After a solo trip to Seattle last fall, I decided to check out Portland, Oregon
Day 1
House on a Hill
![Airbnb Living Room](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-001-airbnb-living-room-1024x768.jpg)
My Airbnb had an awesome view of the Portland skyline.
![Portland Panorama](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-002-portland-panorama-1024x307.jpg)
Panoramic view from my Airbnb’s balcony.
![Mt. Hood before Sunrise](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-003-mt-hood-before-sunrise-1024x768.jpg)
Mt. Hood right before dawn.
![Downtown at Dawn](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-004-downtown-dawn-1024x768.jpg)
The Portland skyline at dawn.
![Skyline Selfie](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-005-skyline-selfie-1024x768.jpg)
Selfie in front of the Portland skyline.
![Mt. Hood and Rising Sun](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-006-mt-hood-rising-sun-1024x768.jpg)
The sun rising over Mt. Hood
![Thai Coffee](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-007-thai-coffee-1024x768.jpg)
My Airbnb hostess made me some authentic Thai coffee that she had just brought back from Thailand.
![Staircase on a Sunny Day](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-008-staircase-sunny-day-768x1024.jpg)
I had to walk this 203 step staircase to get up to my Airbnb.
![Cliff House](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-009-cliff-house-1024x768.jpg)
This house, like the one I stayed in, was located right on the edge of a cliff, overlooking Downtown Portland.
![Morris Marks House](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-010-morris-marks-house-1024x768.jpg)
Right at the bottom of the staircase was the Morris Marks House, a historic mansion that had just been relocated from downtown.
![Morris Marks House Closeup](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-011-morris-marks-house-closeup-1024x768.jpg)
Closeup of the Morris Marks House, which obviously needs some work still.
![Motel Sign](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-012-motel-sign-768x1024.jpg)
Cool googie motel sign, just downhill from my Airbnb.
![Hill Houses](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-013-hill-houses-1024x768.jpg)
My Airbnb was way up on this hill.
Around Downtown
![Pioneer Courthouse Closeup](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-014-pioneer-courthouse-closeup-1024x768.jpg)
Pioneer Courthouse, the second oldest Federal Courthouse west of the Mississippi.
![Voodoo Doughnuts Sign](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-015-voodoo-doughnuts-sign-768x1024.jpg)
Voodoo Doughnuts. I’ve heard the lines can get pretty bad, but it was okay at 8am on a Monday.
![Voodoo Doughnuts Case](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-016-voodoo-doughnuts-case-1024x768.jpg)
Awesome looking donuts. I chuckled at the “Gay Bar”.
![Bacon and Voodoo Doughnut](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-017-bacon-voodoo-doughnut-1024x768.jpg)
I got a bacon maple doughnut and the eponymous Voodoo doughnut.
![Chinatown Gate Dog](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-019-chinatown-gate-dog-1024x768.jpg)
Two of these dog statues guard the gate to Chinatown.
![Butte Hotel Sign](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-020-butte-hotel-sign-768x1024.jpg)
Butte Hotel sign. To quote Beavis and Butt-Head, “Heh heh, huh huh!”
![Powell's Books](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-021-powells-books-1024x576.jpg)
Powell’s City of Books was bigger and more amazing that I thought it would be. This is one of the few photos I snapped while perusing the shelves.
![Oregon Trail Sign](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-022-oregon-trail-sign-1024x768.jpg)
I made this exact same Oregon Trail joke on Facebook before my trip.
Across the River
![Hawthorne Bridge](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-023-hawthorne-bridge-1024x768.jpg)
Hawthorne Bridge, looking west. Here you can see the center portion that lifts up for boats to pass through.
![Southwest Portland Skyline](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-024-southwest-portland-skyline-1024x576.jpg)
View of Southwest Portland from Hawthorne Bridge.
![Marquam Bridge](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-025-marquam-bridge-1024x576.jpg)
Marquam Bridge over the Willamette River.
