The Final Hours

Saturday night was the rehersal dinner.  We had wonderful food at Nicolas in downtown Portland and then headed home.  It was about 10:00 pm and we still had many tasks to finish before wedding day on Sunday.  Josh decided to avoid traffic on I-5 and took a different route that brought us to a bridge crossing.  We almost made it to the entrance when we were stopped by a police brigade.  We were puzzled until we saw the first of the participiants in an interesting event.  For 20 minutes we sat and waited for thousands--yes, thousands--of naked or mostly naked bicyclists to cross the bridge first.  Not sure of the significance of this and I could only contemplate how "comfortable" that ride must have been!  Not much sleep this night!

Wedding Day:  Josh, Wally and the crew of bridesmaids and groomsmen make their way out to the Columbia River Gorge and Bridal Veil Lakes to start setting up.  Jessi and I head to downtown Portland to have her hair done.  All is going well, our only task left before we head out to the Gorge is to pick up the salads that were ordered.  But.....the restaurant where they are being held is on one of the main thoroughfares that is....wait for it.....blocked by police for a parade!  There is no way to get to the restaurant directly and there are no parking places in sight because of the parade!  What is at issue here is the fact that we have 3 very large coolers full of ice in the back of the car into which the salads will go.  After driving around for half an hour (the clock is ticking, the bride needs to get to the site for photos!!!), a car finally pulls out and we are able to park.  Now we both heft heavy containers and run the 3 blocks to the restaurant only to find that the salads are in large trays and will not fit into the coolers.  So we now contemplate hauling the empty coolers back and then returning to take all the salads back.  But, all is not lost, the very kind owner of the restaurant offered the help of one of his employess who brings out a cart, loads up the coolers and the salads and hauls them back to the car for us. 

We ultimately arrive at Bridal Veil Lakes and the wedding happens.  I have no photos of my own, but my dear friend Sherry put her photos up on her blog this morning and I can share them with you!  It was a glorious day, blessed in every way!