Five Reasons to Get Your Ass Over to Portland

Light posting much of last weekend, as we headed up to Portland for Su and Fred's wedding. It was our second time up in Portland, and it's quickly becoming one of our favorite North American cities.

Clean air, a vibrant downtown, simple and cheap public transporation, friendly people and great views... It's a much more hospitable San Francisco. Why head down there?

1. Nature is around the corner. Maria marveled at how fit the people of Portland were. These people are effortlessly in shape, and why not? The outdoors are totally accessible. Su and Fred threw their wedding in Hood River, an hour just east of Portland. But for the amount of time it sometimes takes for me just to get from Glendale to West L.A., Portlandians are transported to a perfect spot for a getaway. Located on the Columbia River, the town is small and charming, with hiking and windsurfing close by (sorry, didn't partake).

On the way back to Portland, we stopped at a number of mountainside waterfalls, including Multnomah Falls. Right next to the falls, a lodge offered up a extensive but cheap breakfast... we dined on omelettes and french toast while taking in the views.

2. Powell's City of Books. One of the nation's largest independent bookstores, Powell's is an institution -- and probably represents Portland better than any other attraction. You can get lost combing through Powell's floor after floor of new and used books; as a matter of fact, you better take a map with you -- lest you really get lost.

3. Portland is the West Coast's biggest small town. The city boasts more wine bars than Los Angeles, more restaurants than you'd expect in a city this size and a lively downtown.

4. Public transportation that seems to work. Much of downtown falls under what Portland calls a "fareless square" -- which means you can hop on the bus, light rail or streetcar for free. And yes, those three modes of transporation take you where you want to go.

5. Shockingly friendly people. I try to hide our maps when we explore on vacation -- but let's face it, we can still look like tourists. One man came up to us and started trying to help us figure out where we were (even when I told him that I knew where we were. Strangely enough, he didn't. But he made the effort.) The streetcar and bus drivers we talked to actually enjoyed their jobs -- and were more than willing to explain in detail how we should go from Point 'A' to Point 'B'. We were even invited to sip free wine and downing crackers and brie after a Catholic church Mass.

Plenty more reasons to head up to Portland. The trip is a quick 2 hours by Alaska Air. Go to it.