![Iron Sculpture](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-026-iron-sculpture-1024x768.jpg)
Cool iron sculpture just east of the river.
![Tov Bus](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-027-tov-bus-1024x768.jpg)
Tov is one of the most amazing coffee shops in Portland, located in an old double decker bus.
![Tov Egyptian Coffee](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-028-tov-egyptian-coffee-1024x1024.jpg)
Egyptian Coffee at Tov, with a little piece of Turkish Delight.
![Fried Egg I'm in Love](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-029-fried-egg-im-in-love-1024x768.jpg)
Fried Egg I’m in Love: Coffee, Mimosas and Puns.
![Punny Menu](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-030-punny-menu-1024x768.jpg)
Everything on the menu is a music pun.
![Kim Jong Grillin](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-031-kim-jong-grillin-1024x768.jpg)
More punny food trucks.
![Original Stumptown Coffee](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-032-original-stumptown-coffee-768x1024.jpg)
Stumptown Coffee, the original location on Division.
![Walkens Welcome Sign](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-033-walkens-welcome-sign-768x1024.jpg)
So many puns in Portland.
![Salt and Straw Menu](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-034-salt-and-straw-menu-1024x768.jpg)
Fancy schmancy ice cream at Salt + Straw
![Mini Statue with Dog](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-035-mini-statue-with-dog-1024x768.jpg)
These little bronze sculptures were all over Division Street.
![Bula Kava House](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-036-bula-kava-house-768x1024.jpg)
I went a kava bar in Portland. Haven’t had kava since I lived in Samoa!
![Kava in a Coconut Shell](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-037-kava-coconut-shell-1024x768.jpg)
Kava. It tastes like black pepper and makes your lips tingle.
![Vintage Car](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-038-vintage-car-1024x768.jpg)
Awesome vintage car parked on Division Street.
![Flying Cat Coffee Sign](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-039-flying-cat-coffee-sign-1024x768.jpg)
I loved the sign on this coffee shop, but I had already had too much coffee to try it.
![Mini Statue with Phone](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-040-mini-statue-with-phone-1024x768.jpg)
My favorite mini-sculpture on Division Street was this guy on his phone.
![Transit Mall Statue](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-041-transit-mall-statue-768x1024.jpg)
I really liked this sculpture on the Portland Transit Mall.
![Power and Light Building](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-042-power-and-light-building-768x1024.jpg)
Amazing Art Deco sign.
Aerial Tram
![Portland Aerial Tram Cables](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-043-portland-aerial-tram-cables-768x1024.jpg)
The Portland Aerial Tram cables, from below.
![Mt. St. Helens and the Willamette River](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-044-mt-st-helens-willamette-river-1024x768.jpg)
Mt. St. Helens and the Willamette River.
![Mt. Hood over Southwest Portland](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-045-mt-hood-southwest-portland-768x1024.jpg)
Lots of development in Southwest Portland.
![Portland Aerial Tram Car](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-046-portland-aerial-tram-car-1024x768.jpg)
I rode the Portland Aerial Tram on a sunny day. Awesome views!
![Marquam Hil Portrait](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-047-marquam-hill-portrait-1024x768.jpg)
Picture of me at the top of the Portland Aerial Tram.
![Bronze Bird Statue](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-048-bronze-bird-statue-1024x768.jpg)
Loved this realistically sized bird sculpture.
![Mt. St. Helens over Portland](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-049-mt-st-helens-over-portland-1024x768.jpg)
Mt. St. Helens looming over the city.
![Mt. Hood over Portland](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-050-mt-hood-over-portland-1024x768.jpg)
Mt. Hood on a sunny afternoon.
![House on the Hill Foundation](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-051-house-hill-foundation-1024x768.jpg)
This was the house across the street from my Airbnb. With the way it was propped up on the hill, it blew my mind every time I looked at it.
![Deschutes Brewery Burger](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-052-deschutes-brewery-burger-1024x1024.jpg)
Tasty hamburger and fries at Deschutes Brewery.
