Daytripping | Portland, OR

I love to travel. Whether it is a trip to another country or a new-to-me place in my own neighborhood, exploring is totally my jam.

Recently, I hopped on a plane to revist my former home city: Portland (the one in Oregon). I lived there for close to 30 years and in hindsight, the experience was the fodder for my life of adventure. 

While living there, I connected with my creativity and passion for storytelling through my time as a volunteer and employee at KBOO Community Radio.  I became a mom to my darling daughter, Lila, and I also suffered through menopause there (not fun). I fell in and out of love so many times, I think I have had my fill of those kinds of shenanigans. 

​Check out this short video with some thoughts about the changes in Portland and coming 'back home' after leaving five years ago. Just click on the image below!

This was my third visit to Stumptown since leaving in the summer of 2018 to move to New England, but it was this visit that I made peace with some of the lingering unresolved feelings about my life here.  By doing so, it opened up a big ole space to fill up with joyful experiences while visiting. I enjoyed reconnecting with my friends and family. I also explored places of long ago and learned of things that are no longer. I was also smitten with some of the new shiny things now found in Portland.

Here's a list of the 30+ places I visited during my two week Pacific Northwest Adventure:

• Art in The Pearl
• Lake Oswego, OR
• Nicholas on Broadway
• Salem, OR
• Petite Provence
• Michael's Chicago Style Deli
• Hopscotch
• Swan Island Dahlia Festival
• Canby Ferry
• Kennedy School | Boiler Room Bar
• Cannon Beach
• Ecola Seafood
• Dragon Fire Gallery
• Colene Clemens Winery
• Willakenzie Estate
• Unity Church
• Skyway Bar & Grill
• Timberline Lodge
• The Columbia River Gorge
• JoLa Cafe
• Tualatin River
• Portland Japanese Garden
• Portland Rose Gardens
• Elephants Deli
• Boccelli's
• Oak Flat Vineyards Tasting Room & Bistro
• Noho's
• Pip's Original
• Kati Thai
• Pinolo Gelato
• Common Grounds Coffeemaker
• Por Que No
• Presents of Mind
• KBOO Community Radio
• Burgerville 
• Red Hills Market
• Rain or Shine Coffee
• Oblique Coffee Roasters
  
• Taborspace
• Crema

I covered a lot of ground while I was here and thank all my friends and family who joined me on the daily adventures. I look forward to a return visit in a couple of years!