Portland, Oregon

[Dr Doran]

I've been to Portland, Oregon many times, but usually only briefly and usually only to Powell's Books and to a superb Irish bar with dollars on the ceiling whose name I cannot recall, and to all the McMenamin's pubs (I think the St Johns one may be my favorite, although the junior high school one is brilliant too). I've also been to the big park inside the city limits and to a museum once there. What else can anyone recommend? My parents live in Vancouver, Washington (no, not Canada) which is a 20 minute drive from Portland. I did not grew up there -- I grew up in L.A. which they left when they retired, years ago. I'll be with the wife, the mother-in-law, and little Dominika. We will be going in one week. List me some places, if you-all would be so kind.

 

[MK]

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The pub you are referring to is a great place called Kell's.

There are a number of fun things to do in Portland. It just depends on what you have in mind. Are you only interested in activities and places that would be appropriate for your daughter?

There are many wonderful restaurants in Portland that I can recommend, once I know what your looking for.

You should visit a great vintage store called Avalon in downtown. It is near Stark & 3rd. I will have to look up the address.

If you are up to it, I am sure a few of our local members could be pulled together for a bite or a drink.

 

[chucklehead]

That big park is Hoyt Arboretum
Did you get to John Helmers?
http://www.johnhelmer.com/

what about:
Classical Chinese Garden
Portland Japanese Garden
International rose garden
antique shopping in sellwood
Shanghai Tunnel Tour http://www.oregon.com/trips/pdx_shanghai.cfm
http://www.thebomber.com
Forest Grove Concours d'Elegance www.forestgroveconcours.org

need i go on?

 

[chucklehead]

& when in PDX / listen to:

FM 89.1 Jazz (public radio)
FM 89.9 Classical (public radio)
AM 1550 oldies..... Slogan -- "The Music of Your Life" Sinatra, Bennett and Nat King Cole...(commercial radio)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portland,_Oregon

 

[Dr Doran]

Lovely stuff, gentlemen, lovely stuff, and I thank you for the information so far. MK, I note you live in the very town in which my parents live. (I had noted that months ago, but hadn't thought about it.) The downtown of Vancouver, Washington looked great my last trip north. There is even a fine video store where I was able to purchase a modern movie fashioned in the silent movie style, based on a Lovecraft story. Marvelous.

No, MK, we do not need to restrict ourselves to child-friendly activities. So the sky (and our pocketbooks) is the limit. A burlesque revue would be fine, for example. Little Dominika will be watched by her grandparents while my wife and I go out. They want to babysit her; this will be the first time my father will ever have seen her.

I will certainly go to Avalon. I believe I poked my nose in there only, once. I can find it, no need to trouble yourself for the address. I can find my way around Downtown Portland, the Fish Grotto and all that.

Yes, it would be marvelous and most welcome if the wife (Joanna) and I could meet local Loungers for a drink or a bite. We are both poor students so are not presently monetarily affluent; but we can fit several cheap restaurants and a few not cheap ones if the quality and decor warrant it -- and, yes, I would trust your judgment as, judging from this site, your taste is similar to mine.

Mr Chucklehead, thank you for your advice. John Helmers is probably a bit out of my price range. I do dress vintage much of the time, but am more of a thrift store hound. I like Sellwood, and perhaps will go back there. I love antiques, and one room of our apartment is decorated solely thusly, but again these were mainly presents and thrift store finds. Perhaps when we finish school we will have the money to really go antique shopping. the desire is certainly there. The Japanese Garden and Chinese Garden sound marvelous. Also, the radio stations are right up my alley. My one radio experience in the area was unfortunate. Whilst taking the "airporter" shuttle once from PDX to Vancouver I was asked by the driver who asked if I enjoyed Christian music. I said yes, I find Mozart's requiem to be the finest piece of music ever made, and Bach's sacred works are great favorites of mine as well; alas, he put the radio on a Christian pop-rock channel, playing at best early Stryper and at worst various ensembles whose questionable musical talent made me believe their only virtues to be of the moral kind, he thinking I would like that too. We listened to these sounds the entire dolorous journey to my parents' house. I will be happy to have a immersion in Portland radio superior to that.

A trip to the McMenamin's in St Johns, or else to some other interesting place(s), would be a good excuse to meet some Loungers.

