The Joys of Portland

I believed I passed through Portland for the first time somewhere around 1977 and remember being impressed by it then. In 1982, the city hosted the second of 42 Orff Conferences to come and it was a most memorable time. A decade or so later, I started giving workshops through the Portland Orff Chapter, many at the Catlin Gabel School and again, I was mightily impressed by the charm and character of that school, the people, the city. By that time, several old college friends had moved there and that gave a special edge to each visit. More and more folks moved up that way— a cousin’s son, my nephew and then 10 years ago, my daughter, husband and granddaughter Zadie. The joy of seeing them all was always connected with the others pleasures of this unique American city. 

 

Here we are again for Thanksgiving festivities, about to have our second dinner in a row with my sister and husband nephew and his kids, my daughter, wife and two grandchildren. And once again, after a lovely walk on Mt. Tabor, I’m struck with the things that make Portland different from San Francisco and a delight to visit. Without even thinking about it, I’m setting myself the task of naming ten of them. Wish me luck!

 

1)   Fall leaves. Also snow and hot summers. 

2)   Beautiful parks. Larger, more rustic, bigger trees than S.F.

3)   Town feeling with front and back yards and unique houses.

4)  Powell’s bookstore! Top of the line.

5)  Mt. Hood in the distance. Well, when the clouds clear.

6)  Kennedy School. An elementary school converted to a hotel. Blackboards in the room, movies in the auditorium, etc. Delightful!

7)  Restaurants. Lots of them. San Francisco too, but apparently Portland’s are attracting attention in the culinary world. And cheaper.

8)  Neighborhood movie theaters. Off to see Wicked at one today.

9)   Black Lives Matter signs. Lots of them. And the longer versions of welcoming all people.

10)                 Cheap gas.  $2.95 compared to SF’s $4.95. And still attendants who will pump it for you!

 

Of course, there’s more differences and other less positive attributes— less diversity, perhaps more homelessness, further from the ocean, less jazz clubs and such, but all in all, it’s a delightful place to visit and a most livable place to live. Today off to a nearby gorge for a healthy post-feasting hike.