Portland 2012

Dateline: April 29, 2012 Portland, Oregon.  Back of a taxicab speeding along West Burnside Ave.  Conversation topic with the cab driver: Roasted Broccoli.  You can't make this stuff up.  He initiated the discussion.  Even the cab drivers are Foodies.  Right out of the old TV series "Northern Exposure."  Long ago in New York City, I remember having to abandon a cab when the driver grabbed a baseball bat and ran out of the cab to "discipline" another driver.  Not here in Portland.

I love Portland and Oregon.  Outdoor activity, amazing coastline and mountains, wildlife and food culture.  This is also the epicenter for craft brewing in the USA and the home of incredible Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris wines.  It is a fun, quirky place, a big brother to Vermont and Burlington.  The views and culture are almost identical.

Also have adopted Hotel Monaco in Portland as my favorite hotel in the USA.  Old hotel that was once a department store.  This was a return visit after spending some time last year going down the coast and enjoying wine country in the Willamette valley.  When you make your reservation at Hotel Monaco, you can reserve your Companion Goldfish at the same time.  Yes, they provide a pet for your room if you think you will miss your pets at home.  We got the room upgraded to a suite and the goldfish got the run of the mini-bar, extra TV and living quarters.  Thanks to Gladys of Travel Pavilion in NJ for this find last year.

There is also a complementary wine tasting every night at 5pm that includes a live pianist.   Add to that, the friendly staff.  Being pet friendly, they have a blackboard with all the dog names staying at the hotel. Below the blackboard, they have dog water bowls to greet the canines staying with their owners.  To keep the kids happy, art supplies are provided in the lobby.   Complementary bicycles are provided if you feel an urgent need to further reduce your carbon footprint.

This trip was to discover the Columbia River Gorge for its charms and hiking and Mount St. Helens a short ride away in Washington State.  See the Trip Log for logistics and chronology.

Used Frommers Oregon Guidebook to assist with planning both this and last year's trips with help from Gladys.