Are you ready for this?
San Francisco to Portland…all 622 miles of it…and all the Starbucks’ in between. Ready? Set? Go!
We left at 5 am and by 8:30 I was itching for some caffeine. I quickly referenced my above map for a super quick stop and we were back on the road in no time with two coffees on board.
I missed a few signs while I was getting busy with my ‘Bucks. Pretty sure we were at least in the 300 range before it was time to stop for Starbucks numero dos. You see, as per the map, it would be a long haul through Shasta and I didn’t want to be left caffeine-less for such a long stretch.
Call me an addict, but I know how to plan around getting my fix. 😉
Anyways, what I DIDN’T account for was that some of the dots on the map were not, in fact, full Starbucks stores, but merely cafes within other businesses (ie Barnes & Noble, Safeway, etc.). You should have seen the expression on my face as we pulled up to the Barnes & Noble at 9:45, only to realize they wouldn’t open until 10.
Uhhh…who’s that junkie breaking into a book store? Oh, no biggie, she just needs her Starbucks… Fear not, there was another one a mile back that we back-tracked for.
And then we saw the beautiful Mount Shasta!
Breathtaking.
And then it was my turn to take over the driving…
Yes, there’s a city called Weed in California.
Once we were out of Grants Pass it was time for lunch.
We were looking for a grocery store to get some sandwiches and snacks for the road, but made the mistake of thinking Grocery Outlet would be the place to go. Not so much. Unless you think that eating a sack of 50 potatoes on the road is the way to go. Ok, I’m exaggerating, there were a few surprises.
Like Barbara’s Bakery Snackimals, which came in all four flavors (Chocolate Chip, Vanilla, Wheat-free Oatmeal, and Snickerdoodle). And conveniently located right next to the cases of Budweiser…now that’s the kind of 4th of July party I’m talking about! I’ve always wanted to try these animal crackers, but still never have! Anyone else have a recommendation to offer up? I was about to make the big 12 cent purchase, but then realized they didn’t actually sell them individually. If there’s one thing I DON’T want on a long car ride, it’s ten packs of the same snack.
There was a Fred Meyer nearby that offered all the basics we were looking for.
May I present to you Elise’s Food Pyramid:
Veggies
Apples
Hummus
Bread
Done and done…and back on the road.
Are we there yet?
Not yet.
Hippie vans? Must be getting closer!
Getting loopy, but still not there yet.
So close!
And…FINALLY!!!!!
Is there any better way to be greeted than by Portland’s finest?
Full recap to follow…
Saw this on Mama Pea’s blog too 🙂
Love the food pyramid.
I really like your food pyramid. And that you backtracked for Starbucks. 🙂
I could not stop laughing at that “Portland – 430 miles” sign. Why? Because Chris and I totally gave it the middle finger when we did that drive a couple of weeks ago!
And I’m the opposite of you – I refused to drink anything while in the car and did NOT get Starbucks even when I was jonesin’ for it because I hate to stop to pee.
I miss you already – have fun in Washington!
I’m just pissed you didn’t stop at that sign that was closer to my house. Would have saved me 4 hours in the car yesterday 😉 You guys were totally worth it, though. Hope you don’t have to get in a car anytime soon!
The wheat-free Snackimals are really really good! You should try them. They might even get added to your food pyramid 🙂
I am glad you got to Portland safely and fully caffeinated, lol. I hope you have a great trip!
Courtney
We used to snub our noses at Groce Out, but now we kinda like it. We found the MOST amazing artichoke spread there that will never be found again. (We actually got caught on our first Groce Out visit by my best friend from high school’s sister – so embarrassing!)
I, too, am of the “don’t want to pee on a road trip” variety, but when you need ‘bucks you need ‘bucks.
AWWWW fun times!! Dude what a weiirrrddd-ass store!? I mean, i don’t mean to be a CA snob….but some of the towns in b/w Socal and Norcal…..hmmm questionable…
Sounds like such a fun lunch date i’m so jeal!! Glad u two lovebirds made it safely 😀
After living in P-Town for 3 years, I’ve come to realize that Freddie’s (Fred Meyers) is one of the greatest place on earth.
I must try this place!! If you’re looking for another place to eat in PDX, i also recommend Blossoming Lotus (in northeast as well)–http://blpdx.com/. The people–like the prices–were a little self-important and uppity last time i went (i.e. they seemed very offended when we asked if there was tahini in the pesto dip b/c boyfriend is allergic…err…how rude of us?), but the food made up for it!
hope you’re having a nice trip :). portland is great, esp. for vegan/vegetarians. Laughing Planet burritos are awesome as well! there are several locations; i’ve been to the ones on Belmont and on Woodstock.
-emilie
Haha, love that the Snackimals were next to the Bud–cross-marketing at its finest, no?
I hate road trips. Well, for about 2 hrs they are fine and then my inner lead foot takes over, I hit it to about 105mph and just wanna get there! CAse in point IL to NC, SC to CA, AZ back to CA baby….couldnt get here fast enough!
Super jealz of the meetup!!!
what fun!
i just recently made the same trip. loooots of driving. very pretty scenery though. hope you’re having fun!!
Thanks for the rec!! Haha, as you can see it was definitely on my hit list, and turned out to be one of THE best meals I ever had. Ever. Not even exaggerating 🙂 I definitely bookmarked your other recs for the drive back too.
Did you by chance make an appearance in Medford? S bomb and I spent the night there, and then back when Rocky was with us…haha.
p.s. cute dress.
You definitely should try the Snackimals! I’ve only had the snickerdoodle flavor, but they rocked! They remind me of Archway Windmill cookies my grandma used to always have at her house. I had a pretty big bag of them at my desk at work and they only lasted a couple days because myself and all my co-workers were getting into them 🙂
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