Hammond to Portland

Packing up we carried our stuff 25metres past last nights drinkers to the car. Sarah took the kids for free pancakes and a last go on the bouncy pillow and I struck the tent. After an hour the kids started throwing hats around so we pulled  into a  rest stop that said free coffee

These dutiful 17 year olds were offering drinks by donation with funds going to their 3 day volleyball tourament fund. 12 ft away were 2 even more dutiful teachers doing the accompanying minors bit from behind their screen s and glasses

As it was a national holiday the road inland was empty. But not going to the coast.it felt good to be going against the flow

We then arrived at our airbnb host for the next three nights. Richard and Patti

After ten minutes on the doorstep talking with Richard I was grinning ear to ear.  I said to Patti that her profile didnt say that entertainment was included! Richard ranged from scotland rising and england sinking; to famous scientists from Portland; to ingorance of dutch sporting experts towards the true prowess of north american ice scaters; to a joke about Suarez being a cannibal

We then tried a mid afternoon sleep. No chance so we drove to town

Walking along the riverbank we headed towards thw noise of a blues festival but found other stuff along the way

Instead we found #defcon5 a dancing group in warm up mode. 

Both loved watching.

"Our big show will be in ten minutes"

But little tummies were hungry so were off to find Portlands well renowned streets carts

A new lease of life gained it was back to the river front.

Two blokes with fishing rods and string were doing this for tips. Kids spent half an hour running around. Then on the way back to the dancers we passed a do it yourself dj with some young disciples. 

Rowan started his own moves but found out quickly  that concrete and falling on his head didnt mix very well. Then back to the dancers and we caught the full 8 minute hourly performance. Its now 9pm

"Ladies and gentleman we have been outside here since 4pm.  We are the premier street dance group in Portland. When you see one of us doing something you could'nt do then we need you to holler and whoop to give us the energy. We need to feed off your energy.  Charles do something that most people can't do"

Charles does a lame flip. No one hollers

"I think most people could do that, Lance, do something else"

Lance does a move that we all can't do. We all holler.

 "see the caps around the cardboard, well please give generously as we need to raise funds for an out of state competition where we need help with accommodation and food costs. Thankyou"

Then the act starts and good it was too. No pics as i videod the whole thing. 

then the kids wanted to go home but we were 20 minutes from fireworks. So we went and found a patch of grass in the now dark, facing the river waiting for the boat located fireworks to go off.  The smell of weed was everywhere. There were lots of glow sticks around.

then on our way back to the car, we passed not a nightclub but a local institution, Voodoo Donought. Yes at 10.30pm at night this was the queue to get in

xxx