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“Distance travelled today - 140 miles” |
Today we travelled further north through Oregon to Portland, via Salem. Salem is the state capital but really tiny (there seems to be a recurring theme that state capitals are tiny towns compared to other cities in the state). However, Charlie was on a mission to see every state capital in each state that we visit, so we made a quick detour via Salem. And it was a quick detour as there is very little there. We followed signs to the historic centre but all we managed to find was a JC Penney (which is a cheap clothes/department store chain). So, we left again and carried on our journey to Portland. Portland is the biggest city in Oregon but is still quite small so we found the centre, parked up and headed to the shops. The sight of proper shops and streets with bars and restaurants that looked something better than a renovated trailer was just a bit too much for us to handle after the last few days of small towns up the coast. We found a shopping mall and revelled in the delights of J Crew, Gap and Saks. We then decided that it was time for some culture so wandered around before finding a craft market which we decided was good as it was a combination of both cultural and shopping so was perfect! The market was really cool and there were lots of people playing music in the streets as well. There was also the Oregon Brewing Festival going on by the river and lots of biker types were wandering around with plastic pitcher glasses through the city.
Portland is a really chilled out city with lots of young people and a large ‘alternative’ scene which makes it quite interesting. However, this doesn’t stop it from having a Starbucks on almost every corner. I don’t think I’ve ever seen more Starbucks in one place before! (However, I’m sure we may see more when we reach Seattle and the home of Starbucks tomorrow). It also has lots of old warehouses so my interior design warehouse fetish came out again!
After stopping for some lunch we had a look round Chinatown (which is really tiny but has a good entrance) before heading back to the shops for another look around. Charlie was appalled by the discovery that CDs and DVDs are no cheaper in the US than at home. Her precise words were ‘what is this country good for if all that is cheaper is Carmex and Gap?’. A fair point maybe!
We are now in our motel which is by the airport so not much to see but we get free airport transfers if I feel the need to revisit another airport since Las Vegas.
Tomorrow we are off to Seattle for two days before seeing Lauren on Wednesday in Canada.
Distance travelled today – 140 miles.
Bearwatch – 0 (but Lauren has promised me bears in Canada).
previous travel blog entry
Ros Barkway says:
amazing how many miles you have covered! Can't wait for Canada think you should then add Mountie watch to your bear watch !!! lv H.N.Dx