A Day in Portland
When I made the decision to take this trip, I knew there were places I wouldn’t be able to go due to COVID safety concerns. It’s an unfortunate fate I’ve accepted and look at it as an opportunity to explore the unconventional. During my last week in Oregon, the governor ordered a ‘freeze’ and placed restrictions on the state to help prepare for the upcoming holiday season and decrease the rising number of COVID cases. With that freeze came no indoor dining, closed tourism attractions, and limited capacity inside shops; a distressing situation, especially for small businesses and restaurants trying to make a living in these unparalleled times. I was fortunate to visit Portland before the ‘freeze’ started and experience a few of the unique and popular places in the city and surrounding areas.
In true Portland fashion it rained nonstop during outing and I felt like a wet dog at the end of the day, hopefully I didn’t smell like one.
There is a scene in the Netflix show, Sense8, where Riley is sitting in Primrose Park listening to ‘What’s Up’ by 4 Non Blondes, looking out on the London skyline, just trying to figure out what’s going on with life and how she got to that moment. That’s how I remember Rocky Butte. I sat on the rock wall, looking at the Portland skyline trying to figure out life and how to handle all that’s going on. The day before was one of the most difficult days of 2020 and I just needed to sit and think and be with the music. The rain fell around me, washing away the tears and sadness and drowned out my terrible singing…
And so I cry sometimes when I'm lying in bed
Just to get it all out what's in my head
And I, I am feeling a little peculiar
And so I wake in the morning and I step outside
And I take a deep breath and I get real high
And I scream from the top of my lungs
"What's going on?"
After driving a very curvy and steep mile drive up Rocky Butte Road, you land at the top of one of Portland’s highest east-side points with breath-taking views in all directions. As you walk up the butte, you’ll find a 2.38-acre flat park surrounded by rock walls and lampposts. The perfect outdoor spot for frisbee golf, a picnic or playing catch with your dog.
To the west you can downtown Portland through a sea of trees. Looking northwest, you can see the very few flights going in and out of Portland International Airport, and to the east you can see the Cascade Mountain Range, with Mount Hood being front and center.
Best known for it’s trails and views of Mt. Hood, the best part about Powell Butte is it’s central location to Portland. Need a quick hike to escape the quarantine WFH like, go for a hike here! There is something for hikers, bikers, and horseback riders.
Situated on the fast-moving Sandy River, Oxbow Regional Park is perfect for a weekend camp trip or a day of hiking. Since I wasn’t able to do either, I enjoyed driving around the park and admiring the dense forest and rushing Sandy River. There are many places to stop along the river and since it was rainy fall day I had what seemed like the entire river to myself. Usually filled with fishermen or tube floaters in the summertime, there was nothing but me and my wet Ugg boots.
Portland
In the late afternoon I headed over to Washington Park. During my visit to Washington Park, it was one of the last open days before the ‘Oregon freeze’ started and locals/tourists were out in full-swing to get in those last free moments. Washington Park is half the size of Central Park, but a lot more to offer! There is a zoo (temporarily closed), forestry museum (temporarily closed), archery range (open), lots of hiking trails (open), and many other spaces for recreational activities.
The Hoyt Arboretum (temporarily closed) has enough space to hold more than 2,000 species of plants and trees from six continents. It is a place of beauty and serenity no matter the season.
Portland Japanese Garden (temporarily closed) is transformed during autumn into a stunning display of colors. It was during the hours spent in the garden that I was thankful for the constant rain. The gardens are meticulously designed and cared for, and brings a sense of peace and solitude to all who enter the grounds. There are five distinct areas in the Portland Japanese Garden, each more spectacular and unique in their own way.
Flat Garden, Strolling Pond Garden, Tea Garden, Sand and Stone Garden, and Natural Garden.
Pittok Museum (temporarily closed), is over 100 years old and holds some of Portland’s richest history, telling the story of Portland’s transformation from pioneer town to modern. The grounds surrounding the home are free to visit, with some of the best views of the city with Mount Hood in the background on a clear day.
To finish off the full, rainy day of fun, I did the most American thing possible and stand in line the rain for 20 minutes for the very popular VooDoo Doughnut. I LOVE donuts, they bring me lots of unhealthy joy and I only treat myself to them a couple times a year. Since this was my first time at VooDoo, I pulled out all the stops and got a Oh Captain, My Captain (great movie if you know the line), Cinnamon Sugar Cake, and Blueberry Cake. While standing in line, I geeked out with the doorman over Baby Yoda and The Mandalorian, and he treated me to The Homer. It was the absolute best day.
I would love to hear about your time in Portland and what great adventures you get up to while visiting.