Another lazy morning (I think we specialise in those!) before heading up to Mount Hood. First stop was Timberline Lodge; a big log cabin up the mountain where skiiers can stay, and where you can hold special events eg. weddings. Had a little look around, got a beer (well James and I did anyway) and went outside to get a look at the view. On the way back down, we stopped off at the alpine slides. However, James and I were the only ones interested in having a go (I think the rest were scared, especially Mark). Went down about four or five times then we left to go grab some food. Stopped at a place called Calamity Jane's and had massive burgers and milkshakes. Had a good laugh at Drew when he got fooled with a christmas cracker style joke. In the evening, we took a trip to some casino's over in Washington state. Brandon won a $50 petrol card and another of Drew's friends won $150 on some poker game. The rest of us weren't successful.
On Wednesday we went white water rafting in eastern Oregon. It was probably the best day of the trip so far, such a good laugh. Highlights were, in no particular order, James nearly falling out on one of the small rapids at the start (the look of panic on his face before he got pulled back in was priceless), Gooch hitting Drew with a paddle (he claims it was an accident), Scott's brilliantly funny guide talks, Drew practically crying every time we went near a rapid, the water fight with another raft (they got our crisps wet!!) and James getting in the water as he needed the toilet and then struggling to get back in the raft! It took two people to eventually get him in, just before we hit another rapid. All in all, a good day. Played halo in the evening, nothing major to report other than Drew was unusually quiet and uncompetitive.
Thursday morning we did nothing again, before heading into Portland early afternoon. Had a little walk around and got some food, then headed over to the Doug Fir Lounge to watch The Wombats for $11. James and I had several beers beforehand, which prompted him into doing a terrible scouse accent in front of the band. Idiot. Brilliant show nonetheless, plus got a t-shirt afterwards for $20 (about half the price it was at IOW Festival in the summer). Went to McMenamin's in the evening for pool and darts.
Friday was our final day in Oregon and as such we did practically nothing all day! Drew took James to the airport, then we went into Boring to post some things and take pictures of the Boring signs. Got dropped off at the airport around 6ish and flew down to San Francisco at about 8.30. Found our hostel easily enough, went for a couple of drinks in an Irish pub (Mark was happy as they had Magners on tap) then went to bed.
Tim