This Week in The Pearl – a bit of café culture


Tricia frequently says, “Wherever you go, there you are.” Jimmy Buffett sang that “you take the weather with you.” Both of these thoughts came to my mind this week as I was sitting outside at Via Delizia, just down the street. Wednesday was a good day – a trip to Oblation Paper & Printing, a…

TheTravelsketcher’s Tuesday Tip – May 27, 2025


Add people to your sketches. Including people in your sketches adds interest and perspective, and it turns it into a story – it is quite simple and they don’t have to be portraits. Check this sketch I did of a road we walked often near our home in France. The first is without a person,…

This week in The Inn At Otter Crest – May 23, 2025


We spent most of the week out of The Pearl. We discovered the Otter Crest Loop on our last trip to the coast, and stumbled upon The Inn At Otter Crest, so back we went for three nights, how could we resist since they were offering a stay-two-nights-get-the-third-free promo. It was a bit cool when…

This week – The Pearl and beyond – May 9, 2025


It has been a happily packed week, mostly that is. Saturday we went to Cascade Cliffs Winery in Hood River to pick our Spring Cliff Club wine release. The weather was just right for a drive in the Gorge. The conversation and charcuterie board were a perfect paring. Sunday we went with Alexis and Joe…