roaker and fries. Whatever you get make sure you have the special coney sauce, delicious. Not a lot of seating inside but they also have an outdoor area.

Heading south on McLoughlin/99E the next stop is Canby. If it’s August-September stop by Swan Island Dahlias for a beautiful walk through hundreds of rows of dahlias of all colors and shapes. This is where you may want an umbrella, not a lot of shade out in the fields.

I made the trip last September and loved all of the different varieties.

Since it’s before that time of year, I made a few stops in Canby to walk off some of the burger. First stop is Bricks and Minifigs (remember geek/nerd) at 250 SW 1st Ave Canby, OR to pick up some things for a photo shoot, of sorts, I am planning.

On to The Book Nook at 200 NW First Ave for some perusing of  literature I don’t need but always want. What if I never see this title again, better get it now to add to the ever growing stack of books-to-read, just in case. I was also invited to a book club meeting. 

There is Saturday market going on the same street. I grabbed some local strawberries, pita chips, and hummus.

I am starting to get a hankering for a sweet treat, thank goodness Cones is just across the street at 150 N Holly St Canby, OR. It’s an ice cream shop that makes “blizzards” from freshly scooped ice cream. They also do just scoops in dishes and fresh made waffle cones, milkshakes, ice cream sandwiches, and ice cream cakes. 

Back to the drive, we’re headed for a drink. I am going for a brew at the Benedictine Brewery at 400 Humpert Ln. NE Mt Angel, OR. Is it out of the way, yes. Do I plan on becoming a regular so far from home, not likely so let’s go somewhere obscure. This place was hopping (wink, wink). Great amount of beers on tap to try. Sit and stay a while, play a game, and enjoy the views of the Willamette Valley. There is only snack-type food sold inside. There is a food-cart on site but it was closed when we got there. 

Last stop: dinner. Mt Angel Sausage Company at 105 S Garfield St, Mt Angel, OR. German food choices and a market attached to get some foods and drinks to take home. We sat under the canopy outside and enjoyed listening to some German tunes that make me want to don a dirndl and polka my heart out. Perhaps during Oktoberfest. Mt Angel is said to have the second best celebration on the west coast, coming up September 11-14th 2025 (plotting future fun good times ensues).

Fondue and pretzel bites with a Dunkel, superb.

Starting top left, clockwise: pork schnitzel burger, Bratwurst with sauerkraut, Currywurst with grilled onions, and a spicy German style. 

German chocolate brownie skillet and an apple strudel.

Apparently Food Network was here once. 

What a great day. Until next time, eat delicious foods and do the fun things you enjoy. 

So you want to go to the Oregon Coast

 Here are some questions to ask yourself to better prepare for the trip: 

What month is it? Just kidding there’s only two at the coast; cold, rainy, darkness or cold, windy, sunshine. Never hot and hardly ever warm.

How is the weather? This is a trick question, Oregon weather will change, sometimes up to eight times during the day. 

Should I bring an umbrella? If you want to stick out like a sore thumb, sure. As a self-respecting Oregonian you may keep an umbrella somewhere but you would never use one. Put your raincoat on, it better have a hood, you’re going to need it anyway.

Will there be children with you? Just bring more money and an extra pair of clothes and shoes per person. Do not forget the extra pair of socks. 

Are planning on a picnic on the beach? If you enjoy sand in your food, that salty crunch, go for it. 

Are you just going to shop? Bring more money. 

Did you think you could out-wit traffic? Think again. There is construction, people walking across busy highways, and the slowest drivers on earth (just kidding they just want to point everything out and look at it as they pass by). Research the term “rubbernecking.”

Seriously though bring:

•Raincoat 

•Sunglasses 

•Towel(s)

•Truly, an extra pair of clean clothes, top to bottom, including shoes, per person, especially if there are children involved. 

•Sunscreen-do not let those clouds fool you, put it on. 

•Hat

•Hoodie 

These are just the basics. Add and subtract where needed. Enjoy the liquid sunshine or regular sunshine if you’re lucky. There are beautiful spots all along the Oregon coast, go out and enjoy. 

Day Trip to the Oregon Coast

 Best time to go to the Oregon coast is on a weekday in May. The crowds are much smaller. The traffic is less. The weather is great, usually. 

Hubby and I played hooky from work for his birthday and drove to Lincoln City. We used PTO because we’re lame and feel bad if we call into work (insert eye roll). 

To have a lengthy day at the coast we left early in the morning, not too early because it is also a day off, so around 7:30am, which is still too early so say the children. We drove down I-5 and at Salem took a right for highway 22, but first breakfast. After we crossed the Willamette river we arrived at Annette’s in West Salem for a hearty, delicious breakfast. From there it’s back to highway 22 and on to the junction at highway 18. That junction is weird, proceed with caution just don’t stop. It’s a left there and then straight on till Lincoln City. Easy peasy except in the summer weekends when everyone is going to the beach and then coming back home, expect delays. 

Borrowed Oregon map from google  

First stop for us was Chinook Winds Casino for some birthday luck perhaps. Not for me although it wasn’t my birthday so I guess there’s that. We’re not much of high-rollers anyway, $60 is plenty enough for us to be satisfied to play and not also break us. Still sad when I leave it all there though. (Sad sigh)

To the beach! It was a gorgeous day. Sunshine. Where is the car sunscreen and hats? Found under the car blanket next to the rock I’ve been carrying around for the last three years in the trunk. We walked around, found shells, skipped rocks on the sand (it does not work as well as water). I touched the water and already knew it would be cold but I feel like it’s necessary. There were brave souls playing in the small waves, a couple of children and dogs. Every other Oregonian was wearing their hoodie or raincoat with pants and boots. We felt extremely lucky to have been there on a clear day. Still bring a sweater, it never ceases to be breezy at the beach. 

Moving on down highway 101, we made our way to Depot Bay. A lovely small town with tourist shops and great whale watching in the spring. We saw no whales that day but there had been some spotted the days before. Park on the right when you just come into town, if you can, and walk down to the Whale Watching Center. They have great information and a board with how many whales had been spotted in recent days. They also have binoculars available to use there. While there we watched boats go in and out of the harbor and saw some seals. Cross over the street and then hit all the shops on the way back to your car. I did find a cute hoodie I wanted but left there for another time. 

By this time we were ready for lunch so we got in the car and headed back up to Lincoln City to a favorite burger place of ours. It is in the southern part of town called Taft, Highway 101 Burger. I get the 101, a single patty cheeseburger, with grilled onions and hubby gets the 202, double patty cheeseburger, with raw onions. They have a 303 and 404 burger also on the menu but three and four patties on a burger is too much for us. The meals come with fries (and secret sauce) and a drink. There are pictures on the walls of people who have ten patties on their burger, so maybe there’s an eating challenge there or people are extremely hungry. 

After this delicious meal we walked down to the glass blowing studio and watched them create things for a while. I looked into doing it because they have 30 minute slots where you can create something yourself to take home but they have to let it rest overnight before you can do that so it will will take planning a weekend trip (coming soon someday?). We walked a little more through town but were ready to head home and relax. So we took the Devils Lake cutoff (not for people with car sickness) and got back on the highway to head home. There was only minimal traffic but when we got to Salem we hit the “people leaving work” traffic and then freeway traffic.

Look for the smiling face in the trees, better seen in fall when the leaves are yellow.

I had gotten hubby his favorite cake and ice cream, German chocolate cake and Tillamook Marion berry pie ice cream. They don’t go together but it’s his day. Some of our little people (they’re really all big people but always the babies) came over and celebrated with us. It was a great day.