A perfect day in Portland

After a quiet evening in our room eating snacks from Whole Foods and a great sleep, we were up early to experience Portland. Norm managed to find a cafe on the way to the street car that supports those in need in the community and you pay what you want or more. Of course we paid more but had good pastries to start our day. Downtown Portland is a fun place to wander. Here we are at Pioneer Square watching a slightly senior group of musicians and baton twirlers doing there stuff. Beautiful public space decorated with flowers. Come back June 14 and they sell off the plants a dozen for $10. Until then they water them twice a day, two years ago the creators laid out a map of the world in greens, reds, purples, yellows and oranges. They call this spot in the middle of downtown Portland's living room. We hung out 'til noon to hear The Beat Goes On, a marching band of older musicians and baton-twirling seniors, collective age Norm figured at 2,000 years-plus. When we are old, we'll wear purple and learn the tuba.

 Even in a walker you can still make music! Next a classy wool store, Knit and Purl. Maybe on our way back. We have to remember we are on bikes. 

Lunch was at Deschutes Brewery, established 1988. Outside in the sunshine, drinking Chainbreaker beer, eating pizza and people watching - nice! 

Picture from our room but t-shirt from the brewery. They make the beer at Bend, Ore., but they drink a lot of it here in Portland's Pearl district, a renovated old warehouse district like Yaletown in Vancouver.

We spend the afternoon walking around the Pearl District, voted the most walkable neighbourhood in Oregon and an example of urban renewal. We did find some clothing items that should fit in our panniers. Next was Powell's Books. We tried to control ourselves and came away with only 3. No visit to Portland isn't complete without a visit to Voodoo Doughnuts. Yes Norman had a maple bacon doughnut! Mine was chocolate coconut. Yummy!

Tomorrow we get to take in two markets and an evening Starlight Parade. Should be fun.