My hubby and I galloped up the West Coast, staying with friends in Portland, Seattle and Vancouver. You know what they call Portland? Beervana. More microbreweries than Germany. Of course I can’t drink anything but gluten-free beer, but I did enjoy yummy ciders whenever John got a taster set. And Vancouver’s such a cosmopolitan city — great food, atmosphere, and sights (Stanley Park is the most beautiful park in the world. Seriously). In Seattle we did some great hiking and canoeing, and of course went to Pike’s Place to view the fish slinging. They really throw those suckers.

Okay, so here are the highlights:

• Sleeping in a Yurt. With a skylight. (On Orcas Islands in Doe Bay)
• Powell’s Books. Do I need to say anything? Wow!
• Hiking six hours (ouch! sore!) to an emerald-colored lake in the Cascade Mountains.
• The eateries in Vancouver, like charcuteries (meat, cheese and wine!) and eating at places that knew what gluten-free meant
• McMenamins restaurants and breweries.
• The vineyards just south of Portland (Erath, Four Graces, and Hip Chicks Do Wine)
• A Lavender Farm — purple mounds of majesty.
• Roche Harbor, a hotel built in the 1800s where multiple presidents stayed.
• Biking around Stanley Park.
• Learning how to play Monopoly Deal (it’s the best card game ever. And much quicker than Monopoly!)
• Discovering that historical swordplay is totally fascinating.
• Great conversations in Seattle with Ruchi & Jonathan and in Portland with Sarah and her friends (you guys are all awesome!)