“On the Rogue again…just can’t wait to get on the Rogue again”.  (Forgive me Willy).  So, I’ll be taking off tomorrow to raft the  Rogue River  in Southern Oregon for a well-deserved and way-too-short vacation.  However, I’m grateful for whatever time I can spend with friends on a river!  This is our annual “Girls Getaway” and we have been doing some version of this trip since around 1984!!  Its “girl-time”, camaraderie, laughs, peace and quiet, great food and drink.  We raft and camp along the Rogue River in Southern Oregon and most of it is classified “wild and scenic” and is protected wilderness.  I have done many raft trips in my time down the Deschutes River, Lower Klamath, Middle and Main Forks of the Salmon and the “grandmother” of all river trips, the Colorado River!  I do love the Rogue because of it’s accessibility, beauty and challenging, fun rapids.  The river allows for actually “getting away”!  No phones, no faxes, no e-mails (what???!!!)……so, it allows for a true rejuvenation of the mind, body, spirit!  This will be a short trip but effective, none-the-less!  Back soon…..

So, I had a terrific opportunity to share a road trip to Vancouver and Victoria BC and other than enjoying some well-deserved “R n R”, I was fascinated by the similarities between Vancouver, British Columbia Canada and Portland, Oregon USA! We seemed to be “sisters by a different mother”. There are some obvious comparisons, our weather patterns are comparable (enjoyed sunny and gorgeous weather all weekend) and the people open, friendly and welcoming (not unlike my local experiences). They enjoy a bit more water exposure but we don’t usually have their winds. Their city was very clean, extremely bike and pedestrian-friendly much like Portland. Vancouver is also a “foodie’s delight” and share’s Portland’s reputation for excellent and diverse dining experiences (I had some incredibly delectable and FRESH fish while there). I see where our downtown neighborhoods such as the Pearl and the South Waterfront received their inspiration, as the Vancouver skyline is speckled with high-rise condos and cranes and much construction is still underway. I couldn’t help but inquire of the locals as to the “state of their real estate market”.  It seems, both from personal inquiries and watching the news reports, that Vancouver BC has not seen a dramatic downturn nor has suffered the USA-type real estate bubble.  They are “so close and yet so far away”.  I’m fascinated by why the downturn in the real estate markets did not affect them?  Are they more “business friendly” and allow for new business influx and, thus, more jobs?  Did the Canadian financial markets not have the ominous “behind the scenes” misrepresentation in the system of buying and selling packages of Mortgage-Backed-Securities that so deeply affected our secondary mortgage markets?                                                                                        

Vancouver BC Skyline

Vancouver Art Gallery

So, my only disappointment was the well-touted Capilano Suspension Bridge on the way to the Grouse Mt ski resort in North Vancouver. I usually don’t participate in the “touristy traps” unless they have incredible historical significance, but I just couldn’t ignore all the hype about this bridge. In my world, it was a glorified ride at “Disneyland” and would’ve been exciting with young children (the swaying bridge, the tree houses, etc). But, I could’ve spent the $30 bucks more wisely.

                   “It’s a Beautiful Morning”:  The Rascals

In my continuing attempt to explore Portland metro area parks, I decided to try the downtown urban core area (and, yes, there are quite a few parks). It doesn’t get much more “spring-like” than the Portland Farmer’s Market in the south Park blocks adjacent to Portland State University.

Opening Day at Portland Farmer's Market

The market is great for fresh, local produce and a myriad of other “foodie delights” plus some world-class “people watching”.       

Fresh flowers at Portland Farmer's Market

So, I didn’t stop there.  I decided to visit several of the “urban parks” (of course, not including our incredible Forest Park in Northwest Portland or Kelley Park in NoPo or Hoyt Arboretum  which I’ve visited prior).  My focus today was Portland’s version of “inner-city” parks within the core downtown area.  We have many more in the close-in eastside (don’t worry, I’ll get there) and NW and SW Portland (I’ll be there too)!!

A little bit of sunshine brings out the “children in all of us”.   It’s not quite hot enough yet for the cascading waterfalls that usually dress Jamison Square in the Pearl District, but just warm enough to start bringing the children, dogs and families to enjoy the sunshine! 

Jamison Square Park in the Pearl

And, then there’s the “Contemplative Park” or Tanner Springs Park also in the Pearl District.  No dogs allowed as it is a “wetlands wonderland”.  Many children also enjoy this park, plus readers, sun worshipers and strollers.

