Day Fifteen of our West Coast Road Trip: Portland Is Weird

PORTLAND, OR

HEY STRANGERS!

Today marked our last full day on this incredible West Coast road trip, and it was nothing short of memorable. Waking up in the cozy confines of the Hyatt Centric hotel in downtown Portland, we were ready to make the most of our day.

Our first stop was for a quick coffee fix as we headed to Aviation Gin, a brand that had gained fame thanks to its former owner, the charismatic Ryan Reynolds.

Navigating through some of Portland’s interesting streets, we finally reached Aviation Gin’s distillery. Once inside, we checked in, received our drink-tracking wristbands, and settled into the airport-themed lobby, filled with anticipation for the tour that lay ahead.

Our guide was nothing short of amazing. They delved into Aviation’s storied history, from the first published recipe for the Aviation gin-based cocktail before Prohibition to the brand’s beginnings and Ryan Reynolds’ involvement, sparked by a memorable negroni experience in Vancouver.

As if that weren’t enough, we were handed the very herbs and spices that comprise Aviation’s unique blend. Crushing them in our hands, we inhaled the aromatic blend, gaining a deeper appreciation for the gin-making process.

The tour concluded with a visit to a replica of Ryan Reynold’s office, complete with a talking portrait of the man himself. This office transformed into an escape room where we embarked on a journey of gin-infused puzzles, all to help him recover the secret already signed contract for him to star in Green Lantern 2. With wit and teamwork, we cracked the code and were rewarded with a tasting of their exceptional product, including a sample of the namesake cocktail, the Aviation.

Our gin adventure continued with a flight of other Aviation gin cocktails, setting the tone for the culinary delights that awaited us.

For lunch, we made our way to “Life Of Pie,” a local pizza joint that lived up to its hype. Then, we indulged our sweet tooth at “Salt & Straw,” one of our favorite ice cream shops, a must-visit if you’re ever in town (also found in Disneyland and Walt Disney World).

As the day drew to a close, we wandered through the vibrant but somewhat sketchy streets of Portland, enjoying the city’s unique charm. We made our way to the river’s edge and then stopped by another local gem, “VooDoo Doughnut’s,” for a sweet treat before hitting the road. The line was quite long so we sadly had to wait until next time.

Our journey continued as we embarked on a three-hour drive to Seattle, Washington. Just a quick overnight stop on our way to Vancouver, British Columbia.

Today marked the end of the US leg of our remarkable two-week adventure exploring the American West Coast. It was a true test of our planning, determination, relationship, and friendship, and we came through stronger than ever.

While our American chapter is concluding, we have more exciting adventures in store. Stay tuned for our Instagram updates and weekly YouTube vlogs, including some special videos like our visit to the High School Musical 2 Hotel and Airbnb adventures. Cheers to the memories, and on to the next adventure!