Berry Patch Restaurant, Ocean Park, WA.
Had a great visit with the Cubbages — talked a lot about politics, and cars; more dispute on the latter subject than the former. I tend to like brutal, sturdy trucks; he likes muscle cars, Porsches, and the like. I’ve always been impressed at the level of the casual discussions there.
Britt Cubbage is a friend of mine from College; she’s now living in London with her husband Chris Jones (the name is Welsh, not Witness Protection Program) and very cute and apparently brilliant child Ben. But over the years I’ve visited Portland a lot and become friends with her parents, as well, so it was good to see them.
On Sunday we took a walk through a nearby park (which was verging on rainforest), and “Dad” took me around looking for car batteries (somewhat more fun than it sounds!). Then I headed downtown to Powell’s Technical Books, Powell’s, “Trendy-third” street, and the Bridgeport Brewery. Which may have been the best I’ve been to so far. But the beers were good, and the eavesdropping on other patrons was better, though I spent most of my time on phonecalls back home.
It’s still surprising to me that out on the coast and in remote areas, it’s a lot easier to get an internet connection than it is to get my cellphone to work.
Not sure why people are compelled to do this — “Oh, you’re driving through Tumbolia? I have a friend there, you should give them a call!” — then you get to meet total strangers, somewhat randomly, and all you have to talk about is your mutual friend. But what the heck — it’s a pretense for an adventure.