 

[ShooShooBaby]

fyi, there's a new mcmeneman's pub - chapel of the chimes. i haven't been there yet, but it's in a really neat brick building - it used to be a funeral home. on n. killingsworth just west of vancouver. i too love kennedy school! i'm guessing you've been to a cheapo movie at the bagdad on hawthorne? if you haven't you should go!

for cheapo thrifting sans child, i recommend the goodwill bins in milwaukie. $1.50 a pound, but you really have to dig. it's an adventure! there are some other decent thrift stores down there too - one is called red, white and blue, and the value village is pretty good as well.

another thing that's fun when the weather's decent is to take a walk on the esplanade. it's all accessible for strollers. you can make a loop using the hawthorne and steele bridges

 

[Dr Doran]

Hey Ms. ShooShoo, yes, I have been to the Baghdad for movie, beer and pizza -- and I loved it. That was one of the places I went to the first few times I came to Portland, many years ago. Great theater. I did not know about the Chapel of the Chimes new McMenemens (sp?) and we will surely go there. Wanna meet us? The Esplanade sounds nice. Is that in or near St Johns? Where is Milwaukie? Is that an area inside of Portland? I have heard of it, but cannot place it. I'm always up for cheapo thrifting.

 

[Cacklewack]

Where is Milwaukie? Is that an area inside of Portland? I have heard of it, but cannot place it. I'm always up for cheapo thrifting.

It's on the east side toward Clackamas. It's got a lot of industry and business parks out there -- 1550 Music of Your Life (A radio station I work for) is out there.

Matt

 

[Cacklewack]

If you are up to it, I am sure a few of our local members could be pulled together for a bite or a drink.

I'll definitely frolic with you and your crew, Doran.

Matt

 

[Feng_Li]

May I suggest catching a performance of the Oregon Symphony if your schedule allows it?

If you like Greek food, I highly recommend Alexis, which is very reasonably priced, or Elani's, which is more expensive.

 

[chucklehead]

It's on the east side toward Clackamas. It's got a lot of industry and business parks out there -- 1550 Music of Your Life (A radio station I work for) is out there.

Matt

you not gary owens are you? lol

 

[chucklehead]

I have the wheels for a proper get together...

I have the wheels for a proper get together...or would it be a "Hat Party"?
- mine will be the grandest of all.

 

[Dr Doran]

Cacklewack, Chucklehead (nice %#*&ing car), MK, and anyone else who is game, we can definitely meet y'all individually or in group. We'll be rolling into town on the 22nd and staying until the following Thursday. We will be staying with my parents and/or brother in Vancouver, and we have some familial obligations, but those can be performed without trouble and do not occur at any specific time. We have a rental car.

Feng Li, thanks for the Greek food recommendations! Delish. Dolmas ahoy.

I hope this won't be a "who can outvintage whom" contest ... then again if it is, all the more amusement. I guess I'll bring my monocle for the photos that may ensue.

 

[MK]

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I hope this won't be a "who can outvintage whom" contest ... then again if it is, all the more amusement.

Nah, we just enjoy hanging out with like minded people. We look forward to meeting you.

 

[Dr Doran]

Nah, we just enjoy hanging out with like minded people. We look forward to meeting you.

Super. I'll PM you my cell number when the date gets closer.

 

[moustache]

It will be a busy week for myself and the Mrs,but if a gathering is to be had enough in advance,then maybe we can make it.Add that i'm in the middle of a flu bout.So not sure how well i will be by then.
BTW,we live in Vancouver as well.Hazel Dell to be exact!!

Cheers.

JD

 

[Dr Doran]

It will be a busy week for myself and the Mrs,but if a gathering is to be had enough in advance,then maybe we can make it.Add that i'm in the middle of a flu bout.So not sure how well i will be by then.
BTW,we live in Vancouver as well.Hazel Dell to be exact!!

Cheers.

JD

My parents live in Hazel Dell. On either 94th or 78th street, not far from Hi School Pharmacy. BRILLIANT. Hope to meet as many of y'all as can make it.

 

[Brooksie]

Hey, if the timing is right I might be able to make it!!!! But who knows with work and my 1 hour an 45 min. drive to Portland? I will be watching this thread to see what transpires.

Brooksie

 

[moustache]

My parents live in Hazel Dell. On either 94th or 78th street, not far from Hi School Pharmacy. BRILLIANT. Hope to meet as many of y'all as can make it.

Ah yes.Just down the street from my house AND my workplace.

JD

 

[Hondo]

How did I missed this thread :eusa_doh: , I’ll be in Portland but only briefly next Monday, thought I couldn’t pass up or miss a chance to spend a few hours at Evergreen Aviation museum in my new Akubra hat, then flying down to Sacramento, CA.
Seems like there will be showers in Portland, it may seem strange but I like the smell from wood mills near by.lol