![Cat Street Art](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-053-cat-street-art-768x1024.jpg)
I like street art and I like cats. ‘Nuff said.
Day 2
Rainy Morning
![Pine State Biscuits and Gravy](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-054-pine-state-biscuits-gravy-1024x768.jpg)
Delicious biscuits and gravy at Pine State Biscuits.
![Art Fills the Void Mural](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-055-art-fills-the-void-mural-1024x768.jpg)
Art fills the void! Very cool pop art.
![Portrait with Banana Mural](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-056-portrait-with-banana-mural-1024x768.jpg)
I have a banana in my ear.
![Moss Covered Roof](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-057-moss-covered-roof-1024x576.jpg)
I love this little bathroom building downtown, with its mossy roof.
![Camel Elephant](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-058-camel-elephant-1024x768.jpg)
Camel or elephant?
![Big Legrowlski](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-059-big-legrowlski-1024x768.jpg)
The Big Legrowlski, yet another pun-based business.
![Yellow Chairs on a Rainy Day](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-060-yellow-chairs-rainy-day-768x1024.jpg)
These bright yellow chairs in front of Courier Coffee really brightened up a dreary day.
![Book and Coffee](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-061-hook-and-coffee-1024x1024.jpg)
Nothing like coffee and a good book on a rainy day.
Brewery Hopping
![Hair of the Dog Growler](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-062-hair-of-the-dog-growler-768x1024.jpg)
I really liked the shape of this growler.
![Rainy Day Blossoms](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-063-rainy-day-blossoms-1024x768.jpg)
Blossoms on a rainy day.
![Cascade House of Sour](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-064-cascade-house-of-sour-1024x1024.jpg)
Cascade Barrel House was one the places I looked most forward to trying, and it lived up to the hype.
![Cascade Tapping](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-065-cascade-tapping-1024x768.jpg)
I arrived at Cascade just in time for a barrel tapping.
![Cascade Hot Cherry Sour](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-066-cascade-hot-cherry-sour-1024x1024.jpg)
Hot (as in temperature) sour cherry beer. It was the best beer I had on the trip. Too bad this was the last of the keg.
![Goat Dogs](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-067-goat-dogs-1024x768.jpg)
Goats or dogs?
Day 3
South Park Blocks
![Downtown Skyline on a Cloudy Day](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-068-portland-skyline-cloudy-morning-1024x576.jpg)
Downtown Portland on a mostly cloudy morning.
![Moss Covered Wall](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-069-moss-covered-wall-1024x768.jpg)
I loved this moss covered wall.
![Moss Covered Staircase](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-070-moss-covered-staircase-768x1024.jpg)
The staircase was a workout, but it was absolutely worth the views.
![Chief Joseph Statue](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-071-chief-joseph-statue-768x1024.jpg)
Statue of Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce.
![Egyptian Apartment Block](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-072-egyptian-apartment-block-768x1024.jpg)
Egyptian themed apartment block.
![Blossoms and Bricks](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-073-blossoms-and-bricks-1024x768.jpg)
Blossoms and bricks.
![Victorian Mansion](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-074-victorian-mansion-1024x768.jpg)
I love this old Victorian mansion.
![Theodore Roosevelt Statue](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-075-theodore-roosevelt-statue-1024x768.jpg)
Teddy Roosevelt in front of the Portland Art Museum.
![Abraham Lincoln Statue](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-076-abraham-lincoln-statue-768x1024.jpg)
Abraham Lincoln statue in the South Park Blocks.
![Drinking Fountain](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-077-drinking-fountain-1024x768.jpg)
I saw these old drinking fountains all around the city. The water is always bubbling out. I thought it was wasteful at first, but it rains so much that it’s not really a waste.
More Downtown Wanderings
![Capax Infiniti Mural](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-078-capax-infiniti-mural-768x1024.jpg)
Capax Infiniti: This was hands-down my favorite street mural (though the banana was a close second.)
