Where in the World is Janelle?
You can probably guess by the title of this post that I’m not in Southern California anymore. No, I didn’t move . . . at least not yet. Let me explain. My husband USED to work for Wonderbread bakeries, and he WAS the chief engineer of a plant here in Southern California. Notice the use of the words “used to” and “was”. Past tense. That’s right . . . a few months ago Wonderbread decided to completely shut down all their Southern California bakeries/plants because they were just losing too much money. So, that left Don unemployed, while recooperating from his foot surgeries, no less.
There’s been some job offers that have come in for him, and one of them is for a bakery that is NOT in California, but out of the state. Don and I have talked about the possibility of moving if that’s where his new job took him, so yesterday this new bakery flew us in and put us up in a hotel for three days for Don to go through a formal interview process, as well as for us to check out the area, housing, schools, etc.
Of course I can easily tell you where I am, but I thought it would be much more fun for all of you to guess what city and state I’m in. Below, I’m going to give you some clues of where I am, and the person who guesses the closest will win a free autographed book of their choice from my backlist (I’ll post the winner on Sunday and let you all know where I am!). You only get one guess, so your first guess will be the one I’ll consider — so feel free to post about other things, since I’ll use that first guess of yours. If more than one person guesses exactly where I am, then I’ll draw a random winner from those people.
Remember, you need to post the city AND state where you think I am — and it’s not necessarily a big city!
1) This place is located in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
2) Rain, rain, and more rain.
3) This place got its name because of the settlement’s proximity to a large body of water resulting from beaver dams.
4) This city is home to the world headquarters of Nike, Inc
5) Residents of this city/state are able to enjoy many outdoor activities with ski slopes and ocean beaches a little more than an hour away.
6) Ranked #3 city to live in by Frommers.
7) This city is recognized as the 2nd safest city in the Pacific Northwest.
You know I couldn’t make the facts so easy that everyone was able to guess where I’m at. Do your best, and post your answer below. I’ll try and check in today if I can!
Well, NIKE HQ is Beaverton, OR isn’t it??? Sounds like a nice move. Any forest fires to worry about up there?
Comment by ev — November 8, 2007 @ 6:32 am
Nike is definitely in Beaverton, OR.
I love Astoria, Portland, Eugene OR… beautiful scenery!! Do you remember Kindergarten Cop? that was in Astoria.
There is probably less trafic and hopefully no wild fires!!
Change is good! We moved to Florida from Wisconsin while the kids were in school and it all went smoothly!!
Comment by Laurie — November 8, 2007 @ 6:40 am
I did actually look it up to be sure, and yep, Beaverton, OR. I’ve never been to the Pacific Northwest. I hear it’s gorgeous.
I hope everything works out for you and your family
Comment by Stacy ~ — November 8, 2007 @ 7:04 am
Wiki said near Beaverton, Oregon.
Comment by Stacy S — November 8, 2007 @ 7:17 am
I’m incredibly impressed with people knowing where Nike’s headquarters is! Of course, I totally flunked geography. The only thing I know about Oregon is that they make really great wine.
Have fun Janelle!
Comment by Julie Leto — November 8, 2007 @ 7:21 am
I had to look at where Oregon is on a map. That’s how challenged I am!
Comment by Carly — November 8, 2007 @ 7:28 am
Yay I am so happy I actually know one! You are in Beaverton, Oregon. I was originally going to say Seattle for the rain until you said the beaver dams and Nike. If you are there i hope you like it. I have only been to Portland, Oregon and I thought it was pretty so im sure Beaverton is gorgeous. Sorry about your husband Janelle
Comment by tyne — November 8, 2007 @ 8:25 am
Comment by tyne — November 8, 2007 @ 8:28 am
I’m too late! but anyway, you’re in Beaverton, OR. I’m actually thinking about moving to Oregon, would you recommend it?
Ah, trusty Google, you never let me down.
Comment by Wendy — November 8, 2007 @ 8:40 am
Beaverton, Oregon
Good morning, plotmonkeys and all,
Hope everyone has a great day,
Cher
Comment by Cher — November 8, 2007 @ 8:42 am
I am going to guess beaverton , oregon !!! I hope I am right!!!!
Comment by TAMMY — November 8, 2007 @ 9:05 am
Beaverton Oregon. Been there. It’s beautiful.
Are you having fun? And do you like it there?
Comment by Jaci Burton — November 8, 2007 @ 9:06 am
Beaverton, Oregon.
I would love to visit Oregon. I had friends that went there several years ago and they still talk about how beautiful it was (even with all the rain).
