Treasures of Portland

Portland is a vibrant Pacific Northwest city known for its eco-friendly culture and lush green spaces. 

Portland, Oregon, known as the "City of Roses," is the state's largest city and is located in the Pacific Northwest at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers. Although I had never traveled there, I was anxious to make my first visit for two days in springtime time some time ago. Famed for its eco-friendly culture, craft breweries, diverse food cart scene, and coffee culture, Portland offers a unique blend of urban, artistic vibes and easy access to nature. The city is recognized for its progressive, laid-back nature and its distinct neighborhoods. It prides itself on being a quirky, independent city with a focus on sustainability and creativity. Another city nickname is “Beervana," which recognizes Portland as a top global craft beer destination with over 70 breweries. 

United's chicken breast was surprisingly tasty, not overly salted or dried out, which isn't the norm.

This journey started at the Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) on a United Airlines 737-800 heading to the Houston Intercontinental Airport, which departed around 12:30 in the afternoon. The forward cabin had 16 seats spread out over four rows in a 2 x 2 configuration. A pre-departure beverage choice between water or sparkling wine was offered and soon after takeoff, hot towels were distributed. Cocktails were then served with a ramekin of warmed nuts. The lunch service was next. I had preordered the Grilled Chicken Breast with Coconut Curry Sauce, White Rice with Spinach, Sautéed Zucchini and Carrots. The meal also included a Side Salad of Lettuce, Tomato, Cucumber with Italian Balsamic Vinaigrette (not my favorite), a Bread Roll, and a Dessert Brownie. The flight attendants were top notch. They were kind, extremely attentive, and gracious, epitomizing United’s “friendly skies.”

A popular therapy animal program at PDX involves alpacas and llamas who often greet their travelers.

Following a 90-minute layover, my connecting flight to Portland aboard another 737-800 was airborne about 5:00 PM. Although I skipped the meal service, I did avail myself of a few snacks offered towards the close of this nearly five-hour flight. We touched down at the Portland International Airport (PDX) about 7:30 in the evening. This airport is a destination in itself and is renowned as a top-tier US airport. It features a sustainable 9-acre mass timber roof, over 70 live trees and an abundance of natural light, all designed to evoke feelings of a Pacific Northwest forest. PDX also lays claim to an iconic and cherished carpet design, which mimics the airpot’s runways as seen at night by air traffic controllers. The carpet has actually become a cultural phenomenon and gained a cult following. And that’s not all. The Portland Airport also features a mini theatre which screens movies by local Oregon filmmakers and actually boasts live therapy llamas and alpacas which greet travelers every few weeks and during busy seasons. In the annals of US airports, it seems to me that PDX is one that’s sure hard to beat!

The Heathman Hotel is a rare blend of classic architecture combined with artistic, cozy interiors.

My meetings were taking place at the legendary Heathman Hotel. This historic and luxurious boutique property is situated on SW Broadway in the heart of Portland's cultural and financial district and within walking distance of the MAX Light Rail. Built in 1927 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the rooms at this landmark hotel are classic. My Deluxe Corner King Room measured 474 square feet and came with an expansive city view and a dedicated sitting area, along with premium linens, blackout drapes, free Wi-FI, a 42” flat-screen TV and evening turndown service.  The hotel was famous for its library, which featured a curated collection of signed books from various authors. It was also home at the time to Headwaters, a celebrated restaurant focused on Pacific Northwest cuisine with Russian influences that was a great place to enjoy a group dinner on the Saturday evening. Overall, I found the Heathman to be a pleasant and cozy “home away from home” during my stay in Portland.

Powell's is a book lover's paradise with maps available to help one navigate its multiple floors.

When time permitted, several of us made a beeline to the famous Powell’s City of Books, renowned as the world’s largest, independent bookstore.  Occupying an entire city block in the Pearl District, it contained over 3,500 different sections, featuring both recently-published bestsellers and hard-to-find, out-of-print used titles - all on the same shelves. The store was divided into nine color-coded rooms with multiple floors, creating a distinct, maze-like, but cozy atmosphere that encouraged exploration. A dedicated, top-floor space was really something to see as it featured 9,000 high-value books consisting of autographed first editions and antique treasures, all of which attracted serious collectors. As an independent shop, its displays, including the celebrated “Staff Picks,” appeared to be based on genuine passion rather than paid marketing copy from publishers. The building also housed a café, making it easy to enjoy a break while spending hours browsing in comfort. We could have spent days covering all that Powell’s had to offer a book lover, but as our time was short, we had to save most of the store for another time. 

The Pittock Mansion's then-modern technologies included electric chandeliers as well as an elevator.

For a change of pace, several of us took the suggestion made by the hotel concierge and visited the Pittock Mansion, a historic 16,000-square-foot French Renaissance-style château built in 1914 and located in the West Hills area.  It serves as a historic house and museum that showcases the life of one of Portland's most influential families amid the city’s transformation from a frontier town to an urban center. The Pittock Mansion was the home of wealthy publisher Henry Pittock and is now a public museum. Perched 1,000 feet high in the West Hills, the mansion and the surrounding 46-acre park provides stunning, panoramic views of the city and five mountain peaks, including Mount Hood, Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams, Mount Rainier, and Mount Jefferson. Designed by architect Edward Foulkes, the home boasted advanced technology for its day, like a central vacuum and intercom system as well as indirect lighting and a shower with multiple nozzles. We enjoyed touring the restored interior, which featured opulent rooms and period antiques. The City of Portland purchased the property in 1964 to prevent it from being demolished. We were glad they did as the Pittock Mansion was a must-see for those of us interested in history and architecture. 

A flight-worthy Czechoslovakian MIG-17F, an advanced subsonic fighter jet, was on the tarmac.

Just west of the city at the Hillsboro Airport was the Classic Aircraft Aviation Museum, which was another highlight of my stay in the city. This non-profit museum is dedicated to the acquisition, restoration, and operation of classic military aircraft, specifically focusing on the Jet Age and Cold War periods. Highlights of their aircraft collection included a Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, an American supersonic interceptor, and a Northrop F-5 Fighter aircraft, a compact and lightweight fighter jet known for its agility and handling. I found it interesting the museum also featured a MIG-17F, a Soviet-built swept-wing fighter famous for its role in the Vietnam War, as well as one produced in Czechoslovakia under Soviet license. What sets this museum apart from others is their concentration on keeping their aircraft in flying condition rather than simply on static display, which allows for the occasional flight demonstration and educational, hands-on experiences. The collection, which started in 1998, serves as an educational resource. In this regard, the museum frequently showcases its holdings at area airshows and community events. During our visit, we were able to get up close and personal with several active restoration and maintenance projects, with the added bonus of onsite volunteers freely sharing their passion and expertise. I found this to be an engaging, hands-on alternative to visiting a purely visual museum and would highly recommend it to any visiting AvGeeks. 

Despite its urban challenges, I found Portland to be a vibrant city with a unique and independent culture and would welcome the chance for a repeat visit.

Until next time…safe travels.