My dearest Portland,
One year ago today, a Southern California transplant living in Phoenix left her 360-days a year sunshine to come to one of the rainiest places in the U.S. That’s right, I left the balmy Southern California sunshine and the heat of the Phoenix desert for you, and your lush, green forests that are the stuff of fairytales. I left everything I knew behind, 1000 miles down south for something new and bold in the great northwest. I left my past, for my exciting new future with you.
Beginning my decent into PDX, I remember looking out the cabin windows, to one of the most beautiful sites I have ever seen. To the left triumphantly stood Mt. Hood, Mt. Jefferson, and a few other volcanoes jutting out of the green backdrop lined against the bluest of blue skies. And, determined not be outdone by the sites to the left; to the right stood Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Adams and Mt. Rainier, majestically towering over the state of Washington. I couldn’t believe the beauty of the town I could now call home.
The next few days here, I toured your downtown, welcomed by fireworks kicking off the 2009 Rose Festival. You were so beautiful Portland. Eclectic tall buildings flanked by smaller, fun shops characterized the downtown with a certain fun, flare that most cities could only aspire to have. In between the buildings, live music could be heard emanating from every direction. Jazz, blues, alternative, country, trance, Bollywood… every type of music assaulted my ears as I walked your streets, and you know what – it rocked!
Oh man – and the people, oh the people in your city are great! So nice, so warm, so welcoming – and talk about flare! Wow! Mohawks, tattoos, costumes walk side-by-side with Chanel, Prada and chic professional people. A businessman waiting to catch the tram (the max), reading the latest issue of the Financial Times never even gave the heard of people dressed as sheep a second look as they too waited for the same tram, “bahhing” and possibly even grazing on some grass ;)
Oh Portland, and there is NEVER a shortage of things to do downtown. From just plain people watching, to the Rose garden, Japanese Garden, Chinese Garden, Waterfront Park, Forest Park and many, many cool, funky eateries, bars, clubs and shops to keep your often incredulous tourists and residents entertained for days! I mean seriously Portland, for a small city, you have a lot to do. I won’t get into the west or east side rivalry, as I know it’s a sore subject for you, but I will say that the east side with its funky yet charming places never fail to entertain me, while the west side is much more Portland-chic catering to the finer tastes of your fans.
Venturing away from your downtown heart, we drove just 45 minutes east and were greeted by the magnificent Columbia River Gorge! Sweeping views of this spectacular place can astound even the most skeptic tourists. Waterfalls line the roads every few minutes, and climbable peaks offer even the most avid hikers a challenge! My god I love that about you, Portland. You offer the adventurous spirits something to indulge their bold souls. There is no shortage of hikes in and around your city. Everything from coastal hikes with breathtaking views of the rugged Pacific coastline, to actual mountaineering, to less intense, but equally beautiful hikes along the Columbia River Gorge.
Your sunshine and beauty during the summer rivals even that of more-popular destination cities. But that’s OK… you are a well kept secret, shielded from the outside influence of other places in an effort to maintain your charm and funk that make you unique. Oh Portland, what you lack in size, you make up for in character! You are truly unique with some shades of weird thrown in to add some vibrancy!
However, my dearest Portland, don’t you think it’s time to trade in your gray, dreary, dull skies and constant drizzle for something a little more uplifting, blue and oh, I don’t know, bright?!! It’s time to let the sun shine down and illuminate the beauty of the city for all to see. I mean, it is almost June for god’s sake! Why are you clenching on to the bowels of winter weather for so long? Don’t you think we’ve had enough water for the year? Don’t you think it’s time to let your residents give their fleece jackets and raincoats a break? I know you don’t like your residents to carry an umbrella, a custom that I must admit, I don’t understand – but I know that my Northface jackets are ready for a break, what’s say? And, I know you don’t like to be a follower, but rather a trailblazer (no pun intended), but with the rest of the US approaching summer, don’t you think you should follow suit, just this once?
I’ve loved you from the moment I called this place home. You see, I am also an adventurous spirit, and your exciting outdoor life is of great interest to me. But this rain is dampening my spirit, it’s downright depressing. I must admit, during this impossibly long winter, I have caught back up on a lot of reading, movies and shopping, but enough is ENOUGH!! I am ready to be back outside amidst your incredible lands. In closing, my city, my Portland – please, for the love of god, STOP RAINING!!!!!!!! You are making even your most doting fans question their love for you. Seriously.
Yours (maybe),
Lauren
2 comments:
Don't give up! The rain will stop soon. Then you'll again see the beautiful green northwest again!
I've already been out hiking and it's great! I'm sure you've probably been in the Columbia Gorge. If you get a chance, check out Falls Creek Falls north of Carson WA. It's a little more remote, but it is beautiful.
Hi Bob, thanks for the suggestion! Yes, you're right, I have done a lot of hikes in the gorge, and around Portland and Washington, but have not done Falls Creek Falls north, I will have to add that one to the list!! :)
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