FALL VACATION 2011 – Sunday, 10/2/11 – Portland Day 4

Portland’s notorious rain is still gently falling.  We decide it is a good day to do some shopping.  Fred is still looking for cargo pants.

We head once again to the Bridgeport Village.   They have an REI store that might have what Fred is looking for.  They also have The Container Store.  Have you ever been in one? Incredicle.

Fred doesn’t have any luck with cargo pants at REI.  We wander over to Z Gallerie, one of our favorite shops.  We are disappointed.  They have changed their style and we are not crazy about it.

It’s lunch time and we haul ourselves across town to the Hawthorne food cart pod for some more of those fabulous french fries smothered in chili beans and pulled pork.  It’s drizzling outside and we have trouble finding a place to park.  We take a chance and park across the street in a parking lot that says in huge letters, “CUSTOMER PARKING ONLY  -  ALL  HOURS ALL DAYS”.  

We order lunch.  I glance at the parking lot and can only see the very front of the VW. We enjoy our decadent french fries  and a crepe filled with turkey, brie, cranberry jam, and arugula.  I check the parking lot again.  A red car is now parked there and I can’t see the van.  Must be ok since now there’s another car there.

We finish lunch and cross the street.  But our minds don’t register the image.  There is no van in the parking lot.  The red car is there, but no van.  Did we park it in this lot?  Did someone steal it?  Where is it?  The sign on the building has a phone number for a towing company.  Thank goodness I have my cell phone in my pocket…my purse is in the van.  I call the number and sure enough, they have our van. 

Fred and I are dumbstruck.  We should have paid more attention.  When did they sneak in and tow her?  We then notice two cameras pointed toward the parking lot.  Should have noticed them in the first place.

Oh well, what can you do.  We laugh at our stupidity and chalk it up to a lesson learned.  We know it will be BIG BUCKS to bail her out, but worse things could happen on a trip.  I’m proud of Fred for handling it so well.  He’s pretty philosophical about it and we both are in good spirits in spite of this crazy turn of events.

We call a taxi and he takes us to the tow yard.  I ask the man at the counter, “Is there any discount for people from out of town who are stupid?”  He laughs but says no.  Oh well, doesn’t hurt to try.

 We are on our way and head to Powell Books, a favorite spot of ours in Portland.  Fred finds some Louis L’Amour books he’s been searching for.  I find some books to download on my Kindle.

Back to the RV where we recoup from the day.  A dinner of leftovers (still have yesterday’s pizza and some of those fries from lunch).      

Lights out early.