The Unemployment Files: Episode IV

soaking it all in at Heart Coffee Roasters

Up just after 6:00 am this morning. The dogs were not a step behind me when I got out of bed. They have me trained pretty well these days. Upon entering the kitchen I opted to make their feeding my number one priority, knowing that I would be able to go about my own business without being bothered once I had done so.

on the porch outside the Courier Coffee roastery

With my masters' needs met (bathroom break included), I stumbled into our bathroom and brushed my teeth, simultaneously sending Tim a 'good morning' text to ensure that he was up and ready to roll. Within minutes I was dressed and out the door, welcomed by a glorious summer morning. Today was to be my first trip to the Coava Coffee retail location/tasting room in SE Portland.

C O A V A

I'm going to be brief, 'cause the cafe is downright gorgeous and worthy of a return visit (with a real camera and a subsequent blog post to follow, of course). From our house in North Portland I was able to reach the cafe in Southeast quite leisurely via bicycle (for all you neighbors out there, just take N Willamette Blvd/N Greeley Ave/N Interstate Ave/Eastbank Esplanade/SE Main St and SE Grand Ave and you're there!). Tim beat me to the shop, where we enjoyed delicious espresso (Ethiopia Sidama, Ardi) and two custom-pour over coffees (Colombia, Monserrate and a new arrival from Kenya).

bamboosmerized

From Coava we rode to the Courier Coffee Roastery at SE 40th and Hawthorne, after which, we made our way to Heart Roasters, at 22nd and E Burnside. Upon reaching Heart I noticed that my morning's 'free' time was running short, though prior to riding home we were able to enjoy a brief conversation, and more coffee, while taking in the morning sun (I enjoyed a lovely espresso, Guatemala, Santa Barbara).

Another epic early morning in Portland, in the books.