The quick 2.5 hour drive from Seattle to Portland was a welcome change from the treks we're used to. We're also particularly excited about where we're staying when we get there. Let me take a moment to recount why. With the exception of Tim and Amy's house (which is beautiful and in an awesome location), we have frequented the types of hotels that often provide sets for episodes of CSI. For all the grandeur of the great American West, its hotel selection is left wanting. Super 8 is about as luxurious as it gets, which is at least two better than the Motel 6.
At any rate, we're staying at the Mariott in downtown Portland- right on the water. Our first stop in the City of Roses is actually above it- on the mountain overlooking the city that houses the Oregon Health and Sciences University. To save time, the university built a tram down the mountain so students don't have to spend time driving from one part of campus to another. I immediately wanted to ride it. Catalina took more than a little cajoling, and even then I had to literally push her into the car:
The views of the city are unbeatable though:
Portland is a little smaller than DC in population and area, so it felt a lot more manageable than Seattle. After lunch at an incredible local sandwich shop with our friends Justin and Matt, we set out to explore the city. Our first stop: Powell's Books- the nation's largest independent bookseller. To sum up our excitement:
1) they had an entire section on Canada
2) Like a kid in a candy store, Cat spent 90 minutes fanning through everything from Derridian theory to the decidedly light "Drink, Play, F*ck"- a delightful satire of "Eat, Pray, Love" told from the point of view of a recently divorced guy. We bought them both.
From there, we stopped at our #2 Portland must-do: Voodoo Donuts. This place is legendary for the sheer number of options you have for giving yourself diabetes. Anthony Bourdain's favorite is the Peanut Butter Oreo.
To give you an idea of how popular this place is: we waited nearly 30 minutes in 90+ degrees and didn't blink and eye. And it was that good. If I lived in Portland, I'd have to break out the Rascal scooter in 6 months or less.
Now, we leave the typical urban landscape and see what is, to us, the only reason we would never, ever live in Portland. . Catalina remarked as we walked, "I think I've finally found a place that is too liberal for me" If you know her well, you know what weight this statement carries. The average Portlandian lounging in the park is unwashed, tatooed, lip-ringed, and aurally, vocally, and visually accosting. They also all play banjos.
Now, I don't mean to generalize. Portland is famous for being an outdoorsy, active city. Which explains why there were no normal people there on a beautiful Saturday afternoon- they were all out hiking- away from the pot smell and amateur philosophizing.
After walking around a bit more, we get in the car and drive across the Willamette River to visit a couple of Portland's famous microbreweries. We then took full advantage of a Saturday night in a major city we'd never visited- we ordered Thai and watched Homeland in our hotel room. And we loved every minute of it.
Disclaimer: Justin and Matt are both lovely and completely normal- and in the minority in our personal experience. *
At any rate, we're staying at the Mariott in downtown Portland- right on the water. Our first stop in the City of Roses is actually above it- on the mountain overlooking the city that houses the Oregon Health and Sciences University. To save time, the university built a tram down the mountain so students don't have to spend time driving from one part of campus to another. I immediately wanted to ride it. Catalina took more than a little cajoling, and even then I had to literally push her into the car:
Portland is a little smaller than DC in population and area, so it felt a lot more manageable than Seattle. After lunch at an incredible local sandwich shop with our friends Justin and Matt, we set out to explore the city. Our first stop: Powell's Books- the nation's largest independent bookseller. To sum up our excitement:
1) they had an entire section on Canada
2) Like a kid in a candy store, Cat spent 90 minutes fanning through everything from Derridian theory to the decidedly light "Drink, Play, F*ck"- a delightful satire of "Eat, Pray, Love" told from the point of view of a recently divorced guy. We bought them both.
From there, we stopped at our #2 Portland must-do: Voodoo Donuts. This place is legendary for the sheer number of options you have for giving yourself diabetes. Anthony Bourdain's favorite is the Peanut Butter Oreo.
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| Peanut Butter Oreo Bypass and Fruit Loops Foot Ulcer |
To give you an idea of how popular this place is: we waited nearly 30 minutes in 90+ degrees and didn't blink and eye. And it was that good. If I lived in Portland, I'd have to break out the Rascal scooter in 6 months or less.
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| One Maple Bacon Bar, please! |
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| The average Portlandian |
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| Don't worry, guys- you're fine. |
After walking around a bit more, we get in the car and drive across the Willamette River to visit a couple of Portland's famous microbreweries. We then took full advantage of a Saturday night in a major city we'd never visited- we ordered Thai and watched Homeland in our hotel room. And we loved every minute of it.
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