Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest USA and is bordered by California, Nevada and Washington

Oregon Trip

July 2012

PORTLAND (583,776)

Portland is near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers. It is Oregon's most populous city, and the third most populous city in the Pacific Northwest, after Seattle. It has been referred to as one of the most environmentally friendly or green cities in US. The climate is ideal for growing roses, and for more than a century has been known as "The City of Roses" with many rose gardens—most prominently the International Rose Garden. The Portland Japanese Gardens are also well-known. They are nestled in the scenic west hills of downtown Portland near the Rose Gardens. They have been acclaimed as one of the most authentic Japanese Gardens outside Japan. Designed in 1963 by Professor Takuma Tono, a renowned authority on Japanese landscaping, the gardens are a haven of stunning beauty. The hope in a Japanese garden is to experience a sense of peace, harmony and tranquility. Both the Rose Gardens and the Japanese Gardens are located in Washington Park.

We were there on a Saturday, so we wanted to visit their Saturday Market, known as the largest in the country. Hundreds of kiosks hold wares ranging from clothes to candles to jewelry to crafts created by local artisans. The food court offers an eclectic international spread. Around the corner is Voodoo Doughnut, offering large creative sugar fixes that people wait in line for two hours; however, we gave up on that idea. We drove up higher in the West hills of Portland to see Pittock Mansion which soars 1000 feet above the city skyline. It is a century-old symbol of Portland’s dramatic transformation from a small lumber town to a bustling city. With picture perfect views of rivers, forests, bridges and mountaintops….and 23 antique treasure-filled rooms, the view offered is breathtaking.

Downtown Portland’s living room, as it is called, is Pioneer Courthouse Square. This paved plaza is ideal for people watching. You can sit on the brick steps or lounge on a bench. And, the courthouse, of course, faces this pedestrian area. Portland is also known for its large number of microbreweries.

MOUNT HOOD/COLUMBIA GORGE

Tall and majestic, Mt. Hood is an ideal get-away. Rising 11,235 ft. above sea level, it is the highest mountain in Oregon; it’s also a sleeping volcano. Between Mt. Hood and Portland lies the beautiful Columbia Gorge. For spectacular scenery, the historic Columbia River Scenic Highway curves its way to 725 ft. above the Columbia River. The scenic highway winds the river alongside waterfall after waterfall, including Multnomah Falls….at 620 ft., it is one of the tallest waterfalls in the world. The best known destination on Mount Hood is Timberline Lodge, built in the 1930s during the Depression, the lodge is a masterwork of many artists and artisans who toiled to build it. It served as the exterior of the haunted hotel in the movie "The Shining".

Oregon Photo Gallery

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