Exploring Portland | Visit Portland

February 22, 2020February 22, 2020

Kelly again and a new museum

Final got a break from all of the rain we have been having and had a chance to get out. I really need to do a post on the 10 reasons not to visit Portland in the winter and rain would be right at the top of the list. But when it is nice here it is really nice. With some dry and some sun I went back to Kelly Point Park. This is the place to see just what a busy seaport the Portland area is, even though we are a hundred miles from the ocean. The view of Mt. Hood and Columbia River with all of the ocean going ships and river barges is always striking.

I also got to Washington County Museum that they just renamed Five Oaks. I have never been here before but saw that they had displays on the native tribe and on logging. I am working on my Theme Tours and trying to find place for folks to go as part of those tours. It turned out to be very disappointing. Biggest issue is that these exhibits are just temporary and going away in a couple of months. The quality of both exhibits was poor and they need to check there facts as they were using old information that we now know is wrong. So I can’t recommend this place. When White man came to this area we did a very good job of wiping out the indigenous population so it is hard to find places for people to go to to learn about them.

December 28, 2019March 2, 2020

Green Anchor bit of Portlandia

One part of starting this website was to find what was left of Portlandia and share it with visitors. Sadly most of it is gone now. But one last bits of it can be found a Green Anchor. They have taken an old ship yard and found a way around the city’s codes and ordnance to be able to offer small rustic spaces for rent that artist and green entrepreneurs can afford. When you walk through the yard it looks confusing, messy and where you say “what the heck is going on here.” Reel creativity often is messy.

I love to walk through this place to see what changes have occurred. I always find new tinny home being built, vans and buses being converted for living in, new sculptures sitting out and always a surprise of something way different that was not there before. I don’t know how long this bit of Portlandia can survive before the rapid rise in property prices forces them out but for now it holds on.

December 5, 2019March 2, 2020

Rediscovering Kelly Point

We are in the full gripe of winter now. This is our gray time of year. The last of the colorful Fall leaves are falling and we will be left with baron gray trees. Not the time of year to show the beauty of Portland. But if you are an explorer of the area it is a good time to discover or rediscover places less visited. One such place is Kelly Point Park. It sits at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia River. This is where the last major river joins the Columbia River before making its way to the ocean. For years I loved going to this Portland city park and walking the trails and beaches. Several years ago I stopped going. When I first started working on the Portland or Portlandia website I visited the park thinking this would be a place visitors to Portland should see. On that visit the rivers were running very high, almost flooding into the park. I saw no charm in the park on that visit and thought I could not recommend this place to visitors. But I did make a plan to go back at some point and revisit it. This is the nice part about winter here. When we get breaks in our rain, that is the time to rediscover places that would be over looked during the other seasons.

I had a chance to go back to Kelly Point on a couple of our clear cold winter days. Changes had occur since I was there last but I did find the charm I remembered. The rivers were running at their normal levels and that exposed a sandy beach that can be walked. While walking I found I was entertained cormorants, seagulls, ducks and geese flying by and swimming in the river. This is also where you can see all of the river traffic. There are large ocean going ships, river barges and tugs, motorboats, sail boats, and sea kayaks that can pass by you as you walk. You can also say high to folks fishing from the beach hoping to catch a salmon. This is also on the flight path to PDX for viewing aircraft coming and going. You see the commerce that makes the area thrive.

The park also has a large picnic area, historic markers (Lewis and Clarke missed the Willamette River twice on their travel), trails through the woods and hidden quit spots tucked away in corners of the park. This is an urban park surround by industry but still an oasis of green. I am now working on a page for the website that will to show why you might want to visit this place on travel’s to Portland. Greener photos will have to wait until Spring.

Fisherman and commerce along the bank of the Willamette

Barely enough room for two on the Willamette

Army Corp of Engineers hopper dredge heads up the Columbia River.

March 16, 2019March 16, 2019

History and Art – Overdue Visits

I have been wanting to do this walk for quit a while. I final got in to see the new third floor exhibits at the Oregon Historic Society Museum and got to the Portland Art Museum on there $5 after five on Friday. I was able to get the photos I want for the website and was able to check on all of the changes that have gone on. The third floor at the History Museum has the story of Oregon and is a permanent exhibit. They booth did a redo and update but also worked to give a more balance view of our past. The Art museum has been going through an extensive face lift with changing out items from their collecting and opening up new display area. They are doing more with temporary displays and showing more local work. I should now be able to complete my website pages on these two visitor’s spot.

