Day in Portland

Train Ride

I had to get my butt up at 5am in order to make it to Albany in enough time to catch the 6:13am train to Portland.  I can be a morning person if I am getting up for fun things.  I made it out the door in plenty of time.  I followed my GPS to the Amtrak Station, but because of the wacky streets in Oregon, I could see the station, but couldn’t figure out how to GET to the station.  I made many loops around the area and still couldn’t get into the parking lot.  I was almost tempted to break some laws by going the wrong way.  Luckily I found platform 9 ¾ and made my way to the extended parking lot.  I still had 8 minutes to spare.  Didn’t matter since the train was running late anyways.  I met Amy at the platform along with Lindsay’s dad and brother.  Her brother was riding the train too, but going somewhere in Washington.

I was very excited about my first train ride.  Amy and I found seats facing each other and settled in for our ride.  The train set off for Portland.

The conductor came along to check tickets, and was very chipper for 6:30am.  We didn’t have actual tickets, only confirmation numbers.  He jokingly threatened to throw us off at the next stop if we didn’t have tickets.  Luckily the other conductor came in with our tickets.  We would not be shoved off at the next stop.  Once we knew we weren’t going to be evicted from the train, Amy and I went to the dining cart to get some breakfast.

Amy and I had more time to talk during the trip.  It’s always nice to have time with friends to catch up and unwind.  The scenery was beautiful and I kept looking for Mt. Hood.  I know you can see it to the East while driving up I-5, but I just couldn’t see it from where we were.  We made stops in Salem and Oregon City before we reached Portland.  It was a leisurely ride and didn’t seem like it took too long at all. 

We got off at Portland Union Station and saw the huge line of people waiting to get on.  The train was going to be quite full for the rest of the trip. 

Stumptown

With the help of my Handy Dandy iPhone, we were able to find Stumptown.  This is a coffee shop in Portland where we were going to meet Amy’s brother, sister-in-law and baby nephew.  Her brother lives in Olympia, WA which is about an hour north of Portland.  Since Amy was in town from Chicago, and hadn’t met the baby yet, they agreed to meet up with her for the morning. 

Amy got some coffee and I ordered some peppermint tea.  It was yummy.  While sitting on the comfy couch I was able to enjoy me tea and read the New York Times Book Review and chatting some more with Amy.  She hadn’t seen her brother since 2008!  As much as my brothers annoy me, I don’t think I could go that long without seeing them.  I saw Joe at least twice a year and Jeff maybe once or twice a month.  I really hope I don’t go years without seeing them, especially if Joe and Megan have a little one. 

Apparently there is more than one Stumptown in the area and Amy’s brother went to the other one.  She gave him directions to where we were so that we could all go to VooDoo Doughnuts.  I was so excited.  I hadn’t had a doughnut in sooooooo long and I was looking forward to the sugary goodness.  I wanted a glazed cake doughnut or possibly a Boston Cream.  Those are my favorites people.  Keep that in mind. 

VooDoo Doughnuts

We relied on my iPhone GPS, but it lied to us.  It said there was a VooDoo Doughnuts right around the corner from where we were.  It lied.  No VooDoo Doughnuts.  I got online with my iPhone to check out the website.  We needed the one on 3rd, which was actually around the corner from the Stumptown that her brother was at previously.  So we all jumped into her brother’s Yaris.  Yeah, 4.5 of us in a Yaris, but it worked somehow.  After navigating the one way streets and getting going the right direction, we found the place and parked. 

THERE WAS A LINE OUT THE DOOR!  We thought the doughnuts were going to be amazing because of the line of people.  I got even MORE excited!!!!  We hopped in line and waited.  We didn’t wait long and got inside quickly.   There was no real way there could be a line inside as it was so tiny.  Amy bought a dozen random doughnuts for us all to try.  I bought three for me to take home and enjoy for the rest of the week.  I got a chocolate cake glazed, a vanilla cake with sprinkles and a Portland Cream.  YAY! 

We walked around looking for a place to sit and enjoy the doughnuts.  We came across a market by a fountain with steps, perfect for sitting.   We all took bites of the different doughnuts, and I quickly began feeling the sugar rush through my body!

The morning flew by and it was already time for Amy to start heading toward PDX to ensure she’d catch her flight on time.  Her brother offered to take her so she wouldn’t have to take the transit to the airport.  My train back to Albany wouldn’t leave until 6pm, so I had time to run around Portland that day.  I said goodbye to Amy and gave her a big hug.  I already missed her.

Portland Saturday Market (on Sunday)

Since I had time to kill and I was right by the market, I decided to explore. 

