PDX- Portland oregon
Trip Start
Unknown
1
Trip End
Ongoing
Portland, Oregon
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Better known as Portland Oregon. My first travelogue is about my beloved city, located on the far western part of the United States. Currently, it is 71 degrees farenheit outside, which is not too uncommon for this time of the summer. The hottest it has been this year is 101, with little or no humidity. While the rest of the states are suffering from excessive heat, we remain on the cloudier side of the Cascade mountain range.
Govenor Tom Mcgall once said about his beloved state, "Visit, but don't stay." Although many Portlanians ideals have changed since that time period, we agree, that unless your wierd, Portland is not your place. Not that you aren't welcomed, you just might find it hard to adapt to our green ideals and gay rights ways. Portland wants to stay weird. As you read furthur, you will see that Portland has tried with all its might to go against the traditional norm. We are advocates of the green movement, we are proud to be the largest bike friendly city in the country, and we are democratic; in fact Republican Presidential canidates haven't visited in a long time.
Tips for Portland
- So where to begin. If you are a native or Portland, well theres no point in reading this, but either way, visiting or just moving here there are some things you need to know. There are three major newspapers that you should look out for.
1. Is the Oregonian, aimed at the general audience bringing you the news be it local, outside of the northwest or international.
2. The Willamette Weekly, which caters to the portland needs. In this newspaper you can also find the News, but more citizen based news. For instance, in this weeks edition it discusses how the govenor pardoned six people for meth convictions.. mind you this was out of 301 people. And yes, our state is known for liberal drug use.
3. Check out the Portland Mercury, for much of the same reasons. Both of these newspapers tell you what's happening around town. From night clubs, to movies, to the newest or must eat at resturants. This paper, however, is more political and focuses on the mayors decisions, that have been recently bad.
4. In addition, if you can get your hands on it, grap the Finder; the Willamette Week's Guide to Portland. Its free, and its amazing. A lot of the information I will tell you is in this guide. It is like a magazine but not, you can find it at Powells or ask around.
Basic Tourist Attractions
- Portland is definetly the town for Adults, 21 or older. There are over 25 craft breweries, meaning we make our own beer, so your in for a treat. I can not personally relay this information to you at this moment for I am still 20. Yes the drinking age, if you didn't know, in the United States is a solid 21. However, if you are wishing to spend some time with your friends, family, or intimate partner, there are places for you.
1. The Chinese and Japanese Garden. The Chinese Garden is located downtown while the Japanese Garden is located on the outskirts of the city, however, both or visually pleasing, and are surrounded by other activities.
2. Rose Garden. Portland is known as the city of roses, although that is not our official state flower. We were once sued by Rosy Odonall for copyright laws, however, she lost that battle and we still remained the happy Rose City. The Rose Garden is not to far from the Japanese Garden.
3. The Oregon Zoo. This is a place for the kids as well as the adults. The children can enjoy the animals, or Zoo lights around Christmas. Adults can enjoy the annual Wells Fargo summer concerts at the park. Both can be enjoyed by all ages.
4. The Childrens Meseum. If your children weren't tired from the zoo, take them across the street to the Childrens Meseum where I'll guarentee they'll have a blast. It is a hands on environment where children can interact with other children while adults look on.
Getting Around
- Getting around Portland is half the adventure. We support public transportation with public buses, a max line, a newly erected street car, and even an aerial tram lift leading to OHSU (hospital, however, takes tourists). It is easy to find your way around by either planning a trip on the internet, calling the transportation center, or even just asking around. We have four zones. Zone 1, 2, 3, and fareless square. Fareless square is in the heart of downtown and is like the name says, free. Otherwise it is 1.70, soon to be 1.75, for 1-2 zones and 2 dollars for all zones; this lasts for 2 hours or 6 dollars for all day. If your looking for a easier way to ride around, you can travel by bike.
Portland is THE friendliest bike state in the United States. You can easily see bicyclist around town. However, just because we are the friendliest, doesn't mean that everyone is friendly. Recently, funds for improving bicycling in Portland was cut significantly. And we are at ends with the motorists who still believe they have the right of way in every way. Word of caution, wear a helmet, you are pretty safe, but that won' t guarentee that someone wont see you, or that there isn't a pot hole with all the construction.
If your brave enough, or would just like to witness, try to see the
Zoo Bombers excapade. No, it is not bombing the zoo. Ever Sunday Night,
a large group of people go to the top of the hill next to the zoo. Each person
takes with them a children's bike (Hint, not far from Powells is a display of childrens bikes tied to a sign, those are some of the bikes used going down the hill.).Once a certain time arrives, they
all speed down the hill on their bikes. WARNING! It is very dangerous.
Right now they are trying to be banned from doing
this based on the fact that it creates human safety issues. People do
get hurt. My friend got hurt, mainly from drinking too much. But it is
at night on childrens bikes.
Other than that you can just walk. Portland is a pedistrian friendly city as well, as you will soon recognize if you try to drive downtown. Downtown driving can be frusterating with confusing turns, new construction, and pedestrians using their rights. As a pedestrian you have the most amount of rights. Both bikes and cars have to yeild to you, and there is always room on the bus, unlike if you have a bike and the bike rack is full. However, you are also the most vulnerable to the often cold and rainy conditions. Buses can be late, people do get sick, cars hate yeilding to pedestrians and if you can't see the bike, chances are they might not see you.
