Utah Trip, 2013

Before this trip, I hadn't been back since I had graduated in August 2012. What I missed most about Provo were the people. I loved my classes and campus life, there are some good places to eat, but I really missed my buds.
Naturally, my agenda was: friends, eating, eating with friends, General Conference, friends. Because that's really all I did in Provo when I lived there. Besides watch basketball #gocougs
I drove with some peeps from my ward. I took the Frontrunner from SLC to Provo for the first time once we got there. Uhhh why did we get the Frontrunner, Chik-fil-A, AND H&M AFTER I move away from Provo????? Dumb planning on somebody's part.

I stayed with my most recent roommates, Kimberly and Hilary, (#224 #roomies4lyfe). I walked in to Hilary presenting me with Cafe Rio. Come to Oregon, you delicious barbacoa salads, you! In true fashion, we then went and saw "Gravity" at Wynnsong. Wynnsong really is our home away from home. Once we found out about $5 movies there one summer, we were there every week. I wish I was exaggerating, but I'm not.
Saturday was the start of Conference weekend for us Mormon folk. It was an uplifting weekend and I always look forward to it at least a month in advance. I stayed in my sweats, even when we went to breakfast at Kneaders (unlimited French toast, also a tradition), until we went up to SLC to meet with our fourth 224 buddy, Meagan. Meagan was getting married the next week and I was bummed that I couldn't stay for the festivities. But we ate yummy food at my favorite downtown, Buca di Beppo, and then helped Meagan choose her wedding shoes.

Sammy's pieshakes because duh.

Love these girls.

Allie happened to be in Utah that weekend, also, so she dropped by.

Photo c/o Allie

Sunday, I had tickets for morning session of Conference with my wardies, so we met up and enjoyed that amazing session together. "Music and the Spoken Word" is right before every Sunday morning session, so Asia and I made sure that we were there on time for that. If any of you haven't attended Conference, I HIGHLY recommend getting into a session, especially one where the Prophet speaks and when the MoTab sings. It's 1000000xs better than watching on TV.

Asia - Me - Roy

Lovely day in Temple Square

On the drive back to Utah, we drove until the wee hours of the morning. It would have been less painful if we hadn't blown a tire on the way back. Of course, I was driving (crazy things always happens when I'm involved) and we were in the middle of nowhere at 12:30 at night. Pitch black. Freezing cold. Thankfully, we had some studly men in our car who were able to fix it and get us going again. Always an adventure.

It's GONE.

As much as I was ready to move on from my time in Utah, I miss the times I had with the AMAZING people that I befriended while I lived there. You guys rock. Move to PDX so that we can hang out more, k?

The Ericksen's Guide to BBQ in the Portland Area

This experiment is headed by Dad Ericksen.  He loooovveeess his BBQ and so when he gets to choose where we eat, it's BBQ.  So we have tried a few places in Tualatin and East Portland that we thought were yummy.  This is ironic, since Portland is known for their vegan or vegetarian dietary habits (I will have to tell you about some yummy vegan places sometime).  Here it is! What you all have been waiting for!  The Ericksen's Guide to Eating BBQ in the Portland Area!!!  Duht duht duh duhhhhhhaaaa!

Russell Street BBQ~ 325 NE Russell Street, Portland, OR, 97212
Virginian BBQ

Pros: I am a big fan of pulled pork, so I tend to get it at places with BBQ options.  Russell's has really good pulled pork.  Also, my dad is most satisfied with the "meat-a-palooza" option here than anywhere else.  It's a lotta meat.  And I like the atmosphere.  They have lots of different pig figurines hanging out around the restaurant.  In other words, it's cute, but not overbearing-this-is-a-bbq-place-dangit.

Cons: It's popular, so it can be busy.  That can be a pro, though, except from the lack of waiting space/benches.  They don't take reservations, either.

Sam showing how it's done 

love my pulled pork and potato salad!

Podnah's Pit~1625 Killingsworth, Portland, OR

Texan BBQ

Pros: The atmosphere is fun and Portland-ish. It's in the heart of East Portland, so you can do other things, too, like grab dessert afterwards, and feel like a Portlander.  The meat platter does NOT skimp; I had to share mine with my mom and we still didn't finish.  My mom is a beef brisket fan and she really liked the beef brisket (as did I).

Cons: Street parking only.  Also a bit of a wait since it is popular.  

not my picture

the meat platter my mom and I had to share

Famous Dave's~three locations in the Portland area

Chain Restaurant, but I think they shoot for Texan BBQ

Pros: I super love their cornbread and potato salad.  They have lots of choices for sauces.  The decor is cute.  

Cons: My dad is a little disappointed about the wimpiness of the equivalent of the "meat-a-palooza," since there are only two meats you can have, unless you add $3.99 more per addition of type of meat.  

Pine Shed Ribs~17730 Pilkington Rd, Lake Oswego, OR
Pit BBQ
Pros: The menu said one side for my particular choice, but when I got my plate, I also got chips and a pickle! A pickle, I tell ya!  The cornbread was really good.  I got the pulled pork sandwich and it was also really good.  I hear their white mac n cheese is also good, but they were out.  They also claim on their menu that they only get meat from local vendors, if that suits your fancy.
Cons: Of course, my dad got the meat platter and he and my mom loved the almond smoked chicken.  However, the rest of the meats they complained were a little dry compared to the other places.  Also, we were unsettled by the fact that you have to order in one spot and then walk in the rain to another area to sit.  So, this place is probably more fun in the summer during a quick lunch time when you can just eat standing up outside or you don't have to get rained on going to the eating area.

We are still on our quest to discover good places to eat in Portland Metro area and this includes our BBQ spots.  Let us know if there are any good places you'd recommend to us, BBQ or not!

"Sun"dance my left foot!

Today my roommates and I embarked on a journey.  We accomplished things off of our bucket list and had some quality bonding time.
I started off this day with a fabulous Temple trip with Kelly P.  We were there bright and early so it was very quiet, which was nice.
Hilary and I decided that we needed some one-on-one time together so we went to Kneaders for all-you-can-eat Chunky French Toast. Holy moly that stuff is gooood.

Then the 224 set out in the rain and snow on an unplanned road trip to Park City to try to get into a Sundance Film Festival screening.   We stopped in Heber City at Dairy Keen for lunch.  The power went out a couple of times while we were eating. Thankfully, we had all gotten our food, but Hilary was still waiting on her milkshake.  When the lights went out the first time, there was the initial stunned silence.  Hilary took advantage of this moment and yelled, "My milkshake!"  She made the whole restaurant laugh.  First bucket list item: check!

{oh Schmeagan}

{we weren't prepared for the cold}

We finally made it to Park City and tried to get tickets.  Being the amateurs we are, we couldn't get tickets since you're supposed to get them like forever in advance.  So we walked around a bit to see if we could see any celebrities or something. It was snowy and cold, so we didn't end up being there for too long.  BUT we saw a couple of people.
William Fitchner, the BA bank manager in "Dark Knight"

And Meagan, a fan of The Hills, pointed out Stephanie Pratt

But we all know who the REAL important people are...

I have always wanted to see a famous person up close and I literally almost touched William AND I recognized who he was. Second item off Bucket List: check!

We <3 the 224.