Comment by Laura J — November 8, 2007 @ 9:16 am
wow, Beaverton Oregon… that looks like a beautiful part of the country to live in.. well except for all the rain..lol..
sending best wishes to your hubby on the job opportunities..
Jolene
Comment by Jolene — November 8, 2007 @ 9:23 am
Well, as I can see lots of people have already beat me to the punch, but you are in Beaverton, Oregon. Good Luck to your hubby with the job search.
Comment by Kathy — November 8, 2007 @ 9:50 am
Beaverton, Oregon. Google has the answer to everything. I was picking Seattle at first too, until you said the home of Nike. I knew their headquarters weren’t in Seattle. Have fun…I hear they make great wine in Oregon. Good luck to Don on the new job.
Comment by Liza — November 8, 2007 @ 9:52 am
Yeap I looked it up too. Beaverton, Oregon. That is sad that Wonderbread plant closed. My great Uncle used to drive for them in NY.
Comment by Jen Hall — November 8, 2007 @ 10:29 am
Hi Janelle,
You are in Beaverton, Oregon-my aunt used to live there and really misses it. I hope everything works out for you and your family.
Za
Comment by Za — November 8, 2007 @ 11:06 am
Hope you’re having a great trip, Janelle! And keep us posted!
Comment by Leslie — November 8, 2007 @ 11:15 am
I didn’t have to read far at all. It’s my home town, Beaverton.
Comment by Lori Borrill — November 8, 2007 @ 11:33 am
Hey Janelle
I definitely vote for Beaverton, OREGON. That was so much fun. I actually sat down with the atlas and did some Internet research, too. Hope you’re fine and show up here pretty soon. I’m sorry for Don. Wish him and of course the whole family good luck. So take care of yourself. Being in a new city always is an adventure.
Have fun and enjoy
See you
Vero
Comment by Vero — November 8, 2007 @ 11:50 am
Hi Janelle~ I think that Nike clue gave it away - you’re in Beaverton, Oregon. I hope you’re enjoying it and best of luck to Don!
Comment by Robin — November 8, 2007 @ 11:59 am
Comment by Karen B — November 8, 2007 @ 12:15 pm
Beaverton Oregon.
Comment by Crystal B. — November 8, 2007 @ 12:31 pm
Beaverton, OR
Good luck!
Comment by Julie — November 8, 2007 @ 12:32 pm
Comment by Elisa Varey — November 8, 2007 @ 12:55 pm
I’m all over Beaverton, Oregon. I’ll bet it’s a wonderful place.
will post more later but had to post this first.
Comment by jeannie & Zoey — November 8, 2007 @ 1:03 pm
Well, I think I made the clues WAY too easy, LOLOL! Yes, I’m in Beaverton, Oregon! I’ll draw a winner from everyone who posts today, and let you know who the winner is on Sunday.
Lori — So, how do you like Beaverton? So far, from what I see, it is gorgeous here! The weather is cool today, but I love the colder weather. I’m actually at a hotel in Tigard while Don is at his job interview. There is a really nice mall here that I think I have to go check out.
So, is anyone else from around Portland Oregon area? If so, I’d love to know the pros and cons of living here.
Comment by Janelle Denison — November 8, 2007 @ 1:10 pm
Beaverton, Oregon!
My first instinct was Seattle or Portland too, until I saw the rest of the clues. Great area!! Good Luck
Comment by Cail — November 8, 2007 @ 1:18 pm
Ok so I am not exactly a geography wiz, I could get lost in my own neighborhood…lol So I cheated and googled it…Beaverton, Oregon!
Good Luck Janelle, I hope everthing works out the way that you want!!
Comment by Tina Martinesi — November 8, 2007 @ 1:25 pm
The NIKE question did it.
Beaverton, Oregon it is.
Patricia
Comment by Patricia W — November 8, 2007 @ 1:35 pm
Janelle, I did figure out Beaverton, OR before reading your confirmation, and wow–how exciting for you and your family! I know you’ll keep us posted
(I have some friends in OR and they love it!)
Comment by Fedora — November 8, 2007 @ 2:00 pm
i f amily over there too in oregon, hope to go there soon. enjo y your stay at beverton orgeon.
Comment by kim h — November 8, 2007 @ 2:05 pm
Seems you could make it easy for everyone to guess.
All the bread bakeries here closed too. Many, many years ago I made
bread bags. Yup, know all about those gussets. It was actually a good job
for a then young Mom who worked while her kids slept.
I remember Sunbeam bread as the fussiest. If that little Miss Sunbeam’s
printout wasn’t perfect they would nix the bags. Funny the memories this
site brings forward in time. Yup I made wonder bags too!
