Portland - Pittock Mansion - OR - (Pt 1)

We enjoyed a half day tour of Portland which included visiting the Pittock Mansion which is situated high above the city of Portland. The Pittock Mansion was built in 1914 and was the home of Henry Pittock and his future wife Georgiana Burton both of whom crossed the Oregon Trail. separately, in the 1850s.   Henry built his fortune as a publisher of the Oregonian newspaper, while Georgiana raised the family and funds for local charities.  Together, the Pittocks helped transform Portland from a small "stumptown" to a bustling modern city.  They lived here until their deaths in 1918 and 1919, respectivly and the last family members moved out in 1958.  In 1962 the mansion suffered damage from the Columbus Day Storm and Portlanders launched a fundraising campain to save the Mansion.  In 1965 a restored Pittock Mansion was open to the public.  Many of the citizens who had previously purchased furniture from the home donated it back to the Mansion.  It is a magnificent home surrounded by beautiful rose gardens, huge trees and provides great views of the city.

Very elegant rooms.

It had a very modern kitchen for its time.

A good sized pantry.

It has 3 levels to the home and many bedrooms.

Each bedroom shared a full bathroom.

The master bathroom has this elabotate shower.

A huge deluge showere head.

With its own draining system.

It even comes with instructions on how to use it.

Each level of the home has elegant rooms.

The internal stairs are made of marble.

Very elegant furtinute throughout.

There are many beautiful paintings, crockery sets, silverware, classware etc throughout the home. 

Views of Portland.

Some of the beautiful trees and plants which are all cared by volunteers who spend hours keeping the grounds in very good order.

Cheers,
Ross and Beverley 

Wine Tour Eugene - OR

We enjoyed a wine tour around Eugene, OR which is a great way to see the area and enjoy the wines.  We saw three winers over a 4 hour period.  The first was the Iris Winery which reminds one of the vineyards in Tuscuny.  The owners spent many years living in Italy and their wines reflect the Italian style of winemaking.  Their buildings all have the Italian feel. 

There are acres of vines and in Oregon and they grow their grapes righ up to the forest edge.

The wine tasting room was very spacious.  Here Ross is chating with Spence our tour guide who himself comes from an Italian background.  He owns a B&B and has over 30 years experience in the film industry.  He still produces film for the World Geographic.  He was a very intersting chap to chat with and a really nice guy.

The outside terrace provided a great vantage point of the vineyards.

This seat was covered in Spanish Moss.

Our next stop was at the Saver Winery.  The wine tasting area was set up high over the vienyards.  As our visit coininsided with University grauduation everywere it was busy with families celebrating their children's grauduation.  By the time we arrived at this winery most of the cheese supply had been depleted.  There was however many wines to choose from.

Our cheese platter was excellent however, there was no pate left so Ross missed out.  We had a blue and a cheddar, and the best fig jam, all was delicious. 

The wine was very good.

There were pretty floweres everywhere.

The last stop on our tour was Sweet Cheeks Winery.

The tasting room. 

Very pleasant surroundings.

They also make their own cider.

We opted to enjoy our wines looking out over the beautiful roses and the many acres of grapes.  

It was a great day and provided an opportunity to enjoy the wines and not have to drive.

Our time is Eugene was fantastic.  Its so green and the people so friendy.  

Cheers,
Ross and Beverley 

Eugene - (Pt 3)

After the tour it was time for lunch so we decided to try Saboi which was a Thai Restaurant.

Ross enjoyed scallops.

Beverley opted for teryarki chicken.  Both meals were delicious.

The flowers were Kangaroo Paw from Western Australia.

Just outside the resturant was a vey pretty plaza.

Back to the RV Park which has has many beautiful trees.  This is a magnificant Douglas Fir just outside our RV.

Cheers,
Ross and Beverley 

Eugene , OR - (Pt 2 )- Shelton Mc Murphey Johnson House.

We also visited the Shelton Mc Murphey Johnson House or Castle on the Hill.  Its a Victorian -era residence that is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  It is named for the three families who called it home over the years.  The first family was Doctor Thomas Winthrop Shelton , his wife Adah and daugher, Alberta who in 1873 moved from Salem.  They lived in this home until the death of Thomas in 1893,aged 49 years from leukemia, following which Adah gave the home to her daughter.    Alberta married Doctor Robert Mc Murphey who died in 1921.  The home was then sold to Doctor Eva and Doctor Curtis Johnson.  Dr Curtis became the personal physician to General Mc arthur and his family.  

This is the top of the first floor.

Each room has built in closets which was unusal for this time period.

As there were doctors in the home there was a sink installed outside of the bathroom.  

The home has very high windows and is a fine example of the intricate carpentary of the day.
Cheers,
Ross and Beverley