Monday, May 18, 2009

Now, Where Was I?

If you board an airplane in Los Angeles and fly (almost) directly north for a little more than two hours, you will arrive in Portland, Oregon. My home town. I was born and raised there, left for twenty years, came back for a dozen more years, and left again. I now live in Los Angeles, but I love to check in with my roots regularly. Visiting is easy because almost my entire extended family lives in Oregon, including my one and only brother.

Last week I had one of those visits.

I spent one of my precious days in Downtown Portland. I grew up walking around the downtown areas, shopping on Broadway, crossing the Willamette River daily to attend high school. On this trip, when I was crossing the Willamette River on the public train, I was struck by the physical similarity between London with its Thames River bridges and Portland with its bridges across the Willamette.


Hop off the train and head west through China Town.

The Pearl District in Northwest Portland is a fun, funky, newly renovated urban area with lots of condos and lofts, shops, and restaurants.

The famous Powell's Books is on the south edge of the Pearl. You really need HOURS to explore Powell's. We had a tradition with our children that we went to Powell's on New Year's Day and spent ALL DAY there, wandering around the stacks and stacks of books in all the rooms in the massive building that houses only PART of Powell's book collection.

Friday was a lovely warm spring day and every where I looked there was blue sky and trees bursting out with green leaves. Portland really shines in the spring!



Of course, an outing to Portland wasn't my only activity during the weekend. There are so many green and fragrant places in Oregon! Stayed tuned for more!

15 comments:

Allie said...

Beautiful pictures! I've always wanted to go to Portland, OR. And, of course, I'm dying to go to Powells. Can't wait to hear more about your trip!

Flower said...

Great pictures of a good day!!

ellen b. said...

Fabulous photos Willow! Makes me want to visit :0)
Tomorrow 12:30??

Anonymous said...

I have never been to Portland. Very nice. Thanks for sharing

ancient one said...

I love visiting places with my bloging friends. Your pictures are beautiful and I'm sure I'll enjoy the whole tour! Thanks for inviting us along.

Brenda said...

I have not been to Portland for years! But I do know how to say Wilamette right ;)

SteppeSister said...

Okay, now I'm homesick!!! It is beautiful there, despite it's overabundance of RAIN! Went wine tasting last furlough in the Pearl. Love it! (the district and the wine :))

Unknown said...

Oh....cantik Kak Willow :P My favourite is the bike with flowers in it. It's been way too long since I've ridden a bike..must be fun with the wind blowing in my hair. Happy week Kak Willow, look forward to the rest of your post. hugs......M

Dorothy said...

Great Portland pics, Willow! Wouldn't it be fun if we were visiting our families at the same time and we could meet for a cup of tea? I'd love that!

Islandsparrow said...

I'm envious of your visit to Powell's - that sounds like a book lover's dream :)

Jane said...

Your pictures are lovely and it sounds like you had a wonderful break. Jane x

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I've always heard such good things about Portland...I hope to visit it someday! Glad you're back!

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

You make a good public relations person for Portland! I have never visited Portland....something must be wrong with me! Did you buy any books?

Anonymous said...

What a lovely place. Isn't it special when you go home. It's like looking at something with 2 pairs of eyes- one set in the past and the other in the present.

Meadowlark said...

Just across the mountains and yet you've shown me stuff I hadn't seen before. (of course, I do try to avoid the city when at all possible)

If you ever find yourself on the dry side... look me up.