Oregon Historical Society Museum

Portland Art Museum

November 25, 2018December 28, 2018

Mississippi Ave. Visit

We were having a rain free weekend so I got out to check out another neighborhood. This time I went back to Mississippi Ave. This was another turn around neighborhood that went from slum to trendy a decade ago. I was greeted with a massive new housing complex in the area I normally park. The blocks that were being built on were vacant before so these projects were just putting the land back to use but I was afraid of what else may have happened to Mississippi Ave.

As I walked down the street I found most of what had made this district special had not change. The popular eateries were still open. And many of the small retail shops were still surviving. A lot of the redevelopment of the Avenue had happened a number of years ago, in fact long enough ago that they now blend with the old. Even on an early Sunday morning there were folks out and the coffee shops were full. So all looked well here with plenty for a visitor to Portland to enjoy.

The long time vacant lot is now being filled with a large apartment complex.

I found four large apartment complexes were going up on open lots or abandon warehouses.

Outdoor seating is very popular in Portland. Best in the summer but place also had umbrellas for the those rainy days.

This restaurant on Mississippi Ave. will have a line out the door in another hour.

Originally the street was filled with houses and two story buildings. This was on of the small houses someone doing a remodel on.

I remember when Mississippi Pizza only had a few tables out front now they have build a nice outdoor seating area.

They have built a nice seating outdoors that could be used any time of year.

They have added a new friend to visit with while you are waiting for a table.

This was one of the early anchor businesses on Mississippi ave. Looks like it is still going strong.

This complex was one of the first new developments that went in on Mississippi Ave. It has aged and blends in with the rest of the street now.

One of the large new apartment buildings that took out several of the original shops.

Part of a larger apartment complex small shop line the street.

One of the long time businesses is the light build shop. Can’t find that special light bulb, this place will have it.

This window never changes but is still interesting with all of the different types of light bulbs.

The light bulb shop changes it store window to make it a place to check out when you are on the street.

Only new construction store front on the street.

This place has been an anchor for the area with class act live music.

The window had handbill showing the musicians who were coming.

Mississippi Studios is note for its outside patio that gets busy in the summer.

Look up the street.

All of the old neighborhoods would have their pharmacy. Here they held on to the sign but a coffee shop now occupies the building.

The store frontage allows for a number of small shops per block.

Small shops and eateries line the walks on Mississippi Ave.

It was interesting to see that a bridal shop had gone in.

The beer hall ends the business neighborhood. Form here on it is mostly residential with just a couple of places a few blocks down.

Prost! always had a few food carts out back but they have now expanded to have a full pod.

I looped back around on a side street and start back up the ave. further down. This is the only major mural in the area.

Ecliptic went into a remodeled warehouse and is now being surrounded by new high rise apartments.

Another one of the new apartments going in.

Spin Laundry did not loose their spot with the redevelopment. This place makes doing laundry fun.

November 24, 2018November 24, 2018

Alberta Street Fog

I ventured out this morning with plans of doing a longer urban walk and covering several Portland neighborhoods that I thought would be of interest to visitors. I found the fog to be so thick I could not even take a picture across the street without it being hazy. The fog cut my plan short. I did walk up and down NE Alberta Street to reacquaint myself with this neighborhood and try and get some photos. Alberta St.was the last of the larger Portland neighborhoods that became “the next NW 23^rd. I think it has been four years since I last walked the whole area. At that time it was still rapidly changing and becoming the next up and coming star. It was sad to see that it has stalled. It was in a mature market phase. Some businesses have closed and the store front are empty. Some of better restaurants were still doing well. It was more the fringe ones that looked like they were having a hard time. There was some new construction going on and that may lead to what has happened to NW 23^rd. NW 23^rd has moved from Portlandia to Portland. For now there are still many murals on buildings and some of the arts and crafts movement lives on but it look like the place is ready for a new chapter.

One of the things I want to check out was a new place for visitors to stay in tinny houses.

The old school bus at the Cheese Grill is looking faded like the neighborhood.

You can stay in a tinny house while visiting Portland.

A long time fixture on Alberta St.

I found a window broken out on a business. They had unwanted visitors the night before. Increase crime is one of the elements that can doom a neighborhood renewal.

New Construction going up.

A new establishment that all of the neighborhoods have pickup it the Pot house.

Old location take on new color and purpose.

Alberta St. has a number of the old style business building. The business would be a street level and owners would live upstairs.

One of the most highly rated places in Portland to have breakfast in Portland is the Tin Shed

The old drug store is now a coffee cafe.

