Blue Skies, Clean Air, Fireworks and Burgerville!

That's right! I'm on my way to the Pacific Northwest for a week's vacation starting tomorrow afternoon. It's time to see a few good friends and some family who we haven't seen in, oh, 7 months. With the prices to fly nowadays, more than twice a year is going to prove to be a major challenge with a family. Did everyone know that most airlines are now charging for more than one bag??? But I digress...

It'll be a fun 4th of July week that's for sure. Temperatures are expected to be in the mid 90's most of the week in Portland. How often do you hear that? For the past week here in San Jose, we have been covered in a blanket of gray smoke. This week will surely be a welcome change.

One of the best parts of this vacation though will be daily trips to Burgerville. And when I say daily, I really mean daily. My debit card will have charges at least once a day and I'm sure to get a call from my bank making sure that my card hasn't been stolen!

I'll admit, I was a huge fan of Burgerville long before I left the Portland area. When my wife was pregnant with our first child, we found ourselves at Burgerville at least two to three times a week. Typically visiting Mama Rosa at the Beaverton location or across the river in Vancouver. I don't know exactly what it is about pregnancy, but every time she spotted that Burgerville sign, the car magically pulled into the drive thru.

Now I find them as a client and over the past year and a half, I have gained even more respect for this quick service restaurant chain who demonstrates constant leadership in sustainable business practices and a deep commitment to their employees, local communities and the environment. 100% wind power, cage-free eggs, an industry leading health care program, full recycling and composting programs and they turn their used trans fat free cooking oil into biodiesel fuel. What's not to love???

I'll start my trip tomorrow evening with a quick 3 hour drive from Portland to Seattle to meet up with my wife and two kids who have already been in the Pacific Northwest for 3 days. I used to do this drive every other weekend and I could pretty much do it on auto pilot. We'll see how the drive is this time, minus the rain.

Of course I'll be making my customary stop at the Burgerville restaurant in Centralia (the exact halfway point between Portland and Seattle) for a Tillamook cheeseburger, fries and a large vanilla milkshake. It has been far too long since I had a real ice cream milkshake. Sorry, In N Out Burger just doesn't cut it for me.

The plan is to spend a few days with my in laws in Poulsbo, Washington and then we'll be back on our way to Portland for 5 days in the Rose City. Since it has been so long since we have been there, I'm interested to see the reactions we get now that the kids have gotten older. Can't wait for that!

The 4th of July tradition will once again be in full force as my buddy has already stocked up on fireworks to entertain the entire neighborhood for an night of fun! Two years ago we almost burned down the place with enough firepower to take out a small country. This year will be a bit lower key with four total kids under 5 in our party. Then again, with an ex-marine in charge of the fireworks, who knows, right?

So now I'm off but like Arnold "I'll be back!" The time will go by too quickly but it should be fun.