The story is that Portland was named by a coin flip. Had the coin landed the other way, the city would have been called Boston, Oregon. Portland is also called The City of Roses and sports emblems with a call to keeping the city weird.
The City of Roses hosts the International Rose Test Garden.
Heather Lea Gerdes in Washington Park, Portland, Oregon
Why Portland?
My 4 day/3 night trip was a needed break from dealing with complex family matters after my mother’s passing on Christmas Eve.
An angel going home.
Nothing prepares the living for a loved-one’s death or how long it takes to settle someone else’s affairs, to grieve, to accept, to continue. My mother was fairly organized and had her wishes in place, but nothing is simple in this country. And one word drives every effort here and the world for that matter: tax.
So I decided to go to Portland. No tax.
“Keep it weird.”
Truthfully, that was only part of it. I’d been to the city before and loved being shown around the area by a native with a car: Multnomah Falls, Hood River, Tualatin. But the City of Portland is easy to visit without a car. After a 2-hour flight from Los Angeles, hop on a train and an hour later you’re downtown.
A downtown where you can walk.
And shop.
No sales tax.
I loved this mural adjacent to the Ania Bridal store.
Pedestrian Warning
There are homeless and afflicted people on the streets. You will see and experience all kinds of weird, yet I was not prepared to see a couple openly “getting it on” on a public sidewalk. Apparently, this is something locals wave off as part of life in Portland. I didn’t see any tents or encampments like we have in Los Angeles, where sheltered in our cars, we typically drive by without incident. Naturally, I was just a bit uncomfortable walking alone in Portland. Just a bit.
Trashcans around the city are brightly painted works of art.
Decades of New York City living triggered extra awareness and don’t f*** with me attitude that I hadn’t planned on generating inside of me on a trip that was intended as a getaway from stress. But I went out every day, explored, and didn’t push an agenda on myself. If something felt right, I did it. Every person I talked to was friendly and helpful. That was wonderful and welcoming. So was snuggling in my big, comfy hotel bed.
Hotel Dossier Downtown
This guy let me take his photo even though I told him it was going to be published. His dog was so friendly with the softest fur.
Dog Friendly & Dog-Free Rooms = Thankful
Kombucha and IPA from Ferment Brewing Daily Socials = Met Some Nice People
Morning Coffee = Yum
Tree-Hugger Program Re-use Your Towels & Make Your Bed = $5/day Toward Mini-Bar = 1 beer/day
Toiletries by Lather = Nice to Nick
Late Check-Out = Great
Hold Your Luggage = Relief
Room Temperature = Great
Light Blocking Curtains = Smiles
2 Bicycles You Can Use = OK
TAX: City/State/Day $3.19
TAX: Tourism Assessment/Day $.48
Guest Amenity Fee/Day: $24.00
Dossier Hotel East View from the 6th Floor - Pet-Free Room
Where I Walked to Shop & Eat
Wednesday Farmers Market Small Version = Blueberries in Season
Summer Music Series Main Street Stage = FREE Entertainment
The Pearl: First Thursdays of Every Month Galleries Open 5-8PM = Meet Artists
Saturday Farmers Market Giant Happening = More Blueberries, Food Tents, Lots of Kombucha
Portland Farmers Market Heirloom Tomatoes
Apple Store = No Sales Tax = Smiley Face
Pioneer Place Shopping = 2 Enclosed Shopping Malls = Normal Mall Stores (Check in on Yelp at Made in Oregon Store = FREE Chocolate Bar)
Nordstrom’s & Nordstrom Rack = Huge Nordstroms with Espresso Cafe & Rack = What You’d Expect
Pendleton Store = All of That Great Wool & Rain Gear
Director’s Park/Visitors Center = Free Dance Classes = Hang Out = Great Visitors Center
Portland Museum = $20.00 Adult Under 62/ FREE First Thursdays 5-8/$5 After 5 Fridays
Waterfront = Walk Near the Columbia River
Powell’s Books = Famous Place with Huge Inventory
Whole Foods = Great for Take-Away & Smart Water Deals
Starbucks = You Know What They Do
Taking the Train & Streetcar
What’s Cool: Use Phone Wallet to pay at the train stop & it remembers & will only charge the maximum fare of $5.00 per day!
Washington Park = 15 Minutes from Downtown on Train
Washington Park Shuttle = FREE Hop On & Off Loops Around the Park
International Rose Test Garden = FREE & Worth It = Fragrance from Heaven
Japanese Garden = NOT FREE $16.95 Adults
Oregon Zoo = NOT FREE $17.95 Adults Under 64 Note: Oldest Zoo West of the Mississippi
International Rose Test Garden, Washington Park, Portland, Oregon
Short & Sweet
Realizing how a change of environment and routine can be so rejuvenating, I vow to travel more. Years ago, when I was on the road dancing in shows, travel was part of the gig. What memories I have from those experiences. Time just sprints along and in a blink, decades pass spent on your bottom in front of a computer. Well, thank goodness for the Portland Apple Store. Mobile computing here we go. Have bottom, will travel. Best part?
No tax.
Alaska Departure Terminal Creatures Made of Felt and Knitted Fabric
Migration by Rachel Denny in Concourse A
My Favorites Are The Wild Roses
Final Thoughts
Portland is an easy city to visit and to navigate: walk, take the train, the bus, ride a streetcar, rent a car. It’s an active city. People work, live, and go to school here. Art rules. Nature trips are magical. Foodies love the variety. Beverages abound. Who knew Kombucha had such flavor subtlety beyond the bottles sold in the store? IPAs, whiskey, wine … all part of the drinking scene. A shopper’s delight, you’ll spend hours roaming the racks and aisles. Music? All kinds. Keep your eyes and ears open and you’ll be able to handle the weird.