As artists and crafters got priced out of other neighborhoods Alberta Street became home for a while. I found not many of them left now.

A small food pod on Alberta St.

Some of the blocks are still lined with active businesses.

In-spite of vacant spaces there were still a number of active small businesses.

Something new is this Petite Hotel that just opened. It will be interesting to see how it fairs.

The Alberta Rose and it’s live entertainment has been an anchor to bring people to Alberta St.

Overall Alberta St. had more vacant store fronts then I have seen else where in Portland.

Alberta Street is full of surprising public art.

This alley way is very colorful but I am not sure if was a mural project or street graffiti.

Mural on Alberta St.

One of the Murals you can find on Alberta St.

November 3, 2018November 3, 2018

Magness Memorial Tree Farm

As a follow up to my visit to the discovery museum I went for visit to the World Forestry Center demonstration forest. Magness Memorial Tree Farm is situated south west of Portland in the Chehalam Hills. It has several miles of trails passing through second growth forest and a built up area for hosting groups. As part of my “when timber was king” tours I was curious if this place would work in as part of that and if it might replace the Hopkins Demonstration forest. I walked most of the trails in the place to be sure I covered it all. It appears at one time to have signage by the trails to explain some point about the forest in that spot. Most of the signage is gone but the sign post remain. One trail did still have signage that spoke in general terms about the nature. I found today it is used by folks near by to walk their dogs or take a run. So pretty much like Forest Park. Looks like it’s initial purpose has been abandoned.

Sign

They have a small patch of blue berries by the parking lot that was still showing Fall color.

By the parking lot as you arrive it a covered picnic table area.

Welcomes you to the private property that is open the public and spells out the rules.

Sign explain a little about the place but the place does not seem to living up to the signage.

An old tractor welcomes you to the tree farm.

At one time there were prominent educators involve in the tree farm and several are recognize for there efforts.

This building was closed up but appeared to be the class room building.

A bit visuals for education.

Map of the trail system.

Barbecue grills and picnic tables provide for an eating area.

There three log cabins around an open grass area to provide bunk houses for campers.

The third sleeping cabin.

The Woods Tour tail is dirt and has all of it’s signs removed. Hopefully they just pull them in the winter and replace them in the summer but post did not look like that.

The Nagle trail is paved and has information signs.

The Nagle Trail has a series of this information signs.

The Nagel Trail is paved and has signage about the natural forest. It does a half mile loop.

The property is cut by Coral Creek. A couple of bridges all for access to both sides of the property.

Coral Creek runs through the middle of the property.

Places like this showed that the tree farm was initially laid out for educations.

There were many large maples mixed in with the doug fir. More of what you would see in a naturally reforested area.

This trail comes off of the Nagel trail that is the main paved trail. Nice newer post for holding a sign but no sign.

The property is cut by a couple of roads so require road crossing.

Most of the trails were dirt and in good shape. I found no logs that needed to be step over.

I found many post set up to hold signage but no signs. I was left to wonder why.

This clear cut opened the view up to look down the river valley .

This property next to the demonstration tree farm shows your standard large area clear cut. Every tree is removed or put into piles to be burned.

Judging by the age of the burn pile this area was cut a least five years ago and never replanted.

They did get some help last year get some of the under story managed.

Ran into a number of folks out walking their dogs.

This section must have been cleared cut about 15 years ago and in a few more years will be ready to thin for fence post. So at least at that time the place was still being actively managed.

A section of trail. They did do a good job in building their trails. No wash outs or streaming on any of the trails.

Himalaya Black Berries are most destructive plant in the area. They will choke out all native plants and have no predictor in the region.

With no signage it is hard to know why this area was different. This was not a natural meadow as it did not have the geology for it.

This one small area was free of all of ground cover. I don’t know if this cleared or if the trees provide enough shade to keep it out but it had nice feel to the spot.

This one short section was planted with cedar and not Douglas fir.

From when the tree farm started to now the area has changed. The area is now more valuable for Winners and housing then Timber.

The trail brings you up to the neighbors property. A tall dear fence is in place to keep deer out from the grapes.

The only sign that had info about forest management was this one that side this section had been thin for possible power pole trees. The trees now stand 150 feet tall so they would make very tall power poles.

The trail that ran through adjacent property to another tree lot is now close off.

Looking up the hillside it looks pretty much like what we see everywhere with a recovering forest.

