Chapman and Lawnsdale Squares
by Gypsystravels
Part of what makes Portland so attractive to me are its large open spaces. Here we came across a really nice square with a nice fountain of an elk. I did some research and came across this information provided below.
"David P. Thompson drove sheep to Portland over the Oregon Trail. From 1879-1882 he served as Portland's Mayor. In 1900, Thompson's gift of this bronze elk sculpture was intended to commemorate elk that once grazed nearby. Roland Hinton Perry sculpted the elk. H. G. Wright."
Service with or without a smile
by goingsolo
In this day and age, self service is the norm. But not in Portland, at least not when it comes to gasoline. Oregon is only one of two states in the US where you cannot pump your own gasoline. In 2003, a bill was introduced in the Oregon legislature to allow self service gas pumps. It did not get enough votes to pass. So, the rule of thumb is "hands off the pump". In Portland, maybe.
I had my first "no self service" experience when traveling through Oregon back in 2001. I got out, ready to fuel up and was told that there was no such thing as self service. I was then told to swipe my credit card through the machine. The "full service" attendant then placed the nozzle in my cars gas tank and walked away. Didn't seem like full service to me.
That was in some small town along the Oregon Coast and I'm not sure if that is what constitutes full service gasoline in Portland. I'm told it is not and that people wait in their cars while gasoline is pumped for them. That sounds like a nice perk on a cold and rainy day actually. Whether you like it or not, you will not be allowed to pump your own gas in Oregon. If you drive along the Coast though, don't expect full service treatment.
Eccentric Neighborhood Art
by glabah
In recent years Portland has become known for attracting eccentric people, but the fact is that years before this was known to the outside world, Portland had some eccentric personalities. Some of them put odd or exotic works of art on display outside their homes or businesses. Others only had them inside.
To this day, General Threaded Products (a machine screw and fastener wholesale warehouse at 2318 SE 10th Ave, Portland, OR 97214 (503) 234-5248) still has its decades-old "artwork" (or perhaps statement-making statues would be more correct) inside its warehouse - dangling from the ceiling.
Some Victorian-era houses in Portland, and certainly the later "arts & crafts" style houses, artful decorations were very common. Even warehouses from the early 1900s and earlier have ornate decorations.
In more modern times, people have come to use their houses as statements or works of art in various fashions. Posted here are just a few examples of what you can come across in some areas of the city.
KAYAK
by mtncorg
The River is the City’s lifeblood carrying huge ships over 100 miles via the Columbia to the sea near Astoria. The River is also a playground. Watercraft of all sorts can be seen playing on the water, jet skis, cigar boats, sailing craft and others. Kayaks provide a quieter way to connect with the riverine scene. Rentals are possible from both the new Alder Creek outlet near the Hawthorne Bridge east end and the Ebb and Flow, a little farther upstream near Willamette Park. Kayak, vest, paddle can all be rented or brought from home.
PORTLAND DOCKS
by mtncorg
Portland’s growth as an important West Coast city developed largely as a result of its importance as a seaport. Most of the banks along the Willamette were encased in docks and wharfs. Like the local waterfront geography of many other seaports - ie London, New York, San Francisco - Portland’s waterfront has changed drastically in the last several decades. The docks of Portland used to be a major employer, but the evolution - longshoremen would call it ‘devolution’ - from break bulk freight to container, stripped away jobs, emptied vast docks and simply change the entire maritime culture. The story of the container is a fascinating one that has had as much impact on World culture as perhaps the Internet has.
During the ‘60’s and ‘70’s, most major port facilities were owned by the cities - here, it is the Port of Portland. These port authorities had to make very expensive gambles as to what the future of the container would mean and whether to change themselves in that direction. Portland was not a s quick as other West Coast ports - here, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland and Seattle come to mind. A lot of business was lost to those other ports. Eventually, Portland did develop a moderate sized container port just east of Kelly Point Park on the Columbia River which is called Terminal Six. The Port has been able to redefine itself as a bulk freight and car importation port - bulk freight being grain and to a far lesser degree than in earlier times, timber - though it has taken years for both the Port and the local communities to find their ways in the New World Order.
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Portland Art Museum's Jubitz Center
Really good risotto at Portland's Porto Terra
Crown Point State Park
SW 12th at Alder
