Time in Portland

Yesterday we ventured into Portland for the day. We started with the Portland Classical Chinese Garden, an authentic Ming Dynasty garden. It is right downtown and was created with artisans and designers from Portland's sister city of Suzhou China in 1999. We enjoyed it alot.

Then off to Bridgeport Brewery, Oregon's oldest craft brewery, for a sampler tray & lunch. Of course, we had to leave with a six-pack of our 2 favorites. Don't expect we'll make it home with that particular souvenier...

Then it was up to Washington Park to wander through the International Test Rose Garden. It was fun to stumble across the rose varieties that I have in the yard. Anyone interested in a planting a rose should look into the new Marilyn Monroe.

Lastly, we walked around the Pittock Mansion (we were too late to take a tour). It was built by one of Oregon's founding fathers... Everyone knows I can't resist an old Mansion! Pittock was also instrumental in getting Oregon's first road built, which is the Historic Columbia River Highway. At the top, at Crown Point, they built a 'rest stop' called Vista House (1917). Amazing views from here!

Since I'm still having an awful time with my sore throat/sinus infection, we've decided to stay one more night here in the Portland area and move on up the the Mt. St. Helen's area tomorrow.