For the past several years, my husband has traveled extensively for work. Once the kids were all in college, I began to go with him more often, usually when the trips entailed more than a couple nights and/or were to places interesting to me.
But I confess, I’m a reluctant traveler. It’s not that I don’t enjoy experiencing new places, it’s the actual traveling
part i don’t like. (Planes, trains or automobiles, doens’t really matter. They all stress me out!) But the Lord has been faithful to keep me going in spite of my anxieties. And the truth is, once I get to where we are going, I enjoy being there. He attends meetings—often from early morning to late night—and I . . .
Before being an empty nester and moving to a new city, tagging along on my husband’s business trip meant a glorious aloneness while he attended meetings, but as aloneness has become my norm, I’ve had to become more adventurous in new places. I’ve learned to navigate new places and even enjoy doing touristy things all by myself when I have to. And sometimes I actually step out of my comfort zone and ask another tagalong wife if she’d like to come with me. And of course it’s especially lovely when I discover online friends who live in the area who I get to meet face-to-face for coffee or a meal or an adventure.
Later this month I get to go on another one of these trips, this time to Portland, Oregon. It will be my first time to visit the northwest part of the country. Of course I’ve been told for years I need to experience Powell’s Books—and I intend to! People have also mentioned Multnomah Falls and the Rose and Japanese Gardens. I always look for historical homes and sites, museums, tours—especially ones others might overlook. And of course I love to eat—although my foodie daughter using supplies me with a list before I go.
Of course right now what I am looking forward to most about this trip is the weather. We are having a scorcher of a late May/early June, so temperatures in the 70s—even 80!—sound glorious!
So my ultimate reason for telling you all these things is this: Do you have any suggestions of must do/see/eat during our visit to Portland? I would love to hear your favorites!
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I was there last summer. I went to Powell’s. There is a skytram that takes you up to the medical center but it has this amazing view. You see Mount St. Helen’s and Mount Hood as well as a great view of the city. The coast is not far away if you have a day and it is beautiful.
Visit Voodoo Donuts because you can’t imagine the line you’ll see to buy a donut.
I didn’t see the gardens but I am sure they are lovely.
Good suggestions, Lisa, especially the skytram with a view! And yes, I keep hearing about those donuts! 🙂
I wish you happy days!
I am also reluctant traveler, but I am always glad that I overcame my prejudices. I love one day trips. You know – I am from the Czech Republic, so it is easy to travel around the whole country in one day and here are castels and palaces almost „in every corner“ 🙂
That sounds lovely, Blanka! I envy you being day trips from such old and amazing places. My daughter is traveling to Budapest and Munich for work this fall, and I’m looking forward to visiting vicariously through her pictures. 🙂
We were there last year and loved the Pittock Mansion. It is high on a hill and if it is a clear day you can see Mount Hood. Very old, very neat. We were there at Thanksgiving and so the house was decorated for Christmas. We at at a Germain place (we are Germain), Southern Place (I’ve never had fried chicken like that) and a really neat place for breakfast. Portland is quite the foodie place so there are tons of things to choose from. If you want names of restaurants, I can ask my relatives who planned the outings. Have fun. It’s really a cool place. And if you are a coffee drinker, there are a lot of neat coffee houses to check out.
I love old houses so I will definitely look into Pittock Mansion! Sounds right up my alley! And yes, I’m looking forward to coffee houses, too.
Hi Anne, Portland is my hometown! I think you’ve received some great ideas so I will second the ones I love to see when I go back to Portland: The Rose Gardens, Pittock Mansion, Multnomah Falls, Powell’s Books, The Columbia River Gorge with a stop at Vista House for a beautiful view on the way to Multnomah Fall Falls. The Coast is so beautiful and not far from Portland, due west is Cannon Beach with Haystack Rock and Ecola State Park. It’s such a beautiful state! I hope you enjoy your time in Oregon.
Awesome, Carrie! I’m adding those things to my list! It’s going to be fun to plan!
If you’re interested in historical sites, you might want to cross the Columbia and visit Fort Vancouver and Officer’s Row. There’s a great restaurant in the Grant House on Officer’s Row. There’s also the Pierson Air Field and Museum. Hope you enjoy your trip. I’m like you – hate the travel part, but love the destination.
Forts are so fun to explore! Thank you for mentioning that. I hope I can get there!
The Pittock Mansion and OMSI are great too. Portland Art Museum and Zoo also.
So many people have mentioned the Pittock Mansion that I will have to find time to get there! I love art museums, too! 🙂 Thank you!
If you have time to go to the coast, Astoria is a great place to visit. It is beautiful country, have not been there for years but have many friends who live in the area.
Sounds lovely. I hope I get a chance to at least glimpse the coast. And if so, maybe we’ll head for Astoria! Thanks!
I feel the exact same way about traveling. Somebody needs to invent those Star Trek transporters pronto.
Amen, sister! Although I would probably have a panic attack just thinking about getting in one! 🤣
I live in Portland and it’s a great place with lots to do. If you enjoy a great steak dinner go to Saylor’s Old Country Kitchen. Also Chart House has lovely views of the city and good food. We are half way between the mountains and the beach. Remember we have no sales tax but if you have a rental car you can’t pump your own gas.
Good things to know, Linda! I will definitely put those restaurants on my list!
Pittock Mansion, Fort Vancouver, and Rocky Butte Park are all fabulous things to see in Portland. If you want to see a bit of the culture and are there over a Saturday check out the Saturday market down by the riverfront. So, much local flare. Just remember that’s the rainy side of Oregon. There’s so much more to this fair state!
I think a little rain would be lovely at the moment. We are in the high 90s/low 100s here in Texas. 🙂 I love that so many people have mentioned the mansion and the fort. I will do my best to get there as well as experience the natural beauties of the area. Thanks for your suggestions!
Will you be there this weekend?? try to find a spot to watch the Grand floral parade if you can. Powell’s books and voodoo donuts.
No, not this weekend.Too bad, because that floral parade sounds lovely!
Seaside is a fun place to go and not too far from Portland. You may want to drop down to Lincoln City and then to Newport- many fun shops,museums, sea lions, good eats there.
Powell’s bookstore (don’t forget to take your book list and a pair of comfortable shoes).
Rose Garden (you will never want to leave, it is beautiful and the smell of all those roses is what Heaven must smell like).
Multnomah Falls (make sure to take your camera).
Enjoy exploring Portland.