When we last left off, we were exploring the Pearl District - it reminded me of a hybrid of Cleveland's Old River Road and Warehouse District areas, with some newer residential towers thrown in the mix. That night we checked out the "First Thursdays" artwalk:

 

 

 

The next day, we headed out to Canby, where the Swan Island Dahlia Festival was held:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back into the Rose City, and of course over to the International Rose Test Gardens, on the way we pass the South Waterfront area:

 

Downtown Portland from the Rose Garden:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back to downtown, Mt. Hood in the distance:

 

 

 

 

Up to the City Grill lounge in the "Big Pink" office tower:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back down to earth, back to more historic buildings:

 

 

And over to the waterfront:

 

 

 

 

 

 

And the much maligned (deservedly so - this thing is wrong on so many levels) Portland Building, designed by Michael Graves:

 

 

And Portland's tallest has nothing on Key Tower or Terminal Tower:

 

These two beauties were a pleasant surprise:

 

 

 

 

Next up, a trip to the Oregon Coast!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Awesome! As I mentioned we went to Portland (last US city on bucket list) for the first time last month. Its a great city and much smaller than I expected. I walked pretty much the whole downtown and beyond to some degree in several hours.

 

Besides the natural beauty, walkability and ease of getting around,  what I liked best was the food. Every place I went was exceptional in quality. Nice pics of Mt Hood. Other than flying in and out never got glimpses as good as yours. The only odd thing was the populace. So many were striving to be so alternative, but in the end they all looked  the same-unwashed, pierced, tatooted, same facial hair...you got my point.

Yum! Beautiful shots, and the flower photos are exceptionally gorgeous. A person probably could get used to living on Portland, over time.

Someday when I hit up the west coast Portland will definitely be on the list. I'm ready for a few more of these threads.

My first and last visit was in late 2009.  I want to go back but have no motivating reason.  (The friend I went to see has moved.)  Loved Portland!

"The only odd thing was the populace. So many were striving to be so alternative, but in the end they all looked  the same-unwashed, pierced, tatooted, same facial hair...you got my point."

 

Yep - I know that the "bike messenger chic" look is in, but there were areas where it looked like they were having a convention.

Purdy.

 

And this is probably my favorite bridge on the West Coast. A double-deck, steel girder lift bridge with light-rail on the "ground floor":

 

http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/portland2011/pdx0911_56.jpg

Great stuff.

Purdy.

 

And this is probably my favorite bridge on the West Coast. A double-deck, steel girder lift bridge with light-rail on the "ground floor":

 

http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/portland2011/pdx0911_56.jpg

 

 

Columbia River road/LRT bridge gets key approval

Friday, September 09, 2011

 

Oregon’s Metro government on Thursday said it will approve construction of a new highway and rail bridge across the Columbia River, linking Oregon and Washington State. Metro is the last of the six local entities that must approve the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the bridge, which now must be approved by federal officials.

 

Officially titled the Columbia River Crossing (CRC), the bridge is expected to cost between $3.1 billion and $3.5 billion.

 

Said Metro President Tom Hughes, “I think that we’re ready to go … This project has to happen … our port and the port in Vancouver are in the process of being strangled by the congestion that takes place on I-5.” Metro is the metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for metropolitan Portland, Ore., and most often reflects Portland’s strong commitment to light rail transit.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-news/columbia-river-road-lrt-bridge-gets-key-approval-3484.html