Lists: Six Weird Things About Oregon

1. All the people at the rental car counters in Portland sound Russian. Did I miss something about the large Russian population in Oregon?

2. There's a big sign on Interstate 5 that informs you you've just crossed the 45th parallel: halfway between the equator and the North Pole. Okay.

3. There is a XXX store on Interstate 5 with a sign that says: "ADA Accessible."

4. Public restrooms in places of business such as restaurants have signs on the wall that say: "Don't spread disease! Wash your hands after using the toilet!" Ewwww. Can't they just say: "Employees must wash hands"?

5. You can't pump your own gas. I pull into the gas station and suddenly there's a guy at my window. "What can I get for you?" I nearly jump out of my skin and start blabbering about how he scared me half to death—"I'm not from here and I didn't realize you were going to be standing there and I—" He just stares at me with a blank expression. "Regular unleaded," I mumble, feeling like a dork.

6. You can't turn in anywhere from the street. You have to turn into the main driveway of the shopping center and drive for 2 miles. I nearly had a coronary trying to get to the damn McDonald's for my hangover cure.