TOUR DE CREPES, Alberta Street

So, what's with the trailer kitchens in this town? Not that they are bad, as evidenced by the good grub we put away on our weekend visit to Tour de Crepes (2921 NE Alberta), but we have never really known a place that had legitimate restaurants serving out of old camping trailers. There is an entire block of them downtown, and in every neighborhood there is a lot somewhere with a trailer serving up waffles or hot dogs or sloppy joes or, yes, traditional French fare, to a crowd of picnic tables. Tour de Crepes has the addition of a barn-like building built in front with seating, bright light and toys. The crepes were good, although a little pricy. The kids loved it. And yes, little Geo is still pretty bald.

PUMPKIN PATCH MAIZE

Can anyone get enough of Sauvie Island? This summer we were usually at Kroeger's for their u-pickem berries but now that fall (and the rain) has arrived, we went a mile further to the Pumpkin Patch to check out their Corn MAiZE.

The corn is tall, really tall, and you can’t help but notice the little rhizome thingies at the base of the stalks that look like clusters of toes (corn grows this way?) and the paths are wide enough for a stroller. It seems pretty easy at first, the dead ends are obvious and the paths that lead nowhere are a gimmie. Then you get to the bridge. Fantastic! Then you get to the hard part.

After getting lost in the giant wheel of the tractor the bickering begins. "We already went that way, look! We did that! Jesus, just decide!" The little trivia cards we picked out at the beginning that give you hints of which way to turn when you reach a numbered post were whipped out. Star Navigation says: How many stars make up the constellation Lyar? a. 4 (turn left) b. 6 (turn right) c. 8 (turn left). OK, switch cards, Movies/Music/TV says: How old was country singer Dolly Parton when her first record, Puppy Love was released? OK, switch cards. Tiny Tots says: A duck says: 1. Quack (turn left).
We're not to proud -- we used the Tiny Tots.

We ate hot buttered corn with salt and pepper and homemade peach cobbler, picked a fresh bunch of flowers from their u-pickum garden for .80 cents, bought a great big bag of vegetables and pears for the week for less than $10, and will go back again.

JANTZEN BEACH CAROUSEL

We would generally not recommend anyone go to Jantzen Beach for the plain fact that it is a giant parking lot surrounded by giant big box stores that you have to take I5 to get to. But occasionally, everyone finds a need to go to Target. So if you do find yourself in this giant mall, don't miss the beautifully restored circa 1921 C.W. Parker Carousel. It harkens back to the days when Jantzen Beach was an amusement destination, not a shopping destination (which begs the definition of our culture's current amusements, but that discussion belongs on another blog).

For a dollar you can ride with your toddler on these glorious wooden horses, painted in fantasy colors, roaring, galloping, flying off into the imagination. Ruth is pictured here on one of the miniature horses, the perfect half size for your perfect little girl.

ANNA BANANAS!

Even if this were not our regular spot to trade off the kids while one or the other of us rushes off to a job, we would regularly visit Anna Banana's. Located at 8716 N Lombard, they feature outstanding coffee drinks, excellent snacks (try the cheese plate or the homemade spinach stuffed phylo) and a play area full of toys which is the perfect distraction for the toddler set. The staff is incredibly friendly and we hear they feature good music at night and feature local beers and wines but who goes out at night with two little kids under 3? Need more? Free wi-fi, warm comfortable vibe, outside seating, clean bathrooms, good cookies. We haven't visited their NW location, but will.

PHO VAN, HAWTHORNE DISTRICT

We had intended to check out the "American vegetarian" restaurant on the corner but fortunately found it closed, forcing us to stop by Pho Van. Everybody at the table agreed, it was not just the best Vietnamese we had tried in PDX, it was the best Vietnamese we had had in SF too. Loved the pho, the noodle bowl, the tofu, the salad, the coffee. The girls loved it too, and were presented with a bowl of something to nosh on within two minutes of asking. The best news of all, apparently they have restaurants all over town, a veritable Empire of Van. We look forward to visiting them all. (What is "American vegetarian anyway?)