Powell's, shopping, and public transportation

Saturday was a full day of sightseeing with cousins. Jeff stayed home and tried not to distract Larry from replacing the Camry's brake pads. :-) (BTW, this job was completed, and we now have squeakless and reliable brakes - on the car Sarah is using to practice her driving!)

First, we started the day with breakfast all together, enjoying the delicious strata that Jeff and Leannah prepped the night before. I think that recipe (found in last week's Oregonian) is a keeper. Cantaloupe and strawberries rounded out the meal.



With our bodies appropriately fueled for a day of walking, we took MAX downtown and visited my favorite window-shopping store, The Real Mother Goose. This shop/gallery features one-of-a-kind, handmade items by artists and craftspeople, and includes glass, pottery, jewelry, textiles, furniture, and sculpture. Our three budding artists may or may not have been inspired; I simply drool - and dream - whenever I step foot inside. A quick stop at Pioneer Courthouse Square yielded transit maps and a quick orientation of downtown. A hop on the streetcar later, and we arrived at Powell's City of Books, the largest used and new bookstore in the world. Occupying an entire city block, the word "bookstore" fails to adequately describe the experience of this place. There are so many books (more than a million) on so many shelves on so many floors with so many varying levels that the nine sections are color-coded, with signs everywhere to keep one from getting lost for days. It also boasts an art gallery, cafe/coffee shop, and special events each month. It's estimated that 80,000 people visit this place daily. Mind-boggling... Our 15-20 minutes barely scratched the surface, but we were on to another destination - namely the NW 23rd Avenue shops.



This shopping mecca in the uptown area of Portland, is best described as upscale funky. It has its share of vintage clothing stores, along with a mix of Pottery Barn and Smith and Hawken, handmade jewelry and bags, salons, tea shops, fine dining, and pizza parlors. Surrounded by apartments, homes, and condos, "Northwest" is a favorite residential address for young singles. Adrienne observed that it is definitely a place for young people - although she preferred the shopping in the Hawthorne District. We walked the length, stopping to browse, grab a sandwich at a deli and Boba Tea at a tea shop, and of course, sample Moonstruck Chocolates.

Back on the streetcar, we took an unplanned tour of downtown Portland and beyond, including the Portland State University campus, and the OHSU tram at the South Waterfront District.



Dinner that evening, because I was too tired to cook, was at McGrath's Fish House, where Leannah enjoyed her salmon and "gusto", Jeff (well-rested!) appreciated the clams and calamari, and we were pleased to be able to share some Pacific Northwest seafood with our visiting friends and family.

Early Saturday morning, I took Leannah and Adrienne to the MAX station and sent them off to the airport. Having spent the prior day on public transit, I felt confident they would have no problems getting to the end of the line! It was great having them here, and to have a chance to visit and to get to know Adrienne.