I love the rest stops in Oregon. They are all beautiful and this one called the Baldock Rest Area is at mile post 282 exactly 100 miles away from our exit.

I like this so much because of the huge trees and how the walkways...

 ... and picnic tables are placed surrounded by park like grass.

 Many travelers stop and walk and in some cases walk their pets.

 It's hard to say just how tall the trees are, I'd say these are just the right height but I don't want to be accused of plagiarism but I can say they are very tall.

 We did have Dim Sum at a great place and it was wonderful to find a good Dim Sum but I didn't take pictures because I was too busy eating. The restaurant is called  Haidu Seafood Restaurant and it's located at 5846 Northeast Sandy Boulevard, Portland. As a substitute we went after lunch to Hippo Hardware.

 Their ad says, "A Portland institution since 1976. Specializing in original and reproduction hardware, architecture, lighting, and plumbing."

 There are hippos everywhere, on cabinets...

 ... on bookshelves...

 ... even on the floor...

 ... and the door.

 Walking around outside and taking pictures I noticed just how clever some AAA Auto agent really is when he put these stickers on the "AUTO" sprinkler outlets...

 ... and how clever is this sign in Hippo's window with Dead Martin saying, "50's Hardware makes a home."

 There is something very clever also in how Hippo's decorates inside by making a trip there fun...

 ... by using off the beaten path displays...

 ...that not only show their goods but can give ideas on how to decorate using them,

 The also let you know it is an adventure digging through the packed warehouse like the pickers we can see on TV...

 Some of the goods are practical like glass light covers and other fixtures...

 and some are just plain odd like this glass sphere.

 Across the street from Hippo's is "The Guild" a public house which means a bar and grill in the more literary circles. It is a very cool building I may well visit one day.

Well we heard another storm was due in later in the day so we got home to see some very unsettled weather .Just east of our home (looking from Interstate 5, There was deluge centered on one small part of the mountain looking like a tornado but thankfully it was just rain.

Quote of the Day  ~

"The guy who owned that island was from Oregon and he decided that he wanted to have an Oregon feeling to it, so he planted pine trees all over the place!" ~ Christopher Atkins