Day 149

My last night in the Portland metro area

August 22nd, 2010



There was quite a party going on when I arrived! Tony and Conny (and their two daughters) invited me over for the night. Conny's parents were visiting from Switzerland. Another good friend and her niece (who was visiting from DC) came over for dinner. And then, after we finished eating, the neighbors showed up (with homemade beer). A festive end to my time in Greater Portland!

From here, it's just three short days over the mountains (where one last cell dead zone likely awaits) to Tillamook, and then the final march north to Rockaway!

By the way, Tony builds pumpkin cannons for the annual pumpkin patch events at his parents' farm in northwestern Washington. So if you live nearby and want to blast a pumpkin 2000 feet (!), you should go visit around Halloween.

Clockwise from left: Tony, Pam, Terra, Willy, Conny, Doris, Alyx, Kerrigan


34 Comments

  1. Jennifer in KY says:

    Wow! Looks like you all had a great time, if those smiles are any indication! Well, Matt, looks like you’re almost at your final destination. It’s been a pleasure to follow along with the rest of the Hobo Planet to “see” what you were up to on this trek. Congratulations, and good luck on your future endeavors.

    BTW – looks like I’m first!

  2. Gigi says:

    Wow! A party for our hobo! And homemade beer! Thank you Tony, Conny and company for giving Matt a festive party on his last night in Greater Portland.

    So near the end of your journey, have a safe walk Matt. Thank you once again for sharing your journey with us.

  3. Norwood says:

    I can’t believe people still do the things they do to pumpkins. This is the 21st century!! Come on people!!

    • Dorinda from Mentor, Oh. says:

      Oh it’s a whole culture! You should have some fun and go. Here in Ohio there are many different kinds of events with pumpkins. Somewhere near Columbus there is an event for the largest pumpkins as well as the pumpkin chucking machines. Never been to one myself but would like to. I bet it’s fun.

  4. Ruthie in CA says:

    What a great international turnout for the special guest of honor…Matt must have thought he was at a summit! Thanks for sharing and Matt save travels.

    • Jeff says:

      it is hobo planet isn’t it. Very fitting….and for Matt – home made beer. Three short days start Today??? So good luck Matt, thanks to Connie and her family for throwing a i’m just walking shindig. Peace to all……..

  5. SLO Gail says:

    Looks like Matt’s route will take him through Idiotville!

    • Jeff says:

      SLO Gail….please stop on the Idiotville thing. We have a small area here..it is known as midgetville. It is all small small homes on the passaic river. Many people thought this is where the munchkins all retired…but it wasn’t …just small homes on the river…..My point they hate being called midgetville residents….. I am just tired of you thing about walking through a town called idiotville.

      • marcus says:

        hey there @Jeff. mellow out, fellow! it’s not her alone that posted that note. pretty much all us hobonites(hobonians?) are watching the route and many have posted the exact same thing.

      • Dorinda from Mentor, Oh. says:

        Jeff are you okay? Please relax. I know it’s a bit much over and over again but people are just chatting it up here. I think it’s just common human nature because of this towns name. I don’t think anyone here means any offence or insult by it, or at least I hope not. I’m sorry if it’s a sensitive subject for you but please be patient with people here. The trips almost over and we don’t want to make any enemies here, okay buddy? Lots a love here.

        • Anna One in CA says:

          I was curious about Idiotville too. Seems Jeff thought someone was calling a specific town “idiotville” rather than pointing out this most unusual name. I want to know why it’s called that…

          • Anna One in CA says:

            …and here’s that answer now:

            http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idiotville,_Oregon

            • Dorinda from Mentor, Oh. says:

              Thanks for that link Anna One in CA. That’s funny how it got it’s name. And I also clicked on the link for the list of other ghost towns in Oregon. There’s a TON of them! To me it’s hard to believe that there would be so many ghost towns in one place. Why? Why so many or any at all? Were they just little logging towns or something? I guess I could go through the entire list and find out but there are to many. Thanks again Anna for this.

              • Jeff says:

                no not wacking out…Just tired of hearing Idiotville. Just saying if I lived there…I would have pride in my town *whilst still trying to change it ‘s name. But I just got tired of hearing matt’s walking through idiotville, matts might walk through idiotville. Strange name like the places in PA….. Just vented….now I am calm about it…..when he is past it I will not have to worry about it. I am shutting up and taking a valium….do they still make them???

              • Dorinda from Mentor, Oh. says:

                LOL. Yes Jeff they still make them. I would know the doc has to prescribe it to me if I absolutely have to have an MRI.
                I know what you mean about the name and all. Yes, it will be nice once he’s through there. But for today Jeff take your valium, apologize to the planet and glide through your day happily. Smile today for Brother Jeff. : )

              • Michelle says:

                Here’s a smile for Jeff…I’ve had those days too. Like George Costanza’s father used to say… Serenity Now!” :)
                Peace, from Michelle in Providence

  6. What, they didn’t take you for a walk, Matt…what’s the deal???…

  7. deanna valenti meyer says:

    WOW! Thanks to Tony, Conny and the whole group for spoiling our Chief Hobo just before the final push to Rockaway. Looks like you provided a wonderful evening for him. Welcome to the Hobo Planet! :)

  8. Donna says:

    Does this mean that Matt will be finishing up this week? What will we do? Best wishes Matt for a successful and safe finish to your journey.

  9. Mom says:

    Thanks, Conny, Tony and family, for taking our Matthew in!

  10. Dorinda from Mentor, Oh. says:

    What a great party to finish out your journey. Even though it’s not all the way over, it’s still nice to have had such a nice get together near the very end.

  11. Candice in Alabama says:

    How wonderful! Great Smiles. I’m wondering what the base of that table is made from? I see they are prepared for a cold winter.

    Matt, just a few more days and you’ll have made it! I’m glad you took a few days of slowing down to enjoy the Portland, OR area.

  12. John in MI says:

    Matt, you sure know how to pick ’em. Once again, it looks like you’ve come across another wonderful and generous family. Thanks to the hosts for making Matt comfortable; he’s brought more joy to the Hobo Planet than you will ever know. Cheers from the Midwest!

  13. Julie in Cincinnati says:

    Many thanks to Tony, Conny and family for taking good care of Matt!! Sounds like everyone had a great time during his last night in Portland!

  14. MN Roxanne says:

    What a great finish to the slow walk through Portland…. thanks Tony and family for celebrating with Matt. I’m so glad you took your time in this friendly city and really enjoyed your walk…. it’s ending all to soon.

  15. Linda says:

    Matt is has been a pleasure following your journey cross country. you’ve met some incredible people and seen some beautiful things. Thank you so much for sharing this with all of us fellow hobos

    keep safe

  16. katzien in austin says:

    What an awesome way to spend an evening! My favorite time is hanging on the porch with family, cooking out, having wine, catching up, etc. I’ve got to have the rocker patio chair though! I love how they put Matt at the head of the table…guest of honor. Sweet!

  17. Sarah says:

    It has been a wonderful journey with you Matt. Thank you for sharing this part of your life with the world! Well wishes for your future and always.

  18. Sarah says:

    And… I love their table and chairs… lovely! Walk safe friend!

  19. katzien in austin says:

    Did anyone click the link to the parent’s farm? Very cool family business! I’d love to do the haunted corn maze at Halloween. And did you see the hamster in his wheel on the homepage?? Too cute! I fed him and he nibbled away. ;-)

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