
I went to Portland for a few days. It was my second time going to the city of crafting, hipsters, and food trucks.

My favourite part of the trip started with a walk to, and a tour of, Pittock Mansion.

This is a turn-of-the-century mansion high in the hills on the west edge of the city. It was built by an entrepreneur and civic leader, Henry Pittock. Construction started when he was 74 years old. Just a little retirement project.

Another great reason to visit the mansion on foot is to get there via forest-y trails and a swanky residential neighbourhood with labyrinthine streets.

This looks like a gilded portrait of our former cat, Harold.

The Japanese gardens in Washington Park were also lovely.

No cell phone use allowed!

I stayed across the street from Kenny and Zuke's Delicatessen, and strolled over there for a veggie ruben with a side of potato salad. Delicious!

There are 3 Salt and Straw's in Portland.

Gourmet ice cream. This one is in the charming and lovely Nob Hill district. If you're in town, take a stroll down NW 23rd Avenue!

And try the pear with blue cheese or the coffee with bourbon ice cream. Unfortunately, I didn't, because I ran out of room.

An art and craft installation at PDX airport.
Also of note, but not with photo evidence: I had one of the best veggie burgers I've ever had at Besaw's. There was another visit to Grand Central Bakery. It's worth a trip to Collage - a mixed-media art supply store with so much fun stuff to look at. And then you can go across the street to check out the amazing pie selection at Random Order. Still lots more to see and do - which means another trip is called for (maybe 2013...).