I’ve just returned from my trip to the Portland Swap meet, and while I enjoyed it thoroughly, and I’m glad I went, I am equally happy to be home.
The swap meet ran from Apr. 5 – 7, and their website describes the event as:
Presented by six Portland Oregon area antique car clubs, The Portland Swap Meet is the largest auto parts swap meet on the west coast with approximately 3,500 vendor stalls and over 50,000 shoppers each April at the Portland Expo Center.
I went down to Spokane with a friend on the afternoon of Thursday the 4th. It was a nice day to drive and in one of the stores on the way down we saw some really cute chicks. I told my wife, “don’t worry we didn’t touch”.
On Friday morning we connected with others in Spokane to drive to Portland together. The group I was travelling with are all long term members of the Dukes Hot Rod club, based in Spokane.
The drive down to Portland took us through the Tri-Cities and followed along the mighty Columbia river. The area is sometimes known as the Gorge and as we traced the Columbia river valley I was struck by the beauty and vivid greens of the mosses and foliage that was already evident on the trees. Please be forgiving on some of the photos, I was taking them while we were moving down the road.
Just as the Columbia entered Portland there were many houseboats moored at the roadside Marinas.
Our first day was only a part day as we arrived just after lunch and by the time we checked in and then moved to the fairgrounds it was early in the afternoon. It was still a long afternoon and my feet and back were feeling it by the end.
By the end of the second day I was pooped. Walking and standing all day on concrete or asphalt and studying all the ‘interesting’ things pretty much did me in. Good thing we took the odd ‘Miller time’ break while we were there.
The trip home was also uneventful and we stopped along the way at a rest stop to water the horses. I was able to get out and take a few photos without the movement of the car.
All in all I had a great time with a bunch of super guys. I had enough car stuff for a little while anyway and while I’m somewhat re-enthused for all things automotive I still have so many other interests I’ll have to be careful.
Bottom line, if you like car stuff and swap meets I’d recommend this venue. Just take comfortable shoes, and a pocket full of cash.