Portland, Oregon

What a surprisingly pleasant and nice city! There’s a bit of a European feel to it. Lots of funky, trendy, leafy neighborhoods: Hawthorne, NW23 (reminded me a bit of Balmain in Sydney), Downtown.

I loved the Japanese and Rose Gardens: 2 very different and very enjoyable gardens; spent quite some time in both. Fabulous views over the city, Mt Hood and Mt St Helens.

Powell’s Bookstore is enormous, they give you a map at the entrance so you wouldn’t get too lost! But it’s fun just to wander around. Couldn’t leave without visiting REI and Columbia Sportswear. I enjoyed the ‘4th of July’ fireworks on the Willamette River at the Hawthorne Bridge.

Alison and Eduardo, thanks very much for showing me your new city and home, and for a most enjoyable BBQ!!!!!
Olivier, thanks for suggesting I’d visit this city!

In a few hours I’m taking the Greyhound to Olympia, WA. Stephen will drive there from his climb of Mt Rainier. Can’t wait to find out how that went!

Greetings from Portland, OR.

Photos