Portland

Day 8 June 13 Portland

The day started well with a very good breakfast and then a 10-minute shuttle ride by the hotel to the Portland light rail vehicle system. $2.50 for an all-day senior pass. We got off at a downtown station after about a 35-minute ride and walked west. Passed the old, impressive Portland Center for the Performing Arts and the Congregationalist Church. The latter building was erected in1882. It has tall spires and stain glass windows with an exterior of rough cut lumber.

We went into the Oregon Historical Society. The tall entry way had large murals of Lewis and Clark and the Oregon Trail. The permanent exhibit is “Oregon My Oregon” which is an exhibit that follows the state’s story from prehistoric times to the present. Very entertaining.

Walked west to Park Ave. It has a broad medium with lots of statutes (no confederates). Passed on the Portland Art Museum since: there were other things to see; it was expensive, $24 and I really did not want to look at art.  Took the trolley one stop to Pioneer Square and checked out the Pioneer Courthouse. Walked over to Kenny and Zuke’s Deli for a late lunch. Good pastrami, but not as good as Langers Deli. Then went over to the main Powell’s book store. It was amazing. It covers an entire blockhead are sooo many books, it is almost overwhelming.

Tired from walking we boarded the center city loop trolley. Passed under the aerial tram and went along the waterfront park. The trolley crossed over to east Portland and went by the sports venues.

Took the light rail back to the hotel. We called the hotel for a pick up, but they then forgot about us so we waited a while before calling them again. Ate dinner at the hotel. (that is Teddy Roosevelt below on Park Ave)