Minnesota to Seattle Roadtrip: Day Three

Emily ♦ May 16, 2011 ♦ Leave Your Comment

Day three of our #seattlebound adventure started off with a nice continental breakfast and, of course, a stop at Starbucks. I ordered a venti-iced coffee with hazelnut to hold me over for the long road ahead. It tasted better than ever after drinking below par coffee for days! The day was off to a great start, AND it wasn’t raining!

We left Missoula, Montana and drove through Idaho where we saw gorgeous views of Couer D’Alene. Unfortunately, we missed the exit so I didn’t get any photos! It felt good to finally be in Pacific Time Zone (especially after getting stuck in a one-lane road of construction for about 30 minutes).

Most of the scenery during the drive was flat and boooooring except for some interesting landforms. I tried to fill the time different ways and I learned a couple things: 1- Painting your toe nails in a car while going over bumpy roads and mountains is not a good idea. 2- Every gas station should be full-service. (Way to go Rufus, Oregon!) 3-I thought Montana had bighorn sheep? Why didn’t they come say hi to me? The spotted cow/horses loved me!

We stopped at an amazing place called Country Mercantile, which I thought looked like a shack in the middle of nowhere but turned out to be a gem! It was foodie heaven! Filled with fresh fruits, produce, sauces, dips, candy and more, I was in awe! I picked up a gift for someone and my mom did as well.

Thanks to my fellow tweeps who informed me that Walla Walla (an amazing place for Washington wine) was an hour east of the direction to Portland (our destination for the evening to visit my sister Holly), Mama B and I saw a sign for Preston Winery up the road and we made another pit stop. How can you NOT stop for Washington wine during a Seattle roadtrip? That is just wrong.  We were the only people there and the woman was very friendly. My favorite was the Pomegranate Blush and the Chardonnay. They had a buy one, get one free sale that we took advantage of so I already have some delicious #wawine to bring home to my new place!

The weather turned nasty again, but we finally made it to my sister Holly and her fiancé Evan’s place in Portland. We went to one of their favorite places to eat called ¿Por Que No? All I can say is: I officially found a guacamole I like! Hallelujah! If you know me well at all, you know that I despise avocado, which is quite a travesty as a foodie. I ordered chorizo and shrimp tacos and a local beer. The meal was absolutely perfect!

Another foodie’s dream is to visit the famous Voo Doo Doughnuts in Portland. I had heard people raving about them and seen it on the Food Network several times. I marveled in the scrumptious, artistic donuts. We got a dozen so I could treat some of my amazing tweeps in Seattle when I arrive! I LOVED that everything was pink, my favorite color. Their line is, “Everything is better in a pink box.” So true!

Evan and Holly gave us a tour of parts of Portland to finish off our evening. I’m so glad my sister will be so close to me so I can visit her! We said our goodbyes, but I know I will be road tripping there this summer. The day was great with fun stops-Starbucks, foodie shopping, wine, tacos and donuts. What else is better? An accomplished day three of #seattlebound! Seattle is next! FINALLY!