There were vendors selling art, t-shirts, jewelry, flowers, pottery and so much more.  It was really neat to see all the different things.  I weaved my way through looking at everything and just taking it all in.  There were some truly talented artists at the Market.  I came across an artisan who made things out of flatware.  I have a ring, bracelet and pendant made out of forks that I got at the Yellow Springs Street Fair so I was looking for something to complement the set.  He had barrettes made out of handles that were inexpensive.  I bought one as I was also looking for something to get the hair out of my eyes. 

Powell’s City of Books

After I had gone through the market I decided to go to my favorite spot in Portland: Powell’s City of Books.  It’s truly amazing.  I made a point to go there last year when Jeff, Julie and I were in Portland.  They have so many rooms of new and used books.  I spent two hours there perusing the stacks.

I bought a little notebook so I could keep track of everything I did that day so that I could be sure I blogged about it.  I must make sure my public gets the full story.  ;-) I also found a series of books by Louise Rennison.  When I worked at the Middletown Public Library I shelved the Young Adult Books.  Occasionally I would check out a young adult book.  Although meant for a younger audience, I absolutely LOVED them.  While at Powell’s I noticed that there were more in the series than I had read.  I bought the first three to reread them as they were only $2.50 each.  I plan to back and get the others when I am finished with these.  I am so excited!

Lunch

After I finally left Powell’s, I felt a little hungry.  I decided I needed lunch.  I had just read an article about the Portland Food Carts in Portland Monthly.  Also, Lindsay always talked about the carts.  I really wanted to try them out.  I remembered passing them earlier that day while looking for VooDoo Doughnuts, so I walked down to find them. 

I had assumed they didn’t open until lunchtime as when we drove by, none of them were open.  Well, at 2pm, they were still closed.  I thought they were opened every day, but apparently not on Sundays. 

Disappointed, I decided to wander around until I found something else to eat.  Luckily, it didn’t take long for something to catch my eye. 

I saw a cute little café called Morning Glory Café.  It looked really nice, so I went in.  I was seated by the window, which was nice so I could people watch.  I had the cutest, nerdy waiter who was very friendly. On the weekends they have a wonderful brunch menu and I was having trouble deciding what I wanted.  I had been craving mimosas, so I ordered one.

By the time my nerdy waiter came back with my mimosa, I had decided on the Morning Glory Bow.  It was hashbrowns topped with scrambled eggs, veggie sausage, country gravy and salsa verde.  It was DELICIOUS!  I am salivating right now just thinking about it.  I’m sure I could recreate it, but probably not as good as they did.  I can’t wait to go back and have it again!

Shopping


After I paid my bill, I decided to roam around and see what I came across.  No less than a block away from the Morning Glory Café I found a Nordstrom Rack.  I try to not let consumerism get the best of me, but it was so shiny.  I walked in and noticed right away that the type of people that shop there aren’t the type of people you see in Corvallis really. I do not wear designer clothes, but I do have some sense of style.  That day I wore my typical bohemian type clothing.  I actually prefer to call it bohemian chic.  I admit, I love shoes and handbags. They are my weakness.  I went upstairs and immediately saw a beautiful Kate Spade bag.  I don’t need the bag, and didn’t see a reason to spend $150 on an accessory since I am doing this whole saving thing.  I did try on some Coach strappy sandals.  My poor feet don’t see anything besides Payless, so I decided to make them feel special. 

Pearl District 

I wandered around a little more and decided to mosey on over to the Pearl District.  It’s the trendy/artsy part of Portland.  Unique shops and bars.  Art galleries and quaint gift shops.  It’s really clean and attracts the young moderns.  I am young and hip, so of course I belonged there.  I walked up and down the streets window shopping and admiring the other explorers.

I saw a beautiful complex of condos that would be a dream home.  Beautiful courtyards, modern and very clean.  I would be very comfortable in one of those condos...if I had $500,000.  Someday.

It was getting late and I needed to get to the train station in plenty of time, so I made my way over to the Amtrak.

Homeless

The city was clean, but every once in a while I got a whiff of urine.  Oregon has the highest percentage of homeless in the country, and the poor folk were everywhere.  This fact makes me want to help in someone.  I am going to look to see where I could volunteer.  I had thought about spending my Christmas at a soup kitchen since I wasn't going home, but now having been exposed to the problem, I want to do more.

The Ride Home

I was tired from a day of walking around Portland and was welcoming taking time to relax on the ride home.  I pulled out one of the books I got at Powell's and enjoyed the soothing sounds of the train as it made its way down the tracks.  I can't wait to go back.