Portland, OR largest city, sits on the Columbia and Willamette rivers, in the shadow of snow - capped Mountain Hood. It is known for its parks, bridges and bicycle paths, as well as for its eco-friendliness and its microbreweries and coffeehouses. Washington Park encompasses sites from the formal Japanese Garden to Oregon Zoo and its railway. The city is very arty. These photos below are of Pioneer Couthouse Square., also known as Portland's living room. It is a public square occupying a full 40,000 square foot city block in the centre of downtown Portland. In its previous life it had been home to businesses etc. Today it hosts all manner of entertainment for Oregonians. There are lots of homeless people in Portland and interestingly none of whom use this area to camp.
Portland also suffers heavy traffic and its a slow trip to get anywhere. Some 120 people a day are moving permanently into Portland.
They pride themselves on being totoally dependent on renewable energy. There are green trees everywhere.
While the city has lots of microbreweries sadly one of its oldest breweries, the Bridgeport Brew Pub closed down after 35 years. Its owners had played a big part in helping the city of Portland to come of age. This is its now vacant headquarters.
The state is also into bioswale which is a new way of water management. It takes water runoff and by the use of "green infrastructue" saves money and prevents the pollutants in the city's water runoff from ever reaching nearby streams.
There are many areas throughout the city were these areas are planted. The community is wedded to this idea and good for them. To us they look like a load of weeds. We would be looking for the roundup. This park is fully bioswale.
They have tried wherever to preserve old buildings. The outside husk of the building is kept in its original state and business's can alter the inside. This place we were told makes the best pizza in town.
There is art to be seen in all sorts of places.
This is also the home of the Voodoo Donut. It is known for eclectic decor and pink boxes featuring the company logo featuring voodoo priests. No we did not try one.
We ventured out for Sunday brunch but we were too late so we had an early lunch at a local pub.
This is the largest BLT we have ever seen.
No way could any normal person eat a whole sandwich however the bacon was great.
Cheers,
Ross and Beverley
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