Portland, Oregon – City of Beauty in the Great Northwest

Until 7 years ago, I had been to Portland only one time. When I was a kid, my dad attended a convention there. While he was at the confab, my mom and brother spent the days walking around downtown. I also recall a bus ride up a big green hill to a Japanese garden.

Portland was not exactly top of mind. Seattle, with its java, grunge rock and Pike Place Market got most of the publicity. But in 2003, my brother relocated to Portland, and the city suddenly became a frequent destination.

When I arrived in Portland for the first time as an adult, I was taken aback by its beauty. Its entire west side has a huge green hill as a backdrop. The city is easy to maneuver and filled with beautiful neighborhoods and natural scenery. While the west side appears more affluent, the east side of town, across the Willamette River, is loaded with cool neighborhoods, cafes and nightlife.

Portland’s reputation for being rainy is well deserved, but the result is lush vegetation everywhere; and for the most part, the precipitation takes the summer off. Both the summers and winters tend to be mild.

Portland decided to take action to contain urban sprawl and established a boundary line, past which development is not allowed. My brother’s family lives in the northwest end, close to the line. Like others in the area, their house is quite large. However, unlike their previous home in Virginia, it sits very close to its next-door neighbors as do the other nearby houses. As new subdivisions crept closer to the urban boundary, developers packed in as much revenue as they possibly could. Nevertheless, the attractive houses and spectacular views of large hills make up for the closeness.

Since visiting Portland, I have learned that the neighborhoods tucked in the west side’s green backdrop are collectively known as the West Hills. Though the fastest route downtown from my brother’s is the interstate, I love the drive downtown through the West Hills. I drive down Burnside Road past Washington Park. Trees line both sides of the road almost the entire way; the atmosphere is anything but urban. Occasional breaks in the trees afford spectacular views to the south. Suddenly, at the end of the green landscape, is a stunning vista of downtown Portland.

Speaking of views, a prime location is atop Council Crest, Portland’s highest point. Our family dined at the Chart House on Council Crest, and the sight of Mount Hood, downtown and the Willamette River was worth to price of the dinner. Immediately down the hill are a cluster of new condos, many of which house employees and students of Oregon Health Sciences University, which also sits atop Council Crest. These people can get transported to OHSU easily and economically via the new Portland Aerial Tram.

The TriMet transit agency has a thoughtfully-laid-out system that includes buses, the MAX light rail, Portland Streetcar and WES commuter rail. When I fly to Portland, I travel across town to my brother’s area on the MAX system, transferring from one line to another downtown at Pioneer Square. The MAX light rail is divided into four lines.

Portland has a myriad of things to see and do, and places to eat. But one venue deserves special mention, Washington Park. This jewel encompasses 130 acres of green hills and vegetation that are perfect for recreation or contemplation. Washington Park also contains three of the best attractions of any city, the Oregon Zoo, the International Rose Test Garden and the Portland Japanese Garden (which I recalled visiting as a kid). All three are in the do-not-miss category.