Three markets and a parade

One thing I love about traveling with Norman is that you are never quite sure what is around the corner. This morning while buying a supply of stamps at the post office for our postcards to Canada, we came upon the Hollywood Farmer's Market. It was a great way to start our day, Norm having a strawberry crepe and me a molasses raisin muffin. This market was amazing (compared to those back home) for what they sold. Before 11am we were able to sample wine, cider and beer! They sold beer too -- Taken by Porches, an odd name from the founder's original method of brewing in a former outdoor turkey deep fryer that sat on his porch. The Invasive Species IPA wasn't bad. Check out Reverend Nat's. 

The vegetables were picture perfect and the crowds full of young people with kids and dogs, a hip neighbourhood. 

This arrangement of beets was as tall as me! If only we weren't on bikes we'd buy lots. By now the sun was out and we were able to change to shorts and sandals for the next market downtown at Portland State University. This is by far one of the best we have been to. By the time we left we had managed to eat fresh walnuts and hazelnuts, pretzel bun, peach custard Danish, a basket of fresh strawberries, coffees, Gringas de Mole, raspberry brownie and some cheese samples! 

Entertainment everywhere. Check out this group called Closely Watched Trains. 

We ate our Mexican Mole while listening to the main stage music. Feeling very full we decided to walk to the next market. The waterfront market is more crafts, art, food and "characters". And being June 1 the Rose Festival is just starting with a midway and rock concert tonight. 

For our friends Debby and Ed travelling in Ireland, Guinness is the drink to enjoy. Here in Portland they are known for their beer too but water is a biggie! Check out the water fountains found all over the city. 

The Starlight Parade. We saw people lining up before noon and it didn't start till 8.30 pm. And while waiting for the action to begin the streets were filled with kids, bubbles, toys and more.

So off we go after dinner with the rest of Portland to watch a parade. Before any marching bands or floats show up, the streets are filled with runners, like a 5 km race. Amazing costumes and probably 5,000 runners pass by. Wild and crazy!

We had lots of people watching waiting for the "real" parade to begin. It had the usual marching bands -- if you watch the Victoria Day parade back home you've seen many of the huge high school marching bands, from Sultan, Sumner, Marysville and places in between -- also somewhat older baton twirlers again, rose princesses and floats. We snuck out before the end and didn't think we missed too much. 

So we say goodbye to the Hollywood neighbourhood. Tomorrow we take the streetcar to,the end of the line and start biking to McMinnville and to the coast. Weather looks great and we are keen to be biking again!