Portland Day 2

Day 2:
The morning was cool and overcast, but quickly burned off and later, sunshine and low 60 degree temps. I began my morning by walking back to the Pearl District

and over to a place called Yoga Pearl. It was a large yoga studio with a cafe; mostly vegan, organic, all healthy yummy good stuff. I ordered some oatmeal and the ingredients were; oats, peanut butter, cinnamon, vanilla, banana, cocoa nibs, & coconut flakes. It was delicious! I have made oatmeal before and added PB, but these other flavors were tasty additions that I will definitely add going forward.

I took my time walking back towards hotel and went into a few more neat shops.
I noticed a salon that looked kinda cool so I spontaneously poked in and asked if anyone could fit me in. The gal said she could fit me in right then if I had time. SCORE! I needed a haircut badly and what fun to get it done in new city! Stylist gal was fun to chat with and had recently moved to Portland from Phoenix….just because she wanted to do something different and get away from the Arizona heat. LOVE IT! Love hearing people’s adventurous stories. Enjoyed good conversation and got a good haircut. Lucky me.
Hung out in hotel for a bit while watching some BNP Paribas Tennis and then headed out for a 1.5 mile run just to stretch my legs and run a bit of the course. Afterwards, I went into the nearby Niketown and not sure how I walked out not buying anything! Below is a picture from a display case at the store entrance. The shoe is an original Nike by Bill Bowerman (with the waffle iron bottom). I remember these shoes and wish i could get an original pair. I will never forget my first pair of Red Nikes which looked very similar to these!

Later in the day I went out for my afternoon cappuccino

and then to dinner at a low key place called Grassa. It was very simple. Per their website, “GRASSA PUSHES THE CONCEPT OF ARTISAN COMFORT FOOD SLUNG IN A NO-FRILLS FASHION.” You walk in and place your order with the person who looks like they are the host/hostess. You then sit and food comes to you. It was limited menu of homemade pastas, salads, etc.. I grabbed a seat at the bar and watched the pasta makers as I waited for my meal. I had a tasty arugula, fennel, & goat cheese salad as appetizer.

As an entrees, I just ordered the very simple pasta I love; spaghetti with garlic, olive oil, chili flakes, breadcrumbs. So damn delicious, minimalistic and simple. Want to replicate this dish at home.

Zig zagged my way back to hotel through more downtown streets I had not yet been on. For the most part, my venturing out encompassed only about a 5/6 mile radius, but there was plenty to see in this area.
Once back at hotel, I got my race gear all together and set up for the morning. I realized I did not have any safety pins for my race bib #! Oops. Not sure how I missed this at the expo, but hopefully there would be some available at the starting area.
Another fun day and so glad to just wing it and not have any agenda. I never travel with an agenda. Just not my style.

As you can see, I have been eating and enjoying my stay in Portland! Day 3 and race report next!