My main purpose to go to Portland was an overdue visit to my youngest daughter Miranda, her partner Beth and son Tristen. Of course Portland is a vibrant city loaded with things to do and see. They pride themselves on being sort of weird, like a promotional thing, but most of that is based on the artistic, liberal population. It also like most cities has an epidemic of homeless people.
My first night in Portland I was on my own and I found my way downtown to the cellar pub of the Crystal Hotel where a folksy musician, Sam Densmore, was playing. He had been doing a week long residency there and was very good. It was a small strange crowd though and sad to say not very comfortable. He is a veteran player with interesting lyrics but lacking in voice and stage presence, as most of us are ?
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| Sam Densmore |
I arrived at my daughter Miranda's apartment on a Friday morning. Miranda, Tristen and I went to a water park with several wading pools tailored for families with young children. I seems to be a popular local park being very crowded. Tristen had a great time there.
In the evening, Beth joined us and we went out for dinner at McMenamins Kennedy Hotel and Restaurant which one of some (55) such places in the McMenamins empire. They are all in old historic buildings, totally restored and furnished in period furniture, interesting artwork and with much creativity. They are an eclectic mix of bars, hotels, movie theaters and live music venues. They have have one thing in common, lots of ambiance and feel good spirit.
On Saturday we went to downtown Portland and wandered around the public market located on the waterfront. It’s always a fun thing to do with lots of craft and food vendors and unlimited people watching opportunities. There is usually something weird going on, today it was a passing mermaid parade on the waterfront. Afterwards we wandered around for a while passing through the Chinatown area.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portland,_Oregon
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| Portland Outdoors is looking a little ragged these days |
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| Unbelievable how long people will wait in line for Voodoo donuts |
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| The Voodoo sign is great |
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| Lots of food choices |
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| Beth in the lead with Miranda and Tristen |
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| It was a hot day, the kids were having a great time |
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| Mermaid parade strolling along the riverfront was weird |
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| This monster costumed person was doing crazy stunts |
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| Miranda and Tristen |
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| Saw many postcards for sale with this photo |
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| The Chinatown Gate |
Tristen entertained me greatly back at the apartment with his cars and toys and was very talkative. He was especially interested in my van, he might be one of us someday ? It was a great visit.
I left them around noon time on Sunday and then decided I didn't really feel like hitting the road right away. I looked on the internet for attractions and saw the Train Museum. I thought there wouldn't be much there, it would be quick, but I was wrong, that happens. They are a busy volunteer group located in a new shop building where they have the capability to restore vintage railroad cars and locomotives. The famous steam Locomotive # 4449 known as the "Coast Daylight" used to pull the American Freedom Train for the bicentennial in 1976 lives here. It a huge amazing machine to see up close and was rescued and restored initially for the bicentennial by this group. Steam locomotive # 700 is currently under restoration and you can view it which makes it all the more interesting.
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| That paint scheme makes the Coast Daylight (# 4449) appear fast a standstill |
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| Front view |
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| It appears to me that they are able to do top quality work in this shop |
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The story of the American Freedom Train is a story of how a few dedicated people
can accomplish great things with a lot of dedicated rail fans of course |
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| 700 is under restoration in this shop |
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| A very cool old streamier car |
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| Another restored locomotive in the shop |
A short distance away is the Portland Train Depot that is looking great, I wanted to go inside but parking was an issue. As I was leaving the area it seemed like there was an exodus of homeless people coming into the neighborhood for the night.
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| The Portland train depot is beautiful |
I then noticed that the Tilikum Crossing Bridge across the street from the rail museum had a walking lane and decided I must do that. It is a train, bus and pedestrian only bridge, no cars or trucks. By this time it was late afternoon and I decided to spend the night somewhere in the area.
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| It's another innovative bridge design |
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| The Rivers of Portland are huge, lots of boating |
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| Tri-Met Rail train |
Another internet search brings up a Bob Dylan music session in Portland at the White Eagle Saloon and Hotel. I checked its location and found that it wasn’t far away. I went there in time for the 7 PM start and it turns out to be another Hotel / pub / music venue in the McMenamins chain. It seemed to be a very vibrant music series and all the musicians were good, but mostly they all did their own rendition of a Bob Dylan song, often sounding not so much like a Bob Dylan song. I hate it when people bad mouth Bob Dylan saying he doesn't have a good voice. Music is not just a pretty voice and actually his old voice and phrasing was quite interesting, no one since has been able to duplicate it.
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| The White Eagle |
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| Really nice inside |
Next stop is Pendleton, Oregon
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