In Maine when we arrived the colors were just starting and lasted right up
until we were ready to come home.
Even the ride home was full of bright orange, red and yellow.
Here in RI the maples have finally decided to turn
(about a month behind schedule).
Amazing how a six hour drive can make for such a change in how
nature is affected. Today on my way to work I noticed the maples this
year here are burnt orange, maroon and rust. Deeper richer colors
than Maine was but pretty all the same. I’m sure the difference between
California and Oregon are many. Me I prefer the rural areas where
kids can be kids and nature is there to enjoy. Hope you like it in Beaverton
and your hubby gets everything he desires.
Comment by jeannie & Zoey — November 8, 2007 @ 2:19 pm
Definitely Beaverton, Oregon! Good luck to you and your family!
Comment by Susan — November 8, 2007 @ 2:43 pm
Beaverton, OR seems to be the popular choice today. Mine, as well.
I’d love to visit the Pacific NW. One day, hopefully in the near future, I’ll be able to travel the US, seeing all the stuff I’ve read about/heard about forever. I’d love to see the Grand Canyon, the whales off Puget Sound, and even the biggest ball of twine.
Comment by Leslie in GA — November 8, 2007 @ 2:44 pm
My guess was the Portland, Oregon area! My daughter & her husband moved to the Portland area after he graduated from college. It is a great area. Good luck with the job hunt for Don. It really doesn’t rain there all the time. Really! I am a native Oregonian & am a bit biased about the state.
Comment by Donna M — November 8, 2007 @ 2:46 pm
yep, the Nike clue was the one you shouldn’t have put. LOL It’s Beaverton, OR
Lois
Comment by Lois — November 8, 2007 @ 3:25 pm
You all are quite impressive! I’d have been clueless even with Nike.
Comment by Carly — November 8, 2007 @ 3:29 pm
Hi Janelle,
My husband is a transport driver for Wonder Bread at the plant in Sacramento. We are still waiting to hear if he will have a job in the next few months since the CEO wants to use common carriers instead of Teamster drivers. Like your husband, he will be recooperating from surgery when the word comes down. I hope everything works out for you and your husband. I feel your frustration.
My guess is Beaverton, OR.
Comment by GENA — November 8, 2007 @ 3:56 pm
I googled Nike’s world headquarters and I believe that you are in Beaverton, Oregon!
Comment by Teresa W. — November 8, 2007 @ 4:06 pm
This is so fun! My guess is Beaverton, Oregon, tell your husband good luck on the interview, we;re all
for him.
Comment by erin — November 8, 2007 @ 4:24 pm
Beaverton, Oregon
Comment by Georganna — November 8, 2007 @ 4:33 pm
Beaverton, Oregon. I live in Oregon and my son lives in Hillsboro, which is not far from Beaverton.
Comment by Estella — November 8, 2007 @ 5:31 pm
Hey Janelle, I hope that you are having a wonderful time wherever you are…my initial guess would have been wrong…I was gonna say near Eureka, CA (Humboldt County), but I would have been wrong…was reading a series that is set there and you described it so well…I guess it is Beaverton, OR after reading all the posts…My other thought was Seattle too, but then you mentioned beaver dams so that would have been wrong too..gotta go…talk to you all later…
Peace and love,
Paula R.
Comment by Paula R. — November 8, 2007 @ 6:12 pm
Beaverton, Oregon
Comment by Jennifer Y. — November 8, 2007 @ 6:23 pm
I googled it like everyone else - lol - my first thought was Seattle but alas google says it is Beaverton, Oregon. So Beaverton is my guess.
Comment by Pat L. — November 8, 2007 @ 6:29 pm
Beaverton, OR
Enjoy your trip
Comment by Shelley — November 8, 2007 @ 6:37 pm
Beaverton, Oregon
Loved the clues. Looks gorgeous.
Good luck on your new adventure.
A.
Comment by Ann M. — November 8, 2007 @ 6:39 pm
I would have to say Beaverton, Oregon, but being as it may have been too easy an answer to find. I will say you will be moving to the Portland, Oregon area, being that Beaverton is so close to Portland.
Comment by Mary — November 8, 2007 @ 6:53 pm
I went to Nike… it says Beaverton, OREGON
Comment by Nathalie — November 8, 2007 @ 7:17 pm
Hey Janelle, not ignoring you, just checking back late. Yes, I grew up in the Beaverton/Hillsboro area and though I moved to California in my 20’s, my family’s still there.