Eating Around Portland
Oregon is a mayonaise state, meaning that we have a lot of white people. In 2003 the Census Bureau estimated that 4/ 5 people in Portland are white. But when you enter Portland, you can't see it. Portland praises the multiculture society that has developed. The greatest outcome of this welcomed diversity is the pleathera of food. Every year, this year its the 10-12, the water front holds what is called the Bite of Oregon, and if you ever come, try to aim for this time of year. Actually, this past three weekends have hold true to the assortment of festivities we hold to celebrate the uniquiness of Portland. Two weekends ago there was the Brew Feast, where, as I mentioned earlier, Breweries come to display their own beers. Last weekend the was the Popfest, where we celebrate our up- and- coming musicians. This weekend is the best of all. What you can expect to enjoy is local cafes and resturants all advertising their buisiness. But for any time of year, there is Chinese, Indian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mexican, Mediterranian, Mongolian, Malaysian, Thai, Vietnamese, Lebanese, and of course American food. ... Whew..... If your from another country and feeling homesick, you can try your hand at some american attempts. I will not guarentee that it is all athentic, but the heart is in it.
There are however, places you must visit.
1. Voodoo donut. Open Late and serves some of the most unique assortments of donuts you have ever seen. Have you ever had fruit loops on your donut... have you even heard of fruit loops.
2. Stumptown. Stumptown is what we call a part of South East Portland.that during the 1800's was logged too much, and hense th hundreds of tree stumps were left. The stumps have since been removed and what remains is a city, particularly a shop in a city which is hailed by anyone who drinks the coffee.
After you eat, go check out the Portland nighlife and clubs.
Must See or Whitness
My favorite thing about portland is that we have 1 huge icon, Mt. Hood, which is sleeping volcano that hasn't had noticible activity in a while. In light of this, Portland has put a restraint on building height within the city as to not block the view of Mt. Hood. There are other symbolic statues or places downtown that represent a lot of what portland is about.
1. Portlandia. There are a lot of statues downtown, particularly near the park blocks. Statues of old founders, modern art, or even an elk that splits the road way leading to city hall. But none is more important than Portlandia. True, most Oregonians can't find her to save their life. But if you do find her, near 3rd and salmon located on top of a building, you will be amazed to see a giant statue pointing at you. My art history teacher was actually one of the people to vote on a statue to represent Oregon. That was not the one he wanted, but he agrees that it was a fine choice.
2. Pioneer Court House Square. "The most important block in town." PCHS is considered the living room of Portland. Hundreds of people walk through, eat lunch on, or just chill out in the square. All three max lines pass by and is overlooked by some of Portlands oldest and newest Architecture. It has a clock towner, that sounds out what hour it is. You can often find people playing chess, hacky sack, or just reading a book.
3. Saturday Market. Every Saturday, and despite the name on Sunday, vendors come go to 1st avenue near Skidmore Fountain. Here, local artisans sell their crafts whether it is paintings, vases, or pictures drawn of yourself. They do what people come to Portland to do, and that is to be themselves.
4. First Thursday. If you ever come during the week, aim for Wednesday during the day and the first Thursday of the Month. late afternoon. On Wednesday, explore the towns art galleries while no one else is around. Then on the first Thursday of the month, go again to those same galleries and whitness what is called First Thursday. Every Beginning of the month, the art galleries change the exhibitions, and on the Thursday, they keep their galleries open later, and sell alcohol to those who can have it. You will truely whitness what Portland art life is about.
5. Burnside Skate Park. You don't have to be a skater to understand what Burnside Skate Park Means to Portland. Or maybe you do? Some of PDX denizens acknowledge that we have a large skateboarding community. Well if you love skate boarding then this is the place. BSP, to put simply, is famous. It has been featured in Tony Hawks Pro Skater games, and featured in many skate videos. You don't have to visit, but just know it was there.
Outside of Portland
There are many other cities neighboring Portland. But all are affected by its life. So when I talk about outside of Portland, I mean what touristy things there are to see, even to native Oregonians.
1. Mountain Hood. The tallest mountain in Oregon but has become increasingly more dangerous. At least 6 people have died in the last year trying to reach the summit or hiking off trail, and several other dangerous instances have popped up. 1 of the victims has yet to be found. It is being discussed whether it is mandatory for hikers to carry a tracking divice, no matter how skilled they are. But in other news, The mountain is great for a day visit. Either Summer or Winter. In Winter you can go sledding, snowboarding, skiing and intertubing.
2. Multnohmah falls. Is not the tallest waterfall in the world, barely in the United States, however, many understand the grandure of one of the tallest free falling waterfall which is located in the Gorge. The path to the top also has other routes which can lead you to neighboring waterfalls.
3. Vista Point. Located at the top of the scenic route in the gorge. Once you reach the Vista point, exit 22, you can look out onto the gorge for miles. On the opposite side of the river, you will see Washington.
4. Beacon Rock. Now this is tricky. There are two Beacon Rocks. One located in the gorge on the Washington side, and one located at the beach. Both are highly significant. The one in the gorge is the tallest rock in the world. Feel free to climb up to the top, and get a wonderful view of the gorge. (Hint, my profile picture is of my decent back down.) The one at the beach is also a beach icon, and can be found on postcards, keychains, and shotglasses. It is a large nesting ground for birds there, and to an extent has been blocked off by scientist who deem it a risk to the wildlife.
5. The Beach. Don't come without a weatsuit. The Oregon Beach is very cold, but upon your visit there are other places to visit. Like the Oregon Coast Aquarium which once held Keiko from the movie "Free Willy." And yes, I did see Willy before he was transported, and I am very sad to hear that he died. Don't be limited either. Visit the sealion caves and see the sealions, who have been slowing making their way up the Willamette and terrorizing the fish and fisherman.
Whew... Come visit Portland and you are welcomed to stay. There are some other things that I would of loved to tell you, for instance how to pernounce some of our Indian influenced rivers and counties. But I quickly loosing the ability to think properly. You just have to visit, pick up the Finder and explore the scene yourself. I love my hometown and am proud to be part of it's evolution.
