Peace in Portland, Oregon

Regardless of how much time you have in the Rose City, you must visit the Multnomah Falls, take a walk along Tom McCall Waterfront Park, visit the zoo and of course, catch a Blazers game at the Rose Garden!

Quick Tips:

Remember that Oregon has no sales tax, so if you are planning on buying something expensive, buy it while you are here! (But buying a car doesn't count because when you register it back in your home state, the sales tax is, well, taxed right back on!) Also, be sure to dress warm and bring a waterproof jacket, as it rains a lot!

Best Way To Get Around:

If you're primarily downtown, walking is the best way to get around. If you wish to explore further, by all means, rent a car. There are plenty of rental agencies at PDX (Portland International Airport). The public transportation will also suffice if that is your only option.

Any time of the year is good to visit the Falls, except when it is snowing or icy in the Columbia Gorge. The Gorge lines the Columbia River, which separates the Oregon and Washington state borders. The road is very windy and narrow, so please be careful. There are many places to stop enroute to the falls - the Portland Women's Forum lookout point, other scenic spots and several other smaller waterfalls. Expect this trip to take about 3 or 4 hours, depending on how much time you spend at each spot, the weather and how fast you drive. The falls are about 40 miles outside of Portland. Dress warm as the wind chill can be wicked!

The Columbia Gorge is full of natural beauty. Along the narrow, windy road to paradise, you will discover waterfalls, sharp drop-offs and amazing lookout points! Be careful of the drive and NEVER venture up there in ice or snow, as it can be treacherous. Dress warm all year-round because of biting windchills and take a lot of film!

Going to the local Portland mountains is a very popular getaway for skiers and nature enthusiasts. I am the latter. Mt. Hood is not that far from Portland (about 1 1/2 hours) and is a very safe road to drive, so the area can be congested with visitors at times. En route to Mt. Hood, you'll be able to view the beautiful Oregon country side complete with old barns, farms, homes and wildlife. Before you reach the top of Mt. Hood, you'll pass through cities like Boring, OR (which pretty much sums it up!), Government Camp and Timberline. Everything is just beautiful!

When landing at PDX, you'll find it is fairly easy to navigate. There are only two concourses and all gates and airlines are in close proximity to one another. The airport is very clean, has moving walkways and food and sundry establishments for your comfort. To catch ground transportation, simply follow the well-placed and illuminated signs. Do keep in mind that it is often raining and cold in Portland, so dress accordingly.

I hope you enjoy these additional photos of Portland. You'll find that Money Magazine was right on when the rated it the #1 Best City in America!

If you'd like to see more of my Portland photos, please visit