The basic premise of this vacation was that my partner and a friend are into gardening, and especially dahlias - the dahlia farm they order the "starts" (aka tubers) from is near Portland. Good enough reason for a visit I guess :-)

 

Flying into PDX, I was on the wrong side of the plane for Mt. Hood, but I caught Mount St. Helens (foreground) and Mt. Rainier (background):

 

This was reminiscent of Oahu, except with coniferous trees instead of palms:

 

Like so many visitors, our trip began at the MAX station at the airport:

 

And being turistas, we landed at Pioneer Courthouse Square - loved Jackson Tower; I have to say - Portland needs to really ramp up the promotion of their historic architecture. Sure, the bike-friendliness/eco-tourism is lovely, but that's one thing that really surprised me:

 

 

Pioneer Courthouse Square - the "heart" of Portland's CBD:

 

 

 

The first of many, many, oh so many hipster sightings: 

 

Another thing Portland has going for it - the craft/micro brewers - Great Lakes is still my nearest and dearest but Portland impressed me. Quite a few local (non-brewery) dining spots featured nothing but local brews:

 

And then of course, Portland has some quirkiness - being from Cleveland that's nothing new, but it was interesting to see their spin:

 

 

 

 

I'd love to see Cleveland's Asiatown have something along these lines:

 

Does Portland get a lot of well-deserved praise for their urban planning? Sure. Do they have a few "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot" moments? Uh yeah - while downtown Cleveland's urban fabric needs some work, I don't think we have a gas station across from our signature office towers - I'm just saying:

 

On the other hand, they have some great residential re-use and of course, Powell's City of Books:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Over to the art museum's courtyard - a sculpture by Ohio native, Roy Lichtenstein:

 

And about a block over, a church that happens to be a United Church of Christ (based in Cleveland) congregation:

 

 

 

 

 

And around the corner, the Portland answer to Cleveland's Playhouse Square:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More photos to come :-)

 

 

 

 

 

 

That last building, that looks like it's from around 1950 but with some art deco features, was in fact built in 2005 or so. 

So I guess I really need to visit my sister. She lives 2 hours south of Portland in Eugene. Gorgeous looking city. Can't wait for part 2!

More! More! More!

 

Super photos, wonderful place!

Cornices! Cornices! Cornices! You're right about Portland architecture.

Portland is a gem.

I wonder what Ohio's cities can learn from Portland..... :evil:

 

Please please please tell me you went to the Hall and Oates benefit concert!

 

The one thing I miss living in Ohio is mountains. Well, that and Mom doing my laundry.

An imperial pint of beer for $3.50 @ happy hour from 3 till close...nice!

Gracias, senor. Mui Bonita!

Thanks everyone - I didn't make it to Hall and Oates (had no clue they were there until I saw the marquee!) but had a great time anyway.