I can’t forget the North Park Blocks as they offer a great entrance to Portland’s Chinatown plus basketball, bocci ball, a children’s playground and more!

North Park Blocks Playground

 There are many lesser know parks such as the peaceful park across from the Portlandia Building with our elegant and powerful statue of Portlandia .                                        

Entrance to the North Park Blocks

Portlandia

Kelley Point Park

So many Portland Parks, so little time!  I’m continuing my ”vacation in my own backyard” by exploring the many parks in the greater Portland metro area.  Kelley Point Park is located in the St Johns neighborhood of NoPo (North Portland, for those not familiar with real estate jargon).  St Johns was busy re-inventing itself during the real estate boom times and was fast become the destination for those looking for the “next big thing in real estate” due to it’s affordability.  Kelley Point Park, at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers, offers a 40-mile loop of walking, running and/or biking trails but is not all that great a work-out due to the flat terrain (unless you run or bike).  It also offers small beaches down by the water’s edge.  The area is somewhat industrial mixed with across the water views of Sauvie Island, Forest Park and even Mt Hood!  You can watch the big ships come in and out of the Port of Portland.   It is mostly deciduous Cottonwood trees, so I’m sure it will be much more lush and green in the Springtime. 

Trails at Kelley Point Park

However, the driftwood made for interesting art….. 

Cherry blossoms in bloom along the westbank of the Willamette River!

It definitely doesn’t rain ALL the time in Portland Oregon.  As a matter of fact, we often enjoy these unexpected explosions of early Springtime.  If we weren’t true Oregonians, we’d be packing away our sweater and galoshes and pulling out the flip-flops and shorts.  But, we know this is just a welcome “tease”.  As I was “tooling along on my townie”, I noted that I am constantly amazed at the beauty, the cleanliness and the diversity of Portland!  I enjoy seeing that “Spring had Sprung”, then bike over one of the ten outstanding bridges in downtown to the eastbank of the Willamette River and check out rowing lessons.  

Rowing lessons offered on the eastbank of the river!

A little further down the eastbank is the OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry) with the ever-changing array of exhibits and the IMAX theatre. More info at OMSI .

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry

 Then back across the Hawthorne Bridge to head down to the South Waterfront and check out the new construction there.  Despite a challenged real estate market, they continue with the development.  The park is almost finished and will add an inviting element for the enclave.  The tram to OHSU still a relative new addition to the Portland skyline.  Tram info (including schedule): OHSU Tram

The tram on it's way up "Pill Hill" to OHSU

 Biking back to downtown with what seemed like the entire population of the Portland metro area all enjoying the sunshine and warmth, you would occasionally see what “keeps Portland weird”.  

Bagpiper on unicycle Strolling musician!

 And, finally a bite to eat at the Saturday Market.  Today market the “Grand Opening” of the 37th annual Portland Saturday Market!  See Saturday Market .

Tie-dye and flambuoyance at the Portland Saturday Market!

And, a possible Jimi Hendrix sighting???   

Jimi, is that you???

One of my favorite Jimi Hendrix tunes:  “All Along the Watchtower” 

Hoyt Arboretum Visitor Center in Portland Oregon

So, I’m continuing my exploration of Portland and our former five days of “wall-to-wall sunshine” made another hike a requirement!!  You can see more about my park adventures and Forest Park, in particular, in a former post The Wonders of Portland .  This time I meandered up the trails to the Hoyt Arboretum Visitor Center and found an absolute wealth of information on the fabulous park trails in Portland!  They offered plenty of trail maps (instead of my usual wandering aimlessly, I can plan for the areas of the park I want to discover), lots of historical data about the park and information on the endless varieties of trees.  We have a world-famous collection of conifers, by the way.  You can choose to hike through the Evergreens or enjoy the Oaks, Elms and Magnolias.  All the trees are labeled and the trail names reflect the interesting variety.  I didn’t realize there was a fire in 1889 that burned almost everything to the ground.  Trees were re-planted by Hoyt Arboretum in 1931.  Some of the native trees were left and, thus, there is a unique mixture of native and exotic species!  There are over 8,000 specimens representing more than 111 plant families.  It’s fun being a tourist in your own backyard!!! 

A nice piece of real estate in Portland Oregon

If you continue up the trails (and you have your choice of varying durations and exertion) you can choose to visit the Pittock Mansion!  This grand old dame is full of Portland history and charm and the spectacular view can include all of downtown Portland plus Mt Hood, Mt St Helens, Mt Adams and even Mt Rainier!!!