Portland...Summer in the City

Portland Farmer's Market

Portland…summer in the city is such a special time of year. It has become, for me, a yearly summer tradition. The Saturday morning Portland that I spent with my family couldn’t have been more pleasant. There were bright skies and balmy temperatures. We started the day at the Portland Farmer’s Market, in the South Park Blocks of Portland Oregon. www.portlandfarmersmarket.org. This is a year round market of local farmers and artisan foods. On a nice summer day you can expect thousands to show up. It is one huge block party.

There’s room for crowds in this large park, and that’s what were there. The park is canopied by magnificent trees, lined on both sides with old churches, theaters, museums, apartments and a university. Thee is a green grass carpet in the middle to sit back and listen to the music. Watch a local chef give a demo or let children participate in cooking classes. Oregon is a virtual cornucopia. Everything you are offered (peaches and berries on this Saturday) might be the best you have ever had. I had to remind the children that the toothpicks were to be used for samples and not a full meal.

Portland Food Carts

We came full circle to where the market ends on its north sde and there is a kiosk for the streetcar. Since we came in to the city on the Max train, tickets are transferable to use the streetcar. We all hopped on the next car. We were headed on its north jouney to Northwest 23rd Avenue. The streetcar passes the Portland Art Museum. Then it is on to the next stop: the full block of Food Carts.

Powell's Book Store

Next stop was Powell’s Bookstore. For us it’s a consensus. We just head into Powell’s. Summer would not be a Portland Summer without all of us together in different parts of the building.

I have always loved the windows that surround the building. They are lined with post board after post board of book covers. Powell’s covers one full city block and is four stories high. If you love books, you will love Powell’s. Even if you don’t love books you will still love Powell’s. So give yourself some time to be there. https://www.powells.com

Portland Center Stage

We passed the theater. This builiding was actually at one time the First Regiment Armory Annex, built in 1891. Like Powell’s. it also takes up a full city block, but more importantly it is now home to Portland Center Stage. https://www.pcs.org/shows/pcs-remix-shows

The Pearl District

Twenty years ago the Pearl District was the industrial area of Portland. Now all those warehouses are still there but reclaimed into restaurants, brewereis, art galleries and boutiques. And upscale homes and apartments. Find out what to do here: https://explorethepearl.com/

Jamison Square Park

In the heart of the Pearl District you will undoubtedly pass by this little park. It’s great for sticking your feet in the water on a hot day.

Tanner Square in the Pearl

Tanner Square Park also covers the area of a city block. The park is “an experiment in sustainable design and management” intended to mimic the wetlands that were once there. The park has caused controversy and its design has not always been loved. I, for one, do love it. This is a space where peace settles over me when I am fortunate enough to visit.

Below is a wall made of reclaimed train tracks that were donated and infused with glass. Also look for the basalt blocks that are the paths now. They were originally used as ballasts on ships traveling the Columbia River and later cobbled the streets of Portland.

Northwest 23rd Avenue

We got off at the last stop on 23rd Avenue before the streetcar turned around and continued its journey back to the center of town and beyond. 23rd Avenue is great to walk up and down the full length, to eat and shop. I had been looking forward to trying some unusual flavors of ice cream at Salt and Straw but by this time it was late afternoon. My family and I were all a little slower and a little less animated. Time to go home https://www.travelportland.com/neighborhoods/northwest-nob-hill/