![Blue Star Donuts](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-079-blue-sky-donuts-1024x768.jpg)
Blue Star Donuts. Not as funky as Voodoo, but just as delicious.
![Blueberry and PBJ Donuts](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-080-blueberry-pbj-donuts-1024x768.jpg)
I got a blueberry glaze and a spicy filled peanut butter and jelly donut.
![Case Study Coffee Sign](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-081-case-study-coffee-sign-1024x768.jpg)
Case Study Coffee was probably my favorite place on the trip. (Though Tov was a close second.)
![Case Study Coffee Interior](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-082-case-study-coffee-interior-1024x576.jpg)
I absolutely love a busy coffee shop like this. If I lived nearby, this would be my go-to cafe.
![Case Study Masala Latte](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-083-case-study-masala-latte-1024x1024.jpg)
Masala latte: like a chai with coffee instead of tea.
![Director Park](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-084-director-park-1024x768.jpg)
Director Park: one of Portland’s newer downtown plazas. Really pretty.
![Pioneer Square](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-085-pioneer-square-1024x768.jpg)
Pioneer Square, a/k/a Portland’s Living Room.
![Pioneer Square Steps](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-086-pioneer-square-steps-1024x768.jpg)
I like how there’s a ramp hidden amongst these brick steps.
![Pioneer Square Statue](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-087-pioneer-square-statue-768x1024.jpg)
Another one of my favorite sculptures. Love the red tie.
![Towers Over Pioneer Square](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-088-towers-over-pioneer-square-768x1024.jpg)
Towers loom over Pioneer Square.
![Bronze Beaver Statue](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-089-bronze-beaver-statue-1024x768.jpg)
There were little beaver and duck statues alongside Pioneer Courthouse.
![Pioneer Courthouse East Facade](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-090-pioneer-courthouse-east-facade-1024x768.jpg)
Pioneer Courthouse, as viewed from the east.
Riverfront
![Mills End Park](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-091-mills-end-park-768x1024.jpg)
Mill Ends Park, the Guinness-certified smallest city park in the world.
![Mills End Park Leprechaun House](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-092-mills-end-park-leprechaun-house-1024x768.jpg)
Mill Ends Park is home to Portland’s leprechaun population.
![Willamette River](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-093-williamette-river-1024x768.jpg)
The Willamette River on a partly sunny day.
![Morrison Bridge](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-094-morrison-bridge-1024x768.jpg)
Morrison Bridge. Not the most exciting bridge downtown, but still cool.
![Portland Tugboat](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-095-portland-tugboat-1024x768.jpg)
This old tugboat has been turned into a maritime museum.
![USS Oregon Memorial](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-096-uss-oregon-memorial-768x1024.jpg)
This war memorial is taken from the battleship USS Oregon.
![Skidmore Arcade](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-097-skidmore-arcade-1024x768.jpg)
I really liked this arcade.
![Skidmore Fountain](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-098-skidmore-fountain-1024x768.jpg)
Skidmore Fountain, which unfortunately hadn’t been turned on for the summer.
![Skidmore Fountain and Ankeny Square](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-099-skidmore-fountain-ankeny-square-1024x768.jpg)
Skidmore Fountain and Ankeny Square.
![Coffee Should Be Dope](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-100-coffee-should-be-dope-1024x768.jpg)
Coffee is dope. Pretty sure I’m an addict.
![White Stag Sign](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-101-white-stag-sign-1024x768.jpg)
The White Stag sign, an iconic symbol of the city. It originally advertised White Stag Sportswear, a long defunct apparel manufacturer.
![Steel Bridge](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-102-steel-bridge-1024x768.jpg)
Steel Bridge. Probably my favorite of the downtown bridges.
![Clean Up After Your President](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-103-clean-up-president-768x1024.jpg)
Clean up after your president.
