I took the bus to Boston, and from there rented a car for a few days so i could drive up and around New England and explore the countryside.
I planned to climb several of the local mountains, but the weather conspired against me, and i ended up driving hundreds of miles to look at rain soaked and cloud enshrined peaks. although i couldn't actually see the peaks.
I did get an enjoyable hike/scramble up Mt Katahdin, the northern terminus of the Appalachian trail, but darkness and cloud descenced before i could reach the summit.
Also i managed to pass through more countries in one day than you would think possible, in the space of a few miles driving through Mexico, Poland, Milan, Berlin, Naples, Paris and Yarmouth, narrowly missing a Leeds and one of the world's 47 Richmonds. gotta love new england place names!
Wildlife count 2 moose, 1 black bear.
Observation: in Maine and New Hampshire has a canoe on the roof of their car.

So Portland eh?
I got off the train from Seattle at 9pm, and checked into the hostel. By 10.30 i was at a pro bartenders cocktail convention with a VIP pass courtesy of my old camp buddy Karl, who was up from Arizona and had been given a free hotel room
So my first 48 hours in Portland were a bit of a blur of parties sponsored by various liquor manufacturers, free video games and pinball, food, merchandise and strippers doing karaoke...

During the week i stayed with Connor, another bartender, and his friendly dog Toby, whilst slowly exploring the neighbourhood and Portland's various local brewpubs



I then spent the weekend staying with Matt and Orrie, friends of Amy in Vancouver. They have a major home brewing operation going!

Further activities included Glow in the dark pirate minigolf, roast chicken and Occupy protests...

so i looked on Craigslist for a ride south, and got a lift with a University of Oregon student named Aaron down to Eugene.
and i'm still alive lol

I spent a week in Portland, i'll write about it later