I think you’d have an easy time adjusting if this is what you end up choosing. Though it’s a little colder and wetter, the weather is still generally mild like you’re used to. You won’t find any horrid extremes like drenching humidity or tornadoes or golf-ball sized hail. Once you get used to going out in the rain, it’s not a big deal. When you get snow, it melts in a day or two and even that doesn’t come around every year. I actually miss the snow, to tell you the truth!
And as far as everything else, it’s not much different than California. The culture, the politics, the general outlook of the people is about the same. Though, they’ll probably make a way bigger deal out of the fact that you’re an author. Not a whole lot happens up there, LOL! Lots of hunting/fishing/outdoorsman types up there and the emphasis on sports (MLB, NFL, NBA) isn’t quite what you find here in California. But the Mariners and Seahawks are only 3 hours away and make a great weekend getaway. The shopping in downtown Seattle is WAY worth the trip.
And speaking of which, I’m suspecting that mall you’re talking about is Washington Square. Ahhhh, spent half my life there. There’s the MAX train that’ll take you into Portland which is really nice. The traffic is the only drawback, but then again, you’re coming from Southern California so it won’t be too far from what you’re already dealing with.
If there’s anything else you want to know, just send me a note off line. If I don’t know the answer, it’ll give me an extra reason to call mom!
Lori
Comment by Lori Borrill — November 8, 2007 @ 7:17 pm
Beaverton, Oregon from the clues( but when I google WonderBread the addy is Portland.
Comment by RobynL — November 8, 2007 @ 7:24 pm
I hope everything works out for you and your husband. .Nike is in Beaverton, OR.
Comment by Emma — November 8, 2007 @ 7:25 pm
Beaverton, Oregon! Clue #3 was very helpful.
Comment by Diana — November 8, 2007 @ 7:31 pm
Beaverton, Oregon
Comment by Mary C. — November 8, 2007 @ 8:14 pm
Well, since the Nike headquarters is in Beaverton, Oregon, that must be where you are.
Comment by Shari C — November 8, 2007 @ 8:49 pm
The beaver clue was what did it for me. But, if I hadn’t already known it was Beaverton, I’d have searched by Nike.
The Pacific Northwest is great. I’ve lived up here for the last 13 years and love it. The weather is wonderful (well, except when we are buried in snow… but I live on the east side of Washington State… the coast doesn’t get quite as much snow).
Comment by Jennifer K. — November 8, 2007 @ 9:08 pm
Definitely Beaverton, Oregon. I could have saved the trouble of researching it and just come and see what everyone else had to say lol They got it right off the bat. My husband used to live in Washington State and my niece in Portland and they both say the Pacific Northwest is a great place to live.
Comment by catslady — November 8, 2007 @ 11:32 pm
Beaverton Oregon
Comment by Jeanette Jackson — November 8, 2007 @ 11:57 pm
You are in Beaverton, Oregon!
Comment by RachaelfromNJ — November 9, 2007 @ 12:49 am
You are in Beaverton, Oregon!
Comment by Terri W. — November 9, 2007 @ 1:31 am
BEAVERTON, OREGON. IT IS BEAUTIFUL UP IN THAT AREA–WENT ON
VACATION AND FLEW INTO PORTLAND AND WAS PICKED UP AND
DRIVEN TO LINCOLN CITY, OR– IF YOU LIKE TO GAMBLE AT ALL
THERE IS A CASINO OWNED AND RUN BY NATIVE INDIANS.
ALICE IN TEXAS
Comment by ALICE — November 9, 2007 @ 2:51 pm
Lucky you, moving to Beaverton, Oregon! Good luck and hope you enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Comment by Susan P. — November 10, 2007 @ 12:35 am
I figured it out from your comment about Beaver dams. You are in Beaverton, Oregon. My hubby and I visited close to there when we went and visited his sister. I remember it is also home to the company, Tektronix, which is a huge electronics company. Also, the main street is the same name as the street in my town where I live which is Broadway. It is a very pretty city!
Comment by Melis L. — November 10, 2007 @ 12:42 am
Beaverton, OR. I hope you had a nice trip.
Comment by Kelly H — November 10, 2007 @ 5:41 pm
Janelle, So sorry about the closing of Don’s company. My son has had 8, count ‘em, jobs that have been eliminated, either through closing the businesses, or, downsizing. Very upsetting.
For a positive I hear OR & WA have the “most readers”of all the states, so, there should be lots of buyers for your books. After SoCal, having cooler temps can only be good.
How are your kids feeling about the moving idea? I think you mentioned your oldest daughter was ready for college, but, it might be hard on the youngest. Also, hope Don’s recovery is going well. Well, I hope.
Have a good time at that Mall–LOL. Hope things work out well for all of you.
Patricia A.
Comment by Patricia — November 10, 2007 @ 7:51 pm