And still more hiking...

Well, it was a quiet weekend overall...which leads me to more hiking! My roommate, Lindsay, and I, hit Forest Park, a great place within the city limits with beautiful hikes. One path led us to a road in the city, some pics from there are here as well. Great views of the city from the mountains.


View of Portland from above and me! decked out for hiking.














Sunset over Portland and Lindsay mid hike.














The second set of photos is from a longer hike I took Sunday in Eagle Creek. The trail followed the creek and there were many waterfalls along the way. Thanks for indulging my love of
pictures of green spaces.






















Old downed tree on the left, and Lowitt? falls on the right. I love the big bowl it falls into. This
picture was taken from a narrow ledge just across the way. As you know, i'm not exactly
religious, but someone left this book of Psalms on a rock,and I just thought it was cool. No matter what you believe, the woods are a pretty awe inspiring place.

Jazz Fest

Well, one thing you learn in Portland after growing up in Chicago, is that everything is mini and down-sized. Folks here talk about crowds. Let me tell you, they have NOT been at the Taste of Chicago at 10pm on July 3rd. The fests here are quaint. Some are busier than others.

I'm sharing a few pictures of Jazz Fest which, supposedly, was once a big thing here. Now it's free, less people come. Go figure. Saw a wonderful performer Annette Lowman. (see left)

The funniest part of jazz fest included a performance in my new favorite venue (ok, not really) "Jazzy Bagels. We stood behind the group much of the time. Very odd to be able to buy bagels and hear live jazz in the same fast food type venue. VERY odd. But, the music was good, and it was a respite from the hot sun. Pics below. Really, they are set up right next to the Coke machine! We tried to time getting our ice with the beat. Not sure how successful that was...

Portland Dictionary

Today's installment will enlighten you to the oddities of Portland grammar. As many of you know, Atlanta is graced with a street named Ponce de Leon, whose pronunciation is annihilated by Georgians.

Portland has a much simpler street, "Couch." Not too hard, right? Well, apparently the folks in Portland who thrive on being different decided to pronounce it "kooch". Go figure.

There is a wonderful word I heard 3 times in one day. "Spendy." Spendy implies that an item is expensive, a luxury.

Mc Menamin's is not necessarily a new word, but here, it's synonymous with these wonderful restaurants. They are all in old converted buildings: schools, a poor farm, etc. They all have these wonderful murals throughout. Some have a movie theater where you can eat, drink and be merry while watching your favorite flick.

Those are all I can think of for now...more to come.

Yes, there are people in Portland

Well, I realized that my blog so far only has pictures of nature. However wonderful nature is, I've met some really great people out here too. I convinced my friend Tom to join me on a trip to the coast today. It was about 90 in Portland and around 75 on the coast. The water is still bone-chillingly cold, but so beautiful. There was a bit of fog floating around, making for cool photography. A great day overall. We ate, drank, relaxed and enjoyed relaxing seaside with no loud radios, or obnoxious people. It's a really quiet and civilized beach experience.







Tom (left), Me (right)


I don't know these folks, but they got married on the beach today, and it just looked so beautiful! (below)