Portland…where Quirkiness Prevails. (There are many quirky things that catch you off guard while touring Portland. This was just one of the surprises that caught my attention…but not my participation).
(Leaving the King Street Station, Seattle)
I recently spent a weekend exploring the streets of Portland. I decided to take an alternate source of transportation…hey Portland is Green, why not? Instead of enduring Friday night traffic, I took the train from King station in Seattle to downtown Portland. This is a very comfortable, fast option (usually 3.5 hours) which travels the backroads on Washington and provides views you never see from I-5. Speaking of views…What I found in Portland surprised me. One of my highest recommendations is to plant yourself on a street corner and observe! You will learn the meaning of Pacific Northwest Quirky.
Here’s what I found works best: Head over to the food truck pod on SW10th Ave and Alder Street. This is one of the parks where food trucks have congregated, even if not legally, around the city. The choices provided for affordable Portland cuisine are too numerous to mention. As well, many of the more successful restaurants in the city, take for instance Salt and Straw, got their start here.
(Food trucks line the park. You can find almost anything you crave).
Head over to the amphitheater, across from Nordstrom) where there are several seats available to sit, eat and watch the sites of Portland pass you by.
The day I was there I watched an amazing lavender lady decked out in a scarf, sweater and entire outfit to match her perfectly quaffed lavender locks. I gawked dogs of all sizes in all sizes of sweaters. I watched the locals, the young, the old and the interesting. The sun was out and I was glad I skipped the movies that day. Portland is walking theatre experience where the Quirky train travels through the city on a regular schedule.
Not to be forgotten in the taste Portland is the beverages of Portland. If you are thirsty remember this: Portland where Beer is BIG but coffee is KING. I suggest you settle down to some local Stump town coffee www.stumptowncoffee.com/locations/portland in the morning and in the evening grab a local brew at one of the (they are everywhere). If it’s a cocktail you desire and maybe a nosh DO NOT miss “Trifecta” www.trifectapdx.com. You’re most welcome.
