Thoughts on Portland

Best thing about Portland: FOOD! The place is chalk full of interesting, unique, locally owned, eco-conscious, yummy eating establishments. Ken’s Artisan Bakery was hands-down my favorite spot, it was yummy after delicious after tummy-rubbing goodness. We sampled the morning bun, brioche cinnamon roll, eclair and chocolate croissant. We partook in many other tasty meals, including the best falafel sandwich Jamie or I have ever tasted at Karam. Deciding where to eat each day was a practice in fun.

The next best thing about Portland: Bishops Barbershop. We happened by the barber shop this morning and I felt compelled to cut my hair. I’ve never in my life gotten my haircut on the fly, just cause, but I guess greatness can inspire rash action. Imagine a big, open space with ceilings at least 20 feet tall. The walls are covered with posters and pictures, the floors are cement, and a couple of long, wood benches adorn the middle of the floor. Old-fashioned barber chairs sit in front of 8 or 9 stations and the stage for cool is set. The barbers are all young, hip, friendly and tattooed or pierced. Jamie sat down for a quick buzz while I enjoyed a more leisurely wash, cut and blow-dry. Bishops is to a haircut place what the Kennedy School is to a hotel, sheer genius.

Other highlights included a pretty cool children’s museum, an independent bookstore that occupies a full city block on multiple levels, beautiful Japanese gardens and having our friends, Kent, Maril, Simon and Caroline around for a few days. We are on the move now, heading down the coast toward San Francisco. We stay in Eugene, Oregon tonight and then tomorrow Redwood Forest here we come!

test Filed under Eco/Green, Travel | Tags: Portland | Comments (2)