This is the 7th of a series of posts dealing
with my 2015 trip to Portland, Seattle, and vicinity. I’ve made minor
corrections to these reports (typos, bits I don’t feel like making public). Also,
I’ve added additional thoughts with the hindsight of two years later or to add
further clarification. These are
indicated by “NOW”.
I got up a little after 5:30 and walked to Providence Park
MAX Station. Across the street at Providence Park itself, people were either
waiting early for some event or were transients. Definitely more transients or
whatever the proper term is now than before. Got hassled a few times about my
camera but won't describe those because I don't want to commit those situations
to memory. I took a Blue MAX train (all transportation today TriMet unless
noted) to Washington Park MAX Station. I walked along the outside of Oregon Zoo
and checked out a few things including a rather dull looking Vietnam War
memorial. I took a Blue Line MAX train back from Washington Park MAX Station
(which is underground in a tunnel) to Providence Park MAX Station and had a
light breakfast (I think the hostel gets slightly old bread somewhere) before
heading out again.
[NOW: The hostel I stayed at was Northwest Portland Hostel.
To clarify, you take an elevator from Washington Park MAX Station to the above
ground area of Washington Park. The full name of the memorial is Oregon Vietnam
Veterans Memorial.]
I walked downtown to
Mill Ends park and Salmon Street Springs, then crossed Hawthorne Bridge to the
east side. I considered riding the CL Line Portland Streetcar (I've barely
ridden the CL Line) but it wasn't running due to construction. I crossed
Hawthorne Bridge back over the Willamette River to the west, got a Slurpee from
7-11, and visited the Ira Keller Fountain, not yet on. I took the Yellow Line
MAX train north and bought a DVD at the Everyday Music nearest the hostel, then
visited Powell's. I took the MS line Portland Streetcar (I believe the city
owns the Portland Streetcar but they accept TriMet passes) to the Portland
Aerial Tram. The aerial tram is $4.50 return, or $4.50 up/free down if you
prefer. Great view of the city. It didn't return down right away so I got some
nice shots at the top, which is at a hospital. Back down, I took the Portland
streetcar downtown and got some bus schedules from the tourist info centre.
There was a sand exhibit there (Pioneer Square) with a suggested donation but
they let me in for free because I wanted the info centre not the sand sculpture
exhibit. I did take a few photos very briefly to from the info centre but
mainly took them outside.
[NOW: The CL Line is now the A Loop.]
I took the 56 bus south (realizing too late I dropped that
schedule) to Impulse Video. Minimal selection for sale so no impulse buying. I
took another 56 bus downtown and found the schedule. I had a pizza to go at Pieology and took it to Director
Park. Despite my using the box as a shield a kid in the fountain there
(Teachers Fountain from yesterday) managed to scoop up some chlorinated water
and splash some of it on my pizza.
[NOW: Impulse Video and that Pieology have closed.]
I took the Blue MAX train to Goose Hollow/SW Jefferson MAX
Station where I wandered my way to Daedalus Books in the north end. I walked
and took a 20 bus to the waterfront, where I visited Bill Naito Legacy Fountain,
which meant getting through a Saturday market to reach. I walked along the
waterfront to Salmon Street Springs where I went in the fountain to cool off. I
stayed there for a while to relax. At one point Fire & Rescue and an
ambulance showed up to deal with some boat matter.
As I visited and took photos of Mill Ends Park a woman,
probably intentionally loud enough for me to hear said "... stupid. It's
just a pot and a plant." No doubt she's a lot of fun at parties and baby
announcements. I got a flavoured water at Rite Aid, revisited Director's Park,
and took a Green MAX train to Floating World Comics. I walked back to the
waterfront and revisited Bill Naito Legacy Fountain, Salmon Street Springs, Ira
Keller Fountain (still not on). I then took a Blue Max train to McDonald's to
go. I took one more Blue MAX train back to Director's Park and then Salmon Street Springs,
which was off. Back to Naito, then I walked north to Steel Bridge.
Unlike most bridges in Portland the pedestrian/bike part is
lower than the vehicles, affording an interesting different view. I crossed
over to the east and back, again over the Willamette River. A visit to 7-11 did
not reveal a single beer. One final visit to Director Park, then Portland
Streetcar NS line to Powell's Books. One last visit there. Wish I was there a
week Monday as Jimmy Carter's doing a book signing. I got a beer from Naturally,
same place as yesterday, and returned to the hostel to pack all my DVDs. My
suitcase has to be tight because the other large bag needs to be carry-on.
[NOW: Unlike Canada, many US 7-11s sell beer.]
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