![Portland Sign and Water Tower](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-104-portland-sign-water-tower-1024x768.jpg)
The Portland sign with a cool old water tower.
Over the Bridge
![Downtown from Burnside Bridge](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-105-downtown-burnside-bridge-1024x576.jpg)
The downtown skyline from Burnside Bridge.
![Wildcards, Misfits and Dabblers](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-106-sildcards-misfits-dabblers-1024x768.jpg)
Long live the wildcards, misfits and dabblers. I agree.
![Colorful Building](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-107-colorful-building-1024x768.jpg)
I love the loud exterior on this new development.
![Turtle Tile Art](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-108-turtle-tile-art-768x1024.jpg)
Tile art on a random mini mall.
![Fried Halibut](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-109-fried-halibut-1024x768.jpg)
I went up to the north side of town just for the halibut. Seriously, The Original Halibut’s had the best fish and chip I’ve ever had.
![Volkswagen Van](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-110-volkswagen-van-1024x768.jpg)
My parents used to have a Volkswagen van like this.
![Fox Mural](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-111-fox-mural-1024x768.jpg)
Another awesome mural.
![Blossoming Tree](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-112-blossoming-tree-1024x768.jpg)
Beautiful cherry blossoms on my way to Baerlic Brewing.
![Avocado Doodle](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-113-avocado-doodle-1024x768.jpg)
I went to a happy hour with the Portland chapter of AIGA, my graphic design professional group.
![Pencil Shaving](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-114-pencil-shaving-768x1024.jpg)
Pencil shaving. 😀
![Fat Cat](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-115-fat-cat-1024x768.jpg)
This might be one of my favorite drawings of Murray. I wish I had kept the original.
Last Day
Mossy Morning
![Mossy Path](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-116-mossy-path-1024x768.jpg)
Last day in Portland. I found this path up on the hill near my Airbnb.
![Moss Covered Log](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-117-moss-covered-log-1024x768.jpg)
Moss everywhere.
![Hill Apartment](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-118-hill-apartment-1024x768.jpg)
I would love to live in one of these apartments, though I’m sure it’s well out of my price range.
![Mossy Old Building](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-119-mossy-old-building-768x1024.jpg)
Not sure what the purpose of this old building was, but I sure thought it was cool.
![Moss Covered Rock Wall](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-120-moss-covered-rock-wall-1024x768.jpg)
More moss and rocks. We don’t have anything like this in Dallas.
Coffee and Airport
![Salmon Hash](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-121-salmon-hash-1024x768.jpg)
Salmon hash with eggs over easy. It was very tasty.
![Water Avenue Coffee](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-122-water-avenue-coffee-1024x768.jpg)
Water Avenue Coffee was another one of my favorites.
![Water Avenue Coffee Photoshoot](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-123-water-avenue-coffee-photoshoot-1024x768.jpg)
I happened to arrive at Water Avenue Coffee as they were doing a photoshoot for the point-of-sale vendor.
![Good Coffee with Cream](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-124-good-coffee-with-cream-1024x768.jpg)
Pouring cream into my Americano at Good Coffee.
![Hippo Hardware](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-125-hippo-hardware-768x1024.jpg)
Hippo Hardware on East Burnside. The buildings along this stretch of road all have these arcades of the sidewalks, a remnant of a road-widening many years ago.
![Purple Rain Street Art](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-126-purple-rain-street-art-768x1024.jpg)
Portlanders are used to riding bikes in the rain, even the Purple Rain.
![Towering Hill House](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-127-towering-hill-house-768x1024.jpg)
Another impressive house near my Airbnb.
![Stumptown Coffee PDX Airport](https://steve-lovelace.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/portland-2018-128-stumptown-coffee-pdx-airport-1024x768.jpg)
I had to get one last coffee (or two) before heading back to Texas. Thankfully the was a Stumptown Coffee in the airport.
Discussion
Have you ever taken a vacation to Portland? Have you ever lived there? Let me know your thoughts in the comment section.