Trip Odometer: 6023
Once upon a time, way back in aught-8, we took a trip to the charming village of Yelapa, a small town in Mexico accessible only by water taxi from Puerto Vallarta. We brought a guitar and a violin with us, so we could strum some tunes in the heat of mid-day and after the sun had set. Shortly after our arrival, we spied another couple toting instrument cases up and down the beach … and they took notice of us as well. Before long, we were getting together after dinner and swapping tunes. We had so much fun with them, we planned another beach music fest in 2013, and again in 2016. In 2013, we even managed to play in a local bar!
This serendipitous friendship has endured, and Bill and Poppy were a big magnet drawing us toward Portland a couple of weeks ago. We once again spent the evenings enjoying delicious meals and swapping tunes.
We also got outside and enjoyed some natural beauty:
On a clear day you can see Mt Hood from Bill & Poppy’s living room. 
Lovely walk through the neighborhood. 
Multnomah Falls! 
The mighty Columbia River, as seen from … 
…Crown Point Vista House, one of the earliest highways rest stops, dating back to the early days of auto touring (built in 1919!) 
Marble bathrooms! 
And a stop at McMennamin’s Edgefield Hotel – originally built in 1911 as the county poor farm, now a fun campus of hotel/spa/brewery/restaurants.
Plus a couple of days in the big city, where we met up with my dear college pal Jamie for dinner at the Sapphire Hotel!
Ok, and here’s the random story of the year: one Saturday afternoon, Bill and Poppy took us to a house/garage concert, featuring singer/songwriter Jim Faddis (member of the bands Prairie Flyer and FarmStrong, if you follow such things) and monster bluegrass guitarist Dale Adkins (who toured with Kate MacKenzie). What a neat opportunity – they were really amazing!
There were only about 60 people in attendance, and because most of them are part of the same musical circles as Bill and Poppy, we met several other folks. After the concert, one of our new acquaintances said to us, “You should meet Lee – she used to live in Alaska.” Here’s the rest of the conversation:
Lee (to Kayla): Where did you live in Alaska?
Kayla: Sitka.
Lee: Oh, Sitka! I had the best job for awhile in Sitka. I was the administrative director for a small little chamber music festival there – the Sitka Summer Music Festival.
Kayla (eyes widening): You’ve got to be kidding me. I WAS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SITKA SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL!!!
Ummm … yup. Turns out that “Lee” is Wendy Kamras, who worked for the Festival for a few years in the late 90s (I believe). WHAT ARE THE ODDS? There are – literally – no more than 10 people in the world who have had this job, and two of them end up together at a small bluegrass house concert one Saturday afternoon in April … in PORTLAND??
So, Portland was lovely to us, through and through. Many, many thanks to Bill and Poppy for the generous hospitality, local touring, fun food & conversation, and allllllll the music. Already looking forward to next time with you!
Dear K & M, Say, would you two consider hand crafting a 2nd mini travel trailer and dragging me along to be your roadie or something?
What a great and grand report. Lee aka Wendy face was familiar to my old eyes. Super good on you all. Safe travels and relatively flat roads and great scenery. Aloha, Jeff B
oh boy, that blog is so full of beautiful pictures and sweet times! and unbelievable that you met Lee/Wendy!! wow!