Portlandia

Coffee artistry at Stumptown Coffee, Portland                         © Diane B. Reed

Every now and then we like to get out of town and take a trip to the big city. Most of the time we opt for Portland, which seems more comfortable to us than Seattle. Once you navigate the freeways and end up in town, Portland seems more like a series of neighborhoods than a megalopolis.  The public transportation system is easy to use and far-reaching. Bicycles are welcome and plentiful.

Public art disguises a parking garage           photo by Dan Nelson

Portland seems to have a wonderful sense of art (not to mention whimsical art). Public art seems to appear on almost every corner. Some of it's deliberate, some of it is spontaneous. It can even be interactive. We saw a neat exhibit by Portland State University grad student and artist Lexa Walsh "Portland Food Cart Songs." (check it out online) that included a series of songs developed with some of the food cart vendors near the PSU campus.

Streetside exhibit on Portland Food Cart Songs © Diane B. Reed

Speaking of food, Portland is one of the best food (and coffee) towns I've ever been to, with a wide variety of diverse cuisines and price points. During the summer Portlanders love to eat outside and soak in the sun at the sidewalk seating that spills out of many restaurants. It is a small offset to the dismal winters.

Mt. Hood from the Pittock Mansion 

© Diane B. Reed

 The city is also graced by one of the best park systems in the country, complete with gardens, trails, historic properties and the zoo. Forest Park  at over 5,000 acres is one of the largest natural areas near a city, and the Pittock Mansion nestled in the West Hills is a century-old home with a stunning view of Mt. Hood in the distance and the city unfolding below.

Sampling Portland is real treat, and one that we always look forward to.

Pittock Mansion, West Hills of Portland     © Diane B. Reed