Yesterday I went into Astoria, and went to the new Walgreens, it is nice, and I have a feeling it is going to majorly complete with Rite Aid, so we will see if either beats out the other. Fred Meyer has their new gas station in over there in Warrenton and is going to compete heavily with the Costco gas station, the prices were the same at 3.03 per gallon.

I also wanted to mention that at Complete Photographer when I went in last week, I noticed they sell old photos of the area, and will matte and frame them right there. So for a nice souviner go take a look.

Today I headed into Portland for a Dr visit, and stopped at Trader Joe's. It was my first time visiting there, I usually stop at New Seasons. If no one knows what these are (stay away... Just kidding!), they are organic (primarily) grocery stores). I picked up a new brand of beer for DH, and some Italian Pinto Gris for me. Also found so unique foods that I hadn't seen before. It was a nice little store, but very narrow main Aisles, but everyone was really laid back. Along with the narrow Aisles are the narrow parking places, on a parking lot at a slant. I rescued my car before it hit an oncoming car as I was unloading. And I thought I had secured it pretty well after about 5 minutes of figuring how to position the cart.. LOL. Anyway it is smaller than New Seasons and doesn't have a deli or bakery or meat counter, but it is a nice little place, with it's own brands. Does anyone else visit these Organic Grocers? Are there others I am unaware of?

Dh took the boys to Gnat Creek Campground, it is a perfect out of the way place, on HWY 30 and easy for an overnighter for us. If East of Astoria, stop for a picnic, or check out the little fish hatchery a little was East of the Campground. There is another fish hatchery in Knappa that is called Big Creek Fish Hatchery and it is awsome to see the salmon coming into.



That's it for my adventure into the "BIG CITY of Roses" for today, I only got turned around a few times, but made my Dr's apt on time, and hopefully will have good results from his diagnosis.





News-

Astoria-

Astoria Music Festival June23rd -July 2nd (includes Astoria, Seaside and Cannon Beach) _ just saw I sign for it yesterday, I didn't know we even had one! :)



Other News-

1- Snow in the Cascades--- Spring Skiing anyone!

2- Seaside Road work on Wahanna Rd (Rd, needed to get to the Hospital so double check when you arrive if the construction is still in progress, so in an emergency you don't take the wrong way!)

3- Mt. St. Helens sent a 16,000-30,000 ft plume into the air yesterday after a 1.2 quake inside the Mt. So if visiting be aware, and call if concerned.

4- Balloons Over Bend- Watch or ride in Hot Air Balloons June 10th and 11th lift off is at 6:30am, and lots of other fun events, so if down in that area, Look UP!

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Weather was wonderful yesterday, calm and sunny with a slight breeze. Today was nice afternoon in Portland was muggy and showers. Same here in Astoria but a bit cooler, though the early part of the day was nice.

Hey, if you were in the NW at the Trader Joes on NW Glisan, you were in my neighborhood!

It was muggy today, wasn't it? Now it is cool and raining.



I have not been to the New Seasons Mkt, we see it when we drive over to the East side.

I like Zupans, of course, Whole Foods :) and Trader Joes.



All within walking distance of my home so I am very spoiled :)



We are going out to Mt St Helens as soon as we get a dry sunny day- hoping for no shaking or spewing on that day :)



Thanks for posting, I like these little Local reports from the Coast :) ( and elsewhere)

Yes it was on Glisan!

I wanted to stop at the Coffee and Tea store.. on the same road a few blocks before the Trader Joes.. Have you been there?



Thanks for the other two names-

Zupans (I never heard of!) and Whole Foods (I had heard of but forgot, I will have to write them down and visit next time I am in).. Can you describe them compared to Trader Joes?

On the next report I am going to type it in Word first, it was my second type up, and now I see lots of mistakes......

UGH

It was my CART not CAR that almost crashed into someones car who was moving.

I adore New Seasons and Zupans stores. They are not cheap by any means, but have great food. Many items that you do not find elsewhere.



The sushi and Zupans is great. Yes, it is pre-packaged...but it is made on site and their fish is extremely fresh.



New Seasons has a color coded tag system for their seafood. Green, yellow and red. Green being the highest quality.



Zupans has locations downtown on Burnside and Macadam. On the east side they are on 30th and Belmont. On the westside they are on Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy in Raleigh Hills. They also have a store at Jantzen Beach. They sold West Linn.



New Seasons are at 33rd & Killinsworth; Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy in Raleigh Hills; N. Interstate; Sellwood (around 17th and Tacoma) and Lake Oswego in the Mt. Park area. They are building another store in Happy Valley...it will be their largest and should open next spring.



I have not shopped at Whole Foods yet. I have heard good things about it.



Trader Joes is so great for things such as olive oil (for cooking rather than dipping), dried goods such as pasta, rice, etc., I love their Mayo, cheeses are priced really well and they have a large selection. I also like their frozen vegetables and some of the seafood.



All of this grocery talk is making me want to go shopping!

Whole Foods is on Couch and NW 12th..at Burnside. You can park in the building next door and shop and they will validate your parking ticket for you when you check out.



Zupans is on Burnside up across from NW 23rd..in a little strip mall. Wonderful shop, pricey and fresh everything! Beautiful produce and fish department...



We buy our flowers next door to Trader Joes, and in TJoes also.



Hurry back, You will love Whole Foods, I promise :)

LOL Cleo, rarely does talking about groceries make me want to go shop for them :)



The Zupans that we go to is on Burnside and NW23rs/Vista...



I think there is a New Seasons out at the Bridgeport Mall-right?



Portlanders can never complain about not being able to find certain foods, there are way too many choices for shopping!

Nope, no New Seasons at Bridgeport Village, pitty as it is far better that Wild Oats in my opinion.



The people who built Bridgeport Village are working on many additonal sites. They have also built Gresham Station (which is not done yet as they keep adding condos and store fronts) and will be building the Happy Valley site. Happy Valley is the next HOT spot in PDX. If you want a single family dwelling in a high density area...this is it. Not my cup of tea. I like my house on those old fashioned lots where my neighbors are far more than 6 feet away.

Rivergallery--This was your first trip to a TJ's? I have been hooked on that store for years. I shop in the suburbs, but thankfully I have one pretty close. There is one in Beaverton, but I hit the Lake Oswego store. I occassionally go to Wild Oats at Bridgeport. A new Whole Foods is opening there soon, so that will be nice too...all the Bridgeport shops and right next to REI...truly heaven, lol!

Rivergallery--Don't worry...at least you don't do what other people do. Visit Seattle once, a long time ago, and still post about the hotel/restaurants that they experienced once.