November 2, 2018November 2, 2018

Trying to stay objective

Yesterday I got over to the World Forestry Center/Discovery Museum. Overall it is a nice museum but if you have been watching the battle with the big forest industries for last 50 years you see the propaganda everywhere. Now I have a love-hate relationship with the timber industry. I have worked house construction so I love my 2x4s but I also love our large natural forested areas and sustainability. I hate when the forest industry works to “get the cut out” and make as much profit as it can and leaves hills baron eco disaster areas and never replant (this happened a lot 50 years ago). The museum portrays the timber industry as the great friends of the environment. When they harvest timber it is only done in an eco friendly way with sustainability in mind. If you have been around for more than a half century you know they only portray this role because they are force to by hard won laws that make them do it. The museum portrays a picture of forest and logging today and is better then 50 years ago. But we also know if you turn your back on the timber industry for on second and they will be back to their scorched earth policies.

So I am trying to stay objective on adding the forest museum to the website. The museum has good information that is presented in a modern, attractive way and with good interactivity of kids. For folks who haven’t been through the eco battles they may think everything they see is all facts and the only way things can be done. I hope folks visit the museum but I also hope they question what they hear and see and ask why are there almost no 350 year old trees any more and is this the only way. There are getting be other ways of doing things that are not business as usual. In my “when timber was king” tour I am trying give a complete story. This museum will be part of it but just one part.

One section of the upper floor had exhibits trying to explain forest and timber practices from other countries.

An area showing forests products from around the world.

For me this was a fun display. You could lift each piece of would and compare its weight to water.

October 21, 2018October 22, 2018

Mt. Hood Tour Development

Lori and I head up to Mt. Hood to explore a tour route for my visit Portland site. I need to go back and check to see what was still there and what would still work for a self guide tour. We also came across some new places and Lori pointed out some details that I need to add. We had great weather and still some good fall color.

Our first stop was at Skibowl. This was not planned but we saw they were almost done with at new trailhead parking lot and wanted to see if we could take a look. They had it fence off so we check out Skibowl instead.

It is between season so everything was close.

We found they had add a lot to their summer adventure park. It was spendy but they had over 20 activities to do.

After a long dry summer only a few small glaciers still hanging on with snow.

They had the tunnel up on the entry and are ready for the snow.

As you enter a large sign board directs where to go.

The entry level has a small museum including an example of how the original room would have looked.

The build has many large forged pieces.

At tile mosaic around the drinking fountain.

Not time yet for fires but the pumpkins were in place.

Looking down from the Rams Head bar to the main lodge.

We decide to try the brunch at the Cascade Dinning Room.

It was busy but we got in with just a 15 min. wait.

This contraption is a good symbol of the brunch. Look like it had great possibilities but turned out disappointing. With this contraption you turned that handle but nothing happened no help to make it work.

There was a limited selection and was even more limited with several items being out.

There was still enough to get filled up but not very good quality. Don’t plan on eating brunch here for the food but for being in a historic building. Our server was not not very good either.

We came to check out the Museum.

Lori enters and is greeted with a loud high beep.

There are small displays about all aspects of the area and Government Camp.

They tried to give the feel of being in a fire watch lookout but half of the panoramic photo is missing now.

The fire watchers would use this device to give a bearing to a fire.

The collection shows how skis have changed since skiing began on Mt. Hood.

During WW2 the army trained a mountain division on Mt. Hood.

Little Crater Lake is just a short walk from the parking lot.

Little Crater Lake is surround by meadows that we found in their Fall color.

Unique geology created it deep blue pool.

We had over the PCT to do a little hike down to Timothy Lake.

Bridge over Crater Creek that feeds into Timothy Lake.

Trail through the woods.

The wonderful board walk that lead to Clackamas lake is gone. This is a real a loss.

Most of the fall color was gone there were some exceptions.

This is one of a number of cabins, bunch houses and shop that make up this historic WPA work camp.

October 18, 2018October 18, 2018

New Explorations

Finally my foot healed up enough to get back out for more exploring Portland. It is interesting that when you live in a place that you can walk by something for years and never take time to explore it. So it was for me with the Maritime Museum and the Grotto. Then there are places that you visited 20 years ago and you never go back some how thinking they never change. So it was with Oregon Historical Society Museum. Then there are those thinks you learned 28 years ago, when Portland crime rate was so high, you did not do because you would die, like take public transit. So I took the Streetcar in downtown. It was a bit confusing but I did not die. All of the new info I have on these places and experiences I have add to the this website.

Also, I had to stop in for doughnut and there are scooters everywhere.