Day Three and Four in Portland

Well, I got a little behind in blogging here in Portland. We've been out and about and getting back to the hotel late. We still haven't gotten used to the time difference. It gets dark here pretty early. The sun starts setting just after 3:00. So by 5:30, we're feeling like it's 9:00 at night. The weather has been getting better every day. It's still cold here by Texas standards...in the 40's during the day. That's bearable when the sun is shining, but pretty cold when it's raining and windy.

Steve and Mish have been showing us more of the city. There's some beautiful green areas for walking and biking. Portland is an old city, with old houses that have a lot of character. Some way too much character. The houses are from the early 1900's. If they were in Dallas, they would be torn down for a Mc Mansion. But here in Portland, the neighborhoods just keep going. You may have one house that has been updated right next door to one that really needs help. Mostly wood frame houses which surprise us since it's so wet and rainy here and wood rots. There's need for a lot of upkeep on the homes. The more expensive neighborhoods have stucco houses with very interesting slopes to the roofs. Prices here are comparable to city prices in Dallas, anywhere from 200's for a 2/1 to well over a million. Steve and Mish will have a hard time finding a place to buy within the city, but there's always hope for a fixer-upper.

There are a lot of independent businesses here. And LOTS of coffeehouses. Dress here is extremely casual. You can wear what you want and nobody notices. Portlanders do not seem to be very fashion-conscience. You do need to own a good pair of boots here. We have found people to be pretty friendly. Driving is interesting. There hasn't been too much traffic like we see in Dallas, but you need to drive cautiously. Pedestrians and bikers seem to have the right-of-way and they just walk/bike wherever.

I have to say, that living in the city is nice in that you can just walk to the grocery store or dinner. Steve and Mish live in area just across the river from downtown. Once you cross the river (and there are several bridges, some of which look a little scary), you don't feel like you are in the city. You have the conveniences nearby, but feel more like you are in an older residential area. Portland reminds Bob and I a lot of the northeast. You could look around and feel like you are in any old town in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts. But this morning, as we awoke around 6:00 am (remember it's 8:00 in Dallas), we looked out the window of the hotel to see the most beautiful sunrise with snow-capped Mt. Hood in the distance. I couldn't see that in N.J.

Pam and John flew in last night and today we are all going to Cannon Beach. Bob rented a 6 passenger van so we could all drive together. Tomorrow we have plans to see Multnomah Falls. Then it's back to Dallas and San Antonio on Friday.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!